Louisville Bed and Breakfast Association

Archive for Actors Theatre

2 / 29 / 12
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festivals
Humana Festival
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36th Annual Humana Festival of New American Plays: Feb. 26 – April 15, 2012

Humana Fest - Louisville, KYby Nancy Hinchliff, writer/Innkeeper

“Actor’s Theater of Louisville is announcing their 36th Annual Humana Festival of New American Plays at a Kickoff Party on Thursday, March 1 at 6 p.m. in the Sara Shallenberger Brown Lobby. The free event, featuring delicious fare from local restaurants, Humana Festival memorabilia, giveaways and more, will bring in the Festival with much-deserved fanfare.” (posted by Actors Theatre of Louisville
Actors Theatre of Louisville)

It’s that time again. Time for Louisville’s wonderful Actor’s theater to present it festival of new American plays. If you’ve never been before, you’ll be in for a real treat. Actor’s is a top notch playhouse and the festival is one of the nation’s best. Started by Jon Jory, actor/director  in 1976,  it has continued to delight and surprise theater-goers with it’s amazing selection of plays written by upcoming and talented playwrights.

The Humana Festival has premiered the Pulitzer Prize-winning plays Dinner with Friends (Donald Margulies), Crimes of the Heart (Beth Henley) and The Gin Game (D.L. Coburn) and Pulitzer finalists Becky Shaw (Gina Gionfriddo), Keely and Du (Jane Martin) and Omnium-Gatherum (Alexandra Gersten-Vassilaros and Theresa Rebeck) as well as Getting Out (Marsha Norman), Agnes of God (John Pielmeier), Lone Star (James McLure), In the Eye of the Hurricane (Eduardo Machado), Courtship (Horton Foote), Extremities (William Mastrosimone), My Sister in this House (Wendy Kesselman), Tales of the Lost Formicans (Constance Congdon), Danny and the Deep Blue Sea (John Patrick Shanley), Marisol (José Rivera), One Flea Spare (Naomi Wallace), Slavs! (Tony Kushner), The Batting Cage (Joan Ackermann) and Y2K (Arthur Kopit).

Actor’s Theater has received the three most prestigious awards given to regional theaters. In March 1979, they won the Margo Jones Award, presented for the encouragement of new playwrights. In May 1979, they received the Shubert Foundation’s James N. Vaughan Memorial Award for Exceptional Achievement and Contribution to the Development of Professional Theater. And in June of 1980, they became the second theater to receive the Special Tony Award as an outstanding non-profit resident theater.

If you decide to experience a night or week-end of unique and exciting  theater, treat yourself to an overnight stay or two at one of Louisville’s exemplary bed and breakfasts. Choose from a variety of styles and atmosphere, while assuring yourself that which ever selection you make, you will find an immaculate place of lodging, comfortable/beautiful rooms, friendly hospitality, and a wonderful gourmet breakfast. The Louisville Bed and Breakfast Association has nineteen members, with nineteen beautiful Inns for you to choose from. Most are within  fifteen minutes of  Actor’s Theater, some even closer. You may make your reservation on-line.

For names and descriptions of play, performance times, and ticket prices, you may check on-line at Actor’s Theater.

12 / 4 / 10
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Actors Theatre
Holiday
Holiday: Christmas
Victorian

A Victorian Christmas

by Nancy Hinchliff, Innkeeper/freelance writer

If you’re looking for a great place to have an old-fashioned Christmas, Louisville, Kentucky is the place for you. Christmas time here is an absolute delight. Louisville is a charming city with row upon row of historic Victorian houses which, when dressed for the holidays, look like a page out of a Charles Dickens novel. There’s nothing more picturesque. And, if you’re thinking about staying for a few days, the many bed and breakfasts here will delight you. Along with treating you to southern hospitality and serving the very best in gourmet breakfasts, the Innkeepers go all out to decorate their beautiful Victorian mansions, both inside and out.

Photo of Louisville Christmas Tree

Louisville Christmas Tree

Christmas is one of the loveliest and most charming times of the year to visit Old Louisville. Everything is so festive and there is so much to do. A family tradition of many is to drive around in December in search of the best Christmas holiday house decorations. However, as the years go by, the best neighborhoods for Christmas light displays change. Part of the fun is finding the best places on your own. If you haven’t rented a car, you could always take a taxi to look at Christmas lights. Most of the drivers know the best neighborhoods.

There are a few houses on Mile of Sunshine Drive in Okolona that go above and beyond the average holiday decorations. They are worth a stop for sure, and donations go to the Home of the Innocents. Freeman Lake Park in Elizabethtown, about an hour from Louisville, has a drive-thru Christmas lights display. You can also drive through the new “Mega Caverns under the Zoo” at the Louisville Zoo. Then, of course, most of Old Louisville is pretty well decorated and lit up for the holidays. “My family goes to ‘Christmas By The River’ in Brandenburg, Kentucky every year. The lights are beautiful, and the grandkids love it.” (Guest – Michelle)

You might enjoy midnight mass at the Cathedral of the Assumption located downtown. If you go, get there early and you might just get a seat. Also check out some holiday plays at Actors Theater or Hubers Farm, over the river in southern Indiana. Another really fun and interesting thing to do is blowing your own glass ornament at Glassworks.

