Hiss Golden Messenger makes their first appearance in Harrisonburg
The Court Square Theater Music Series, organized by Arts Council of the Valley, continues on Wednesday, February 1st with a concert by Hiss Golden Messenger.
Hiss Golden Messenger is the project of songwriter M.C. Taylor. Taylor’s music draws from the deep well of traditional and vernacular Southern song that Taylor has explored and documented as a practicing folklorist.
Hiss Golden Messenger’s newest album, “Heart Like a Levee, released in October 2016, deals with Taylor’s guilt of being away while he tries to provide for his family: it’s a remarkable record that feels like a breakthrough,” says The Independent, which listed it the 18th Best Album of 2016.The Independent showers further praise, “Here is a well-paced, uncluttered collection of arrangements that manage to make the hardest of times sound upbeat, featuring HGM’s trademark grooves on the likes of ‘Like a Mirror Loves a Hammer’ and fusing modern tones with ancients ones—it is utterly exquisite.”
Hiss Golden Messenger performs at Harrisonburg’s Court Square Theater on Wednesday, February 1st. Multi-instrumentalist Scott Hirsch will open the show. Doors open at 7:00pm and the concert begins at 8:00pm. Tickets are $15 in advance and $18 at the door. Please visit valleyarts.org or call 540.433.9189 for more information and to purchase tickets.
Court Square Theater is located at 41-F Court Square in downtown Harrisonburg, Virginia.
Indulge in this recipe for Apple Crepes with Hot Cranberry Sauce
If you thought our last pancake recipe from By the Side of the Road Inn & Cottages was good, wait until you try these apple crepes with hot cranberry sauce! You’ll never want to go back to cold cereal and milk again.
- Ingredients – Crepes
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/4 cup confectioners’ sugar
- 1 cup milk
- 2 eggs
- 3 Tablespoons melted butter
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- Pinch salt
- Ingredients – Apple Filling
- 6 fresh tart apples — peeled, cored, and sliced 1/4 inch thick
- 2 to 3 Tablespoons cornstarch
- 1/4 to 1/2 cup sugar (depending on variety of apple used)
- 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
- 1/4 teaspoon allspice
- 2 Tablespoons lemon juice with freshly grated zest
- 6 Tablespoons unsalted butter
- Ingredients – Hot Cranberry Syrup
- 1 cup white sugar
- 3 Tablespoons cornstarch
- 2 cups cold water
- 2 cups fresh cranberries
- 1 or 2 drops red food coloring (optional)
Crepes: Sift together flour and sugar in a small bowl. Combine remaining ingredients in a large mixing bowl. Add dry mixture and beat until smooth. Lightly grease a 6-inch non-stick skillet over medium/high heat. Coat the bottom with about 3 Tablespoons of batter, spreading to cover the bottom of the skillet. Cook until crepe is lightly brown; flip and quickly brown the other side. Stack between layers of parchment or waxed paper until all crepes are cooked. Makes a dozen.
Apple Filling: Prepare the apples and place in a large bowl. Combine the sugar and spice with the cornstarch and sprinkle over the apples. Coat the fruit well. Melt the butter over a medium flame/heat and add the apple mixture. Saute several minutes until juices emerge, lower flame/heat, and continue to simmer until apples are “tender crisp” — maybe 5 minutes more (again, depending on the variety used). Turn off flame/heat, cover apples, and hold warm.
Hot Cranberry Syrup: Combine sugar with cornstarch and mix well. Add cold water and stir over medium flame/heat until sugar begins to dissolve. Add cranberries and bring to a boil, stirring constantly. Reduce heat to a low boil and continue cooking as cranberries begins to burst and mixture thickens nicely, approximately 5 to 7 minutes more. Add 1 or 2 drops of red food coloring if the cranberries haven’t provided enough color.
To serve: Fill each crepe with 2 to 3 spoonfuls of warm apple filling, fold to center, adorn with beautiful red cranberry syrup, and garnish with a sprig of edible greenery. Eat and enjoy!
