Kim Hehr is a lifelong Chautauquan and a certified level 2 teacher of Kundalini Yoga and Meditation. She has been a yoga and meditation practitioner for 30 years and has been teaching Kundalini Yoga and Meditation for 25 years. A retired hospice nurse, she is presently the coordinator of the CHQ Mystic Heart Meditation Program. Kim...
Preacher Lawson is a stand-up comedian, actor, and creator known for his high-energy storytelling and physical, joy-driven comedy. He first gained national attention as a finalist on America’s Got Talent and has since built a global fanbase through touring, social media, and multiple comedy specials. Preacher headlines clubs and theaters across the world, selling out...
Larry Terkel, along with his wife Susan, founded The Spiritual Life Society, an inter-denominational center for spiritual and holistic studies, where he teaches yoga and meditation and gives weekly talks. As its licensed minister, Larry has officiated at over 2,000 weddings for couples of all faiths. He is also the founder of Temple Beth Shalom,...
The Rev. Natalie Hanson has been a longtime presence at Chautauqua; with her husband, the Rev. James Paul Womack, pastor of Hurlbut Memorial Community United Methodist Church, she has co-hosted the United Methodist Missionary Vacation Home at Chautauqua for several years. Hanson has also served Chautauqua as interim senior pastor in 2022, crafting, planning and...
Michael Grunwald is an award-winning journalist and bestselling author who has written about U.S. public policy and politics for three decades. He is best known for his coverage of climate change and the environment. His latest book, We Are Eating the Earth: The Race to Fix Our Food System and Save Our Climate, is a...
A moving feast of regional flavor. Taste Caravan transforms Bestor Plaza into a rotating showcase of the area’s most exciting restaurants and food trucks, offering guests the opportunity to sample 15–20 different regional establishments each week through thoughtfully prepared small bites. Food trucks will be available: Monday–Friday, 11:30 a.m.–2:30 p.m. (Lunch) Tuesday & Friday, 4:30–8:00...
Larry Terkel, along with his wife Susan, founded The Spiritual Life Society, an inter-denominational center for spiritual and holistic studies, where he teaches yoga and meditation and gives weekly talks. As its licensed minister, Larry has officiated at over 2,000 weddings for couples of all faiths. He is also the founder of Temple Beth Shalom,...
Big flavor meets big ideas in Bestor Plaza. Enjoy a dynamic lineup of live culinary demonstrations and discussions featuring chefs, artisans, and community partners from across the region and beyond. These engaging sessions spotlight innovative techniques, cultural traditions, sustainability practices, and the stories behind the food we love. Held daily during the Taste Caravan, each...
Norman Wirzba is Gilbert T. Rowe Distinguished Professor of Christian Theology & Senior Fellow at the Kenan Institute of Ethics at Duke University. His research and teaching interests are at the intersections of theology, philosophy, ecology, and agrarian and environmental studies. He is the author of Love’s Braided Dance: Hope in a Time of Crisis...
At the intersection of food insecurity and climate change lies one powerful opportunity: food rescue. Food waste and food insecurity are often treated as separate crises — yet they stem from the same structural inefficiencies in our food system. In the United States, up to 40% of food produced goes uneaten, even as 1 in...
Go beyond the glass and into the heart of artisanal spirits production in this immersive Masters Series class presented by Laika Spirits. This special program brings two master distillers—one of mezcal and one of whiskey—directly from Mexico to Chautauqua for an insider look at how some of today’s most compelling spirits are made, transported, and...
Sip, swirl, and savor at this lively Premium Craft Beverage Tasting Event, an interactive evening designed to showcase exciting wines, craft beers, and artisanal spirits you may not have encountered before. Set in the heart of Bestor Plaza, this social tasting experience invites guests to explore new flavors, discover emerging brands, and connect directly with...
This special evening marks the official launch of the Denyce Graves Foundation’s Generational Voices program, a dynamic new initiative dedicated to mentoring and elevating the next generation of vocal artists. The final concert of our orchestral season showcases rising talent from this groundbreaking program. Join maestro Rossen Milanov and the Chautauqua Symphony Orchestra for a...
Enjoy the beauty of the lake during our sunrise paddle. This is not a guided tour but an opportunity to rent a kayak, SUP or canoe for an enjoyable hour at sunrise. Reservations accepted one day in advance at the Sports Club. Contact sportsclub@chq.org with questions.
Larry Terkel, along with his wife Susan, founded The Spiritual Life Society, an inter-denominational center for spiritual and holistic studies, where he teaches yoga and meditation and gives weekly talks. As its licensed minister, Larry has officiated at over 2,000 weddings for couples of all faiths. He is also the founder of Temple Beth Shalom,...
Monte Thompson was a professional dancer, and also spent years as a restauranteur. His life was spent on his feet. Now retired, he is interested in continuing to be able...
Anna Lappé is the executive director of the Global Alliance for the Future of Food, a strategic alliance of philanthropic foundations working for food system transformation around the world. Before...
A moving feast of regional flavor. Taste Caravan transforms Bestor Plaza into a rotating showcase of the area’s most exciting restaurants and food trucks, offering guests the opportunity to sample...
Jumu'ah introduction for visitors is at 12:30 PM. Jumu'ah Service is at 1:05 PM
Big flavor meets big ideas in Bestor Plaza. Enjoy a dynamic lineup of live culinary demonstrations and discussions featuring chefs, artisans, and community partners from across the region and beyond....
Chautauqua Literary and Scientific Circle — Bite by Bite: Nourishments & Jamborees by Aimee Nezhukumatathil From the New York Times bestselling author of World of Wonders, a lyrical book of...
A moving feast of regional flavor. Taste Caravan transforms Bestor Plaza into a rotating showcase of the area’s most exciting restaurants and food trucks, offering guests the opportunity to sample 15–20 different regional establishments each week through thoughtfully prepared small bites. Food trucks will be available: Monday–Friday, 11:30 a.m.–2:30 p.m. (Lunch) Tuesday & Friday, 4:30–8:00...
This collaboration brings together 5x Grammy winning soprano Renée Fleming and 19x Grammy-winning banjo virtuoso Béla Fleck for a celebration of Appalachian folk music. For our country’s 250th anniversary, the program mines a rich vein of America’s musical heritage, weaving the expressive depth of Fleming's voice with the brilliance of Fleck’s banjo and his all-star My Bluegrass...
Carol McKiernan grew up at Chautauqua and says that her love of mystical practices began here on the grounds. She was formally introduced to meditation many years ago at an off-season yoga and meditation retreat led by Subagh Singh Khalsa and has been practicing Centering Prayer daily ever since. She has attended many seminars, workshops, and retreats...
The Silkroad Ensemble featuring Rhiannon Giddens brings an electrifying fusion of global traditions and contemporary expression to the stage. This acclaimed collective of artists creates a vibrant tapestry of sound that celebrates cultural exchange and musical curiosity. Giddens’ compelling voice and storytelling artistry add emotional depth and urgency to the performance. Audiences will be swept...