Another fun thing is the Holiday Cruise with Santa on the beautiful steamboat “Belle of Louisville” or on the “Spirit of Jefferson,” You board downtown at the 4th St. Wharf. Call 502-574-2992 or (toll-free) 866-832-0011 for information, to make a reservation, or to check the status of the cruise. [click for more details]

The holiday season wouldn’t be complete without a visit with Marie, her Nutcracker Prince and that nasty rascal, the Rat King. You can be a part of all the magic and wonder the new Brown-Forman Nutcracker has to offer. The choreography is by Val Caniparoli and the music by Peter Ilyich Tchaikovsky. The performances downtown at the Kentucky Center for the Arts. Also at the Kentucky Center for the Arts will be The Best Christmas Pageant Ever, Performances of the classic “It’s A Wonderful Life” are scheduled throughout December. Check dates and times here: Kentucky Center for the Performing Arts.

Our wonderful Actor’s Theater will also be getting in on the holiday fun with performances of “A Christmas Carol” in December. again downtown Louisville on Main Street. Call 502-584-1205 for dates and times. Adapted by Barbara Field from Charles Dickens and directed by Sean Daniels, this music-filled holiday celebration is Louisville’s biggest and best holiday tradition—the classic story of Ebenezer Scrooge, Tiny Tim and the spirits of Christmas Past, Present and Future, brought to life with visual splendor and the warmth of holiday music.

Another Louisville holiday tradition is “Light Up Louisville” which was in November. It is held in Jefferson Square Park in downtown Louisville (6th St & Park) and ushers in the magic of the holiday season with a fifty foot tree, lights, fireworks and music which transforms downtown into a fantasy land aglow with the spirit of the holidays. The fun of “Light Up Louisville” will continue through the holiday season with displays and lights featured nightly. The lighting event is called Lou-minations; it’s a 14-minute display of lights and music on Metro Hall presented by GE. Paired with a carriage ride and dinner at one of Louisville’s many great restaurants, you have the makings for a very special holiday experience.

The best places to stay while you’re here are the Louisville Bed and Breakfasts. They are beautiful, comfortable, and affordable. Rates include a wonderful gourmet breakfast. Most are open and decorated for the holidays. Click here, to check availability.

There are many other holiday activities you might enjoy during the month of December. You can check online or wait until you get here and visit out two visitors centers: Old Louisville Visitors Center and the Louisville Visitors Center.

4 / 5 / 10
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Actors Theatre
Kentucky Derby
Kentucky Opera
Louisville Ballet
Louisville Orchestra
Speed Art Museum

Welcome to the Louisville Bed and Breakfast Association’s New Blog

Welcome to the Louisville Bed & Breakfast Association’s new blog! We are very excited to have this opportunity to chat with you about all the wonderful things you can do here in Louisville. While we are most famous for that first Saturday in May, there are ample opportunities to enjoy a visit throughout the year.

Did you know that Louisville is one of only 11 US cities where all five major cultural institutions are represented? We have the Kentucky Opera, Actors Theatre, The Louisville Ballet, Louisville Orchestra and the Speed Art Museum! There are over 14,000 acres of parks and over 100 miles of bike and hiking paths for the nature enthusiasts. If you are a fan of architecture, you will be amazed by the finest collection of historic homes in America. While exploring the Louisville city limits, don’t miss the opportunity to cross the Ohio River and visit our sister river cities of Jeffersonville and New Albany. Only Norman Rockwell could have painted a prettier picture than the streets of these American gems! Louisville has over 900 restaurants for the food gourmand eating his way across the USA! There are so many things to do in Louisville, “The Possibility City”. In fact, the possibilities are endless!

Just as the city has something to offer for everyone, the Louisville Bed and Breakfast association offers you a fine selection of accommodations to choose from. You will find everything from Victorian elegance to Gothic Revival architecture; from modest well kept homes to majestic mansions; and contemporary styling to early 19th century farmhouse. Don’t let our little skyline fool you! Louisville is fifth in the nation for historic preservation. There is a wealth of architectural treasures waiting for you. Why not spend the night in one instead of a hotel room?

And honestly, after your busy day of exploration or a long day at a convention, what could top off your experience here better than coming ‘home’ to one of the many bed and breakfast inns? Comfort, peace and quiet, and personalized attention become sought after amenities when searching for the ‘perfect’ place to stay. And … guess what? The secret is out! Bed and breakfasts are not just for a weekend or romantic getaway any more. Bed and breakfast are quickly becoming the preferred choice for the travel-weary businessperson and the mid-week traveler. Many offer high-tech, modern amenities such as Fax, Wi-Fi and Cable TV. And just when you thought it couldn’t get any better, you are greeted in the morning to a gourmet breakfast prepared just for you!

Each bed and breakfast is located within close proximity to all attractions. All are within a ten-minute drive to Louisville International Airport and are conveniently located to the downtown area. Most offer mid-week corporate rates and express check in and out. For personalized service, having one point of contact is the best kind of concierge. Instead of ever-changing staff, your host innkeeper will take great interest in assuring your visit is memorable and suited to your particular needs.

Well, thanks for stopping in! We have to get back to work! In case you didn’t know, the Kentucky Derby is May 1st this year. There is no doubt that it is the BEST party in America and takes weeks to get prepared. After all, it can’t ALL be about business, right? There are a few rooms still available, so visit our Members’ Availability Calendar now to reserve your room! You better hurry … they are lining the horses up at the gate!

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