Movement and Meditation with Monte Thompson
2026-08-07 08:30, 2026-08-10 08:30, 2026-08-12 08:30, 2026-08-14 08:30, 2026-08-17 08:30, 2026-08-19 08:30, 2026-08-21 08:30, 2026-08-24 08:30 (America/New_York) and 2 more dates | Hall of Philosophy Grove
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 to move easily and gracefully while using breathing and stretching techniques to help quiet his mind and prepare him to face each day with purpose and joy.

Chautauqua Prays for Peace though Compassion
2026-08-07 08:55, 2026-08-10 08:55, 2026-08-11 08:55, 2026-08-12 08:55, 2026-08-13 08:55, 2026-08-14 08:55, 2026-08-17 08:55, 2026-08-18 08:55 and 8 more dates | Hall of Philosophy Grove

Ecumenical Communion Service
2026-08-07 09:15, 2026-08-14 09:15, 2026-08-21 09:15, 2026-08-28 09:15 | Hall of Philosophy, Hall of Philosophy

Service of Blessing and Healing
2026-08-07 10:15, 2026-08-10 10:15, 2026-08-11 10:15, 2026-08-12 10:15, 2026-08-13 10:15, 2026-08-14 10:15, 2026-08-17 10:15, 2026-08-18 10:15 and 8 more dates | Randell Chapel, UCC Headquarters

Robert P. George
2026-08-07 10:45 | Amphitheater, Amphitheater
Robert P. George is McCormick Professor of Jurisprudence and director of the James Madison program in American Ideals and Institutions at Princeton University. Currently, he also chairs the New Jersey Advisory Committee of the U.S. Commission on Civil Rights. George is general editor of New Forum Books, a Princeton University Press series of interdisciplinary works in law, culture and politics. He is a member of the Council on Foreign Relations and is of counsel to the law firm of Robinson & McElwee. He will help close Chautauqua’s week commemorating “America at 250” with his perspective on the significance of “freedom of conscience” in the American founding and ongoing experiment.
George has frequently been a visiting professor at Harvard Law School, teaching philosophy of law and related subjects. In addition, he has served as chairman of the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom, on the President’s Council on Bioethics, as a presidential appointee to the United States Commission on Civil Rights, and as the U.S. member of UNESCO’s World Commission on the Ethics of Science and Technology.
George is the author of several books; his most recent is Seeking Truth and Speaking Truth: Law and Morality in Our Cultural Moment. He has written numerous academic articles and review essays along with pieces for The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal and The Washington Post.
A graduate of Swarthmore College, George holds the degrees of J.D. and MTS from Harvard University and the degrees of PhD, BCL, DCL, and D.Litt. from Oxford University, in addition to 23 honorary doctorates. He is a recipient of the U.S. Presidential Citizens Medal, the Honorific Medal for the Defense of Human Rights of the Republic of Poland, the Canterbury Medal of the Becket Fund for Religious Liberty, and Princeton University’s President’s Award for Distinguished Teaching.

Twelve Step Meeting
2026-08-07 12:15, 2026-08-09 12:15, 2026-08-12 12:15, 2026-08-14 12:15, 2026-08-16 12:15, 2026-08-19 12:15, 2026-08-21 12:15, 2026-08-23 12:15 and 2 more dates | Hurlbut Marion Lawrance

CHQ Dialogues
2026-08-07 12:30, 2026-08-12 18:30, 2026-08-14 12:30, 2026-08-19 18:30, 2026-08-21 12:30, 2026-08-26 18:30, 2026-08-28 12:30 | Lutheran House, Lutheran House

Introduction to Jumu'ah Muslim Prayer
2026-08-07 12:30, 2026-08-14 12:30, 2026-08-21 12:30, 2026-08-28 12:30 | Hall of Christ: Sanctuary
Jumu’ah introduction for visitors is at 12:30 PM. Jumu’ah Service is at 1:05 PM

The Age of the Imaginals: A Musical Performance
2026-08-07 12:45 | Smith Wilkes Hall, Smith Wilkes Hall
Following last year’s lecture presentation, Just the Right Climate for Metaphors, Caitlyn Kamminga returns to premiere The Age of the Imaginals. With music by Adam Walters, and poetry by Kamminga, this chamber work blends music and spoken word to explore transformation on a metamorphosing planet. This performance offers an accessible entry point for audiences of all ages to engage with climate change, resilience, and possibility.

English Lawn Bowling Tips
2026-08-07 13:00, 2026-08-10 13:00, 2026-08-11 13:00, 2026-08-12 13:00, 2026-08-13 13:00, 2026-08-14 13:00, 2026-08-17 13:00, 2026-08-18 13:00 and 8 more dates | Sports Club, Lawn Bowling Green

Laurie Halse Anderson and Adrian Matejka
2026-08-07 14:00 | Hall of Philosophy, Hall of Philosophy
Chautauqua Literary and Scientific Circle – Rebellion 1776 by Laurie Halse Anderson and Be Easy: New & Selected Poems by Adrian Matejka
Laurie Halse Anderson and Adrian Matejka will join us in conversation in a joint CLSC Author Presentation on Friday, August 7, 2026, in the Hall of Philosophy. Reading Be Easy: New & Selected Poems by Adrian Matejka alongside Rebellion 1776 by Laurie Halse Anderson creates a powerful conversation about race, resistance, and the meaning of freedom in America. Together, the books highlight how the promises of liberty in 1776 were unevenly distributed and how the struggle for dignity and self-definition continues across centuries. In dialogue, they invite readers to question who freedom was—and is—for, and how rebellion can be both a public act and a deeply personal one.
Rebellion 1776
From New York Times bestselling author Laurie Halse Anderson comes an “thoroughly researched, emotionally resonant” (Booklist, starred review) historical fiction middle grade adventure about a girl struggling to survive amid a smallpox epidemic, the public’s fear of inoculation, and the seething Revolutionary War.
In the spring of 1776, thirteen-year-old Elsbeth Culpepper wakes to the sound of cannons. It’s the Siege of Boston, the Patriots’ massive drive to push the Loyalists out that turns the city into a chaotic war zone. Elsbeth’s father—her only living relative—has gone missing, leaving her alone and adrift in a broken town while desperately seeking employment to avoid the orphanage.
Just when things couldn’t feel worse, the smallpox epidemic sweeps across Boston. Now, Bostonians must fight for their lives against an invisible enemy in addition to the visible one. Elsbeth, who had smallpox as a small child and is now immune, finds work taking care of a large, wealthy family with discord of their own as they await a turn at inoculation, but as the epidemic and the revolution rage on, will she find her father? This book will serve as a joint CLSC and CLSC Young Reader selection.
Laurie Halse Anderson is a New York Times bestselling author known for tackling tough subjects with humor and sensitivity. She’s twice been a National Book Award finalist, for Chains and Speak; Chains also received the Scott O’Dell Award for Historical Fiction. Laurie was chosen for the 2009 Margaret A. Edwards Award and received the Astrid Lindgren Memorial Award in 2023, presented to her by the Crown Princess of Sweden. She lives in Pennsylvania, and you can follow her adventures on X @HalseAnderson or visit her at MadWomanintheForest.com.
Be Easy: New & Selected Poems
Revered for his “patient, clever, controlled, [and] visionary” (Hanif Abdurraquib) poems, Adrian Matejka has been a mainstay of contemporary American poetry for over two decades. Gathering hits from six extraordinary collections, Be Easy showcases his singular sonics and narrative vision in fresh, dynamic poems that lyrically complicate place, race, and identity.
Traversing the Midwest from Indianapolis to Chicago, new poems explore the twitchy unease of unintentional migration and economic instability as the country faces a future every bit as unsettling and circus-like as parking lot carnivals of the poet’s childhood. Selections from Mixology (2008)—“a post-soul tour de force” (Kevin Young)—reverberate with the rhythm of ’80s hip-hop, while “revelatory” (Gabrielle Calvocoressi) odes from Pulitzer Prize and National Book Award finalist The Big Smoke (2013) reimagine the legacy of prizefighter Jack Johnson and transcendent poems from Map to the Stars (2017) brim with cosmic jazz.
Matejka’s smooth lyricism flows into a singular, indispensable collection of memories lost and found again. Tracing the continuum of a “rocket-powered” (Campbell McGrath) writer, Be Easy affirms Matejka as one of the most exciting voices of our time.
Adrian Matejka is the author of six poetry collections and the graphic novel Last on His Feet. He has been nominated for the National Book Award and the Pulitzer Prize, served as the poet laureate of the state of Indiana from 2018–2019, and is editor–in–chief of Poetry magazine. He lives in Chicago.

Chautauqua Opera Company Orchestral Workshop: Rosencrantz and Guildenstern Are Dead
2026-08-07 15:15 | Norton Hall, Norton Hall
In Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are Dead Grammy award-winning composer and librettist Herschel Garfein has created the first ever operatic adaptation of a play by Tom Stoppard. Chautauqua Opera Company’s young artists will be joined by internationally heralded baritone Keith Phares and the Chautauqua Symphony Orchestra for a ten-day workshop of the complete opera, which concludes with a public presentation of excerpts and panel discussion with Garfein and Phares. Reviewing excerpts presented at Fort Worth Opera’s Frontiers Festival, the Wall Street Journal said, “composer-librettist Herschel Garfein set the diamond-bright dialogue of the Tom Stoppard play with clarity and wit, heightening the comedy through skillful ensemble writing and characterization.”

CHQ Dialogues
2026-08-07 15:30, 2026-08-14 15:30, 2026-08-21 15:30, 2026-08-28 15:30 | Unitarian Universalist Fellowship

CHQ Dialogues
2026-08-07 15:30, 2026-08-14 15:30, 2026-08-21 15:30, 2026-08-28 15:30 | Episcopal Cottage, Episcopal Cottage

CHQ Dialogues
2026-08-07 15:30, 2026-08-14 15:30, 2026-08-21 15:30, 2026-08-28 15:30 | Christian Science House

School of Music: Percussion Ensemble Concert
2026-08-07 16:00 | Elizabeth S. Lenna Hall, Elizabeth S. Lenna Hall

Kabbalat Shabbat Service
2026-08-07 17:00, 2026-08-14 17:00, 2026-08-21 17:00, 2026-08-28 17:00 | Miller Park, Miller Park

Chautauqua Theater Company Presents How I Learned What I Learned
2026-08-07 18:00, 2026-08-09 14:00, 2026-08-09 18:00, 2026-08-11 18:00, 2026-08-12 18:00, 2026-08-13 18:00, 2026-08-14 18:00, 2026-08-16 14:00 and 1 more date | Bratton Theater, Bratton Theater
By August Wilson
Directed by Jade King Carroll
Bratton Theater
August Wilson’s celebrated classic solo piece is an autobiographical tour de force that follows Wilson’s journey through the streets of Pittsburgh’s Hill District — through artistic awakenings, odd jobs and heartbreaks — capturing the moments that forged his identity. From the hustle of his early days to the love affair that almost got him killed, Wilson weaves his youth into a series of deliciously compelling stories. With his trademark wit, lyricism, and truth-telling, he invites audiences into the dynamic world that shaped both the man and the master storyteller he became.

Flame of Revolution: A Colonial Williamsburg 250th Commemoration
2026-08-07 20:00 | Amphitheater, Amphitheater
Two hundred and fifty years ago, a handful of visionary minds gathered in Williamsburg, Virginia to do something few had ever dared – they declared their independence, and in doing so, changed the course of human history.
Flame of Revolution is an immersive, multimedia journey into the birth of the Declaration of Independence – the debates that nearly derailed it, the courage that carried it forward and the timeless ideals that continue to challenge and inspire us today.
As the nation’s foremost living history museum, Colonial Williamsburg has spent nearly a century helping Americans not merely remember their founding but truly understand it. Through engaging storytelling, rigorous scholarship, and transformative civic programming, Colonial Williamsburg has educated generations of students, teachers, and lifelong learners on the enduring principles that shaped our nation so that the future may learn from the past.

CHQ Mystic Heart: Centering Prayer with Carol McKiernan
2026-08-08 07:15, 2026-08-15 07:15, 2026-08-22 07:15, 2026-08-29 07:15 | Hall of Philosophy, Hall of Philosophy
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 offered by Contemplative Outreach, founded by the late Father Thomas Keating, a Trappist Monk who was instrumental in the creation of Centering Prayer. Carol practices Centering Prayer with weekly groups in Campus Ministry at Villanova University and at St. David’s Episcopal Church outside of Philadelphia. She has led and participated in many Centering Prayer workshops and groups in the areas surrounding her hometown of Philadelphia. She is a member of the Augustinian Affiliates, the lay order of the Augustinian Friars and volunteers for the Friars in the Villanova Province. Carol is a past board member and treasurer of the Chautauqua Catholic Community.

Shabbat Service, Rabbi Zalman Vilenken
2026-08-08 09:30, 2026-08-15 09:30, 2026-08-22 09:30, 2026-08-29 09:30 | Chabad Jewish House

Chautauqua Theater Company Presents How I Learned What I Learned (Pick-Your-Price)
2026-08-08 16:00 | Bratton Theater, Bratton Theater

Catholic Mass
2026-08-08 17:00, 2026-08-15 17:00, 2026-08-22 17:00, 2026-08-29 17:00 | Hall of Philosophy, Hall of Philosophy

Alonzo King LINES Ballet with the Chautauqua Symphony Orchestra
2026-08-08 19:30 | Amphitheater, Amphitheater
Alonzo King LINES Ballet is a celebrated contemporary ballet company that has been guided since 1982 by the unique artistic vision of award-winning choreographer Alonzo King. Since 1982, LINES Ballet has collaborated with noted composers, musicians and visual artists from around the world to create performances that alter the way we look at ballet today. Its unique artistic vision adheres to the classical form — the linear, mathematical and geometrical principles that are deeply rooted in the pre-existing East-West continuum. The Company brings two separate programs to the Amphitheater, with Saturday’s program featuring live music from the Chautauqua Symphony Orchestra under the baton of music director Rossen Milanov.

Episcopal Holy Eucharist
2026-08-09 07:45, 2026-08-09 09:00, 2026-08-10 07:45, 2026-08-11 07:45, 2026-08-12 07:45, 2026-08-13 07:45, 2026-08-14 07:45, 2026-08-16 07:45 and 15 more dates | Chapel of the Good Shepherd, Chapel of the Good Shepherd

Song, Prayer, Communion & Meditation
2026-08-09 08:30, 2026-08-16 08:30, 2026-08-23 08:30, 2026-08-30 08:30 | Hurlbut Church sanctuary, Hurlbut Church sanctuary

United Church of Christ Worship Service
2026-08-09 09:00, 2026-08-16 09:00, 2026-08-23 09:00, 2026-08-30 09:00 | Randell Chapel, UCC Headquarters

Unity Service
2026-08-09 09:30, 2026-08-16 09:30, 2026-08-23 09:30, 2026-08-30 09:30 | Hall of Missions, Hall of Missions

Quaker Worship Service
2026-08-09 09:30, 2026-08-16 09:30, 2026-08-30 09:30 | Quaker House

Unitarian Universalist Service
2026-08-09 09:30, 2026-08-16 09:30, 2026-08-23 09:30, 2026-08-30 09:30 | Hall of Philosophy, Hall of Philosophy

The Rev. Frank A. Thomas
2026-08-09 10:45, 2026-08-11 09:15, 2026-08-12 09:15 | Amphitheater, Amphitheater
The Rev. Frank A. Thomas currently serves as the Director of the Compelling Preaching Initiative and the Nettie Sweeney and Hugh Th. Miller Professor of Homiletics at Christian Theological Seminary, Indianapolis, Indiana. For many years, Thomas has also taught preaching to doctoral and master’s level students at McCormick Theological Seminary in Chicago, Memphis Theological Seminary in Memphis, Tennessee, and United Theological Seminary of Dayton, Ohio. With a long history of excellence in preaching and preaching method, Thomas was inducted into the prestigious Martin Luther King Jr. Board of Preachers of Morehouse College in 2003. Thomas also serves as a member of the International Board of Societas Homiletica, an international society of teachers of preaching.
Thomas is the author of several books including, The God of the Dangerous Sermon, Surviving a Dangerous Sermon, How to Preach a Dangerous Sermon, and Introduction to the Practice of African American Preaching. He also co-edited the anthology Preaching with Sacred Fire: An Anthology of African American Sermons 1750 to the Present. Thomas is also the author of several other books on subjects from matters of prayer to spiritual maturity.
Previously, Thomas served with distinction as the senior pastor for two remarkable congregations: New Faith Baptist Church of Matteson, Illinois and Mississippi Boulevard Christian Church of Memphis, Tennessee.
Thomas holds a Doctor of Philosophy in Communications from the University of Memphis, a Doctor of Divinity from Christian Theological Seminary and Doctor of Ministry degrees from Chicago Theological Seminary and United Theological Seminary. He also holds a Master of Fine Arts from Alma College, Master of Divinity from Chicago Theological Seminary and a Master of Arts from Northeastern Illinois University.

Bandits on the Run
2026-08-09 15:00 | Amphitheater, Amphitheater
Bandits on the Run are a musical trio from the Brooklyn-Queens border. Born from a chance encounter busking on the subway, Adrian Blake Enscoe, Sydney Shepherd, and Regina Strayhorn defy convention with an impressive trade-off of lead vocals and instruments. The Bandits marry acoustic, electric, and bass guitar sounds with cello, accordion, suitcases-turned-kickdrums, and (if you’re lucky) sometimes even a megaphone.
The Bandit’s three-part harmonies have been heard filling iconic venues while opening for The Wood Brothers’ 2025 East Coast tour, on the main stages at Colorado’s Rocky Mount Folks Fest and Michigan’s Blissfest, and in a sold out residency at Manhattan’s Bowery Electric. Their songs have been featured by NPR’s Tiny Desk and The Moth Story Slam, as well as in Netflix’s Ask the StoryBots and the feature film The Same Storm. The Bandits tour nationally and internationally, with appearances at Cambridge Folk Festival, Floydfest, Summerfest Milwaukee, Americanafest, F1 Singapore Grand Prix, Mile of Music, and more. Their theatrical indie-folk lends itself quite well to storytelling and their work adapting text for a musical production of As You Like It later became their EP The Shakespeare Tapes.
In addition to all their touring and recording work, Bandits on the Run are also in the business of writing musicals, sometimes as a trio and sometimes with collaborators. They are currently creating the stage musical adaptation of the novel What’s Eating Gilbert Grape with actor-musician-longtime friend Christopher Sears and newfound friend Academy Award Nominee Peter Hedges, supported by MCC Theater. Bandits on the Run are also developing an original musical, Yukon Ho, about a group of Black prospectors in the Alaskan gold rush, Yukon Ho was researched on the ground in Skagway, Alaska with support from the NEA, and has been workshopped with support from Prospect Musicals. They are alumni of several musical theater writing development programs, including Berkeley Rep Ground Floor, Rhinebeck Writers Retreat, and the Johnny Mercer Songwriters Grove at Goodspeed Musicals.
Adrian, Sydney, and Regina bring their individual corners of the creative universe into the room when they collaborate. Adrian Blake Enscoe made their Broadway debut in The Avett Brothers’ Swept Away in 2024 and can be seen playing Austin Dickinson in the Apple TV+ Series Dickinson. Sydney Shepherd was most recently seen in the 2025 world premiere of The Ruins at the Guthrie Theater. Regina Strayhorn also works in casting, bringing to life shows for HBO, Amazon, Apple TV, CBS & Hulu, as well as a freelance photographer.
The Bandits will be on the run again soon, touring behind their new full length album “Rough Magic”.
They hope to see you there.

