The American Shakespeare Center, Staunton
“All the world’s a stage, and all the men and women merely players: they have their exits and their entrances; and one man in his time plays many parts, his acts being seven ages.” –William Shakespeare
One can hardly think of theatre without the Bard himself coming to mind, and if you’ve ever seen a Shakespearean play, you know each production of a treat. Whether you prefer drama or comedy, Shakespeare has a play for you, and furthermore, you have the opportunity of enjoying his works right here in the Shenandoah Valley.
The American Shakespeare Center (also called the Blackfriars Playhouse) in Staunton, Virginia is the world’s only re-creation of Shakespeare’s Blackfriars Theatre. Not only do they re-create these Elizabethan productions, but they also carry on certain traditions of the time as well. For example, the lights remain on during the entire performance, and you won’t find any extravagant special effects to distract from the storyline.
Right now, the Blackfriars is offering performances of five fantastic shows right now—The Tempest, Measure for Measure, The Sea Voyage, Women Beware Women, and Love for Love.
The Tempest: “Shakespeare’s final solo play is a moving fairy tale, a wondrous magic show, and a farewell to the stage that still defines our humanity.(americanshakespearecenter.com).
Measure for Measure: “An unblinking look into the way humanity confuses lust and love, goodness and self-righteousness, Measure for Measure explores who sins most in a congregation of murderers, pimps, politicians, whores, nuns, and nobles.” (americanshakespearecenter.com).
The Sea Voyage: “Inspired by Shakespeare’s The Tempest, Fletcher and Massinger’s homage throws French pirates, Portuguese castaways, and a society of Amazonian women together on a New World island” (americanshakespearecenter.com).
Women Beware Women: “Family betrayals, romantic infidelities, and false friendships abound in Women Beware Women, where the ladies of the Florentine court must play to win in a deliciously wicked game of lewdness and lies or else risk the ultimate loss, their lives. Middleton’s searingly wicked play is as provocative now as it must have been 400 years ago” (americanshakespearecenter.com).
Love for Love: “In William Congreve’s witty farce, love and money square off as two brothers attempt to follow their hearts without losing their inheritance” (americanshakespearecenter.com).
Find yourself nearby B&B lodging, and indulge in a fantastic theatrical experience.
5 Things to Enjoy in Lexington, Virginia
With its rich history, its downtown activities, and its proximity to the some of the natural wonders of Virginia, Lexington, VA is the ideal option for a getaway. Keep reading for 5 of our favorite things to enjoy in this Shenandoah Valley town:
- A Stay at a BBHSV Inn: Of course the first activity on our list has to be a stay at our two Lexington-based B&Bs! Visit a B&B at Llewellyn Lodge for a quiet stay only a short walk to Main Street activities. Escape to the hillside just outside of downtown at Brierley Hill Bed & Breakfast.
- A Visit to the Historic Site: Whether you’re touring the Virginia Military Institute (VMI), Lee Chapel and Museum, the George C. Marshall Museum, or the Cyrus McCormick Museum, Lexington, VA is a must-visit for any history buff.
- A Show at the Virginia Horse Center: This renowned horse center is perfect for the equestrian lover. Take in the saddlebreds at the Winter Tournament Horse Show, the hunters and jumpers at the Stonewall Country Horse Show I, or the stadium and cross country jumps in the Virginia Jumper Derby.
- A Growler at a Local Brewery: Sip and savor a Chocolate Coffee Stout, a Strong Irish Red Ale, or a Green Chile Ale at Blue Lab Brewing Company. Take a swig or two of Vienna Lager, Schwartz Bier, or Striped Pass Pale Ale at Devils Backbone Outpost Brewery and Tap Room.
- A Local Event: From Mardis Gras festivities to plays and exhibitions, there is also something happening in Lexington (even in mid-winter!). Click here for more information about upcoming events.
