Dear Ashwabay Alliance Community,
I’ve been rethinking what we’ve always called our shoulder seasons—those few months following The Old Last Night at Big Top and the first chair at Mt. Ashwabay. And again in spring when the snow begins to melt and we start looking forward to new and familiar melodies under the big blue tent.
You’d think those weeks would be a time to catch our breath. But instead, our crew is busy taking down and storing the concession and merch tents while the team at Mt. Ashwabay preps the downhill runs and Nordic trails, tunes skis, fixes bindings, and gets every helmet and boot ready for the season ahead.
In these so-called “quiet” weeks, we’re still hosting incredible community events like the Haunted Trail—with 553 participants on Saturday night alone—and the annual Ski Swap. This past weekend, the snow guns fired up for the first time this season, beginning the build of a solid base for another long, successful winter.
On the entertainment side, there’s no rest either. We just announced The Jayhawks 2026, released *ten* Blue Canvas Orchestra (BCO) performances for the winter season, and put next year’s lawn passes on sale. Behind the scenes, we’re already in conversation with multiple acts for our 40th season at the Big Top.
The Backstage is alive every Wednesday with Open Mic Nights, and Live in the Lounge on Thursdays at StageNorth keeps the energy going. Plus, Yazmin and Beat Zero with special guests are coming to StageNorth this December—tickets are already going fast!
Administratively, it’s time for annual budgeting, campaign planning, sending Fiscal Year 2025 off to the auditors, and crafting our Annual Report.
Our marketing team works hard—expert jugglers making sure every show, every event, and every initiative gets the attention it deserves—all so we can continue delivering the experiences that connect and inspire our community.
Sometimes, I think once we’re in the full swing of the winter and summer seasons, that’s actually the easy part of what we do.
Thank you for being part of it all.
Respectfully,
Garry Schalla
The music, the art, the soul behind the songs
BCO presents “Songwriters Showcase”—November 22 at The Backstage
If you’ve ever wondered how a song takes shape—how a spark of emotion transforms into a melody that moves you—this is the night to find out.
“Songwriting is such a personal thing,” says BCO member Ed Willett, who’s teaming up with fellow members Danielle Diamond and James Shafstall for an intimate evening at The Backstage.
“As songwriters, we’re constantly creating new music, but we don’t often get the opportunity to share the stories behind the songs—behind the art itself.”
For Willett, this showcase brings back memories of a “songwriters circle” held nearly fifteen years ago—a small, honest space where creativity and conversation flowed as freely as the music. “The Backstage is perfect for that,” he adds. “It’s an informal setting where the audience can really get to know us.”
Each artist brings a unique voice to the circle:
- Danielle Diamond, a singer-songwriter, has just finished a brand-new song she’s eager to share
- James Shafstall, known for pushing musical boundaries with his edgy, exploratory style
- Ed Willett, a classically trained cellist whose work fuses classical, contemporary, and groove-based music
Expect a few surprises, too—including familiar covers and formative songs that shaped their musical journeys. “You’ll hear pieces that inspired us to become who we are as artists,” Willett says. “Some will sound familiar, and some will be brand new—maybe even something you’ve never heard before.”
And that’s exactly the point.
“This show is for people who like to be intrigued and surprised,” Willett shares. “It’s about connecting with the deep soul of songwriting—hearing something original, something that makes you think or feel differently.”
With percussionist Tom Mitchell and bassist Vince Osborn joining the trio, this collaboration promises a night of originality, laughter, and connection.
Click here to get your tickets for Songwriters Showcase.
The Rhythm That Changed Everything
Yazmin and Beat Zero with special guests—December 5th at The StageNorth
When Yazmin was 13, she sat in the Northland College Theater in Ashland and heard a Cuban band from Miami that, in her words, “blew my mind.”
“It was—and still is—the energy and the rhythms I’m drawn to,” she says. “It’s complex and syncopated but melodic and sensual. I remember writing in my diary, I promised myself I will go live in Cuba and study Cuban music from this day forward.”
She kept that promise.
The Washburn-born BCO member has spent years weaving together the musical worlds that shaped her—the soulful roots of home and the irresistible pulse of Cuban rhythm. That cross-cultural love story takes center stage on Friday, December 5th, when Yazmin and her band, Beat Zero, return to StageNorth alongside The Havana Quartet and fellow BCO artist Scott Kirby.
“The Havana Quartet brings this lush classical mix,” she says. “And Scott’s husky, beautiful voice brings in a new kind of energy.”
This show is about crossing genres, crossing cultures, and celebrating the love of music itself. Expect a freshness of sound—from heartfelt ballads to driving Cuban rhythms—and a night that invites you to experience a new kind of musical energy.
Yazmin says this show is for “anyone who wants to widen their palate and hear a fusion of world cultures, and maybe something they haven’t heard before.”
And when the final note fades? The night keeps going with a salsa dance party in the bar—an open invitation to move, connect, and share the rhythm together.
“It’s about joy, love, and connection,” she says. “A space to show up for yourself and each other.”
Get tickets to Yazmin & Beat Zero Live—then stay for the salsa dance party!
From the Stage to the Summit: Your Gift Keeps the Stage Lights Shining Bright and the Trails Groomed
Giving Tuesday: December 2nd, 2025
This Giving Tuesday, we’re celebrating connection — the kind that happens when melodies rise beneath the Big Top and fresh snow falls across Mt. Ashwabay’s trails. Every song sung, every ski lesson, every shared laugh on the hill or under the tent happens because of you.
This year, everyone has something to give. You can make a gift of support, or you can share the gift of your story — a favorite concert moment, a memory on the mountain, or a time when this community brought you joy. Every story matters, and every gift helps keep that spirit alive.
Your support goes twice as far thanks to a $14,000 matching challenge that doubles every contribution received between November 20 and December 2. Together, we’re working toward a $25,000 goal to keep the lights glowing under the tent and the warmth alive on the hill.
Your gift of any size helps sustain what makes our region so special: live music, outdoor adventure, and the joy that brings us together. And for those able to make a leadership gift of $500 or more, we invite you to join our Stage to Summit Community of Stars, a circle of supporters whose generosity shines across every corner of the Ashwabay Alliance.
From rising stars to legendary ones, everyone shines brighter because of you.
Give today and help keep the magic alive all year long.