Deborah A. Miranda and A. J. Eversole
2026-08-09 15:30 | Hall of Philosophy, Hall of Philosophy
Chautauqua Writers’ Center Faculty Reading — Featuring Deborah A. Miranda (Poetry) and A. J. Eversole (Prose)
Deborah A. Miranda is a writer and enrolled member of the Ohlone-Costanoan Esselen Nation in California, with Santa Ynez Chumash ancestry. Her hybrid project, Bad Indians: A Tribal Memoir, won the PEN Oakland Josephine Miles Literary Award; the 10th anniversary edition of Bad Indians was released in 2023 as a hardback with 50+ additional pages of material. Miranda is also the author of four poetry collections (Indian Cartography, The Zen of La Llorona, Raised by Humans, and Altar for Broken Things) and co-editor of the Lambda finalist Sovereign Erotics: An Anthology of Two-Spirit Literature. Her scholarship focuses on California Indian experiences within and after Missionization and California Indian storyteller and culture bearers such as Isabel Meadows. She is Thomas H. Broadus, Jr. Professor of English emerita at Washington and Lee University, where she taught Native American Literatures and Creative Writing, and was an affiliate of the Shepherd Poverty Studies Program and the Women and Gender Studies Programs. She and spouse Margo Solod now live in Eugene, Oregon.
A.J. Eversole grew up in rural Oklahoma where the wide open spaces fed her imagination. An enrolled member of the Cherokee Nation, she works across adult and children’s literature to explore themes of cultural reclamation, resilience, and the ways ancestral knowledge persists in modern worlds. Her stories appear in Legendary Frybread Drive-In (Heartdrum/HarperCollins), Beyond the Glittering World (Torrey House Press), and the forthcoming Never Whistle At Night Part II. When not writing, she reports on Native Voices in literature for Cynsations News Website. Visit her on socials: @ajeversole

Church of the Wild with Kriss Miller
2026-08-09 16:00, 2026-08-16 16:00, 2026-08-23 16:00, 2026-08-30 16:00 | Outdoor Classroom
Kriss Young Miller and her husband Gary manage the Quaker House. Kriss is a 2022 graduate of Earlham School of Religion with her Master of Arts in Peace and Social Transformation. Kriss is currently a student of Victoria Loorz in the Seminary of the Wild Earth at the Center for Wild Spirituality. She has completed Wild Church Leadership training and is deeply grateful for the opportunity to work to build connections with Chautauquans in the sacred wild.

New Visitors Orientation
2026-08-09 16:00, 2026-08-16 16:00, 2026-08-23 16:00 | Hultquist 101, Hultquist 101
Join us for lemonade and cookies at the Orientation for new Chautauquans, where we warmly welcome you to our vibrant community. This event is designed to introduce you to the rich history, diverse programs, and unique experiences that Chautauqua offers. Meet fellow newcomers, engage with staff, and learn about the array of cultural, educational, and recreational opportunities available. Whether you’re here for a day, a week, or the entire season, this orientation will help you make the most of your visit and feel right at home.

Children's Worship
2026-08-09 16:30, 2026-08-16 16:30, 2026-08-23 16:30 | Hall of Philosophy Grove

Newcomers Reception
2026-08-09 17:00, 2026-08-16 17:00, 2026-08-23 17:00 | 3 Taps
Join us for the Newcomers Reception, a welcoming gathering open to all first-time and new visitors to Chautauqua Institution. This lovely event is a chance to meet fellow newcomers, connect with members of the community, and learn more about all that Chautauqua has to offer. Guests will enjoy light refreshments while taking in the beautiful lake views, making it a perfect way to begin your Chautauqua experience. We look forward to welcoming you!

Blessing of the Animals (weather permitting)
2026-08-09 17:15, 2026-08-16 17:15, 2026-08-23 17:15 | Hall of Philosophy Grove

Hebrew Congregation, Shirley Lazarus Sunday Evening Lecture Series- Lindsey Cormack
2026-08-09 19:00 | Smith Wilkes Hall, Smith Wilkes Hall

Palestine Park Tour
2026-08-09 19:00, 2026-08-16 19:00, 2026-08-23 19:00 | Palestine Park, Palestine Park

Sacred Song Service
2026-08-09 20:00, 2026-08-16 20:00, 2026-08-23 20:00 | Amphitheater, Amphitheater

CHQ Mystic Heart - Kainat (Felicia) Norton and Muinuddin (Charles) Smith, Sufi Meditation
2026-08-10 07:45 | Presbyterian House, Presbyterian House
Kainat Felicia Norton and Muinuddin Charles Smith are senior Sufi teachers, retreat guides, and interfaith ministers within the Inayati Sufi Order. Together they founded and facilitate the Light of Guidance Center for Sufi Studies in New York City. Charles teaches leadership and sustainability studies at Hofstra University and Felicia teaches at the United Nations International School. They are married and live in New York City. Felicia has been touring the solo dance/theatre piece ‘NOOR’, depicting the life of Noor Inayat Khan, Sufi WW2 heroine, in London, Edinburgh, UK, France, and NYC. Together Felicia and Charles co-authored the book, ‘An Emerald Earth–Cultivating a Natural Spirituality and Serving Creative Beauty in Our World.’ Their book offers basic practices, poetry, and wisdom teachings from the Sufi tradition with the theme of joining inner cultivation and sacred ecology. They travel and offer retreats and workshops throughout the US, Canada, Asia, and Europe.

Daily Word Meditation
2026-08-10 08:00, 2026-08-11 08:00, 2026-08-12 08:00, 2026-08-13 08:00, 2026-08-14 08:00, 2026-08-17 08:00, 2026-08-18 08:00, 2026-08-19 08:00 and 7 more dates | Hall of Missions, Hall of Missions
(Programmed by Unity of Chautauqua)

Catholic Mass
2026-08-10 08:15, 2026-08-11 08:15, 2026-08-12 08:15, 2026-08-13 08:15, 2026-08-14 08:15, 2026-08-17 08:15, 2026-08-18 08:15, 2026-08-19 08:15 and 8 more dates | Hurlbut Church sanctuary, Hurlbut Church sanctuary

Thr Rev. Frank A. Thomas
2026-08-10 09:15 | Amphitheater, Amphitheater

Nancy Youssef
2026-08-10 10:45 | Amphitheater, Amphitheater
Nancy Youssef is a staff writer at The Atlantic. Before that, she was a longtime national security correspondent for The Wall Street Journal and also worked at BuzzFeed News and The Daily Beast. Youssef spent much of her career at McClatchy Newspapers where she served as national security correspondent and Middle East bureau chief based in Cairo covering the Middle East and the Islamic world. Prior to that she was McClatchy’s chief Pentagon correspondent, focusing on the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. She traveled frequently to those two nations to see how the policies crafted in Washington reached Afghans, Iraqis and the troops alike. She is also the founder of the Pentagon Press Association.
Before covering the Pentagon, Youssef spent four years covering the Iraq war, including a stint as Baghdad bureau chief. Her pieces focused on the everyday Iraqi experience, civilian casualties and how U.S. military strategy was reshaping Iraq’s social and political dynamics. She began her career at the Detroit Free Press, covering legal issues. While at the Free Press, she traveled throughout Jordan and Iraq for Knight Ridder, covering the Iraq war from the time leading up to it through the post-war period. Her journalism career started at The Baltimore Sun.
A Washington, D.C.-area native, Youssef earned a bachelor’s degree in economics from University of Virginia and master’s degree in security studies from Georgetown University’s School of Foreign Service. Youssef’s parents are from Egypt, and she speaks Arabic. Throughout her life, she has been a frequent visitor to the region. She is currently based in Washington, D.C. and is an advocate for supporting neurodiverse children.

Guided Kayak Eco Tour
2026-08-10 12:45, 2026-08-17 12:45, 2026-08-24 12:45 | Sports Club, Waterfront
Enjoy paddling while learning about ecological info along the shores of Chautauqua Institution during this hour-long guided kayak tour. The tour begins and ends at the Sports Club. The cost is for rental of single or tandem kayak plus $12 per person for the tour guide. Limited spots so please reserve one day before the event. For more info, please contact sportsclub@chq.org.

"Courageous Conversation on Death and Dying" Shahid Aziz
2026-08-10 15:30, 2026-08-17 15:30, 2026-08-24 15:30 | Presbyterian Chapel

Chautauqua Chamber Music: JACK Quartet
2026-08-10 16:00 | Elizabeth S. Lenna Hall, Elizabeth S. Lenna Hall
Join the groundbreaking JACK Quartet for a concert of fearless innovation and extraordinary musicianship. Renowned for their precision, passion, and adventurous programming, JACK champions new works that redefine the possibilities of the string quartet. Their performances are both intellectually bold and emotionally gripping, inviting listeners into the cutting edge of contemporary music. Experience why JACK Quartet is hailed as one of the most influential ensembles of its generation.

Play CHQ: Bird Feeders
2026-08-10 16:00, 2026-08-13 16:00, 2026-08-17 16:00, 2026-08-20 16:00 | Heinz Beach, Heinz Beach

Taize and Tea Meditation Worship
2026-08-10 19:00, 2026-08-17 19:00, 2026-08-24 19:00 | Randell Chapel, UCC Headquarters

Music School Festival Orchestra
2026-08-10 20:00 | Amphitheater, Amphitheater
Comprised of top-tier students from conservatories and universities in the U.S. and abroad, Music School Festival Orchestra members participate in a variety of musical activities during their summers at Chautauqua including chamber music and private lessons along with their meticulous orchestral training. Alumni from the MSFO can be heard in many of the world’s top orchestras and chamber ensembles and can be found on music faculties worldwide. The MSFO is led by Artistic Director Timothy Muffitt, who serves as Music Director of the Lansing Symphony Orchestra and Music Director Laureate of the Baton Rouge Symphony Orchestra.

CHQ Mystic Heart - Kainat (Felicia) Norton and Muinuddin (Charles) Smith, Sufi Meditation
2026-08-11 07:45, 2026-08-12 07:45, 2026-08-13 07:45, 2026-08-14 07:45 | Presbyterian House, Presbyterian House

Meghan Collins: Locally specific climate projections for the Chautauqua region
2026-08-11 09:15 | Hurlbut Church sanctuary, Hurlbut Church sanctuary
Chautauqua Science Group Weekly Lecture
Meghan Collins is an Associate Research Scientist, Science Communication, at the Desert Research Institute at University of Nevada Reno.
Meghan joined DRI in June 2015. There are two dimensions to her work: the first is to advance the ways that science and scientists meaningfully translate the results of research to society, and the second is to create partnerships to involve people in DRI science. As faculty of science communication, she has one foot in research and one foot in practice. Her work is synergistic with scientists in many fields, and she looks for ways to elevate science and engage students and community members meaningfully in DRI’s work through internships, citizen science, and other immersive experiences.

Nazanin Boniadi, Karim Sadjadpour and Amna Nawaz
2026-08-11 10:45 | Amphitheater, Amphitheater
Continuing Chautauqua’s exploration of “Global Power and Our Evolving International Order,” “PBS News Hour” co-anchor Amna Nawaz hosts a special onstage conversation between actress and activist Nazanin Boniadi and Carnegie Endowment for International Peace senior fellow Karim Sadjadpour. Both have Iranian roots and Nawaz will engage them on their lives and their families, their respective areas of work, and, whatever the status of world events at that moment, their perspectives on the state of Iran, the Iranian people, and what comes next.
Nazanin Boniadi is an Iranian-born, SAG and AACTA Award-nominated actress, producer and human rights advocate. Her television credits include “Homeland,” “How I Met Your Mother,” “Counterpart,” and the first season of “The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power.” In film, Boniadi won acclaim for her memorable role in “Bombshell” and leading role in “Hotel Mumbai.” Her producing debut, “A Mosquito in the Ear,” in which she stars alongside Jake Lacy, won the Panavision Spirit Award at the 2026 Santa Barbara International Film Festival. She is most recently seen in “The Saviors,” opposite Adam Scott and Danielle Deadwyler.
As an activist, Boniadi has campaigned for the rights of the Iranian people since 2008, with a focus on the unjust conviction and treatment of youth, women and political prisoners. She is also a Council on Foreign Relations member and serves on the board of the Abdorrahman Boroumand Center. Appointed an Amnesty International UK ambassador in 2020, Boniadi has spoken at esteemed institutions, including the Oxford Union, Munich Security Conference and World Economic Forum, and she has addressed the U.S. Capitol, the U.K., German, Australian, Canadian parliaments and the U.N. Her numerous recognitions include the 2023 Sydney Peace Prize.
Karim Sadjadpour is a senior fellow at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, where he focuses on Iran, Gulf security, and U.S. foreign policy in the Middle East. He is a contributing writer at The Atlantic, a CNN Global Affairs Analyst and an adjunct professor at Georgetown University’s School of Foreign Service. He has testified numerous times before Congress for both Democratic and Republican leadership.
Sadjadpour is currently writing a book on radicalism for Random House/Knopf and appears frequently on media outlets such as the “PBS News Hour,” NPR and CNN. Recognized for his sharp analytical prose, his work was selected as a Foreign Affairs “Best Essay of the Year” in both 2025 (for “The Autumn of the Ayatollahs”) and 2024 (on the battle between Saudi “Vision 2030” and Iran “Vision 1979”). In 2023, he received an Emmy Award as consulting producer for the HBO documentary Hostages. Previously an analyst with the International Crisis Group based in Tehran and Washington, he has lived in Latin America, Europe and the Middle East. He speaks Persian, Italian and Spanish, and is proficient in Arabic.
Karim holds degrees from the University of Michigan and the Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies (SAIS).
Amna Nawaz is an Emmy, Peabody and Cronkite award-winning journalist who currently serves as co-anchor and co-managing editor of the “PBS News Hour.” In addition to anchoring PBS News’ flagship national news broadcast, Nawaz co-hosts the podcast “Settle In,” featuring thought leaders from all walks of life. She has also hosted a primetime arts show and documentaries on everything from America’s childcare crisis to global plastic pollution to life after incarceration.
Nawaz’s reporting ranges from politics and foreign affairs, to immigration and education, to culture and sports. She has anchored the show from the U.S. Southern border, Israel after the Oct. 7 attacks and Kyiv, Ukraine, during its war with Russia. Nawaz has interviewed presidents and heads of state, White House officials and lawmakers, professional athletes and musicians, and citizens around the world in the communities they call home.
Prior to joining PBS, Nawaz was anchor and correspondent at ABC News, anchoring breaking news coverage and leading the network’s livestream coverage of the 2016 presidential election. She also hosted the “Uncomfortable” podcast and reported a documentary on the Texas county with the highest rate of support for Donald Trump in the 2016 election. Before ABC, Nawaz was a foreign correspondent and Islamabad Bureau Chief for NBC News, where she regularly reported on the war in Afghanistan and the broader region.

Jessamine Finch, Atlanta Botanical Garden: "Wild Seeds in a Warming World"
2026-08-11 12:30 | Smith Wilkes Hall, Smith Wilkes Hall
Bird, Tree & Garden Club lunchtime lecture series
Jessamine Finch is a Research Scientist in the Conservation Seed Bank at the Atlanta Botanical Garden. She has over fifteen years of experience working with public gardens in many capacities including horticulture, curation, education, conservation, and research. Prior to her work with ABG, she managed the seed bank of the New England Plant Conservation Program with Native Plant Trust. She holds a PhD in Plant Biology and Conservation from Northwestern University and the Chicago Botanic Garden.

CHQ Mystic Heart - Kainat (Felicia) Norton and Muinuddin (Charles) Smith, Sufi Meditation
2026-08-11 12:30 | Hall of Missions, Hall of Missions

CHQ Dialogues
2026-08-11 12:30, 2026-08-12 12:30, 2026-08-18 12:30, 2026-08-19 12:30, 2026-08-25 12:30, 2026-08-26 12:30 | Presbyterian House, Presbyterian House

Athenaeum Hotel History Lecture - "Past, Present, and Future of the Athenaeum Hotel."
2026-08-11 13:00, 2026-08-18 13:00, 2026-08-25 13:00 | Athenaeum Parlor, Athenaeum Parlor

Jeremy Ben-Ami
2026-08-11 14:00 | Hall of Philosophy, Hall of Philosophy
Jeremy Ben-Ami is the president of J Street, bringing to the role both deep experience in American politics and government and a passionate commitment to the state of Israel. Ben-Ami’s family connection to Israel goes back 140 years to the first aliyah when his great-grandparents were among the first settlers in Petah Tikva. His grandparents were one of the founding families of Tel Aviv, and his father was an activist and leader in the Irgun, working for Israel’s independence and on the rescue of European Jews before and during World War II.
Ben-Ami’s political resume includes serving in the mid-1990s as the deputy domestic policy advisor in the White House to President Bill Clinton and working on seven presidential and numerous state and local campaigns, including helping to manage a mayoral campaign in New York City in 2001. For nearly three years in the late ’90s, he lived in Israel, where he started a consulting firm working with Israeli nonprofit organizations and politicians. Ben-Ami received a law degree from New York University and is a graduate of the School of Public and International Affairs at Princeton University.

CHQ Dialogues
2026-08-11 15:30, 2026-08-13 12:30, 2026-08-18 15:30, 2026-08-20 12:30, 2026-08-25 15:30, 2026-08-27 12:30 | Everett Jewish Life Center, Everett Jewish Life Center

Play CHQ: Bird Feeders
2026-08-11 16:00, 2026-08-12 16:00, 2026-08-18 16:00, 2026-08-19 16:00 | Miller Park, Miller Park

Generational Voices Masterclass with Denyce Graves
2026-08-11 16:00 | Fletcher Music Hall, Fletcher Music Hall
Join internationally acclaimed mezzo-soprano Denyce Graves for a public masterclass featuring emerging vocal artists in an engaging and educational performance setting. Audiences will gain a rare behind-the-scenes look at the artistic process as Graves shares her insights on vocal technique, musical interpretation, and stage presence. Whether you are a performer, educator, or music lover, this inspiring event offers a unique opportunity to witness artistry in development under the guidance of one of opera’s most respected voices.

