New Old Time Chautauqua's
2011 Year End Newsletter
Hello Friends of New Old Time Chautauqua!
In 1981, a small group of performers, health care practitioners and educators revived a turn-of-the-century social movement. Over three decades later, the New Old Time Chautauqua is still going strong, continuing to spread delight, amazement, education, and laughter to communities across the northwest and beyond.
In years past, our troupe of volunteer merrymakers have paraded down the dirt main street on Lasqueti Island, B.C., taught workshops in Katrina-ravaged Louisiana & Mississippi, and strung our aerial rigs from majestic oaks to share our craft at the Round Valley Indian Reservation in northern California. This year, in a tour that echoed two previous tours many years ago, we headed north to Alaska.
Daniel Sloan (photo: Shannon O'Neil)
The Midnight Sun Vaudeville tour took us (via an epic trip up the Al-Can highway) to Fairbanks, Talkeetna, Palmer, Chickaloon, Homer, Ionia, and Seward. Using a formula that has kept this amazing organization going for over 30 years, we partnered with local organizations as diverse as the Denali Arts Council, KVFR community radio station in Palmer, and Calypso Farm, a non-profit organic educational farm in Fairbanks. With logistical help from these groups, we did what we do:
rip-roaring variety shows, lively parades, town potlucks, fun and educational workshops, ice cream socials, and community service projects.
The wonderful experience created memories that will last forever: two sold-out, back to back 3+ hour long shows in Talkeetna ended in the packed houses on their feet, and many people stopped us to say that they were there when we came through 13 years ago and have been looking forward to our return ever since. To read more about the 2011 Midnight Sun Vaudeville Tour, have a look at our blog with blow-by-blow updates from the road.
While the memories created for us were amazing, they were overshadowed by the smiles we saw in the audiences, at the workshops, and from the parades. Sharing that joy is what unites us, not only as the New Old Time Chautauqua, but us as a community. As we look to the future, that is what drives us in continuing to pursue our mission. And with the amazing amount of enthusiasm and support we have from our community, the sharing of joys, laughter, and service will continue for many years to come.
Miles, The World's Youngest Juggler (photo: Shannon O'Neil)
Earlier this year, we came together in Seattle to combine our magic with that of the Moisture Festival, in a fabulous benefit show. Chautauqua also went home to one of its most supportive communities, helping Port Townsend, WA to open a gorgeous new public park on the waterfront with a parade, workshops and a show in the glorious spring sunshine. Our activities were supported by benefit shows put on by our dear friends and colleagues the Flying Karamazov Brothers and NANDA - thank you!
The plans for 2012 are coming together, with eastern Oregon the likely destination of the summer tour. Several ideas for shows and benefits on the west coast are also in the works. To keep apprised of our latest plans, check out our website and 'Like' us on Facebook.
Support Our Work!
The countless volunteer hours of our members go a long way towards making the miracle of Chautauqua happen, but hours alone can't pay the bills. Our tours are incredibly lean with the whole troupe camping in tents and eating group-cooked meals to keep our costs low. But taking 60 people on the road for 2-3 weeks still costs around $20,000-$30,000, If you believe in what we do and would like to support us, we would be so grateful. You can use this PayPal link or the one on the ‘Donate’ page of our website for your tax-deductible donation. Or send a check or money order to us the old-fashioned way, to P.O.Box 70173, Seattle, WA 98127, made out to New Old Time Chautauqua. All donations will be acknowledged with a letter for your tax files.
Our individual lives are only as strong as our sense of community. Please join us by contributing toward another year of laughter, inspiration, idea sharing, long talks and life-changing vaudeville. Our non-profit organization couldn’t have thrived for so long or brought so much necessary joy into the world without people like you.
all photos by Shannon O'Neil
STAY IN TOUCH
FOLLOW NEW OLD TIME CHAUTAUQUA:
newsletter@chautauqua.org
P.O.Box 70173, Seattle, WA 98127
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