Chautauqua Institution – My Happy Place

 

Chautauqua Institution – My Happy Place – Part 1 - by Michael Field

Published in the December 2022 Edition of CP Connections

 

There are many here at Carolina Preserve who are already familiar with Chautauqua Institution and its many offerings; for the rest, I want to explain why it is my Happy Place. It is hard to sum it all up in a few words; however, the simplest description is that it is summer camp for thinking adults. It provides a smorgasbord of intellectual, cultural, and spiritual stimulation from which one can take as much, or as little as one desires, all while enjoying the cool air and beauty of its lakeside location in upstate New York.

The primary reason for going is the programming – lectures, concerts, exhibits, performances, and entertainment across a broad spectrum of interests. The Institution breaks the summer into 9 sessions, each one week long focusing on a different central topic. Each weekday morning features a keynote lecture delivered by an internationally recognized expert on some aspect of the week’s theme. For example, Pulitzer Prize-winning presidential historian, Jon Meacham, spoke on The Future of History. When he finished, my wife and I turned to each other and simultaneously said, “That talk alone was worth the price of admission!”

The keynote speakers are augmented by numerous talks during the week sponsored by the Institution and various organizations that operate on the grounds. Talks and discussions are not limited to the theme; in the schedule for one of the weeks, I counted over 30 events programmed beyond those already discussed for further intellectual stimulation. And if you want to talk rather than just listen, there are multiple facilitated Chautauqua Dialogues sessions for interactive group discussions.

It is physically impossible to take advantage of all of the cultural events available in any given week as many overlap due to not enough hours in the day. Chautauqua runs summer programs for conservatory and graduate-level students in classical instrumental music, opera, dance, and the visual arts. Performances are scheduled throughout the week featuring both the students and the accomplished artists brought in to teach master classes. One program that I enjoy is called Operalogue, short for Opera Dialogue. Scheduled before the evening’s opera performance, Operalogue features a discussion of the opera by the director and selected scenes sung by the understudies. When your ears get tired, the art galleries are always visually stimulating and make a good destination during ‘downtime’ between other programs.

Chautauqua Institution has a very strong tradition of supporting the literary arts. Programming each week features authors and poets invited to speak on their craft. The Chautauqua Writer’s Center supports writers of all levels including hosting highly accomplished writers-in-residence and conducting a series of workshops. The Chautauqua Literary and Scientific Circle is noted as one of the country’s oldest continuously operating book discussion groups.

A central feature of the Chautauqua campus since its construction in 1893 is the 4,000 seat Amphitheatre, or Amp for short, noted for its open-air architecture and impressive Massey Memorial pipe organ rising above the choir loft. Each day starts with an Ecumenical religious service in the Amp followed on weekdays by the keynote lecture. Afternoons find it filled for other programs including a weekly organ recital. Each evening of the summer, the Amp features an entertainment event with the performances forming an eclectic mix.  Many evenings feature Chautauqua’s own symphony orchestra while other evenings feature touring professional entertainers.

Many go to Chautauqua solely for the intellectual and cultural experiences; however, Chautauqua remains true to its roots as a religious institution. Every major religion has a presence on the campus and spiritual experiences of every form are there for your participation. The services programmed by the Institution are ecumenical and, each week, a different renowned faith leader, selected from a variety of denominations, delivers the homily for the morning services. Also, denominational houses on campus, including Quaker and Jewish sects, conduct their own services. Services and programming, ex. lectures and movies, are open to all who want to deepen or broaden their understanding of these faiths. Meditation, labyrinth walks, nature walks, and other opportunities expand the spectrum of spiritual practices available.

For those for whom physical activity is spiritual, or at least invigorating, multiple options are available. Daily tennis and kayaking events are scheduled (no pickle ball yet!) Sailboats are available for rental. There is a fitness center on campus and, for those who like simple pleasures, there is a 13,000-acre lake to swim in or boat on (the same size as Jordan Lake.) If you want non-taxing, but stimulating experiences, there is a steam-driven paddle boat that will take you on a tour of the lake.

My wife and I moved to the Triangle in large part due to the abundance of cultural and recreational activities here, however, sometimes it is worth the effort to get in the car and sample other areas. I can’t think of a better place than Chautauqua Institution in upstate New York to find mental stimulation combined with spiritual nourishment. It is a day’s drive from Cary and, in Part 2, I will discuss the logistics of vacationing there.