Chautauqua Symphony Orchestra: Fate and Fury
2026-08-11 20:00 | Amphitheater, Amphitheater
Hannah Schendel, conductor
Under the baton of Hannah Schendel, The Chautauqua Symphony Orchestra presents a night of symphonic drama. Wagner’s Flying Dutchman Overture surges with storm-tossed intensity, capturing the restless seas and legend of the cursed mariner. Tchaikovsky’s Symphony No. 5 follows, unfolding from brooding introspection to triumphant resolve in an emotionally compelling journey. Together, these masterworks showcase the passion, grandeur, and expressive force of the Romantic era.
Program:
Wagner: Flying Dutchman Overture
Tchaikovsky: Symphony No. 5

Sunrise Paddle - Kayak/SUP
2026-08-12 06:00, 2026-08-14 06:00, 2026-08-19 06:15, 2026-08-21 06:15, 2026-08-26 06:15, 2026-08-28 06:15 | Sports Club, Waterfront
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.

Robert Chatterton Dickson
2026-08-12 10:45 | Amphitheater, Amphitheater
Robert Chatterton Dickson is an international affairs consultant based in London. Until June 2026 he was a senior member of the British Diplomatic Service. His 36-year career combined leadership in complex and dangerous environments with London-based appointments at the heart of U.K. foreign policy and national security. His remarks as part of Chautauqua’s probe into “Global Power and Our Evolving International Order” will provide “a view from across the Atlantic,” and in particular on the state of relations among geopolitical powers including the U.K., U.S., European Union, Russia and NATO.
Chatterton Dickson served overseas as ambassador to the Republic of North Macedonia, consul general in Chicago, deputy ambassador in Afghanistan during the Afghan Republic, high commissioner in Bangladesh and chargé d’affaires of the U.K. Mission to Afghanistan following the return of the Taliban. In London, he was head of the Foreign Office Counter Terrorism Department and a director in the Cabinet Office National Security Secretariat. In all these roles he worked closely with American colleagues.
Chatterton Dickson’s early diplomatic career included working at HQ on Iraq, NATO, UN peacekeeping, arms exports and nuclear arms control and postings to the British embassies in Manila and Washington. Before joining the Diplomatic Service, he worked in investment management and was educated at Cambridge University.
Chatterton Dickson knows the U.S. well: besides diplomatic postings in Washington and the Midwest he has been married to an American artist for over 30 years and has four dual-citizen children and family across the country. He first experienced the U.S. at 19, when a cross-country road trip in an unreliable car introduced him to American kindness and hospitality. At Chautauqua he is speaking in a strictly personal capacity.

"Setting the Table: CVA Members Exhibition" August 12–26
2026-08-12 11:00 | Fowler-Kellogg Art Center: 1st Floor
“Setting the Table: CVA Members Exhibition” runs August 12-August 26. Once again, we will feature works by the 2026 CVA Members, who will interpret week eight’s theme, The Future of Food, Climate Technology and the Next Agricultural Revolution. A variety of styles, mediums, and techniques will be shown by these talented artists with their personal thoughts on the future of food.

Women In Ministry
2026-08-12 12:15, 2026-08-19 12:15, 2026-08-26 12:15 | Hall of Missions, Hall of Missions

Guided Kayak Historic Tour
2026-08-12 12:45, 2026-08-19 12:45, 2026-08-26 12:45 | Sports Club, Waterfront
Enjoy paddling while learning about historic sites along the shores of Chautauqua Institution during this hour-long guided kayak tour. The tour begins and ends at the Sports Club. The cost is for rental of single or tandem kayak plus $12 per person for the tour guide. Limited spots so please reserve one day before the event. For more info, please contact sportsclub@chq.org.

Chautauqua Theater Company Presents How I Learned What I Learned (Live Audio Descriptions)
2026-08-12 14:00 | Bratton Theater, Bratton Theater

Naaborle Sackeyfio
2026-08-12 14:00 | Hall of Philosophy, Hall of Philosophy
Naaborle Sackeyfio is an associate professor of global and intercultural studies at Miami University of Ohio. She focuses on energy and resource politics, gender and sustainable development in Sub-Saharan Africa and is the author of Energy Politics and Rural Development: The Case of Ghana.
Her publications have appeared in the journals such as New Political Science and African Affairs. She was a Science Communication Fellow with The University of Rhode Island’s Metcalf Institute, Michigan State University’s Knight Center for Environmental Journalism, and the URI Science and Story Lab in 2023.

"Setting the Table: CVA Members Exhibition" Opening Reception
2026-08-12 15:00 | Fowler-Kellogg Art Center: 1st Floor
“Setting the Table: CVA Members Exhibition” opening reception. Exhibition runs August 12 – August 26. Once again, we will feature works by the 2026 CVA Members, who will interpret week eight’s theme, The Future of Food, Climate Technology and the Next Agricultural Revolution. A variety of styles, mediums, and techniques will be shown by these talented artists with their personal thoughts on the future of food.

UU Cultural Ethics Series: Fish Stark, Executive Director of the American Humanist Association
2026-08-12 15:30 | Hall of Philosophy, Hall of Philosophy

CHQ Dialogues
2026-08-12 15:30, 2026-08-19 15:30, 2026-08-26 15:30 | Catholic House, Catholic House

Corporate sustainability, from big goals to community impact: lessons for Chautauqua.
2026-08-12 15:30 | Alumni Hall Ballroom, Alumni Hall Ballroom
Tamara Brown is an executive who has spent her career futureproofing. Versatile across a broad set of industries and functions, she is known for always adding value, developing for the future, and looking far ahead at emerging concerns to minimize risk and promote long-term success. A strategic leader across Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) areas, Brown most recently led a world class, high performing sustainability program globally for one of the world’s largest chemical companies.

CHQ Mystic Heart - Therapeutic Gong Meditation with Kim Hehr
2026-08-12 16:45, 2026-08-19 16:45, 2026-08-26 16:45 | Hall of Christ: Sanctuary
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 specializes in healing addictive patterns through yogic technology. Passionate about teaching meditation, performing Gong Baths, and pranayama (breath work), her objective is to help others with their anxiety and everyday stress. Her goal is to facilitate bringing more peace and self-acceptance into people’s lives.

Unity's Positive Path for Spiritual Living
2026-08-12 18:30, 2026-08-19 18:30, 2026-08-26 18:30 | Turner Conference Room, Turner Conference Room
Programmed by Unity of Chautauqua

School of Dance: Student Gala II
2026-08-12 20:00 | Amphitheater, Amphitheater
Chautauqua School of Dance presents an outstanding mixed repertoire evening of new and established works featuring the most exceptional young talent in the country. Under the leadership of Sasha Janes,
Bonnefoux McBride Artistic Director of Chautauqua School of Dance, the school continues its long tradition of excellence as a top-tier summer training program focused on bringing the next generation of dance stars from the studio to the stage.

Bandits on the Run
2026-08-12 22:00 | Roe Green Theater Center

The Rev. Frank A. Thomas
2026-08-13 09:15 | Hall of Philosophy, Hall of Philosophy

Miles Yu
2026-08-13 10:45 | Amphitheater, Amphitheater
Miles Yu is a senior fellow and director of the China Center at Hudson Institute. He is also a professor of East Asia and military and naval history at the United States Naval Academy in Annapolis, Maryland. Yu specializes in Chinese military and strategic culture, U.S. and Chinese military and diplomatic history, and U.S. policy toward China. He joins Chautauqua’s weeklong exploration of “Global Power and Our Evolving International Order” to offer an up-to-the-minute assessment of the global ambitions and actions of China and other East Asian countries, and how the U.S. and the West are responding.
Previously, Yu served in the first Trump administration as the China policy adviser to Secretary of State Mike Pompeo. In that capacity, he advised the secretary on all China-related issues, helped overhaul U.S. policy toward China, and participated in key U.S. government interagency deliberations on major policy and government actions with regard to China and other East Asian countries, including Japan, South Korea and Taiwan.
From 2011 to 2016, Yu wrote the weekly column “Inside China” for The Washington Times; since 1996, he has been an editorial consultant to Radio Free Asia, and a contributor to various media outlets including The Wall Street Journal and “PBS News Hour.” His books include OSS in China: Prelude to Cold War and The Dragon’s War: Allied Operations and the Fate of China, 1937–1947. Yu’s numerous awards include the U.S. Naval Academy’s top researcher award, U.S. Navy Special Action Awards, and U.S. Navy Meritorious Service Award. He received a doctorate in history from the University of California, Berkeley, a master’s degree from Swarthmore College, and a bachelor’s degree from Nankai University.

CTC Theater Chats
2026-08-13 12:15 | Smith Wilkes Hall, Smith Wilkes Hall
Theater Chats (formerly known as Brown Bags)
On selected Thursdays at 12:15 p.m., bring lunch to Smith Wilkes Hall and join special guests, including actors, designers, playwrights and more, for a look at our upcoming productions and discussions on the craft of theater-making. Free and open to the public.

Is the US losing its edge in global clean energy leadership? With Clint Wilder
2026-08-13 12:30 | Alumni Hall Ballroom, Alumni Hall Ballroom
Clint Wilder is editor at large at Clean Edge. Founded in 2000, Clean Edge was the first analyst firm to promote the concept of “clean tech” to a business audience. Activities have spanned custom market research, benchmarking and indexing, and industry events
Clint plays a key role in the editorial production of the firm’s publicly available content. He has co-authored two books with managing director Ron Pernick, Clean Tech Nation (HarperCollins, 2012) and The Clean Tech Revolution (HarperCollins, 2007). Clint has covered the high-tech and clean-tech industries as a business journalist for nearly three decades. A recognized expert on current trends in clean-energy technology, policy, and finance, Clint is a frequent speaker and panelist at industry events.
Clint graduated from Yale University with a BA in History and did graduate work in Business Journalism at Boston University.

CHQ Mystic Heart - Kainat (Felicia) Norton and Muinuddin (Charles) Smith, Sufi Meditation
2026-08-13 12:30 | Hall of Missions, Hall of Missions

Duplicate Bridge ABCL Sanctioned
2026-08-13 12:45, 2026-08-20 12:45, 2026-08-27 12:45 | Sports Club, Sports Club
Don’t have a partner? One will be provided. Game managed by Shelley Dahlie. $10/person.

Chautauqua Theater Company Presents New Play Workshop 3: As You Like It by William Shakespeare (a musical adaptation)
2026-08-13 14:00, 2026-08-14 14:00, 2026-08-15 14:00 | Bratton Theater, Bratton Theater
As You Like It
by William Shakespeare
Adapted by Peter Andersen
Original score by Bandits on the Run
Shakespeare’s most musical comedy springs to life in a playful and vibrant new adaptation by Peter Andersen, featuring original music by indie-pop-folk trio and Chautauqua favorites Bandits on the Run. Two lovers meet in the Forest of Arden, but all is not as it seems in this sweet and subversive classic brought to life by the full 2026 CTC Acting Conservatory and professional guest artists. This exciting workshop explores Shakespeare’s text alongside those of his queer contemporaries, riffing on the play’s original lyrics with newly composed music by Bandits. All the world’s a stage!

CHQ Dialogues
2026-08-13 15:30, 2026-08-20 15:30, 2026-08-27 15:30 | United Methodist House, United Methodist House

CHQ Dialogues
2026-08-13 15:30, 2026-08-20 15:30, 2026-08-27 15:30 | Baptist House, Baptist House

BROADWAY AND BEYOND The Music of Jason Robert Brown
2026-08-13 18:00 | Fletcher Music Hall, Fletcher Music Hall
BROADWAY AND BEYOND
The Music of Jason Robert Brown
Featuring the Generational Voices Artists
The Denyce Graves Foundation proudly presents Broadway and Beyond: The Music of Jason Robert Brown, an exhilarating evening celebrating one of the most influential and beloved musical theater composers of our time.
Performed by the artists of Generational Voices, this special concert explores the extraordinary music and storytelling of Jason Robert Brown, the award-winning composer, lyricist, conductor, arranger, orchestrator, and performer whose work has helped redefine contemporary American musical theater.
Hailed as “one of Broadway’s smartest and most sophisticated songwriters since Stephen Sondheim,” Brown has created some of the most iconic and enduring works of the modern stage, including Parade, The Last Five Years, The Bridges of Madison County, 13, Honeymoon in Vegas, and the groundbreaking song cycle Songs for a New World. His music is known for its emotional depth, dazzling complexity, unforgettable melodies, and profound ability to capture the hopes, dreams, heartbreaks, and triumphs of the human experience.
From Broadway stages to concert halls around the world, Brown’s songs have been performed by some of the most celebrated artists of our generation, including Audra McDonald, Kristin Chenoweth, Billy Porter, Ariana Grande, Jennifer Nettles, Brandi Carlile, and Renée Fleming. His Tony Award-winning scores and extraordinary body of work continue to inspire performers and audiences alike.
This exciting concert will feature selections spanning Brown’s remarkable career, from beloved Broadway favorites and powerful ballads to lesser-known gems that showcase the full breadth of his artistry. Through these unforgettable songs, the artists of Generational Voices will bring to life stories of love, ambition, resilience, hope, and transformation.

CHQ Dialogues
2026-08-13 18:30, 2026-08-20 18:30, 2026-08-27 18:30 | Disciples of Christ House, Disciples of Christ House

Josh Groban: Stage, Screen & Symphony
2026-08-13 20:00 | Amphitheater, Amphitheater
Tony®, EMMY®, and five-time GRAMMY® Award-nominated singer, songwriter, actor and philanthropist Josh Groban possesses one of the most outstanding and instantly recognizable voices in music. With a career spanning chart-topping albums, global tours and acclaimed stage and screen performances, he has sold more than 35 million albums worldwide and headlined legendary venues across multiple continents.
His catalog includes a series of chart-topping blockbuster albums, including Josh Groban (5x platinum), Closer (6x platinum), Noël (7x platinum), Awake (2x platinum), Illuminations, All That Echoes, Stages — his first U.K. No. 1 album — Bridges, Harmony and Gems.
A dynamic presence on Broadway, Groban earned Tony® nominations for his roles in Natasha, Pierre & The Great Comet of 1812 and the 2023 revival of Sweeney Todd, which also garnered him a GRAMMY® nomination and widespread critical acclaim. His versatility extends to film and television appearances ranging from Glee and The Office to Crazy, Stupid, Love and Netflix’s The Good Cop, as well as starring as the Beast in ABC’s Beauty and the Beast: A 30th Celebration.
Beyond performance, Groban remains an active arts education philanthropist and advocate. His Find Your Light Foundation helps enrich the lives of young students through arts education and cultural awareness.
Groban will release his new album, CINEMATIC, on May 8 via Reprise Records. Produced by Greg Wells and recorded in Los Angeles and London, the 10-track collection pays tribute to iconic songs from beloved films including The Godfather, Casablanca, Breakfast at Tiffany’s and Stand by Me.
Groban recently launched his GEMS World Tour with sold-out performances across Asia and Australia before continuing through Europe this spring. He will also tour North America this summer alongside special guest Jennifer Hudson. In the fall, he returns to The Colosseum at Caesars Palace for Josh Groban: GEMS — The Las Vegas Residency. With new music and performances throughout the year, Groban continues to connect with audiences through his unmistakable voice and timeless repertoire.

Robert Kagan
2026-08-14 10:45 | Amphitheater, Amphitheater
Robert Kagan is the Stephen & Barbara Friedman Senior Fellow with the Strobe Talbott Center for Security, Strategy, and Technology in the Foreign Policy program at Brookings, and a contributing writer for The Atlantic. Until recently, he also served as a contributing columnist at The Washington Post. Kagen served in the State Department from 1984 to 1988 as a member of the policy planning staff, as principal speechwriter for Secretary of State George P. Shultz, and as deputy for policy in the Bureau of Inter-American Affairs. He will conclude Chautauqua’s weeklong examination of “Global Power and Our Evolving International Order” with remarks providing up-to-the-minute analysis, based on his decades of experience in shaping and studying foreign policy, national security and statecraft.
Kagan’s latest book, Rebellion: How Antiliberalism Is Tearing America Apart — Again, was released in April 2024. One of his previous books was The New York Times bestseller, The World America Made. He is also the author of The Ghost at the Feast: America and Collapse of World Order, 1900-1941; The Jungle Grows Back: America and Our Imperiled World; Return of History and the End of Dreams; Dangerous Nation: America’s Place in the World from its Earliest Days to the Dawn of the 20th Century; Of Paradise and Power; and A Twilight Struggle: American Power and Nicaragua, 1977-1990.
Politico Magazine named Kagan one of the “Politico 50” in 2016, recognizing the “thinkers, doers and visionaries transforming American politics in 2016.” He is a graduate of Yale University and Harvard University’s Kennedy School of Government and holds a doctorate in American history from American University.

Rebecca Nagle
2026-08-14 14:00 | Hall of Philosophy, Hall of Philosophy
Chautauqua Literary and Scientific Circle — By the Fire We Carry: The Generations-Long Fight for Justice on Native Land
An “impeccably researched” (Washington Post) work of reportage and American history that braids the story of the forced removal of Native Americans onto treaty lands in the nation’s earliest days, and a small-town murder in the 1990s that led to a Supreme Court ruling reaffirming Native rights to that land more than a century later.
Before 2020, American Indian reservations made up roughly 55 million acres of land in the United States. Nearly 200 million acres are reserved for National Forests—in the emergence of this great nation, our government set aside more land for trees than for Indigenous peoples.
In the 1830s Muscogee people were rounded up by the US military at gunpoint and forced into exile halfway across the continent. At the time, they were promised this new land would be theirs for as long as the grass grew and the waters ran. But that promise was not kept. When Oklahoma was created on top of Muscogee land, the new state claimed their reservation no longer existed. Over a century later, a Muscogee citizen was sentenced to death for murdering another Muscogee citizen on tribal land. His defense attorneys argued the murder occurred on the reservation of his tribe, and therefore Oklahoma didn’t have the jurisdiction to execute him. Oklahoma asserted that the reservation no longer existed. In the summer of 2020, the Supreme Court settled the dispute. Its ruling that would ultimately underpin multiple reservations covering almost half the land in Oklahoma, including Nagle’s own Cherokee Nation.
Here Rebecca Nagle recounts the generations-long fight for tribal land and sovereignty in eastern Oklahoma. By chronicling both the contemporary legal battle and historic acts of Indigenous resistance, By the Fire We Carry stands as a landmark work of American history. The story it tells exposes both the wrongs that our nation has committed and the Native-led battle for justice that has shaped our country.
Rebecca Nagle is an award-winning journalist and a citizen of Cherokee Nation. She is the writer and host of the podcast This Land. Her writing on Native representation, federal Indian law, and tribal sovereignty has been featured in the Atlantic, the Washington Post, the Guardian, USA Today, Indian Country Today, and other publications. She is a Peabody Award nominee and the recipient of the American Mosaic Journalism Prize, Women’s Media Center’s Exceptional Journalism Award, and numerous honors from the Native American Journalist Association. Nagle lives in Tahlequah, Oklahoma.
Indigenous communities deserve the same standard of journalism as the rest of the country, but rarely receive it from non-Native media outlets. Nagle’s journalism seeks to correct this.