Banana Cream Pancakes from Fox Hill Bed & Breakfast Suites
Pancakes Ingredients:
3 cups buttermilk
2 large eggs, separated
2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
2 tbsp. sugar
1 1/2 tsp. baking powder
1 tsp. baking soda
1 tsp. salt
Butter (for cooking)
Banana Cream Ingredients:
4 ripe bananas peeled and thinly sliced
1 cup apple juice
2/3 cup powdered sugar
1/4 cup fresh lemon juice
1 1/2 cups chilled whipping cream
Pancakes Directions:
Whisk buttermilk and yolks in large bowl. Whisk flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda and salt in medium bowl. Whisk flower mixture into buttermilk mixture. Beat whites in medium bowl until stiff, but not dry. Fold whites into batter.
Pour about 1/2 cup batter on skillet that has been heated and brushed with butter. Arrange banana slices on top of pancakes in a single layer (about 8 slices per pancake). Cook in usual fashion. Serve with Banana Cream and Maple Syrup.
Banana Cream Directions:
Combine bananas, apple juice, powdered sugar and lemon juice in medium saucepan over medium heat. Cook until bananas are very soft, about 3 minutes. Using a slotted spoon, transfer bananas to food processor. Add 1/3 cup cooking liquid (discard remaining liquid). Puree until smooth. Chill until cold. Whip the cream and fold into banana puree.
Eat and enjoy! Thanks to Fox Hill Bed & Breakfast Suites for this recipe.
Yummy Breakfast/Brunch Casserole from Brierley Hill B&B
Thanks to BBHSV member Brierley Hill Bed & Breakfast for this delicious recipe!
Ingredients:
4 slices bread
4 Tbsp soft butter
1 cup mushrooms, sliced
1 6-oz. package Canadian bacon (or any meat)
1 1/2 cups shredded Swiss cheese
1/4 Tbsp flour
4 eggs
3/8 tsp salt
3/4 tsp prepared mustard
9 oz. half & half or milk
3/8 tsp garlic
Directions:
Trim the crust from the bread, ten spread butter on bread and place side by side in 7×11-inch baking pan, butter side down. Saute onions and mushrooms in a skillet with extra virgin olive oil for at least 5 minutes, and spoon over bread. Place meat over the onions and mushrooms. Dust cheese with flour, then spread cheese over meat. In a bowl, beat the eggs, then add remaining four ingredients. Pour over casserole and refrigerate overnight.
In the morning, preheat oven to 375°F. Bake for 35 minutes.
Tip: Serve with a side dish of salsa or tomatoes with basil.
Eat and enjoy!
This recipe was originally published by the Bed & Breakfast Association of Virginia in their “Virginia Bed & Breakfast Cookbook.”
Fox Hill Bed & Breakfast, Fairfield, VA
Fox Hill Bed & Breakfast and Cottage Suites is a BBHSV member inn located in Fairfield, Virginia. This 38-acre “country retreat” is nestled in the hills of the Blue Ridge Mountains and features a number of onsite activities to renew and refresh you on your brief escape from the real world: “Stroll in the shade along our spring-fed stream as the bluebirds swoop by, feed the goldfish in our two-tier garden pond while listening to the cascading waters, and wander in our lovely gardens. When you are ready for more activity, you can romp in the meadows with your favorite companions…or bring your plane and take advantage of our wide-open spaces and private RC airfield” (FoxHillBB.com).
Curl up and relax in your very own room—The Devon, The Cornwall, or the Merrifield—or cottage suite—the Heron’s Nest, Mountain View, or Fox’s Den—and awake to a three-course gourmet breakfast, which TripAdvisor reviewers have called “scrumptious,” “healthy and delicious,” and “perfect for a long day of activity.”
One of the most popular aspects of Fox Hill is its pet-friendly accommodations. Innkeepers Sue and Mark Erwin love dogs, and they have made their establishment the perfect respite for both you and your furry friends. Hampton Roads Magazine even named Fox Hill as a favorite “doggie destination” in the Shenandoah Valley. For more information about Fox Hill’s pet-friendly activities and requirements, click here.
As with all of the BBHSV’s member inns, Fox Hill is situated in an area with a wealth of activity. From hiking trails and scenic drives to historic sites and wine tasting, the Shenandoah Valley is at your service. Click here to check availability and make your reservation at Fox Hill B&B.