Originally published here.
Member Feature: Stonewall Jackson Inn, Harrisonburg, VA
Harrisonburg, Virginia’s Stonewall Jackson Inn Bed & Breakfast certainly lives up to its motto of “a night’s delight & a breakfast to remember.” This restored 1885 establishment boasts a Virginia Green standing, a prime location, lavish rooms, hearty Southern breakfasts, and fantastically warm and welcoming innkeepers.
So, let’s start with the rooms: “Every room is unique in décor and ambiance with different combinations of shape, original fixtures, high ceilings, and hardwood floors.” But don’t think that the historic aspect of these rooms means that they lack any modern conveniences; each is outfitted with everything you could want or need on a B&B getaway, including private bathrooms, free Wi-Fi, personal TVs, fireplaces, and more. Relax and refresh in any of these historically named rooms, and you won’t want to leave!
That’s one-half of a B&B, so now how about the other half—the breakfasts? At Stonewall Jackson Inn, you will be treated to mouthwatering dishes like Eggs Benedict, croissant French toast, and blueberry sausage breakfast cake, all served with fresh fruit, juice, and hot, rich coffee.
Whether you’re in need of a romantic getaway, a “just because” vacation, a local staycation, or a getaway with the girls, Stonewall Jackson Inn is there to accommodate you (and they provide packages and discounts as well). Book your room now, and explore the rich history and culture and Harrisonburg, VA has to offer.
“It was our first time in a B&B but this place set the bar high! Wayne, Candy, and the rest of the gang were incredibly nice, welcoming, and helpful. They gave us some great recommendations on vineyards around the area, and if you didn’t want to do those, the proximity to downtown was a huge plus! The breakfasts were absolutely phenomenal, and the rooms…were comfy and had nice views of the yard and mountains. Overall, an awesome trip!” –TripAdvisor Reviewer
Visit Valley ArtsFest, Harrisonburg, Virginia
“As the first designated Arts & Cultural District in Virginia, Harrisonburg is home to a thriving arts community. Our galleries glorify the dedicated work of local artists and artisans, our theaters proudly boast exciting lineups of performing arts entertainment, and our museums capture enriching history and culture. During the month of June, Valley ArtsFest celebrates the best of the arts in Harrisonburg.”
Whether you’re a fan of dancing, modern art exhibits, musical performances, children’s art activities, or all of the above, you’ll want to attend as many of the upcoming Valley ArtsFest events as possible! From railroads to Civil War history, this celebration of the arts covers it all. Here are some examples of what you can experience at the 2015 ArtsFest:
June 12, 26: Fridays On The Square Summer Music Fest, featuring The Woodshedders (Americana) and The Nighthawks (Blues) (Location: Location: Court Square Lawn, Court Square, Downtown Harrisonburg)
June 19: Open House and Celebration of National Milling Day (Location: Breneman-Turner Mill, 5001 Turners Mill Lane, Harrisonburg)
June 19-21: Shenandoah Valley Bach Festival (Location: Lehman Auditorium, Eastern Mennonite University – 1200 Park Road)
All of June: Rockingham Railroads: A 100 Year Review (Location: The Heritage Museum, 382 High Street, Dayton, VA, 22821)
Click here for more info. (Need lodging? Check out By the Side of the Road Bed & Breakfast and Stonewall Jackson Inn.)
Local Chop & Grill House, Harrisonburg, VA
“Local Chop & Grill House strives to provide creative meals with locally sourced products from our neighbors. We are dedicated to supporting local artists, craftsmen, family farms and vendors—bringing you the best of what the Shenandoah Valley has to offer.” At the Local Chop & Grill House in Harrisonburg, Virginia, you’ll find high quality steaks and charcuterie, organically raised poultry, organic seasonal produce, and hot, fresh baked goods. Sounds pretty appetizing, right? There’s a reason this establishment won the 2014 TripAdvisor Certificate of Excellence, the OpenTable Diner’s Choice for 2014, and Virginia Living’s Best of 2014!