Generational Voices Masterclass with Claudia Catania
2026-08-14 16:00 | Fletcher Music Hall, Fletcher Music Hall
Join acclaimed vocal coach and educator Claudia Catania for a public masterclass featuring emerging vocal artists. Known for her insightful teaching and commitment to developing expressive, authentic performers, Catania will work directly with singers on vocal technique, interpretation, and communication. This engaging session offers audiences a unique opportunity to observe the artistic process and gain a deeper appreciation for the craft of vocal performance.

The Revivalists with Olivia Barnes
2026-08-14 20:00 | Amphitheater, Amphitheater
The Revivalists return to the road with the same electrifying swirl of indie rock, soul, folk and groove-driven musicianship that has made the band a festival favorite and one of the most compelling live acts touring today. Formed in New Orleans and known for powerful, high-energy performances and emotionally charged songwriting, the multi-platinum group has spent nearly two decades building a sound that feels both expansive and deeply lived-in — the kind of music made for a summer night at Chautauqua.
The band’s forthcoming album, Get It Honest, marks its first full-length release in more than three years and finds The Revivalists leaning into themes of perseverance, grace and facing the future with clarity and conviction. Led by the anthemic single “Heart Stop,” the album showcases the band’s signature intensity while revealing a more mature and magnetic side of its songwriting.
Anchored by soaring vocals, tangled guitars, powerful drums, rich harmonies and the energy of an eight-piece lineup, The Revivalists create the kind of concert experience that grows from deeply personal moments into full-on celebration. It’s music rooted in connection, honesty and the joy of gathering together.
The Revivalists have partnered with PLUS1 so $1 per ticket goes to Rev Causes, a fund that supports the essential work of organizations dedicated to reviving and investing in our communities, our health, and our environment. By allocating a portion of our ticket sales, and through fan donations and a variety of fundraising efforts, we aim to assist these exciting organizations in building a better future.

Chautauqua Theater Company Presents Bratton Late Night
2026-08-14 22:00 | Bratton Theater, Bratton Theater
CTC’s favorite late-night talent showcase! An evening of sketches and songs featuring the extraordinary talents of our 2026 conservatory.

Chautauqua Theater Company Presents How I Learned What I Learned (Live Audio Descriptions & Pick-Your-Price)
2026-08-15 18:00 | Bratton Theater, Bratton Theater

The Music of Billy Joel with Tony DeSare and the Chautauqua Symphony Orchestra
2026-08-15 20:00 | Amphitheater, Amphitheater
Stuart Chafetz, conductor
Tony DeSare, piano & vocals
Tony DeSare’s signature vocal and robust piano style pay tribute to the iconic songs of Billy Joel. Generations of Billy Joel fans will experience full symphonic orchestrations with Tony DeSare’s unique take on some of his most beloved hits including “Only the Good Die Young,” “Piano Man,” “New York State of Mind,” “You May Be Right,” “Movin Out,” “My Life,” “Vienna,” and many more.
Billy Joel does not appear on this program.

The Rev. Natalie Hanson
2026-08-16 10:45, 2026-08-17 09:15, 2026-08-18 09:15, 2026-08-19 09:15 | Amphitheater, Amphitheater
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 evaluating worship services alongside members of the Department of Religion.
She is a clergy member of the United Methodist Church, now retired after 40 years of ministry. Much of that ministry was focused in urban parishes, with eight years serving as a District Superintendent in the Western, then Upper New York Annual Conference. On behalf of the Conference and as an adjunct for Wesley Seminary’s Course of Study, Hanson for several years taught classes on preaching and worship development. She was also Co-Convener and worship developer for the NE Jurisdiction’s Clergywomen’s Convocation. Hanson was educated at Wesleyan University and the Harvard Divinity School.

Week Eight: Reimagined Food Festival
2026-08-16 12:00 - 2026-08-22 20:00
Savor a week of elevated culinary experiences with our reimagined Food Festival. With only 80 packages per week, enjoy intimate moments across the grounds, from two Masters Series classes and five Bestor Plaza demos to a lively Weekly Feast of Friends. Your package also includes a Premium Chef’s Dinner, family‑friendly Feast on Film, a Craft Beverage Tasting and the flavor‑packed Taste Caravan featuring five lunches and two dinners. Cap your experience off with the high‑energy Battle of the Bites and the celebratory Taste of Chautauqua.
Package includes:
2 Master Series Classes
Sunday Feast with Friends Ticket
1 Premium Chef’s Dinner
Feast on Film Event
1 Premium Craft Beverage Tasting Event
Experience Taste Caravan
Battle of the Bites Tasting Event
Taste of Chautauqua
Plus, a limited merch package, $50 in food truck tickets for the taste caravan and a popcorn and soda for Feast on Film.
Package price: $505
Only 80 packages are available each week. Purchase by calling 716-357-6250.
*Packages available for week’s eight & nine. Packages do not provide standalone access to Chautauqua’s grounds and must be purchased in addition to your gate passes.

Sara Jones
2026-08-16 15:00 | Amphitheater, Amphitheater
The first-place winner of the Billie Holiday Vocal Competition and semi-finalist in the American Traditions Competition, jazz vocalist Sara Jones has toured 49 states and performed in numerous concert halls across the country.
Jones has performed as a soloist with the National Symphony Orchestra, Cincinnati Pops Orchestra, and Ravinia Festival Orchestra, under the batons of Emil de Cou and Erich Kunzel. An additional highlight includes a solo performance on the Esplanade with Keith Lockhart and the Boston Pops Orchestra. In the Baltimore/Washington area, Jones was a featured vocalist with the Jazz Ambassadors and has graced the stages of the Hippodrome Theater, Meyerhoff Symphony Hall, Strathmore Mansion, and the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts.
Jones, who began her musical career as a pianist, received her Bachelor of Music in Piano Performance at St. Mary’s College of Maryland and her Master of Music in Piano Accompanying at the University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music. After graduation, she chose to pursue a professional vocal career with the Soldiers’ Chorus of the U.S. Army Field Band, where she served for six years. Now a civilian, Jones maintains an active performing schedule and has a CD recording, Daydream A Little on Petite Musique Records. A collection of beloved jazz standards and bossa novas, it features Jones and major Brazilian Jazz Group, Trio Da Paz. Jones’ schedule can be found on her website, sarajones.com.
Also a former educator, Jones was a professor at Towson University where she taught Jazz and Commercial Voice and directed the Towson Vocal Jazz Ensemble. Recent engagements for Jones include a performance by the Sara Jones Trio at the 2024 Monterey Jazz Festival in Monterey, CA, and a guest artist appearance in 2025 with the Buffalo Symphony and Chesapeake Symphony Orchestra. In 2026, Jones will appear with the Columbia Orchestra and the Spokane Symphony.
In partnership with the African American Heritage House

Masters Series Culinary Masterclass: Chef Nyesha Arrington
2026-08-16 15:30 | Norton Hall, Norton Hall
See culinary mastery up close as acclaimed chef, restaurateur, and television personality Nyesha Arrington — one of the most influential voices in food today — presents an exclusive Masters Series experience that blends refined techniques, creative storytelling, and soulful flavor.
Designed for curious cooks and serious food lovers alike, this intimate Masters Series program offers live demonstration, real-time Q&A, and rare insight into the techniques, mindset, and creative process of a chef shaping modern cuisine. The unforgettable experience kicks off Arrington’s multiday Chautauqua residency during Week Eight, “The Future of Food: Climate, Technology and the Next Agricultural Revolution.”
For a greater look into the role of food in telling our personal and collective stories, Arrington joins the Chautauqua Lecture Series on Tuesday, August 18, 2026. Later that evening, she hosts an exclusive Guest Chef’s Dinner, providing patrons an elevated dining experience at the historic Athenaeum Hotel.

Laura Marris and Nishant Batsha
2026-08-16 15:30 | Hall of Philosophy, Hall of Philosophy
Chautauqua Writers’ Center Faculty Reading — Featuring Laura Marris (Poetry) and Nishant Batsha (Prose)
Laura Marris is an essayist, poet, and translator. Her work has appeared in The Kenyon Review, The Believer, Harper’s, The New York Times, The Paris Review Daily, The Yale Review, Words Without Borders, and elsewhere. She has received fellowships and grants from MacDowell, a Katharine Bakeless Fellowship from the Bread Loaf Writer’s Conference, and the Robert B. Silvers Foundation. Her translations include Albert Camus’s The Plague, Paol Keineg’s Triste Tristan (co-translated with Rosmarie Waldrop), and To Live Is to Resist, a biography of Antonio Gramsci. Her work has been shortlisted for the Oxford-Weidenfeld Translation Prize, the Scott Moncrieff Prize, and the French-American Foundation Translation Prize. Her first book, The Age of Loneliness, was published by Graywolf 2024. She teaches creative writing at the University at Buffalo.
Nishant Batsha is the author of the novels A Bomb Placed Close to the Heart (Ecco/HarperCollins, 2025) and Mother Ocean Father Nation (Ecco/HarperCollins, 2022). He holds a doctorate in history from Columbia University, where he was a Paul and Daisy Soros Fellow. Originally from Northern California, he now lives in Buffalo, NY with his family.

Feast with Friends: Smokin Dicks Community BBQ
2026-08-16 17:00 | Bestor Plaza, Bestor Plaza
Where food builds community. Weekly Feast with Friends invites guests to gather around the table together in Bestor Plaza and kick off each week of the Chautauqua Institution Food Festival with a warm, welcoming shared meal. Designed to bring people together, this communal dining experience celebrates the joy of connection, conversation, and exceptional food.
Guests will delight in thoughtfully prepared dishes from some of the region’s best caterers, showcasing the flavors, care, and creativity that define our local food community. On Sunday, August 16, the evening will feature Smoking Dick’s BBQ, a beloved regional catering company known for bold flavors and generous hospitality.
More than a meal, Weekly Feast with Friends is an opportunity to slow down, share space, and connect with our community, fellow guests, chefs, and community partners. Whether you arrive with friends or sit down with someone new, the experience reflects a simple truth at the heart of the Food Festival: food is one of the most powerful ways we come together.
Smokin Dicks BBQ
Standard:
Pulled pork sandwich
Smoked mac and cheese
Coleslaw
Ear of corn
Dietary Restriction Menu:
Pulled BBQ Jackfruit with gluten free bun
Coleslaw (Vegan)
Bang Bang Cauliflower
Ear of corn

Hebrew Congregation, Shirley Lazarus Sunday Evening Lecture Series Amit Taneja
2026-08-16 19:00 | Smith Wilkes Hall, Smith Wilkes Hall

Feast on Film- Chef
2026-08-16 21:30 | Chautauqua Cinema, Chautauqua Cinema
Chef- As the evening continues, the celebration of food and community moves to the screen. Feast on Film pairs great food with great storytelling for a relaxed, movie night at the CHQ Cinema.
Guests are invited to join us for a free movie, grab a snack, and settle in for a film screening connected to food—whether through culture, memory, creativity, or the shared human experience of gathering around the table. These films are thoughtfully selected to complement the spirit of the Food Festival and extend the evening’s sense of connection. Films will be announced in the coming weeks, but tickets will be available starting April 15th.
Together, Weekly Feast with Friends and Feast on Film create a meaningful way to open each week of the festival—bringing the community together through flavor, story, and the simple joy of sharing an experience.

CHQ Mystic Heart - Larry Terkel, Judaism/ Kabbalah Meditation
2026-08-17 07:45, 2026-08-18 07:45, 2026-08-19 07:45, 2026-08-20 07:45, 2026-08-21 07:45 | Presbyterian House, Presbyterian House
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, in Hudson, Ohio. Larry and Susan are co-authors of the book, Small Change: It’s the LITTLE Things in Life That Make a BIG Difference! (Tarcher/Penguin) a finalist for the 2004 National Books for a Better Life Award.

Danielle Nierenberg
2026-08-17 10:45 | Amphitheater, Amphitheater
Danielle Nierenberg is a world-renowned researcher, speaker and advocate, on all issues relating to our food system and agriculture. She is president of Food Tank, the think tank for food, and an expert on sustainable agriculture and food issues. She has written extensively on gender and population, the spread of factory farming in the developing world and innovations in sustainable agriculture.
Nierenberg founded Food Tank with Bernard Pollack in 2013. It is a global convener, thought leadership organization and unbiased creator of original research impacting the food system. Matching innovative ideas to today’s most pressing challenges, Food Tank bridges domestic and global partners to build sustainable agriculture and food systems. Hope, success and innovative ideas in our food system are highlighted through original daily publications, research articles, a chart-topping podcast, interviews and events, and summits in major cities around the world. Food Tank has more than 250 major institutional partners including The Rockefeller Foundation, the Chicago Council on Global Affairs, the Christensen Fund, Oxfam America, Slow Food USA, U.N. FAO, the Crop Trust, the Sustainable Food Trust, and academic institutions in all 50 states.
Prior to starting Food Tank, Nierenberg spent two years traveling to more than 35 countries across sub-Saharan Africa, Asia and Latin America, meeting with farmers, scientists, researchers, policymakers, government leaders, students, academics and journalists, documenting what is working to help alleviate hunger and poverty, while protecting the environment. She is the recipient of the 2020 Julia Child Award. She has an M.S. in Agriculture, Food and Environment from Tufts University and spent two years volunteering for the Peace Corps in the Dominican Republic.

Taste Caravan
2026-08-17 11:30, 2026-08-18 11:30, 2026-08-18 16:30, 2026-08-19 11:30, 2026-08-20 11:30, 2026-08-21 11:30, 2026-08-21 16:30, 2026-08-24 11:30 and 6 more dates | Bestor Plaza, Bestor Plaza
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 p.m. (Dinner)
Vendors rotate throughout the week, and all offer small bites so guests are encouraged to return often so they can explore the wide range of cuisines, cooking styles, flavors and culinary voices—all in one vibrant, walkable destination located just outside the Amphitheater in Bestor Plaza.
During each Taste Caravan lunch service, guests can enjoy a live culinary demonstration or discussion in the plaza, creating an immersive experience where learning, conversation, and flavor come together. Whether you’re grabbing a quick bite or lingering to sample multiple offerings, Taste Caravan invites you to taste broadly, learn deeply, and celebrate the diversity of our regional food community.
Food/Drink Tickets:
All food vendors only accept Food Festival tickets for payment. The Athenaeum Hotel Beverage Tent & Lounge will accept tickets, cash or card. Tickets can be purchased from one of the two information and ticket tents located within steps of the food vendors.
5 Pack of Tickets: $10

Bestor Plaza Demo/Talk
2026-08-17 13:00, 2026-08-21 13:00, 2026-08-24 13:00, 2026-08-25 13:00, 2026-08-26 13:00 | Bestor Plaza, Bestor Plaza
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 demonstration or talk runs from approximately 1:00–1:45 p.m. and offers guests the chance to learn, ask questions, and connect directly with experts—all while enjoying small bites from the surrounding food vendors.
Featured topics will include a discussion on innovative approaches to tackling food insecurity with 412 Food Rescue, the cultural significance of matzo ball soup and challah bread—with hands on challah braiding guests can take home—live fish breakdowns showcase the preparation process for both restaurant and home chefs, and much more. Programming will showcase something new each day, highlighting regional chefs, culinary professionals, and community organizations.
All demonstrations and talks are free to watch and designed to complement the vibrant flavors and energy of the Taste Caravan, making them the perfect midday stop for inspiration, learning, and delicious discovery.

Conversations with Kyle
2026-08-17 13:00, 2026-08-24 13:00 | Smith Wilkes Hall, Smith Wilkes Hall
Join us for “Conversations with Kyle”, an open, drop in conversation for members of the entire community. These informal gatherings offer the opportunity to ask questions and engage directly with Interim President Kyle Keogh. All are welcome.

Adrienne Krone
2026-08-17 14:00 | Hall of Philosophy, Hall of Philosophy
Adrienne Krone is associate professor of environmental science and sustainability and religious studies at Allegheny College in Meadville, Pennsylvania. Her work focuses on religious food justice movements in North America.
She is the author of Free-Range Religion: Alternative Food Movements and Religious Life in the United States. The book offers a critical ethnographic exploration of religious engagement in food justice work through four case studies, which provide insight into religious food justice organizations as they complicate our understanding of American religion. Her current research project is an ethnographic and historical study of the Jewish community farming movement.
She holds a Ph.D. in American religion from Duke University.

Battle of the Bites: Best Meatball
2026-08-17 15:00 | Bestor Plaza, Bestor Plaza
High energy. High stakes. Incredible food. Inspired by competitive cooking shows, Battle of the Bites brings the thrill of a culinary showdown to Bestor Plaza as talented local chefs go head‑to‑head in a fast‑paced, flavor‑driven competition.
Each week features four different chefs and a guest judge. Chefs are given three hours to develop and execute a dish inspired by that week’s featured cuisine, building a cohesive flavor profile that reflects creativity, technique, and personality. At the end of the challenge, each chef presents their dish to the judge—and the community—to determine who has created the best bite of the day.
Battle of the Bites is free to attend, and everyone is welcome to watch the action unfold. Guests who want to taste along with the judge can purchase a tasting ticket, which allows them to sample the same bites being evaluated—making the audience part of the experience. (Limited Tasting Ticket Sales)

Chautauqua Chamber Music: Neave Trio
2026-08-17 16:00 | Elizabeth S. Lenna Hall, Elizabeth S. Lenna Hall
Experience the captivating Neave Trio in a performance of expressive chamber music and dynamic collaboration. Blending violin, cello, and piano with remarkable sensitivity and balance, the trio brings both classical and contemporary works to life with warmth and clarity. Their performances highlight deep musical connection, refined artistry, and a shared spirit of exploration. Join us for an inspiring concert that celebrates the beauty and versatility of the piano trio.

