Fr. Gregory Boyle, S.J.
2026-08-26 09:15 (America/New_York) | 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.

Service of Blessing and Healing
2026-08-26 10:15, 2026-08-27 10:15, 2026-08-28 10:15 | Randell Chapel, UCC Headquarters

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.

Taste Caravan
2026-08-26 11:30, 2026-08-27 11:30, 2026-08-28 11:30, 2026-08-28 16:30 | 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

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.

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

Twelve Step Meeting
2026-08-26 12:15, 2026-08-28 12:15 | Hurlbut Marion Lawrance

CHQ Dialogues
2026-08-26 12:30 | Presbyterian House, Presbyterian House

Guided Kayak Historic Tour
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.

Bestor Plaza Demo/Talk
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.

English Lawn Bowling Tips
2026-08-26 13:00, 2026-08-27 13:00, 2026-08-28 13:00 | Sports Club, Lawn Bowling Green

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.

Taste of Chautauqua
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. Featuring the band Probables, along with Stellas a Bar and Grill, Charcuterie By Carrie, Andriaccios, White Inn, Borsari Food Company, The Basket Company, Splash Dash and Drizzle,
Blue Dragonfly Designs, Pearl City Clay House, Chautauqua Art Gallery, Johnson Estates, Sparkling Ponds Winery, Mazza Winery, Wicked Warren’s, Southern Tier Brewery, and Southern Tier Distillery.

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

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

Masters Series Masterclass: A conversation with Father Greg Boyle, founder of Homeboy Industries
2026-08-26 16:30 | Elizabeth S. Lenna Hall, Elizabeth S. Lenna Hall
For 37 years, Homeboy Industries has served as a beacon of hope where love lives through us, and we embrace the demonized so that the demonizing stops. Today, Homeboy Industries is the world’s largest reentry organization for formerly gang-involved and previously incarcerated people, serving more than 10,000 people annually. Patrons will have the opportunity to go behind the scenes with Father Boyle as he addresses important topics and questions about both his story of the history of Homeboy Industries, its successes, and how it could be replicated across the nation and internationally. There will be significant time for Q & A.

CHQ Mystic Heart - Therapeutic Gong Meditation with Kim Hehr
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
2026-08-26 18:30 | Turner Conference Room, Turner Conference Room
Programmed by Unity of Chautauqua

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

CHQ Dialogues
2026-08-26 18:30, 2026-08-28 12:30 | Lutheran House, Lutheran House

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.

CHQ Mystic Heart - David Gluck, Hindu Meditation.
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.

Episcopal Holy Eucharist
2026-08-27 07:45, 2026-08-28 07:45, 2026-08-30 07:45, 2026-08-30 09:00 | Chapel of the Good Shepherd, Chapel of the Good Shepherd

Daily Word Meditation
2026-08-27 08:00, 2026-08-28 08:00 | Hall of Missions, Hall of Missions
(Programmed by Unity of Chautauqua)

Catholic Mass
2026-08-27 08:15, 2026-08-28 08:15, 2026-08-30 09:30 | Hurlbut Church sanctuary, Hurlbut Church sanctuary

Chautauqua Prays for Peace though Compassion
2026-08-27 08:55, 2026-08-28 08:55 | Hall of Philosophy Grove

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

Vivek Murthy
2026-08-27 10:45 | Amphitheater, Amphitheater
Vivek Murthy is a physician, best-selling author and the 19th and 21st Surgeon General of the United States who has deepened our understanding of how to improve our health. He has advised presidents, governors, legislators, corporate leaders, educators and healthcare organizations on a wide range of public health issues. Murthy has been recognized as one of the world’s leading authorities on health, and his landmark initiatives as Surgeon General have spurred public dialogue and new policy and program initiatives around the world, particularly with regard to mental health, technology and health, workplace wellbeing, loneliness and isolation, and tobacco. And his 2023 Surgeon General’s Report on the Epidemic of Loneliness and Isolation opened up a conversation in America about a new dimension of health — social health — and how it affects our physical and mental health, educational and workplace outcomes, and political polarization. It is this work and the book it inspired that will frame Murthy’s presentation as part of Chautauqua’s exploration of “The Importance of Gathering: In Collaboration with the Smithsonian Folklife Festival.”
Murthy is the author of the New York Times bestselling book Together: The Healing Power of Human Connection in a Sometimes Lonely World, and he has authored perspective pieces in the New York Times, Washington Post, USA Today, and New England Journal of Medicine. He has also served as co-chair of the World Health Organization (WHO) Commission on Social Connection as well as co-chair of the National Academy of Medicine’s Collaborative on Clinician Well-Being and Resilience.
Murthy earned his B.A. from Harvard University, and his M.D. and M.B.A. from Yale. He completed his residency training in internal medicine at Brigham and Women’s Hospital and Harvard Medical School. He has cared for thousands of patients and taught hundreds of medical trainees during his clinical years and has conducted research in vaccine development and the participation of women and minorities in clinical trials. Murthy has also built non-profit organizations focused on HIV/AIDS and improving the U.S. healthcare system, as well as a health technology company to accelerate collaboration in clinical trials.

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

CHQ Dialogues
2026-08-27 12:30 | Everett Jewish Life Center, Everett Jewish Life Center

Duplicate Bridge ABCL Sanctioned
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.

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!

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

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

Premium Tasting Event
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.
Vendors:
Provenance Vinyards / Weekday Water
Bag And String
Laiki Spirits
Charcuterie By Carrie
Johnson Estates
Millcreek Coffee
The Basket Company

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

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.

Sunrise Paddle - Kayak/SUP
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.

Movement and Meditation with Monte Thompson
2026-08-28 08:30 | 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.

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

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.

Introduction to Jumu'ah Muslim Prayer
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

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.

CHQ Dialogues
2026-08-28 15:30 | Unitarian Universalist Fellowship

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

CHQ Dialogues
2026-08-28 15:30 | Christian Science House

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

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.

CHQ Mystic Heart: Centering Prayer with Carol McKiernan
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.

Food Donation Drop Off Outside Turner Community Center
2026-08-29 09:00 | Turner Lobby
Every Saturday during season the Chautauqua Climate Change Initiative and Chautauqua Property Owners Association are collecting unopened non-perishable food items for donation to local food pantries. Outside front entrance of Turner Community Center. Help reduce waste and feed our neighbors in need.

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

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

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

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!

Song, Prayer, Communion & Meditation.
2026-08-30 08:30 | Hurlbut Church sanctuary, Hurlbut Church sanctuary

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

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

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

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

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.

CHQ Mystic Heart -Church of the Wild -Family Friendly
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.

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

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
