Karen's Blog ~ The Woodstock Inn ~ Catskills Bed and Breakfast

Here’s the skinny on the 4th of July in Ulster County:

July 3rd:  Up the Creek–Sunset Paddle On the Rondout Creek; you can paddle the creek with the folks from the Forsyth Nature Center…check it out at www.forsythnaturecenter.org

July 4th: at dusk Cantine Field, Saugerties, NY 845-246-9701

or…at Ulster County Fairgrounds, Libertyville Road, New Paltz, NY 845-255-0604 catch an amazing band …Gandalf Murphy & the Slambovian Circus of Dreams and fireworks for free!

6PM Maverick Concerts presents the Tokyo String Quartet Mendelssohn & Friends I  1120 Maverick Road, Woodstock, NY 679-8217

July 5th :  Barbeque on the Historic Kingston Waterfront–starts at 3PM, picnic food, corn on the cob, pie contests; trolley rides, live music…fireworks at 10PM.  845-339-6925

4PM Shanghai Quartet  at Maverick Concerts  presents  Mendelssohn & Friends II 1120 Maverick Road, Woodstock, NY 845-679-8217 for tickets.   www.maverickconcerts.org

9PM Bearsville Theater, 291 Tinker Street, Woodstock 845-679-4406 catch “Fountains of Wayne” with special guest Mike Viola.

My friend Teresa has started an author reading & signing every Sunday at the Muddy Cup in Saugerties (www.muddycup.com/saugerties ).  This week’s lineup includes Laura Shane Cunningham–a favorite of mine.  Check it out at 65 Partition Street, Saugerties, NY  12477  4-6PM.    This evening blues at The Alchemy, Music at the Movies concert at our very own Tinker Street Cinema!  Monday–catch “3″ at the Colony Cafe–that’s a nice Monday night treat!   This week at Alchemy…plenty of  live music .  Check out their lineup on their myspace page (www.myspace.com)

 JULY 4th  …whooppeeee!!!  I have such fond memories of going to my Aunt Dot’s every 4th as a kid….plenty of illegal fireworks…those wonderful spinning ?  things they let us hold…my grandma…and of course the food…polish and italian..I am still recovering!  If you are lucky enough to be coming to Woodstock this weekend  the fireworks will take place in Saugerties.  We here in Woodstock are so laid back–no fireworks until August. 

In Kingston there is the First Saturday happening from 5-8–go gallery hopping in historic Kingston….and while you’re at it–check out the Kingston Biennial–their opening is this Sat. from 1-4PM.   All works can be viewed in two parks–Kingston Rotary Park and Hasbrouck Park.  It is on view until October 30th.  You can see what I have been working on for the past couple of months.

peace,

karen

I got the nicest surprise from my dad on Sunday—he drove up to Woodstock to see me for Father’s Day!  He spent father’s day driving around to all his kids (except my brother Drew in Portland–a bit far!)  to visit with them.  I was so moved!  It reminded me of that great film with Marcello Mastrianni Tutti stanno bene.  In it he drives all over to see his kids –it is a bit sad–but a beautiful film.   We had a nice dinner at Cucina  (Woodstock’s great new Italian restaurant) and then tonight at the Bear Cafe.  If you have never dined at either of these–do it soon!  You can check out their menus online.

This weekend in Woodstock at The Colony Cafe–don’t miss Three –Joey Eppard’s band will blow your mind.  On Saturday at the Bearsville Theater–the new Jazz series with Julian Lage at 8PM.  This past weekend the Maverick Concert Series began www.maverickconcerts.org .  If you have never been to one of these magical concerts you simply must.  They are scheduled July through September and take place at night under the stars in this amazing outdoor theater.  Book now–both your room and your tickets they go real fast!

AND…..

Don’t forget the top ten reasons to come to Woodstock midweek:

1. The Farmer’s Market on Wednesday’s–good food, great music what more could you ask for

2. Thursday night bluegrass at the Bearsville Theater

3. Less crowded streets

4. More food to eat for breakfast at the Woodstock Inn

5. The swimming hole practically to yourself

6. Reservations at your favorite restaurants without the wait

7. Peace and Quiet

8. Hiking the Catskills in solitude

9. Even when it rains here–it’s beautiful

10. if you book midweek this week (Tues, Wed., or Thursday 6/23-6/25) and mention this blog specifically I’ll give you a 10% discount.

peace,

karen

Yes, there is a shindig at the Woodstock Farm Sanctuary (www.WoodstockSanctuary.org) tomorrow from 11-5.  Meet the animals!  I am a huge fan of what these people do–my dream is to do it myself one day–I don’t think Tom would appreciate pigs and goats roaming the gardens–so I’ll have to buy my own piece of paradise!  ha, ha…

Music this weekend at my new FAVORITE place in town–the Alchemy of Woodstock–check out their line-up for the summer on their myspace page.  Live music tonight at Joshua’s–I can almost hear it….

I have been busy, busy, busy–not only here–but, way back when on this blog I mentioned submitting a piece to the Kingston Biennial –and lo and behold I got in!  Now I am furiously working to finish this crazy piece for the 4th of July opening.  Check out the Art Society of Kingston –they do amazing programs, exhibits, workshops, etc. right here in the Hudson Valley (www.ask.org)   If you are on your way up to Woodstock and you really want to blow your mind stop at the Storm King Art Center  www.stormking.org  (it is really on the way) and sooooo worth the visit.  One of my favorite sculptors has work there–Andy Goldsworthy.  Some guests visited this week while staying here and they couldn’t stop raving about it.  I haven’t been in a while–time to return.

peace,

karen

That is what one of my guests told me today as she saw me playing with the kids in the stream on a break.  Don’t I know it!   When I take a break I get to walk outside my office and I am in PARADISE!  Willy & Zelda think so too!  So, back from a short swim in the stream–refreshed and ready to work again.