FOOD 2050
2026-08-17 16:30 | Chautauqua Cinema, Chautauqua Cinema
Food 2050 is a breathtaking documentary that captures a group of global visionaries – activists, farmers, doctors, and scientists – who lead extraordinary efforts to ensure a healthy, equitable, and sustainable food future.
Narrated by Academy Award winner Viola Davis. Presented in partnership with the Rockefeller Foundation.
Post-film discussion with Danielle Nierenberg, President and Founder of Food Tank and Sara Farley, Vice President of The Rockefeller Foundation’s global food team.

CHQ Mystic Heart - Sound Meditation with Suzanne Watters
2026-08-17 16:45 | Hall of Christ: Sanctuary
Suzanne Watters is a Pratt Institute MFA graduate with a concentration in painting/drawing. Her art practice centers around woven pieces made with found textiles painted with pigments and/or dyed with food waste and other organic matter. She has attended training in New York City and received a certification in sound meditation from the Sound Healing Academy. She has also done additional sound healing training at a retreat and session with Wyatt Mylius at Rooted In Sound in Pittsburgh, PA (trained with Peter Hess) and with indigenous sound healing practitioner Moises Tort in Mandarina, Mexico. Watters sees her sound meditation sessions as being led by an artist and guided with the relaxation tools and techniques of poetry, breath, and sound

SCHEER BEAUTY An Evening with Gene Scheer and the Generational Voices Artists
2026-08-17 18:00 | Fletcher Music Hall, Fletcher Music Hall
SCHEER BEAUTY
An Evening with Gene Scheer and the Generational Voices Artists
The Denyce Graves Foundation is proud to present Scheer Beauty, a special concert celebrating the extraordinary music and artistry of acclaimed American librettist, lyricist, and composer Gene Scheer.
Join the talented artists of Generational Voices for an unforgettable evening featuring selections from Scheer’s remarkable body of work, and avcareer that has helped shape the landscape of contemporary American opera and song. Through powerful storytelling, lyrical elegance, and deeply human characters, Scheer has become one of the most influential creative voices in the performing arts today.
Known for his celebrated collaborations with some of the world’s leading composers, Scheer has written the libretti for numerous groundbreaking operas, including Moby-Dick, Cold Mountain, Three Decembers, It’s a Wonderful Life, Everest, Intelligence, and The Amazing Adventures of Kavalier & Clay. His works have graced the stages of the world’s most prestigious opera houses, including the Metropolitan Opera, Houston Grand Opera, Santa Fe Opera, and many others.
The past year alone has been extraordinary. The Metropolitan Opera presented the company premiere of Moby-Dick, with The New York Times praising Scheer’s libretto as “an economical wonder.” The Met also opened its 2025–26 season with the world premiere of The Amazing Adventures of Kavalier & Clay, created with composer Mason Bates. Meanwhile, Intelligence, his collaboration with Jake Heggie, received a new production and its recording recently earned the 2026 Grammy Award for Best Opera Recording.
Beyond opera, Scheer’s songs have been championed by some of the greatest singers of our time, including Denyce Graves, Renée Fleming, Joyce DiDonato, Stephanie Blythe, Lucas Meachem, and Nathan Gunn. His beloved song “American Anthem,” famously performed by Norah Jones in Ken Burns’ Emmy Award-winning documentary The War, has become an enduring expression of hope and unity.
As a special highlight, the evening will also celebrate Scheer’s continued creative legacy as he prepares for the world premiere of The Judgment of Paris, a new opera with composer Jake Heggie debuting this summer at the Napa Music Festival before traveling to the renowned Opera de Versailles.
Scheer Beauty offers audiences a rare opportunity to experience the work of one of America’s foremost musical storytellers while witnessing the next generation of vocal artists bring his music to life.
Come celebrate the power of storytelling, song, and artistic legacy through an evening that promises to be both inspiring and unforgettable.

Kate Kortum
2026-08-17 20:00 | Amphitheater, Amphitheater
A Juilliard graduate and winner of the 2025 Sarah Vaughan International Jazz Vocal Competition, Kortum has become a familiar face on the most iconic stages in jazz including Birdland, Blue Note, Mezzrow, Dizzy’s Club, SXSW Festival, and Jazz at Lincoln Center.
Kortum has toured internationally and collaborated with modern jazz leaders including Cyrille Aimée, Bryan Carter, Peter Bernstein, Wynton Marsalis and the world renowned Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra.
Her debut album, Good Woman, reimagines jazz standards originally written by men, reclaiming them through bold arrangements and a distinctly female perspective. The record and her follow-up LP Wild Woman have been met with acclaim leading to over 5.1 million streams.
Alongside her solo career, Kate Kortum is a member of The Sunhouse Singers, a New York-based vocal trio with vocalists June Cavlan and Joie Bianco. Together, the trio have been featured in projects from Bryan Carter, Charlie Rosen, Christian Wiggs, and Emmet Cohen – appearing on the award winning program “Live from Emmet’s Place”.

Chautauqua Science Group: George Carlo
2026-08-18 09:15 | Hurlbut Church sanctuary, Hurlbut Church sanctuary
Chautauqua Science Group Weekly Lecture
The science of sports analysis

Nyesha Arrington
2026-08-18 10:45 | Amphitheater, Amphitheater
Nyesha Arrington is the dynamic co-star of FOX’s hit culinary competition series “Next Level Chef,” where she brings her signature blend of mentorship, humor and fierce expertise to millions of viewers each season. She also hosts and produces the acclaimed digital series “Plateworthy” for Eater, celebrating the craft, culture and creative spirit of cooking. Drawing inspiration from the seasons, global travel and contemporary art, Arrington’s cooking is a soulful fusion of heritage, curiosity and California expression, a style uniquely her own. Beyond the kitchen, she is deeply passionate about functional fitness, wellness and building community through intention and storytelling. These passions will inspire Arrington’s Chautauqua Lecture Series remarks, which serve as the centerpiece of her multiday Chautauqua residency during Week Eight, “The Future of Food: Climate, Technology and the Next Agricultural Revolution.” Beyond the Amphitheater stage, she will bring her cutting-edge cooking skills, experience and expertise to other food-centered engagements as part of the 2026 Chautauqua Food Festival.
A fan favorite since her breakout season on “Top Chef,” Arrington has become one of the industry’s most recognizable and respected voices. Her television credits span “MasterChef,” “Tournament of Champions,” “Guy’s Grocery Games,” “Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives” and “Next Level Chef U.K.,” showcasing her versatility, creativity and leadership across multiple platforms.
Arrington began her culinary journey in Michelin-starred kitchens, including Mélisse in Santa Monica, California, as well as L’Atelier and The Mansion in Las Vegas. She went on to make her mark on the Los Angeles dining landscape with her restaurants Leona and Native by Arrington, earning national recognition for her commitment to farm-fresh, local and ethically sourced ingredients. Her work has landed her on Zagat’s 30 Under 30, Eater’s LA Chef of the Year and countless lists celebrating chefs shaping the future of food.
A true multi-hyphenate creative, Arrington is expanding her voice across media, lifestyle, philanthropy and product design, championing representation and empowerment in every space she inhabits.

Our Changing Menu: Climate Change and the Foods We Love and Need, with Michael Hoffman, Cornell University
2026-08-18 12:30 | Smith Wilkes Hall, Smith Wilkes Hall
Bird, Tree & Garden Club lunchtime lecture series
Michael Hoffmann is Professor Emeritus, Department of Entomology, at Cornell University, where he maintained an active research and extension program focused on integrated pest management and biological control. His publication record includes 105 refereed journal articles, nine book chapters, and three books.
Mike created a “culture of sustainability” at the Cornell University Agricultural Experiment Station. Every employee was empowered to find ways to decrease costs and greenhouse gas emissions and ensure the well-being of staff. The benefits derived from this change in culture were inspiring.
Addressing the greatest challenge of our time — climate change — has been Mike’s focus for many years. He dedicates all his time to this grand challenge and often helps people understand and appreciate what is happening through food. He tells the climate change story with passion, a little humor, and without doom and gloom. It’s a science-based message about what is happening and what we all can do about. He is the lead author of Our changing menu: Climate change and the foods we love and need (Cornell University Press 2021) and associated website – Our changing menu.

CHQ Mystic Heart - Larry Terkel, Judaism/ Kabbalah Meditation
2026-08-18 12:30, 2026-08-20 12:30 | Hall of Missions, Hall of Missions

Bestor Plaza Demo/Talk: Curtze- Hydroponics Partner
2026-08-18 13:00 | Bestor Plaza, Bestor Plaza

Derrick Weston
2026-08-18 14:00 | Hall of Philosophy, Hall of Philosophy
Derrick Weston is the Director of Theological Education and Formation, Creation Justice Ministries. Derrick is a writer, filmmaker, podcaster, speaker and educator whose most recent work has focused on the intersection of food and faith. He is the co-host of the “Food and Faith” podcast and producer of “Spoon, Spade, and Soul,” a podcast highlighting food and land-based ministries in the Episcopal church. Additionally, he is the producer of the short film series “A Wilderness Like Eden” highlighting the work of churches engaged in food justice work.
Derrick is co-author of the book The Just Kitchen: Invitations to Sustainability, Cooking, Connection, and Celebration.
After two decades of being a pastor and community organizer, Weston is a strong believer in the potential of local congregations to enact change in their communities. Weston received his B.A. in film studies from the University of Pittsburgh and his Master of Divinity from San Francisco Theological Seminary. He also has a certification in health ministry from Wesleyan Theological Seminary and was a part of the Re:Generate fellowship on food, faith, and ecology though Wake Forest Divinity School.

Masters Series Masterclass: Good Food Belongs to People, Not a Landfill
2026-08-18 15:15, 2026-08-19 15:15, 2026-08-20 15:15 | Hultquist 101, Hultquist 101
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 7 households face food insecurity. Most wasted food ends up in landfills, where it becomes a significant source of greenhouse gas emissions. 412 Food Rescue in Pittsburgh is transforming how communities respond to these challenges. By mobilizing volunteers through innovative, people-powered technology, the organization rescues fresh, nutritious food that would otherwise go to waste and delivers it directly to neighbors experiencing food insecurity. In this way, the organization operates at the intersection of food waste and environmental sustainability, redirecting surplus food to communities experiencing food insecurity while reducing landfill methane emissions. In this session, leadership from 412 Food Rescue will examine how technology-enabled logistics, volunteer mobilization, and cross-sector partnerships can serve as civic infrastructure — addressing hunger, advancing environmental sustainability, and strengthening local food systems. Participants will explore how surplus food recovery functions not as charity, but as systems-level intervention in both public health and climate resilience that has national and global impact.

Generational Voices Masterclass with Kevin Short
2026-08-18 16:00 | Fletcher Music Hall, Fletcher Music Hall
Join acclaimed bass-baritone Kevin Short for a public masterclass featuring emerging vocal artists. Drawing on his distinguished international performing career, Short will coach singers on vocal technique, musical interpretation, and the art of compelling performance. This engaging and educational event offers audiences a unique opportunity to witness the creative process and gain insight into the craft of professional vocal artistry.

Premium Chefs Dinner: Nyesha Arrington
2026-08-18 17:30 | Athenaeum Hotel, Athenaeum Hotel
Guest Chef Dinner: Nyesha Arrington
5:30 p.m. Tuesday, August 18, 2026 | Athenaeum Hotel
Join acclaimed chef and television personality Nyesha Arrington for an unforgettable evening of elevated dining at the historic Athenaeum Hotel. This exclusive Guest Chef Dinner offers an intimate opportunity to experience Arrington’s soulful, seasonally driven cuisine through a thoughtfully curated multicourse tasting menu. The experience caps Arrington’s multiday Chautauqua Food Festival residency, which also includes a mainstage Chautauqua Lecture Series appearance Tuesday morning, and a special Masters Series Cooking Demonstration on Sunday, Aug. 16.
Arrington brings her signature blend of refined technique, creativity and storytelling to the table. Drawing inspiration from seasonal ingredients, global travel and contemporary art, her cooking is a distinctly personal expression delivering “Food that Hugs the Soul.”
The evening begins with passed hors d’oeuvres, followed by seated dining as each course unfolds as part of a cohesive culinary narrative. Guests will enjoy an immersive dining experience that highlights Arrington’s approach to flavor, intention and connection, all set within one of Chautauqua’s most iconic settings.
This Guest Chef Dinner is designed for passionate food lovers seeking a memorable night of discovery, conversation and exceptional cuisine.
Please note:
The menu for all courses is determined by the visiting chef; specific dietary restrictions may not be accounted for in the menu design. The final menu will be added to the website at a later date.
A wine pairing will be available on the night of the event for an additional fee.

Chautauqua Symphony Orchestra with Maxim Lando, piano
2026-08-18 20:00 | Amphitheater, Amphitheater
Rossen Milanov, conductor
Maxim Lando, piano
Maxim Lando joins the Chautauqua Symphony Orchestra in an evening of rhythmic fire. Lando commands the Amphitheater stage in Prokofiev’s Piano Concerto No. 3, balancing bold modern energy with moments of lyrical warmth. Rachmaninoff’s Symphonic Dances offers nostalgia and momentum, with the widely recognized Dies Ire making its looming presence. Together, these works bring passion and power to the orchestra.
Program:
Prokofiev: Piano Concerto No. 3
Rachmaninoff: Symphonic Dances

Sally Love & Friends: Sleep is the New Sex
2026-08-18 22:00 | Roe Green Theater Center
Usually in bed by 10, but willing to stay up and entertain us with her hilarious takes on sleep, sex and the indignities of our aging bodies,
Sally Love and friends will perform their stand up routines alongside improv artists in a brand new and exciting collaboration.
Ticket sales for this performance benefit Friends of Chautauqua Theater.

Brian Frank
2026-08-19 10:45 | Amphitheater, Amphitheater
Brian Frank is the founder and general partner of FTW Ventures, bringing decades of experience in building transformative technology that impacts the way people work, play and live. In 2015, Frank turned his attention to how technology can improve the lives of every person on the planet by building a better food system. He raised two early-stage funds for investments into food and agriculture technology businesses with FTW, partnering with the leading executives and corporations in the field.
Now at FTW, Frank continues to build a more sustainable, resilient, productive and profitable food system through leveraging advanced science and technology in the $10 trillion food and agriculture sectors. He cultivates urgent, essential technology that reshapes the global food and agriculture industries. To support the company’s three core values — preserving and amplifying nature’s offerings, modernizing science, and nurturing humankind — Frank and his team support the innovators who think beyond the box and have a unique perspective on improving the food system.
Prior to founding FTW, Frank led the creation of industry-defining products in mobile communication, social media and AI at numerous startups and Fortune 500 Companies over his 25-year career. As an entrepreneur, he directed three venture-backed businesses to successful exits, returning more than $100 million in capital to investors. Frank is a graduate of Cornell University with dual degrees in computer science as well as science and technology studies with a concentration in human-computer interaction (HCI).

Designing Civic Infrastructure for a Circular Food Economy: Panel Discussion
2026-08-19 12:30 | Smith Wilkes Hall, Smith Wilkes Hall
Together, the panel will explore how food waste and food insecurity stem from shared structural inefficiencies — and how data, corporate accountability, distributed volunteer networks, and technology-enabled logistics can function as civic infrastructure to address both climate impact and community health. The goal is to move beyond charity framing and examine surplus recovery as a systems-level coordinated intervention in building a more efficient, equitable, and sustainable food economy.
Panel:
Brad Fetchin is Vice President of Product at 412 Food Rescue where he leads the Food Rescue Hero software platform. With over 15 years in product management, he’s built technology in spaces where none existed and consistently moved ahead of industry curves. At 412 Food Rescue, he leads the technology behind one of the most innovative and largest food recovery networks, coordinating thousands of volunteers, thousands of nonprofit partners, and millions of pounds of rescued food across three countries. 300 million pounds moved and counting. He’s focused on driving platform innovation and building the partnerships that make food recovery faster, smarter, and harder to ignore.
Stanley Lim is an associate professor in the Department of Supply Chain Management, founder and co-director of the Food Access & Supply Chain Technology (FAST) Lab, and a faculty affiliate of the Evolution and Future of Work Research Initiative at Michigan State University. He is an empirical operations economist. His research examines the economics of distribution services and operational challenges in downstream, or so-called “last-mile,” supply chains under operational and societal constraints. Methodologically, he employs causal inference and large-scale field data, complemented by analytical and optimization models, to analyze operational trade-offs and welfare implications. His work has applications in both online and brick-and-mortar retail, local package delivery, and food supply chains, with a particular focus on food waste reduction and recovery efforts. His practice-oriented work has earned recognition as a finalist for the INFORMS Daniel H. Wagner Prize and has received support from grants, including those from the U.S. Department of Agriculture. He is listed on the 2025 Poets and Quants’ Top 50 Undergraduate Business Professors. Stanley holds a Ph.D. in Supply Chain Management from the University of Cambridge and an M.C.S. from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.
Dan Magrish serves as Senior Director of Community Giving, Partnerships & Sustainability at Giant Eagle, Inc., one of the nation’s largest regional food retailers and pharmacies. He leads strategy and initiatives aimed at building a more sustainable and equitable food system, with a focus on food waste reduction, local sourcing, and community investment. Dan plays a key role in forging partnerships that advance circular economy principles and environmental stewardship. He also serves on the Advisory Board of 412 Food Rescue, supporting innovative solutions to redistribute surplus food and address food insecurity.
Moderator:
Alyssa Cholodofsky is the Chief Executive Officer of 412 Food Rescue, a nationally recognized food recovery organization advancing innovative solutions to food insecurity and environmental sustainability. Since joining the organization in 2024, she has led the development and implementation of its 2025–2028 Strategic Plan, strengthened operational and financial performance, expanded national partnerships, and advanced the growth of Food Rescue Hero®, the organization’s technology platform now supporting food recovery efforts in communities across the country. Her career has focused on driving systems-level change through strategic partnerships, public policy, community investment, and organizational leadership. Alyssa holds a Master of Public Administration from the University of Pittsburgh’s Graduate School of Public and International Affairs and is a Certified Fundraising Executive (CFRE).

Bestor Plaza Demo/Talk: Carrie- X Instafarm Vertical Farming
2026-08-19 13:00 | Bestor Plaza, Bestor Plaza

Karen Florini
2026-08-19 14:00 | Hall of Philosophy, Hall of Philosophy
Karen Florini is a strategic advisor with C-Change Conversations, which educate audiences throughout the country about how climate change will impact them personally, why there is urgency to address it and how to forge consensus for action. She also serves as a senior fellow with the Climate Democracy Initiative.
Previously, she held multiple leadership roles at Climate Central, a non-profit climate science research and communication organization that creates highly localized information on climate impacts and solutions. In 2024 with the Council on Foreign Relations, Florini completed a residency at the Rockefeller Foundation’s Bellagio Center for her project on Disenfranchised by Climate Change, which examines impacts of extreme weather on electoral processes around the globe.
Prior to joining Climate Central in 2017, Florini served as deputy special envoy for climate change at the State Department for the final two years of the Obama Administration. She led the Department’s engagement with businesses, state and local governments, and civil society in the climate negotiations context. She also headed the State Department’s portfolio on short-lived climate pollutants such as methane and black carbon. Previously, she spent more than two decades at the Environmental Defense Fund, working both on environmental health and climate change.
She earned a J.D. at Harvard, where she was editor-in-chief of the Harvard Environmental Law Review.