The Frontier Culture Museum: Lantern Tours 2015
There’s a sense of excitement this time of year. From watching holiday parades with friends to the special Christmas desserts made with family members, it seems that there is something special going on almost every day of the month. What happens when you add a dash of history to the mix? You get Lantern Tours of the Frontier Culture Museum in Staunton, Virginia!
The lantern-lit tours at this living history museum will take you back in time to villages around the world: “Visitors will enjoy vignettes at England, Ireland, Germany, 1820s America, and 1850s America including a Mummer’s play near the Irish Forge and a horse-drawn wagon ride from the Old World to the New World.” You’ll also enjoy post-tour refreshments and live music in the Dairy Barn Lecture Hall to complete the experience. Ready to take a step back in time for the holiday season?
Fast Facts:
Where: The Frontier Culture Museum, 1290 Richmond Road, Staunton, VA 24401
When: December 18-23, 2015, 6:00 P.M. – 8:00 P.M.
Cost: Cost: Adults $15.00, Children $8.00 (Reservations are requires, so click here to grab your tickets now.)
Lodging: A Shenandoah Valley B&B!
Happy Holidays! We look forward to seeing you here in the Shenandoah Valley.
Indulge in a French Toast Souffle from Steeles Tavern Manor B&B
As we’ve said before, half of a B&B is breakfast, and our BBHSV members offer their guests a wide variety of hearty Southern indulgences for the morning meal. One of our member inns, Steeles Tavern Manor B&B, treats its patrons to a French Toast Souffle made with mouthwatering croissants, cream cheese, and cinnamon sugar. Whether you’d like a taste of Steeles Tavern Manor before your getaway there, or you’d like to capture the flavor of a vacation already taken, here is the recipe for you to create and enjoy:
Ingredients
- 5 Large Croissants
- 1/2 cup raisins
- 6 oz cream cheese, softened
- 1/2 cup butter, softened
- 1/3 cup maple syrup
- 10 eggs
- 1/2 cup maple syrup
- 3 cups half and half
- 2 tablespoons cinnamon sugar
- Powdered sugar
- Chopped pecans
Directions
- Coarsely chop/break apart croissants, then distribute evenly in a greased 9×13-inch casserole dish. Sprinkle raisins on top.
- Combine cream cheese & butter in microwavable dish with lid. Microwave on defrost setting until soft. Heat 1/3 cup maple syrup in microwave about 20 sec on High setting. Stir in with butter/cream cheese. Drop spoonfuls & spread evenly over chopped croissants.
- In large bowl, beat eggs, ½ cup maple syrup, and half-and-half; pour over mixture. Sprinkle with cinnamon sugar. Cover and refrigerate overnight.
- Remove from refrigerator about ½ hour before putting in oven. Preheat oven 350 degrees. Uncover and bake 50 minutes or until golden on top. Sprinkle with powdered sugar and chopped pecans. Serve with maple syrup.
Eat and enjoy!
Upcoming Holiday Specials in the Shenandoah Valley
The holiday season is upon us, and you may be looking for something to do that’s different than your usual routine. We all love Thanksgiving meals, Black Friday deals, and Christmas cookies, and holiday decorating, but maybe it’s all become a bit mundane. So why not break up the monotony with a Bed & Breakfast getaway that coincides with one of the upcoming holiday activities in the Shenandoah Valley?
November 20-21, 2015: Deck the Halls, Front Royal: “Each November, the gallery of Blue Ridge Arts Council is transformed into a holiday wonderland. Deck the Halls has proven to be a tremendous success over the past 11 years.”
November 26, 2015: Lexington Gobble Wobble 5K and Fun Run, Lexington: Start your Thanksgiving Day by burning off some calories! “On Thanksgiving Day 2015, we will be hosting both a 5k (walk or run) and childrens’ Fun Run, making this a community event the whole family can participate in! So come out and enjoy the festivities, but don’t worry, we’ll still get you home in time to put the turkey in the oven!”
November 30, 2015: Old Town Parade and Christmas Tree Lighting, Winchester: “Celebrate the fun and excitement of the holiday season in Old Town Winchester. Bands, floats, and specialty units along with Santa will be coming to see you. Don’t forget the tree lighting ceremony, immediately following the parade.”
