By Jessica Schultz
Summer has officially arrived; we are all working on putting everything that’s happened the last two years behind us and Chautauqua Institution is opening for its 2022 season!! The Villager had the chance to speak with the Director of Strategic Communications, Jordan Steves about what is in the works for this year and beyond.
The Villager (V): New year, new season; is there anything different in the works for 2022?
Jordan (J): “Much of what is “new” in 2022 is simply a return to a more typical level of activity on Chautauqua’s grounds after two years of modified programming due to the pandemic. This means full schedules for all our major programs; all back in their usual venues at full capacity. We’re also excited in 2022 to begin a new tradition with Chautauqua County Day on July 21, 2022, in which we celebrate our home county and invite our neighbors from the county to take advantage of free gate passes and parking. For more information on how to secure your passes and the programs offered that day, visit chqcounty.chq.org. Finally, the Chautauqua Symphony Orchestra (CSO) will present an Aug. 12 concert at the Reg Lenna Center for the Arts in downtown Jamestown. It’s the first performance the CSO has ever played that doesn’t take place on our grounds, and the ensemble will be joined by Broadway favorite Capathia Jenkins for an evening of Aretha Franklin tributes.”
V: What are the biggest events of the season to attend?
J: “It’s always tough to choose with a schedule as large and wide-ranging as Chautauqua’s, but a few programs of note would include the season-opening lecture by CNN’s Fareed Zakaria on June 27; a special tribute to comedy legend Carl Reiner on July 27, presented in partnership with our friends at the National Comedy Center; shows from Sheryl Crow (July 12), Jay Leno (July 22), Lyle Lovett (July 29), Brett Eldredge (Aug. 5) and “The Voice” winner Girl Named Tom (Aug. 19); the entirety of the final week of the summer, Aug. 20–27, featuring major acts like The Avett Brothers (Aug. 24) and the Beach Boys and Temptations (Aug. 26) alongside our popular weeklong Chautauqua Food Festival.”
V: You’ve got great weekly themes this year, could you elaborate on them?
J: “At Chautauqua, we’re fortunate to have the time and space to take an issue and really work it over, coming at it from multiple angles and perspectives. This year’s topics run the gamut, from a week on “America’s Ideal Role on the World Stage” (June 27–July 1) to a week about what happens to us and our world when the sun goes down each day — culturally, economically, biologically (Aug. 1–5). So, you have a nice mix of serious and intrigue. We select these topics more than a year in advance, so it’s always interesting to see the context in which they play out versus what we were thinking when we settled on them in the first place.”
V: Looking ahead, what are your plans for the rest of 2022 into 2023?
J: “Chautauqua continues to build its capacity to be a truly year-round destination and programming organization, as called for in our long-going 2019–28 strategic plan. This fall, winter and spring, we hope our audience will watch for announcements of events like farm-to-table dinners and public presentations during artistic residencies, like what we’ve been able to produce in the past with partners such as Jazz at Lincoln Center and Dance Theatre of Harlem. Outside of these events, around the Chautauqua grounds a number of our shops and restaurants are open in the spring and fall, if not year-round. We are also beginning to make concrete plans to celebrate the Institution’s sesquicentennial, and we invite all to help us celebrate our 150th birthday in 2024.”
V: Anything else to add?
J: “Just an invitation to anyone who hasn’t been to Chautauqua in a while, for pandemic reasons or otherwise — this is a great year to get reacquainted! Our 2022 program really has something for everyone. You can explore all our offerings at chq.org/events, and then purchase tickets in advance at tickets.chq.org. And remember, Sundays are always free at Chautauqua, with free parking until 2pm.”
Thank you, Jordan, for taking the time to speak with us and for sharing all this great information on the upcoming programs. And a huge thank you to Chautauqua Institution for putting on all these great programs for our communities to enjoy.