Taste of Chautauqua
2026-08-19 15:00, 2026-08-26 15:00 | Bestor Plaza, Bestor Plaza
A celebration of food, art, music, and family. Taste of Chautauqua invites guests to experience the spirit of the region through an afternoon that brings together regional cuisine, craft beverages, live music, and local art—all in the heart of Bestor Plaza.
Designed for guests of all ages, this vibrant community gathering showcases the incredible culinary and creative talent of Chautauqua County. Sample small bites from a variety of local restaurants, explore and purchase products from area food manufacturers, wineries, distilleries, and breweries, and browse work from local artists sharing their craft and creativity. Live local music sets the tone, creating a relaxed, joyful atmosphere where flavor and culture come together.
Taste of Chautauqua is an opportunity to taste broadly, meet the makers, and celebrate the people and products that define our region. Whether you’re discovering a new favorite restaurant, supporting local producers, or simply enjoying an afternoon with family and friends, this event captures the heart of the community in one joyful celebration.

UU Cultural Ethics Series: Roger Doebke
2026-08-19 15:30 | Hall of Philosophy, Hall of Philosophy

Preacher Lawson
2026-08-19 20:00 | Amphitheater, Amphitheater
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 shows with material that blends sharp observations, family stories, and fearless honesty.
Raised in a military family and shaped by life on the move, Preacher’s comedy centers on resilience, relationships, and finding humor in chaos. Beyond stand-up, he creates digital content, develops film and TV projects, and collaborates with other comedians and creators. His work has been featured on NBC, Netflix Is a Joke, and major comedy festivals, and his independently released specials have reached millions online.
With a loyal audience and an unmistakable stage presence, Preacher continues to expand from stand-up into storytelling across film, documentary, and unscripted projects—most recently chronicling life on the road with his family in his first documentary feature.

The Rev. Natalie Hanson
2026-08-20 09:15 | Hall of Philosophy, Hall of Philosophy

Michael Grunwald
2026-08-20 10:45 | Amphitheater, Amphitheater
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 groundbreaking piece of reportage on the fight to fix our food system. In the book, Grunwald argues that humanity has started to recognize the magnitude of its food and climate problem and is making it worse; it is also a hopeful account of the brilliant researchers and entrepreneurs devising new ways to produce more food with less impact. This reporting in We Are Eating the Earth will inform his remarks to continue Chautauqua’s week on “The Future of Food.”
Grunwald is a New York Times contributing opinions writer and former staff writer for The Washington Post, Time and Politico Magazine. He is also the author of The Swamp, a widely acclaimed book about the Everglades, and The New New Deal, about the Obama Administration’s economic policies. Grunwald wrote The Washington Post’s lead news story about the attacks of September 11, 2001, covered the last eight presidential campaigns, and has written cover stories about everything from the failure of U.S. transportation policy to the marketing of Barack Obama to his own family’s daily reliance on the power of government.
Grunwald has won numerous honors for his work, including the George Polk Award for national reporting and the Worth Bingham Prize for investigative reporting.

Bestor Plaza Demo/Talk: 412 Food Rescue
2026-08-20 13:00 | Bestor Plaza, Bestor Plaza

Norman Wirzba
2026-08-20 14:00 | Hall of Philosophy, Hall of Philosophy
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 and Food and Faith: A Theology of Eating. Raised on a farm in Southern Alberta, Norman went on to study history at the University of Lethbridge, theology at Yale University Divinity School, and philosophy at Loyola University Chicago. Since then he has taught at Saint Thomas More College/University of Saskatchewan, Georgetown College (KY), and Duke University Divinity School. He’s the father of four children and is married to Gretchen Ziegenhals. He likes to bake, cook and make things with wood. He also enjoys playing the guitar. He used to be a good athlete! He enjoys being outdoors and spending time with his family and friends. He tries to grow some food.

Masters Series Masterclass: From Spirit to Shelf — Inside Mezcal & Whiskey Manufacturing in Mexico
2026-08-20 15:30 | Norton Hall, Norton Hall
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 shared with the world.
Joined by close colleague and brand importer Ismael Gomez, distillers Txomin and Carlos will share vivid images and firsthand stories from the regions where their spirits are produced, offering rare insight into traditional techniques, regional terroir, and the cultural heritage behind each bottle. Together, they will explore the realities of modern spirits production, including the challenges and opportunities of importing handcrafted products into the American market.
Designed as a conversational and engaging experience, the class blends storytelling, visual presentation, and open dialogue. Guests will have the opportunity to ask questions, deepen their understanding of mezcal and whiskey production, and gain a clearer picture of the journey from raw ingredient to finished spirit.
The brands sharing in this Masters Series class will also be showcased during the Premium Craft Beverage Tasting Events on Thursday, August 20, and Thursday, August 27, offering guests a chance to taste these products and continue the conversation in a relaxed, social setting.
Perfect for curious drinkers, spirits enthusiasts, and anyone interested in craftsmanship, culture, and global trade, this Masters Series class offers a rare behind-the-scenes look at the people and processes shaping today’s premium spirits landscape.

Premium Tasting Event
2026-08-20 17:00, 2026-08-27 17:00 | Bestor Plaza, Bestor Plaza
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 the people behind the products.
Throughout the evening, guests will enjoy a curated selection of beverages alongside thoughtfully paired small bites, guided by knowledgeable producers and beverage experts who can speak to the craftsmanship, origin, and unique character of each offering. From innovative flavor profiles to time-honored techniques, the focus is on discovery, conversation, and appreciation.
Presented in partnership with regional producers and collaborators, the Premium Craft Beverage Tasting Event creates a relaxed, welcoming atmosphere where curiosity is encouraged and favorites are found. Whether you’re a seasoned enthusiast or simply eager to try something new, this event offers an engaging way to taste, learn, and celebrate the creativity shaping today’s beverage landscape.
Perfect as an evening gathering with friends—or a flavorful complement to other Food Festival programming—this tasting event highlights the joy of sharing great drinks, great food, and great company.
Those interested in this event may also enjoy the Masters Series Class: From Spirit to Shelf — Inside Mezcal & Whiskey Manufacturing in Mexico, presented by Laiki Spirits on Thursday, August 20. This in depth conversation offers a behind-the-scenes look at the production, culture, and global journey of some of the spirits featured at the tastings—providing a deeper understanding of the craftsmanship behind what’s in your glass.

Chautauqua Symphony Orchestra: Generational Voices- An Evening with the Denyce Graves Foundation
2026-08-20 20:00 | Amphitheater, Amphitheater
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 soaring night of vocal artistry and symphonic brilliance. From beloved operatic arias to Bernstein’s enthralling Jeremiah Symphony, this performance celebrates the future of American opera and the enduring excellence of our resident orchestra.

Anna Lappé
2026-08-21 10:45 | Amphitheater, Amphitheater
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 joining the Global Alliance in July 2023, Lappé had worked for more than 25 years as an internationally renowned expert on food systems and a respected advocate for sustainability and justice along the food chain. She has conducted research on food and sustainability across the United States and in countries worldwide. She will share her experiences and expertise in remarks closing Chautauqua’s weeklong discussion on “The Future of Food: Climate, Technology and the Next Agricultural Revolution.”
Lappé is the founder or co-founder of three national organizations. In 2012, she founded Real Food Media, a communications strategy initiative housed within the non-profit Corporate Accountability. She is also the co-founder of the Small Planet Fund and in 2016 launched the Food Sovereignty Fund of the Panta Rhea Foundation. Named one of Time magazine’s “eco” Who’s-Who, Lappé is the co-author or author of three books on food, farming and sustainability, including the national bestseller Hope’s Edge and the critically acclaimed Diet for a Hot Planet: The Climate Crisis at the End of Your Fork and What You Can Do About It. Most recently she helped edit the U.S. edition of The Pesticide Atlas and relaunch her mother’s 1971 classic Diet for a Small Planet with a new introduction and all new recipes from celebrity chefs, including Padma Lakshmi and Jose Andres.
A recipient of the James Beard Leadership Award, Lappé’s work has been translated internationally and features on Lappé and her opinion writing can be found in a variety of prominent outlets. She holds a master’s in international affairs in economic and political development from Columbia University and also graduated from Brown University. From 2004 to 2006, she was a Food and Society Fellow, a program of the WK Kellogg Foundation. She is an active board member of the Rainforest Action Network and the Castanea Fellowship.

Aimee Nezhukumatathil
2026-08-21 14:00 | Hall of Philosophy, Hall of Philosophy
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 short essays about food, offering a banquet of tastes, smells, memories, associations, and marvelous curiosities from nature. In Bite by Bite, poet and essayist Aimee Nezhukumatathil explores the way food and drink evoke our associations and remembrances—a subtext or layering, a flavor tinged with joy, shame, exuberance, grief, desire, or nostalgia.
Nezhukumatathil restores our astonishment and wonder about food through her encounters with a range of foods and food traditions. From shave ice to lumpia, mangoes to pecans, rambutan to vanilla, she investigates how food marks our experiences and identities and explores the boundaries between heritage and memory.
Bite by Bite offers a rich and textured kaleidoscope of vignettes and visions into the world of food and nature, drawn together by intimate and humorous personal reflections, with Fumi Nakamura’s gorgeous imagery and illustration.
Aimee Nezhukumatathil is the author of Night Owl, a poetry collection, the book of food essays Bite By Bite: Nourishments and Jamborees, and the New York Times best-selling illustrated collection of nature essays, World of Wonders: In Praise of Fireflies, Whale Sharks & Other Astonishments. She has also written four previous poetry collections including Oceanic and At The Drive-in Volcano. Her most recent chapbook is Lace & Pyrite, a collaboration of epistolary garden poems with the poet Ross Gay. Honors include a poetry fellowship from the National Endowment for the Arts, the Pushcart Prize, a Mississippi Arts Council grant, NAAEE’s 2024 Pepe Marcos-Iga Award for Innovation in Environmental Education, and being named a Guggenheim Fellow in poetry. For a decade, she served as the poetry editor for Orion and Sierra magazines. A professor of English and Creative Writing for over twenty five years, she also serves as a firefly guide for Mississippi State Parks.

Renée Fleming with Béla Fleck The Fiddle and the Drum
2026-08-21 20:00 | Amphitheater, Amphitheater
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 Heart band. Through mountain songs, haunting ballads, and folk hymns, The Fiddle and the Drum honors the roots and emotional power of Appalachia.

Silkroad Ensemble featuring Rhiannon Giddens
2026-08-22 20:00 | Amphitheater, Amphitheater
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 into an unforgettable evening of boundary-crossing music that resonates long after the final note.

Fr. Gregory Boyle, S.J.
2026-08-23 10:45, 2026-08-24 09:15, 2026-08-25 09:15, 2026-08-26 09:15 | Amphitheater, Amphitheater
Fr. Greg Boyle, S.J., is a Jesuit priest and the founder of Homeboy Industries. Based in Los Angeles, the organization is the largest gang intervention, rehabilitation and re-entry program in the world.
From 1986 to 1992 Boyle served as pastor of Dolores Mission Church, then the poorest Catholic parish in Los Angeles, and the one with the highest concentration of gang activity. In the face of law enforcement tactics and criminal justice policies of suppression and mass incarceration as the means to end gang violence, Boyle and parish and community members adopted what was a radical approach at the time: treat gang members as human beings.
In 1988 they began what would eventually become Homeboy Industries, which employs and trains former gang members in a range of social enterprises, and provides critical services to thousands of people who walk through its doors every year seeking a better life.
Boyle is the author of the 2010 New York Times bestseller, Tattoos on the Heart: The Power of Boundless Compassion, as well as Barking to the Choir: The Power of Radical Kinship, and The Whole Language: The Power of Extravagant Tenderness. Most recently, he authored Forgive Everyone Everything, an anthology of writings accompanied by Fabian Debora’s artwork.
Recently, Boyle was a recipient of the 2025 Civic Renewal Award from the Center for Christianity and Public Life. In 2024, Boyle received the Presidential Medal of Freedom from President Joseph Biden. Homeboy Industries was awarded the 2020 Hilton Humanitarian Prize, and Boyle was the recipient of University of Notre Dame’s 2017 Laetare Medal, the oldest honor given to American Catholics. In 2014, President Barack Obama named him a Champion of Change. Boyle has also received the California Peace Prize and been inducted into the California Hall of Fame.

Week Nine: Reimagined Food Festival
2026-08-23 12:00 - 2026-08-28 20:00

Community Gathering with Dance Theatre of Harlem
2026-08-23 15:00 | Bestor Plaza, Bestor Plaza
Community Gathering with Dance Theatre of Harlem
Dance Theatre of Harlem invites you to “Dancing in the Streets,” a participatory dance workshop for people of all ages and abilities in Bestor Plaza. This free and fun workshop brings world-class artistry directly to our Chautauqua community. Deeply committed to building connection through the arts, company artists will introduce you to the joy and power of dance.
*Rain Location: Chautauqua Amphitheater

January Gill O'Neil and Jimin Han
2026-08-23 15:30 | Hall of Philosophy, Hall of Philosophy
Chautauqua Writers’ Center Faculty Reading— Featuring January Gill O’Neil (Poetry) and Jimin Han (Prose)
January Gill O’Neil is a professor at Salem State University and the author of Glitter Road (2024), Rewilding( 2018), Misery Islands (2014), and Underlife (2009), all published by CavanKerry Press. Glitter Road received the 2024 Poetry by the Sea Best Book Award and the Julia Ward Howe Prize and was a finalist for several honors, including the Massachusetts Book Award. Her work has appeared in The New York Times Magazine, Poetry, The Nation, and American Poetry Review. A Cave Canem fellow, she served as executive director of the Massachusetts Poetry Festival from 2012 to 2018 and was the 2019–2020 John and Renée Grisham Writer-in-Residence at the University of Mississippi. She is a former chair of the AWP Board of Directors and its longest-serving current board member, and she teaches graduate poetry writing in the summer program at Middlebury College’s Bread Loaf School of English.
Jimin Han is the author of three novels, Dreamt I Found You, A Small Revolution, and The Apology, which was a Barnes and Noble Discover Pick, named a best audiobook of the year by Booklist, and featured on multiple best books lists by the Los Angeles Times, Vanity Fair, Shondaland, Apple Books and more. Additional writing of hers can be found on NPR, as well as in Poets & Writers, Literary Hub, and other publications. She teaches at The Writing Institute at Sarah Lawrence College and community writing centers. Her work has been supported by the New York State Council on the Arts. Born in South Korea, she grew up in Providence, Rhode Island; Dayton, Ohio; and Jamestown, New York. Currently, she lives outside New York City.

Feast With Friends: Farm to Table Dinner with 3 C’s Catering
2026-08-23 17:00 | Bestor Plaza, Bestor Plaza
Where food builds community. Weekly Feast with Friends invites guests to gather around the table together in Bestor Plaza and kick off each week of the Chautauqua Institution Food Festival with a warm, welcoming shared meal. Designed to bring people together, this communal dining experience celebrates the joy of connection, conversation, and exceptional food.
Guests will delight in thoughtfully prepared dishes from some of the region’s best caterers, showcasing the flavors, care, and creativity that define our local food community. On Sunday, August 23, the evening will feature 3 C’s Catering, a beloved regional catering company known for bold flavors and generous hospitality.
More than a meal, Weekly Feast with Friends is an opportunity to slow down, share space, and connect with our community, fellow guests, chefs, and community partners. Whether you arrive with friends or sit down with someone new, the experience reflects a simple truth at the heart of the Food Festival: food is one of the most powerful ways we come together.
3 C’s Catering
Theme: Farm to table dinner
Standard (FT = FARM TO TABLE)
FT Italian Sausage with FT peppers and onions
FT parsley buttered potatoes
FT seasonal roasted vegetables
Vegetarian Option:
White FT ratatouille lasagna,
Homemade Italian bread,
FT seasonal vegetables,
FT tossed salad with homemade Italian dressing

Hebrew Congregation, Shirley Lazarus Sunday Evening Lecture Series
2026-08-23 19:00, 2026-08-30 19:00 | Smith Wilkes Hall, Smith Wilkes Hall

CHQ Mystic Heart - David Gluck, Hindu Meditation.
2026-08-24 07:45, 2026-08-25 07:45, 2026-08-26 07:45, 2026-08-27 07:45, 2026-08-28 07:45 | Presbyterian House, Presbyterian House
David Gluck began his study of meditation and yoga in 2001, with Jivamukti Yoga. He received accreditation as a certified yoga teacher in 2003, directly from Jivamukti founders, Sharon Gannon and David Life. Shortly thereafter, he began formal studies in the Gelug lineage of Tibetan Buddhism, primarily under the tutelage of Douglas Veenhof, current Resident Teacher at B. Alan Wallace’s Center for Contemplative Research, Miyo Samten Ling, in Crestone, Colorado. In 2022, he became an-accredited mindfulness teacher, studying with David Nichternand the Dharma Moon community. David has taught classes, workshops, and teacher training’s both nationally and abroad. In 2013, David developed and led the Yoga Philosophy, Training and Certification course at George Brown College, in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. In addition, he served as faculty for the Yoga Sanctuary Teacher Training program as Director of Philosophy, from 2013 until 2017. In 2017, David transitioned to working with children. Currently, his dharma teaching consists of private sessions wherein he helps practitioners develop and deepen their practice, and his annual participation in Chautauqua’s Mystic Heart program.

Priya Parker
2026-08-24 10:45 | Amphitheater, Amphitheater
Priya Parker opens Week Nine of the 2026 Chautauqua Lecture Series and the theme of “The Importance of Gathering” by helping us take a deeper look at how anyone can create collective meaning in modern life, one gathering at a time. She is a facilitator, strategic adviser, acclaimed author of The Art of Gathering: How We Meet and Why it Matters, and the host of The Art of Gathering Digital Course. She writes and teaches on Group Life, her Substack publication aimed to make “group help” as normal as “self help.”
Drawing from her diverse training in conflict resolution, business management, public policy and community-building, her talks dive into the anatomy of gathering with purpose. Whether she is talking about gathering as a 21st-century leadership skill, fostering belonging among remote teams, the art of hosting meetings everyone wants to attend, or connecting people across identities, backgrounds and hierarchies, Parker gives her audiences the skills they need to succeed.
Parker has helped numerous clients develop better in-person and virtual gatherings, including tech and Fortune 500 companies, leading non-profits, education groups and government agencies, among others.
Parker has spoken on the TED Main Stage and her sessions have been viewed over 3 million times. The Art of Gathering: How We Meet and Why It Matters was named a Best Business Book of the Year by Amazon, Esquire Magazine, NPR, the Financial Times, 1-800-CEO-READS and Bloomberg. In 2023, The Wall Street Journal tapped Parker as their work expert for their “Future of Everything” series. Her work has been featured in The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, Forbes.com, Oprah.com, Real Simple Magazine, Glamour, “The Today Show” and “Morning Joe,” among others.