December 4-5, 11-12, 2015: The Schultz Theatre Presents “A Tuna Christmas,” New Market: “It’s Christmas in the third smallest town in Texas. Radio station OKKK news personalities Thurston Wheelis and Arles Struvie report on various Yuletide activities, including hot competition in the annual lawn display contest.”
December 5-6, 2015: Christmas Arts and Crafts Show, Harrisonburg, VA: We all have people who are hard to buy for. Find them a unique gift here! “Individual vendors will have everything from candles to wreaths, from jewelry to holiday decorations.”
BBHSV Member Feature: Brierley Hill B&B
Lexington, Virginia is known for its history, its horses, and its hospitality, and there’s no better way to experience and explore the city than with a stay at Brierley Hill Bed & Breakfast: “Come visit this quiet hillside getaway overlooking the beautiful Shenandoah Valley. Brierley Hill welcomes guests to a unique bed and breakfast inn experience of spectacular views and relaxed elegance — just five minutes from downtown Lexington, Virginia” (www.brierleyhill.com).
Wake up in a living fairytale in the Once Upon a Time Room with its lavish king canopy bed, its eastern view of the sunrise, and its modern amenities. Rest in tranquility in the Peace Room, briefly escaping the real world for a soft rose and green room reminiscent of an English garden. Take your peaceful seclusion to the next level with the Good Friends Suite, complete with stunning mountain views, a private patio, plush bathrobes, gas fireplace, and comfy queen-sized bed. Really though, any room you choose will be met with warm and relaxation.
In the morning, you’ll wake up to the hearty scents of a prix fixe breakfast in front of a crackling fire (or out on the veranda when the weather is warm). You’re in for a delectable treat at Brierley Hill—fresh, seasonable fruit, country waffles, egg dishes, and more.
Once you’re fueled for your day, venture out and explore everything that Lexington, VA offers its visitors and residents. Enjoy a horse show at the Virginia Horse Center or a performance at the Lenfest Center for the Arts. Indulge in history at the Virginia Military Institute, Lee Chapel, and the Stonewall Jackson Memorial Cemetery. Are you a lover of the outdoors? Lexington provides a wealth of outdoor adventure that is not to be missed (even in the colder seasons)!
Start planning your Lexington getaway now, and don’t forget to reserve your room or suite at Brierley Hill Bed & Breakfast.
Try Out Some of the Best Shenandoah Valley Restaurants
With the upcoming arrival of Small Business Saturday toward the end of this month, individuals everywhere will be celebrating by shopping local and shopping small. One especially convenient small business category is that of the eatery. Whether you’re pausing in the mist of your shopping for a brief bite to eat, or you’re searching for a restaurant gift certificate for your friends and family, then these Shenandoah Valley restaurants are ready to serve you:
- Bistro on Main, Lexington- Unique, delicious, casual, and contemporary. Feast on a Polyface Farm beer burger, Belgian waffles, grilled salmon, four cheese spinach lasagna and more.
- Triple Crown BBQ, Luray- As one TripAdvisor reviewer says, “Best BBQ around! Sweet and friendly people! You get A LOT for the price and it is so worth it!” Another raves, “We had the Pulled Pork sandwich with two sides. Portions were great, bun was nice and fresh, sides were original and tasty and the sauces were fun to try!”
- Coach & Horses Tea Room, Winchester- Take your tea with a Cornish Pasty, a chicken and apple sausage roll, or Shepherd’s Pie. Relax with delicious elegance.
- Zynodoa, Staunton- This “inspired Southern cuisine” is aptly named. Made with fresh, local ingredients, you’ll find everything from grilled corn and crab bisque to Buffalo Branch Basil Pesto & Housemade Linguine to Disaronno Amaretto Creme Brulee.
- The Green Leaf Grill, Waynesboro- This newer restaurant features “a diverse menu including authentic seafood gumbo, creative vegetarian options, and fun comfort food twists.”
- Xenia Kebab Grille, Harrisonburg- Indulge in authentic Mediterranean cuisine in this tiny yet fulfilling eatery. Enjoy the Chicken Shish Kebab, the Baba Ghanoush, the Tabouli, or the Kurdia (crunchy falafel). Top it off with rice pudding or Baklava.