This weekend at the Bearsville Theater catch Reggae on Friday night, Saturday night it is Austin to Texas with Junior Brown–both shows not to be missed!  Also this weekend at The Alchemy of Woodstock (our newest music/arts venue) is Jill Stevenson on Saturday and The Bowmans on Friday night the 12th.  Music is back in Woodstock….YEAH! 

Wednesday nights we are always off to the Woodstock Farm Festival–a great midweek event with awesome music, local products, produce and friends!  If you are ever here midweek it should be on your list as a MUST! 

I just found out and I am proud to completely brag about it–that the Woodstock Inn on the Millstream is totally powered by WIND!! We are GREEN!  Thanks Amy Owens for research and setting it up!  We are the hippest!

peace,

karen

Blue sky that is!!  No blues here–just sunshine, green grass and flowers, flowers everywhere.  The gardens  are blooming!  It is such a joy to watch the gardens do their thing each week–through the summer.  Different blooms every day thanks to Tom (owner & designer), Deb (gardener & designer).  What a job they have done over the years.  This garden was nonexistent 15 years ago–not even sure there was grass when Tom bought the place–and now—well, if you haven’t seen our grounds  now is the time.

There is a new open mic  at Joshua’s (right up the street)  on Thursday nights.  Also there is a new place in town down by the Bear Cafe–Alchemy of Woodstock.  It is in the building where the Peterson House was.  They are featuring live music every weekend–open mic on Wednesdays–last week was amazing!) They have books, food, coffee–and so much more.   Check out what they are doing on Myspace.  This weekend on Friday 5th–Mark Black & Michael  Esposito and on Saturday the 6th–Commander Cody & Professor Louie!

peace,

karen

Tomorrow is the first Wednesday of the season for the awesome Woodstock Farm Festival–remember the music festival?  Well every Wednesday now through Oct.  we not only have great music (this week is Mike & Ruthy www.mikeandruthy.com) but FOOD–my favorite thing!   Area farms and restaurants come and show their stuff.  If you’ve never been to Woodstock midweek–now is the time!  And if you’ve never been to Woodstock…

I have been on blog holiday….but I am back.  We started off the season with a glorious Memorial Day weekend—no one could have asked for better weather.  Guests swam, fished—and sunbathed.  I ran around happy as a clam–took Willy & Zelda swimming when I thought no one was looking…. But caught by a three year old who was thrilled! 

So many happenings this weekend.  If you have never seen Naked -now is the time.   Julia Nichols’  band is one of the best Woodstock has to offer–come check her out this weekend at The Colony Cafe (www.colonycafe.com)  Also playing with her–Shamsi Ruhe–another very talented local singer/songwriter.

This Friday at the Bearsville Theater (www.bearsvilletheater.com) The Hudson River Lyceum will present a lecture by John Taylor Gatto.  I am thrilled about this lecture series and hope many more will take place at the theater!  On the 30th & 31st catch the World Piano Summit featuring Cuban musicians.  Elio Villafranca meets Chuchito Valdes (check out www.worldpianosummit.com –WOW!! IMUST GET SOMEONE TO WORK SO I CAN GO!!  BONNIE………

peace,

karen

p.s. did i mention it was raining and beautiful?  nothing like a spring rain…

Well, I have been on a bit of a hiatus with the whole blog thing…but I am back!  Spring in the Catskill mountains is probably my favorite time of year–everything is green, blooming, the sounds, the colors—I am so glad I am not in a high rise office somewhere–no offense!  My office is pretty darn nice!  Congrats to our boss here at the Woodstock Inn–he is a first time Grandfather! 

There are so many reasons to be here this weekend.  Let’s see….it’s the first “Second Saturday” put on by the Woodstock Arts Consortium–come check out the vibrant art scene here in Woodstock.  It has been alive and well since 1902! 

Music this weekend includes Uncle Rock & Frankie  and his Fingers at the Bearsville theater –an acoustic kids show beginning at 1PM–not for kids only!  In the evening catch Woodstock’s own  3 in concert.  Joey Eppard is one of the best around!  Also this weekend at Levon Helm’s Ramble catch the amazing local band–The Trapps–not to be missed.

peace,

karen

It certainly feels like summer these past couple of days!  Folks have been swimming in the ol’Millstream–and I know a couple of dogs that have checked it out as well!  If you haven’t taken advantage of my 20% email for April–this would be the week to do it! 

This Friday, May 1st don’t miss the Gala 4th Anniversary Bluegrass Clubhouse celebration at the Bearsville Theater www.bearsvilletheater.com.  Show starts at 9PM.   On Saturday, the 2nd you can catch local favorites Mike & Ruthy opening for Nickel Creek’s Sara Watkins at the same venue.  At the Kleinert/James Center on Saturday Chris Smither will be performing www.woodstockguild.org .  Such great music this weekend–it is difficult to choose!

The Inn is looking gorgeous and ready for the season–I am so fortunate to live here and enjoy it everyday—what a view!  The Catskills are so gorgeous and to witness the change season to season is something really special.

peace,

karen