Jose Arellano
2026-08-24 14:00 | Hall of Philosophy, Hall of Philosophy
Jose Arellano is an organizational leader and entrepreneur with a proven record of driving transformation, building high-performing teams and delivering sustainable growth. He began his career at Homeboy Industries in 2013 as a trainee and advanced to vice president of operations, where he leads organizational initiatives, workforce development, integrates departments, and implements strategies that strengthen systems and scale impact. In addition to his executive role, Arellano is the co-owner of Tepito Coffee, where he successfully uplifted the company into profitability by restructuring operations, refining strategy and driving disciplined execution.
Arellano’s leadership on the executive team of Homeboy Industries led to the prestigious Hilton Humanitarian Prize, the world’s highest honor for humanitarian organizations. Earlier, he was recognized with the I Have a Dream Award in 2022. He has also spoken nationally and internationally on organizational development and transformation, including moderating a landmark 2021 conversation between Father Greg Boyle and Pema Chödrön. He previously co-hosted the Without Your Permission Podcast and continues to share insights on leadership, resilience, and social impact across multiple platforms.

Battle of The Bites: Best Slider
2026-08-24 15:00 | Bestor Plaza, Bestor Plaza
High energy. High stakes. Incredible food. Inspired by competitive cooking shows, Battle of the Bites brings the thrill of a culinary showdown to Bestor Plaza as talented local chefs go head‑to‑head in a fast‑paced, flavor‑driven competition.
Each week features four different chefs and a guest judge. Chefs are given three hours to develop and execute a dish inspired by that week’s featured cuisine, building a cohesive flavor profile that reflects creativity, technique, and personality. At the end of the challenge, each chef presents their dish to the judge—and the community—to determine who has created the best bite of the day.
Battle of the Bites is free to attend, and everyone is welcome to watch the action unfold. Guests who want to taste along with the judge can purchase a tasting ticket, which allows them to sample the same bites being evaluated—making the audience part of the experience.
On August 24, the competition will be judged by celebrity chef Darian Bryan, joining us from Buffalo. The judge for August 17 will be announced in the coming weeks.
Lively, interactive, and deliciously fun, Battle of the Bites celebrates local culinary talent while inviting the community to cheer, taste, and take part in the excitement. (Limited Tasting Tickets sold)

Chautauqua Chamber Music: American Brass Quintet
2026-08-24 16:00 | Elizabeth S. Lenna Hall, Elizabeth S. Lenna Hall

Dance Theatre of Harlem
2026-08-24 19:30 | Amphitheater, Amphitheater
Dance Theatre of Harlem is a leading dance institution of unparalleled global acclaim, encompassing a world-class company, a professional studio school, a leading arts education program-Dancing Through Barriers®, and community engagement activities.Each component of Dance Theatre of Harlem carries deep commitment towards enriching the lives of young people and adults around the world through the arts.Founded in 1969 by Arthur Mitchell and Karel Shook, Dance Theatre of Harlem was considered “one of ballet’s most exciting undertakings” (The New York Times, 1971).Shortly after the assassination of The Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., Mitchell was inspired to start a school that would offer children—especially those in Harlem, the community in which he was born—the opportunity to learn about dance and the allied arts. Now in its sixth decade, Dance Theatre of Harlem has grown into a multicultural dance institution with an extraordinary legacy of providing opportunities for creative expression and artistic excellence that continues to set standards in the performing arts.

On Being American: An Evening of Poetry and Music with Kwame Alexander
2026-08-24 22:00 | Roe Green Theater Center
In partnership with the African American Heritage House
“How do you tell a story about strength and pride and refusing to be broken?”
In this powerful evening of poetry, storytelling, and live music, Emmy Award-winning producer and New York Timesbestselling author Kwame Alexander explores the American experience through verse — inviting audiences to “let the poems tell the story of America.”
Accompanied by acclaimed bassist Amy Shook, Alexander weaves together works by literary giants including Langston Hughes, Joy Harjo, and Emily Dickinson with original reflections on resilience, freedom, identity, and hope.
A recipient of the 2025 NAACP Image Award and author of 46 books — including the Newbery Medal-winning The Crossover, later adapted for Disney+ — Alexander brings warmth, urgency, humor, and lyrical insight to an unforgettable performance that celebrates the courage to speak, imagine, and transform.
Part spoken-word performance, part musical meditation, On Being American is an inspiring and deeply human exploration of the stories that shape us — and the possibilities that connect us.

Buffalo Day
2026-08-25 07:00 | Chautauqua Institution
Explore locally and come to Chautauqua Institution on Buffalo Day. Residents of Buffalo have free admission and parking* all day. Our Buffalo Day includes access to all events in the Amphitheater and Hall of Philosophy that day, beaches, and so much more!
Please bring proof of residency for entry. Youth 12 and under are always free at Chautauqua!
Access to the from 7 a.m. to midnight
August 25
9:15 a.m. (Amphitheater) Morning Worship: Fr. Gregory Boyle, S.J.
10:45 a.m. (Amphitheater) Morning Lecture: Lara Downes and John McWhorter
1:00 p.m. (Amphitheater) Buffalo Day Special Programming – Chautauqua Institution’s First Ever Naturalization (Citizenship) Ceremony
3:15 p.m. (Hall of Christ) Buffalo Day Special Programming – Spencer Morgan and Rachelle Moyer Francis “Buffalo: 2nd Best City for Presidential Stories”
4:20 p.m. (Hall of Christ) Buffalo Day Special Programming – Erie County Executive Mark Poloncarz & Lindsay Lauren Visser “Roosevelt Rumble: FDR vs. TR ”
3:30 p.m. (Norton Hall) Masterclass Series Culinary Masterclass: Chef Darian Bryan **Admission to this event requires purchase of a separate ticket, available at tickets.chq.org
5:30 p.m. (Athenaeum Hotel) Guest Chef Dinner: Chef Darian Bryan **Admission to this event requires purchase of a separate ticket, available at tickets.chq.org
8:00 p.m. Get Happy with Lara Downes and Kurt Elling
Patrons from the Buffalo region zip codes 14201 through 14280 are admitted free to Chautauqua 7 a.m. –11:59 p.m. Order tickets at the Chautauqua Ticket Office.
Parking is complimentary for Buffalo Day when tickets are purchased in advance—online, by phone, or in person prior to August 25. On the day of the event, a credit card will be required for parking lot entry. Guests wishing to pay with cash should proceed to the Main Gate before entering the parking lot.

Heather Kenyon
2026-08-25 09:15 | Hurlbut Church sanctuary, Hurlbut Church sanctuary

Lara Downes and John McWhorter
2026-08-25 10:45 | Amphitheater, Amphitheater
Visionary American pianist and scholar Lara Downes is joined by fellow American scholar and linguist John McWhorter for a musical-conversation to discuss the role of American music as a joyful noise, even in the hardest times — the songs that have chased our cares away even in times of hardship, crisis and wartime, to remind us of the importance of “harmonizing together.” This program is part of Downes’ series, “America in Pursuit,” developed for NPR’s “All Things Considered,” and continues Chautauqua’s weeklong exploration of “The Importance of Gathering,” in collaboration with the Smithsonian Folklife Festival.
At 8 p.m. the same evening, vocalist Kurt Elling joins Downes in a special concert called “Get Happy,” inspired by the morning’s conversation and celebrating 250 years of American music. The duo will share beloved songs that remind us that “the sun will come up tomorrow!” The performance features music by Irving Berlin, George Gershwin, H.T. Burleigh, Louis Armstrong, and more.
Lara Downes, a visionary trailblazer and American pianist occupies a unique position of visibility through her dynamic work as a sought-after soloist, a Billboard Chart-topping recording artist, and a beloved NPR personality. She seeks inspiration from the legacies of history, family and collective memory, creating performances and recording projects that serve as gathering spaces for her listeners to find common ground and shared experiences.
Downes has recently launched “The Declaration Project,” a national initiative marking the 250th anniversary of the United States by gathering together American communities to find common ground in exploring the core essence of our founding promise: the unalienable rights of “Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness.” Engaging with multigenerational communities in the form of round-table conversations, generative writing workshops, and collaborative creative practice, Downes encourages reflection and expression that actively reimagines the promise of our future, reflecting on the magic and mystery of life, the ongoing quest for freedom and equality, and the radical power of joy.
Downes is the creator and host of the NPR Music video series “Amplify with Lara Downes,” which features intimate, profoundly personal video conversations with visionary artists and cultural leaders who are shaping our creative present and future. Downes’ fierce commitment to citizenship and advocacy has led to her role as an Artist Ambassador for Headcount, a non-partisan organization that uses the power of music to register voters and promote participation in democracy. A cultural visionary with a firm finger on the pulse of tomorrow, Downes is increasingly active as a curator and creative partner with institutions including Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts, the Aspen Ideas Festival, Mass MoCA, the Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra, and as Resident Artist for Classical California (formerly KDFC and KUSC).
Downes’ uniquely insightful approach to concept and curation have created an extensive and acclaimed series of chart-topping recordings, including her latest release “Rhapsody in Blue Reimagined,” featured on NPR’s “Morning Edition,” in The Wall Street Journal and Downbeat Magazine. Her 2023 release “Love at Last” was featured as an NPR Tiny Desk Concert, and her groundbreaking 2016 release “America Again” was called “a balm for a country riven by disunion” by the Boston Globe.
John McWhorter is not just a linguist — he’s a storyteller of language, a cultural critic and a fearless commentator on the social issues of our time. As a professor in the Slavic Department at Columbia University, McWhorter has spent his career dissecting the ways in which language evolves, adapts and reflects the human condition. His research into creole languages, dialects and sociolects offers a window into the everchanging tapestry of human communication.
McWhorter’s work extends far beyond the classroom. Known for his bold, unorthodox views on race and society, he has become a prominent public intellectual, challenging the status quo and encouraging us to rethink our assumptions. Through his writing, speaking and media appearances, McWhorter brings a fresh, incisive perspective that is both enlightening and accessible, making even the most complex topics approachable for all.
McWhorter is an author of more than 20 books, including The Power of Babel: A Natural History of Language, Losing the Race: Self Sabotage in Black America and Our Magnificent Bastard Tongue: The Untold History of English. In 2016 he published Words on the Move: Why English Won’t — and Can’t — Sit Still (Like, Literally), while in 2021, he published Nine Nasty Words and Woke Racism. He also writes a weekly column for The New York Times and hosts the language podcast “Lexicon Valley.” He earned his B.A. from Rutgers, his M.A. from New York University and his Ph.D. in linguistics from Stanford.

Ken Parker, Native Plants Guy: Indigenous Ecological Wisdom
2026-08-25 12:30 | Smith Wilkes Hall, Smith Wilkes Hall
Bird, Tree & Garden Club lunchtime lecture series
Ken Parker is the founder of Native Plant Guy and has 30+years experience in horticulture, restoration, and landscape management. Hi is a lifetime New York State Certified Nursery & Landscape Professional with a strong foundation as a grower, experience preparing professionals in green infrastructure, including rain gardens and stormwater systems.
His mission is to help homeowners, professionals, and communities create landscapes that function—using practical, science-based approaches and regionally appropriate plants that support pollinators, manage stormwater, and provide lasting value beyond the landscape. Plants that work—built for real conditions.

CHQ Mystic Heart - David Gluck, Hindu Meditation
2026-08-25 12:30, 2026-08-27 12:30 | Hall of Missions, Hall of Missions

Naturalization Oath of Allegiance (Citizenship) Ceremony
2026-08-25 13:00 | Amphitheater, Amphitheater
Chautauqua Institution is honored to host its first naturalization ceremony on its grounds. A naturalization ceremony is a formal and deeply meaningful event in which individuals from around the world take the Oath of Allegiance and are officially welcomed as citizens of the United States. It marks the culmination of a long journey defined by commitment, perseverance and a belief in the ideals of democracy and civic participation. We are proud to serve as the setting where new citizens are recognized, celebrated and where our community can share in this historic and joyful milestone.
The ceremony will be presided over by Hon. Meredith A. Vacca, U.S. district judge of the Western District of New York, and will feature special keynote remarks by Hon. George B. Daniels, senior U.S. district judge of the Southern District of New York.
Full program to be announced.
This naturalization ceremony at Chautauqua is presented in coordination with U.S. Citizen and Immigration Services. The judges’ participation been coordinated in partnership with the Franklin H. Williams Judicial Commission of the New York Court System.
NOTE: There will not be a 2 p.m. Interfaith Lecture on Tuesday, Aug. 25

"Buffalo: 2nd Best City for Presidential Stories" with Spencer Morgan and Rachelle Moyer Francis (Buffalo Day Special Event)
2026-08-25 15:15 | Hall of Christ: Sanctuary
Celebrate Buffalo Day with a special lecture and conversation that brings national history home through compelling presidential stories deeply connected to Western New York.
This program features a presentation and dialogue with Spencer Morgan, Site Superintendent and Executive Director of the Theodore Roosevelt Inaugural National Historic Site, and Rachelle Moyer Francis, Curator for Millard Fillmore Presidential Site and Trustee for Buffalo Presidential Center. Together, they explore how Buffalo became an unlikely but powerful stage for pivotal moments in American presidential history
Morgan’s presentation, “From National Tragedy to American Legend,” examines the moment Theodore Roosevelt assumed the presidency in Buffalo following the assassination of President William McKinley—and how that day transformed Roosevelt into a defining figure in American leadership. Moyer Francis follows with “Presidents Visit Chautauqua,” a lively look at the city’s outsized role in shaping presidential narratives, legacy, and memory.

Masters Series Culinary Masterclass: Chef Darian Bryan
2026-08-25 15:30 | Norton Hall, Norton Hall
Bold flavor, big personality, and unforgettable food take center stage in this dynamic Masters Series class with Chef Darian Bryan, one of Western New York’s most celebrated culinary voices. Known for merging fine dining techniques with the vibrant soul of Caribbean cuisine, Chef Darian delivers an experience that is as entertaining as it is inspiring. He has been featured in numerous national and international media outlets, including the Food Network, CBS News, ESPN, The Jamaican Observer, The Gleaner, and TVJ, sharing his food and story with audiences around the world.

"Roosevelt Rumble: FDR vs. TR!" with Erie County Executive, Mark Poloncarz & Lindsay Lauren Visser (Buffalo Day Special Event)
2026-08-25 16:20 | Hall of Christ: Sanctuary
Get ready to step into the ring for Roosevelt Rumble: FDR vs. TR! Join us for a lively and thought-provoking showdown between two of America’s most influential presidents. In this spirited debate, Erie County Executive Mark C. Poloncarz faces off against City of Buffalo Historian Lindsey Lauren Visser, each making the case for their favorite Roosevelt. Poloncarz champions Franklin D. Roosevelt for his transformative leadership through the New Deal and World War II. Visser steps into the corner for Theodore Roosevelt, highlighting his daring reforms, dynamic presidency, and larger-than-life personality. Blending humor, history, and friendly competition, this program promises insight, laughter, and maybe even a new presidential favorite. Come ready to learn, cheer, and decide which Roosevelt reigns supreme!

Premium Chefs Dinner: Darian Bryan
2026-08-25 17:30 | Athenaeum Hotel, Athenaeum Hotel
Bold flavor and joyful hospitality take center stage at this special Guest Chef Dinner with Chef Darian Bryan, one of Western New York’s most dynamic culinary talents. Hosted at the Athenaeum Hotel, this one night only dining experience celebrates Chef Darian’s vibrant fusion of fine dining technique and Caribbean soul.
Born in Jamaica and based in Buffalo, Chef Darian is known for creating food that makes people happy—an ethos reflected in every course of this thoughtfully crafted tasting menu. Guests can expect an evening that balances elevated presentation with bold, expressive flavors inspired by heritage, culture, and creativity.
The night begins with passed hors d’oeuvres, followed by a seated multi‑course dinner showcasing Chef Darian’s confident, energetic approach to cuisine. From start to finish, the experience is designed to be immersive, celebratory, and deeply satisfying.
Perfect for adventurous diners and longtime fans alike, this Guest Chef Dinner offers a rare chance to enjoy Chef Darian’s cooking in an intimate, elegant setting.
Please note:
The menu for all courses is determined by the visiting chef; specific dietary restrictions may not be accounted for in the menu design. The final menu will be added to the website at a later date.
A wine pairing will be available on the night of the event for an additional fee.

Get Happy with Lara Downes and Kurt Elling
2026-08-25 20:00 | Amphitheater, Amphitheater
Pianist and cultural visionary Lara Downes has been called “A musical ray of hope” by NBC News. Vocalist Kurt Elling, whom The Guardian dubbed “a kind of Sinatra with superpowers,” joins Downes in a special concert called GET HAPPY, celebrating 250 years of American music as a joyful noise, even in the hardest times. The duo shares beloved songs that have chased our cares away even in times of hardship, crisis, and wartime, to remind us that “the sun will come up tomorrow!” Music by Irving Berlin, George Gershwin, H.T. Burleigh, Louis Armstrong, and more.

Henry Louis Gates, Jr.
2026-08-26 10:45 | Amphitheater, Amphitheater
Henry Louis Gates, Jr. is the Alphonse Fletcher University professor and director of the Hutchins Center for African & African American Research at Harvard University. The Emmy and Peabody Award-winning filmmaker, literary scholar, journalist, cultural critic and institution builder has produced and hosted an array of documentary films and published numerous books. Gates joins the Chautauqua Lecture Series during this week on “The Importance of Gathering,” in collaboration with the Smithsonian Folklife Festival, to reflect on the importance of sharing collective histories and memories, based on his extensive work and scholarship exploring the connections that bind us.
Nominated for a 2024 Primetime Emmy, and in its 12th season this year, is Gates’s groundbreaking genealogy and genetics series “Finding Your Roots.” His latest history series for PBS are “Black and Jewish America: An Interwoven History” and “Great Migrations: A People on the Move.” He also served as executive producer of PBS’ “The Black Church” and HBO’s “Frederick Douglass: In Five Speeches,” which each received Emmy nominations as well.
Gates’s latest book is The Black Box: Writing the Race. Published in 2024, it was named one of the New York Times 100 Best Books of the Year. Other recent titles include The Black Church: This Is Our Story, This Is Our Song and Stony the Road: Reconstruction, White Supremacy, and the Rise of Jim Crow. A former chair of the Pulitzer Prize board, he is a member of the American Academy of Arts and Letters and serves on a wide array of boards, including the New York Public Library, the NAACP Legal Defense Fund, the Aspen Institute, the Whitney Museum of American Art, Library of America and The Studio Museum of Harlem.
Gates earned his B.A. in history from Yale University, and his M.A. and Ph.D. in English literature from Clare College at Cambridge. He was a member of the first class awarded “genius grants” by the MacArthur Foundation in 1981, and in 1998 he became the first African American scholar to be awarded the National Humanities Medal.