Feast on an appetizer of twin oaks tofu, chicken livers, Rappahannock river oysters Rockefeller, or arancini de riso. Savor a salmon filet, filet mignon, duck breast, or cauliflower “steak,” then for dessert, indulge in toffee pudding, dark chocolate cream pie, crème brulee, or house made ice cream. At the Local Chop & Grill House, you’ll only be treated to the highest quality ingredients. 
Furthermore, Local Chop & Grill House offers a bar complete with wine, beer, cider, and signature cocktails. Whether you’re looking for a glass of Cabernet Franc, a bottle of hard cider, or a glass or Lakefront New Grist, the House bar will quench your thirst. Be sure to try out a signature cocktail too, as they’re pretty fantastic!
Check out our Harrisonburg B&Bs, so that you have a place to rest your head after an evening of indulge at Local Chop & Grill House—Stonewall Jackson B&B, By the Side of the Road B&B.
First Night 2015, Harrisonburg, VA
You’ve got your Christmas plans all ironed out. The recipes are already prepared (and some may even be prepared in advance), the presents are wrapped, and you’re almost finished with your Christmas shopping. It looks like you’ve got everything under control for Christmas, but in all of the holiday haste, you may not have given New Year’s Eve a second thought.
Let the BBHSV plan your New Year’s Eve for you! Harrisonburg, VA, which is home to a couple of our fabulous member inns, is gearing up for First Night 2015: “To celebrate, we will highlight the arts and bring the community together by transforming retail stores, churches, and downtown businesses into performance venues that showcase local and regional talents. Past performances have included a range of live music, from bluegrass to rock n’ roll for the adults, and clowns, face painters and magicians just for the kids” (First Night Harrisonburg).
Fast Facts:
Where: 212 South Main Street
Harrisonburg, VA
When: December 31, 2014, 6:00 P.M. – Midnight
Cost: $6 in advance, $8 on the day of the event (children 5 and under free)
Lodging: By the Side of the Road Bed & Breakfast
Stonewall Jackson Bed & Breakfast
Happy Holidays from the BBHSV!
“Let our New Year’s resolution be this: we will be there for one another as fellow members of humanity, in the finest sense of the word.” –Goran Persson
Member Feature: By the Side of the Road Inn & Cottages
Built in 1790, By the Side of the Road Inn & Cottages is a historic bed & breakfast that is anything but dated. With its juxtaposition of history and modernity, it is a perfect lodging option if you’re going to be in and around Harrisonburg, VA.
Since the Bed & Breakfasts of the Historic Shenandoah Valley are all about history and lodging, how about a bit of By the Side of the Road’s history? This establishment certainly has a rich history. Before it was a B&B, By the Side of the Road served both as the home of a Mennonite pacifist and then later as a Civil War hospital: “Well-known Mennonite Bishop Peter Burkholder and his son and successor, Martin, was the author of a Confession of Faith including a reflection on non-resistance.” In 1864, “this once pastoral abode was transitioned to a makeshift Civil War hospital” during General Philip Henry Sheridan’s burning of the Valley.
By the Side of the Road calls itself “an enduring reminder of War & Peace in Virginia’s Historic & Hospitable Shenandoah Valley,” and if you’d like to see his portrait of history for yourself, their lodging options are at the ready:
The Manor House Suites: These suits are elegant pieces of history, furnished with historic décor, fireplaces, WiFi, iPod docks, coffeemakers, and more. Modern amenities meet history in these gorgeous suites.
The Luxury Cottages: These aptly named, modernly furnished accommodations are here to spoil you. From the whirlpool tubs to the flatscreen TVs and iPod docks, your every whim is taken care of.
The Spring Water Cottage Suites: Bask in the luxury showers, catch your favorite movie on the flatscreen TV, and rest your head on a featherbed.
Click here to check availability and make your reservation at By the Side of the Road.