Organ Recitals Sonya Subbayya Sutton
2026-08-26 12:15 | Amphitheater, Amphitheater
Sonya Subbayya Sutton is an organist, pianist and choral conductor who currently serves as Chautauqua’s Interim Director of Sacred Music. She recently retired after a 40+ year career as a musician in the Episcopal Church. She is the Music Director of the World Bank-International Monetary Fund Chorus, she has directed choirs in ten European tours and cathedral residencies and frequently collaborates with other musicians as an accompanist and chamber musician. She earned degrees in piano, organ, and arts administration from the College-Conservatory of Music in Cincinnati. She and her husband Eugene divide their time between Washington, DC And Chautauqua.
Her program for Chautauqua will includes music transcribed for the organ from orchestral works.

Amy Bruton Bluemel
2026-08-26 14:00 | Hall of Philosophy, Hall of Philosophy
As the great-granddaughter of Eastman Kaney (an original Dawes Commission enrollee), Bluemel is a proud member of the Chickasaw Nation. She is an award-winning storyteller and educator, artist, and stomp dancer.
Bluemel is the 2023 recipient of the Coleen Salley Storytelling Award for her commitment to the art of storytelling, by The University of Southern Mississippi. She shares Chickasaw and Southeastern tribal customs with audiences of all ages through lively programs at schools, museums, libraries, and festivals across the country. She also performs with the dance troupe Hithla at events and festivals around the nation.
Bluemel is also an accomplished artist. Her artwork is sold at several museums and stores and sells her creations at powwows and festivals throughout the United States. She was also one of 36 Native American artists chosen to show and sell her art at the Smithsonian National Museum of the American Indian, Native American Art Market in Washington DC.

Masters Series Masterclass: Father Greg Boyle, founder of Homeboy Industries
2026-08-26 16:30 | Elizabeth S. Lenna Hall, Elizabeth S. Lenna Hall
Location Hold

Leon and Gloria Plevin Lecture: Garrett Klein (Massey Klein Gallery)
2026-08-26 18:30 | Hultquist 101, Hultquist 101

Samara Joy
2026-08-26 20:00 | Amphitheater, Amphitheater
A native of the Bronx, Samara Joy became entranced by classic R&B as a child and cut her teeth as a singer in her church’s gospel choir. And while her family history is deeply musical—her grandparents helmed the Philadelphia gospel group the Savettes, and her father, the musician and songwriter Antonio McLendon, has produced, composed and arranged his own astounding original work—she didn’t delve into the jazz tradition until college at SUNY Purchase. During her studies there she won the 2019 Sarah Vaughan International Jazz Vocal Competition, which introduced her to the larger jazz scene as a rising star to watch. She was heard, by audiences and critics alike, as a masterful interpreter of jazz standards and a rightful heiress of the sound, technique and charisma that defined her jazz heroines—including Vaughan, Betty Carter, Abbey Lincoln and Carmen McRae.
Joy released her self-titled debut on the Whirlwind label in 2021, followed a year later by Linger Awhile, her breakout Verve debut, of which Down Beat said, “With this beautiful recording, a silky-voiced star is born.” The album earned her a Grammy for Best Jazz Vocal Album in addition to a headline-making win for Best New Artist. A deluxe edition of the album was released, as well as the EP A Joyful Holiday, which took home Grammys for Best Jazz Vocal Album and Best Jazz Performance in 2025. Her new Verve album, Portrait, which Joy co-produced with the veteran trumpeter/bandleader and multi-Grammy winner Brian Lynch, showcases the intimate, soulful chemistry she’s developed with her touring band, already earning her an NAACP Image Award this year for Best Jazz Album. Portrait also spotlights her burgeoning gifts as a lyricist, in ingenious arrangements that meld her thoughtful words with music by Charles Mingus, Sun Ra and her late mentor Barry Harris.

Fr. Gregory Boyle, S.J.
2026-08-27 09:15 | Hall of Philosophy, Hall of Philosophy

Bestor Plaza Demo/Talks: Sysco- Knife Skills
2026-08-27 13:00 | Bestor Plaza, Bestor Plaza

George Tanabe
2026-08-27 14:00 | Hall of Philosophy, Hall of Philosophy
George Tanabe was born and raised in Waialua, Hawaii and is a specialist on the religions of Japan, especially Buddhism, and his books have been published by university presses at Columbia, Harvard, Princeton, and Hawaii. He studied at Willamette University (B.A. in History), Union Theological Seminary (M. Div.in Biblical Studies), and Columbia University (M.A. and Ph.D. in East Asian Languages and Cultures). From 1977 to 2006, he taught in the University of Hawaii Department of Religion and is currently Professor Emeritus. He was one of the founding editors of Buddhist-Christian Studies, a scholarly journal still being published today. In 2007, he received the Foreign Minister’s Award from the Japanese government, and in 2012 he was honored with the Imperial Order of the Rising Sun for his work on promoting better relations between America and Japan. George and his wife Willa (Professor Emerita of Japanese Art History) published Japanese Buddhist Temples of Hawai’i: An Illustrated Guide (UH Press). Currently, he is President of BDK Hawaii and Chairman of BDK America (Berkeley, CA), which are Buddhist nonprofit educational foundations. He still lives in Waialua and is happily writing novels.

Masters Series Culinary Masterclass: Sysco Chefs
2026-08-27 15:30 | Norton Hall, Norton Hall
As Food Fest winds down, there is still plenty to experience with two of Sysco’s finest chefs, Brian Barcus and Joe Bucci, who will demonstrate their expertise in the kitchen. This masterclass will showcase their combined nearly half a century of culinary artistry. Both chefs have careers filled with fine dining creations in a Michelin starred restaurant, associations with the best chefs in their fields and represent the finest specialty food ingredients in the world! Get inspired to take some Food Fest practical knowledge home with you and re-create these tasty dishes once you leave Chautauqua!

An Evening with Kenny G
2026-08-27 20:00 | Amphitheater, Amphitheater
Kenny G is the greatest-selling instrumental musician of the modern era and one of the best-selling artists of all time. With more than 75 million records sold worldwide and over 1.5 billion global streams, the Grammy Award-winning saxophonist has built a singular career spanning five decades of unprecedented success. His catalog includes some of the most iconic albums in music history, led by 1992’s Breathless — the best-selling instrumental album of all time — along with Duotones, Silhouette, Miracles: The Holiday Album, Heart and Soul, Brazilian Nights and, most recently, Innocence, his 20th studio album.
Kenny G’s influence transcends jazz. He has embraced pop culture and his place in it with humor, making surprise appearances across film, television and major brand campaigns, collaborating with contemporary artists across genres, and maintaining a vibrant online presence that continues to resonate with new generations of fans. He published the memoir Life in the Key of G and is the subject of the HBO documentary Listening to Kenny G, both offering a candid, personal look at his life and legacy.
A multiplatinum cultural icon with enduring relevance, Kenny G remains an active recording and touring artist. He continues to appear in film and television and maintains a highly popular Cameo channel. For more information, visit kennyg.com.
We will also host a Masters Series Masterclass: A Conversation with Kenny G and Phil Lerman at 12:30 p.m. Aug. 27 in Lenna Hall (separate ticket required).

Mike Thornton & The Midnight Quartet
2026-08-27 22:00 | Roe Green Theater Center
Mike Thornton, jazz vocalist of grit and sophistication, takes center stage with The Midnight Quartet in a performance charged with high-octane energy and deep blues soul. Blending hard-swinging standards with electrifying improvisation, Thornton’s commanding voice rides effortlessly over the band’s tight, driving rhythms. Each tune ignites with hot, explosive solos, delivering a night where smoky storytelling meets virtuosic fire—classic jazz reborn with urgency, swagger, and unmistakable style.

Conor Knighton
2026-08-28 10:45 | Amphitheater, Amphitheater
“CBS News Sunday Morning” correspondent and best-selling author Conor Knighton returns to Chautauqua to close out the 2026 Chautauqua Lecture Series and our week on “The Importance of Gathering: A Collaboration with the Smithsonian Folklife Festival” with stories of the unconventional conventions, fascinating festivals, and passionate subcultures and communities he’s encountered around the country. From the “balloonatics” at the World Balloon Convention to the “high pointers” who gather to swap strategies for summiting every state’s peak, Knighton has seen first-hand how wildly different interests have a similar power to bring people together.
Knighton’s debut nonfiction book, the New York Times bestseller Leave Only Footprints: My Acadia-to-Zion Journey Through Every National Park, is an account of the year he spent wandering through America’s “best idea,” exploring the threads that tie our national parks together and that tie us to nature. He has won five Daytime Emmys as part of the “Sunday Morning” team and has won a Los Angeles Area Emmy for his work on KCET’s SoCal Connected. He’s been nominated for two additional Los Angeles Emmys and his feature reporting has been honored with a National Headliner Award and an LA Press Club Award.
A graduate of Yale University, Knighton is a native of Charleston, West Virginia, and is regular guest-host for the live music program “Mountain Stage,” heard on hundreds of NPR stations across the county.

Bestor Plaza Demo/Talk:
2026-08-28 13:00 | Bestor Plaza, Bestor Plaza

Kelly Link
2026-08-28 14:00 | Hall of Philosophy, Hall of Philosophy
Chautauqua Literary & Scientific Circle — White Cat, Black Dog: Stories by Kelly Link
Finding seeds of inspiration in the stories of the Brothers Grimm, seventeenth-century French lore, and Scottish ballads, Kelly Link spins classic fairy tales into utterly original stories of seekers—characters on the hunt for love, connection, revenge, or their own sense of purpose.
In “The White Cat’s Divorce,” an aging billionaire sends his three sons on a series of absurd goose chases to decide which child will become his heir. In “The Girl Who Did Not Know Fear,” a professor with a delicate health condition becomes stranded for days in an airport hotel after a conference, desperate to get home to her wife and young daughter, and in acute danger of being late for an appointment that cannot be missed. In “Skinder’s Veil,” a young man agrees to take over a remote house-sitting gig for a friend. But what should be a chance to focus on his long-avoided dissertation instead becomes a wildly unexpected journey, as the house seems to be a portal for otherworldly travelers—or perhaps a door into his own mysterious psyche.
Twisting and turning in astonishing ways, expertly blending realism and the speculative, witty, empathetic, and never predictable—these stories remind us once again of why Kelly Link is incomparable in the realm of short fiction.
MacArthur “Genius Grant” fellow Kelly Link is the author of The Book of Love: A Novel, and the collections Get in Trouble, Stranger Things Happen, Magic for Beginners, Pretty Monsters, and White Cat, Black Dog. She and Gavin J. Grant have co-edited a number of anthologies, including multiple volumes of The Year’s Best Fantasy and Horror and, for young adults, Monstrous Affections. She is the co-founder of Small Beer Press. Her short stories have been published in The Magazine of Fantasy and Science Fiction, The Best American Short Stories, and Prize Stories: The O. Henry Awards. She has also received a grant from the National Endowment for the Arts. Link was born in Miami, Florida. She currently lives with her husband and daughter in Northampton, Massachusetts.

The Australian Pink Floyd Show
2026-08-28 20:00 | Amphitheater, Amphitheater
Selling over 4 million tickets worldwide and described by The Times as “The Gold Standard” and The Daily Mirror as “The Kings of the Genre,” The Australian Pink Floyd Show gave its first-ever concert in Adelaide, Australia in 1988. Since then, they have performed in over 35 countries worldwide; played at David Gilmour’s 50th birthday celebration and were even joined on stage by David Gilmour and Rick Wright. TAPFS is the leading show of its kind in the world.
Performing the music of Pink Floyd with note-for-note perfection, this critically acclaimed show has been astonishing audiences worldwide for more than three decades. Always striving to reproduce the complete Pink Floyd experience and bring the music to new audiences, the show continues to include a stunning light and laser show, video animations, state-of-the-art high-resolution LED screen technology, and other special effects.
In addition, and in true Pink Floyd fashion, there are several huge inflatables including a giant pig and their own unique Pink Kangaroo. They have worked with Pink Floyd touring musicians like Guy Pratt and Durga McBroom. Lorelei McBroom, who was a member of the Pink Floyd touring band on both the Momentary Lapse of Reason and Delicate Sound of Thunder tours, has been a member of TAPFS for over 15 years.
Often described as being much more than a tribute band, The Australian Pink Floyd Show is the first Pink Floyd tribute show that took the concept into the worldwide arena circuit. The band has played to sell-out audiences throughout Europe, the UK, America, Canada, and South America.
With over 35 years of history, the world’s biggest, best, and greatest Pink Floyd tribute show continues to delight its global fan base. From its humble origins in the bars and clubs of Adelaide, in recent years the band has become a truly international affair, with members from Australia, the UK, France, and the USA.

HOLD: Bob McClure Play Readers event
2026-08-29 10:00 | Smith Wilkes Hall, Smith Wilkes Hall

Tower of Power
2026-08-29 20:00 | Amphitheater, Amphitheater
For 58 years, Tower of Power has delivered the best in funk and soul music. “We were a Soul band called The Motowns,” recalls Emilio Castillo. “Rocco was the bass player, I was there, and my brother was the drummer. I met ‘Doc’ Kupka back in 1968, and gave him an audition. He came in the band, and we eventually changed our name to the Tower of Power.” The reason for the band name change was that they had a specific goal in mind.
East Bay Grease defined their sound and landed them with Warner Brothers. Bump City, their 1972 debut for the label, was a hit on both the Billboard 200 and the R&B Albums chart, and netted them the hits “You’re Still A Young Man” and “Down to The Nightclub.” The 70s were a boom period with radio classics like “So Very Hard to Go” and “What Is Hip?,” and the band continued to tour and record over the years. Castillo says their love of the stage is the same today as it was back in 1968.
Fifty years later, in 2018, they returned to Oakland to celebrate their landmark 50th anniversary. Tower’s window-rattling grooves and raucous party spirit has been a balm for the soul throughout their half-century existence, but the release of 50 Years of Funk & Soul: Live at the Fox Theater couldn’t have arrived at a better time.
The band has long since surpassed Castillo’s modest aspirations, traveling the world, enjoying hit singles on their own and backing legendary artists including Otis Redding, Elton John, Santana, the Grateful Dead, John Lee Hooker, Aerosmith, Bonnie Raitt, and countless others. In the process they’ve defined an “Oakland soul” sound as instantly recognizable as those from Castillo’s hometown, Detroit, as well as inspirations like Memphis and Philadelphia.
The future of Tower of Power is set out to be vigorous and dynamic, and will prove to be just that for fans around the world starved for the band’s groove just the way Tower of Power likes it!

The Rt. Rev. Eugene Taylor Sutton
2026-08-30 10:45 | Amphitheater, Amphitheater
The Rt. Rev. Eugene Taylor Sutton is the senior pastor of Chautauqua Institution. Formerly the bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Maryland and Canon Pastor of Washington National Cathedral, where he directed the Cathedral’s Center for Prayer and Pilgrimage, Sutton has also served as a college chaplain, parish priest, and professor of homiletics and liturgy at Vanderbilt University Divinity School. Sutton is a frequent leader of retreats focused on spirituality, nonviolence, and social justice, including multiple missions to South Africa. He co-founded Contemplative Outreach of Maryland and Washington, an ecumenical network of churches and individuals committed to centering prayer and renewing the contemplative gospel for daily living.
Sutton is a prolific writer, and has contributed to multiple books, including The Diversity of Centering Prayer and Reclaiming the Gospel of Peace: Challenging the Epidemic of Gun Violence. Bishop Sutton has been named by the Center for American Progress as one of “Fourteen Faith Leaders to Watch” for his faith-led efforts to promote nonviolent solutions to conflicts.
Sutton is a prolific writer, and has contributed to multiple books, including The Diversity of Centering Prayer and Reclaiming the Gospel of Peace: Challenging the Epidemic of Gun Violence. Bishop Sutton has been named by the Center for American Progress as one of “Fourteen Faith Leaders to Watch” for his faith-led efforts to promote nonviolent solutions to conflicts.

Sacred Song Service and Closing Three Taps
2026-08-30 20:00 | Amphitheater, Amphitheater

Indigo Girls
2026-09-10 19:00 | Amphitheater, Amphitheater
Released in 1989, Indigo Girls’ eponymous major label debut sold over two million copies under the power of singles “Closer to Fine” and “Kid Fears” and turned Indigo Girls into one of the most successful folk duos in history. Over a thirty-five-year career that began in clubs around their native Atlanta, Georgia, the multi-Grammy-winning duo of Emily Saliers and Amy Ray has recorded sixteen studio albums, sold over 15 million records, and built a dedicated, enduring following across the globe. Rolling Stone describes them as the “ideal duet partners.” Committed and uncompromising activists, they work on issues like immigration reform (El Refugio), LGBTQ advocacy, education (Imagination Library), death penalty reform, and Native American rights. They are co-founders of Honor the Earth, a non-profit dedicated to the survival of sustainable Native communities, Indigenous environmental justice, and green energy solutions.
Their latest record, Look Long is a stirring and eclectic collection of songs that finds the duo of Amy Ray and Emily Saliers reunited in the studio with their strongest backing band to date. “We joke about being old, but what is old when it comes to music? We’re still a bar band at heart,” says Saliers. “While our lyrics and writing approach may change, our passion for music feels the same as it did when we were 25-years-old.” “As time has gone on, our audience has become more expansive and diverse, giving me a sense of joy,” she adds. To hear those collective voices raise into one, singing along and overpowering the band itself, one realizes the importance Indigo Girls’ music has in this moment. In our often-terrifying present, we are all in search of a daily refuge, a stolen hour or two, to engage with something that brings us joy, perspective, or maybe just calm. As one bar band once put it, “We go to the doctor, we go to the mountains…we go to the Bible, we go through the work out.” For millions, they go to the Indigo Girls. On Look Long they’ll find a creative partnership certain of its bearings, forging a way forward.

Opening Three Taps
2027-06-27 10:45 | Amphitheater, Amphitheater
