tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15300294.post-1123704496877279102005-08-10T13:06:00.000-07:002005-08-10T13:27:05.346-07:00<p align="left"><strong><span style="font-size:130%;">Oregon Shakespeare Festival</span></strong><br /><br /><span style="font-size:85%;">Oregon Shakespeare Festival, 15 S. Pioneer Street, +1 541-482-4331 (boxoffice@orshakes.org). February through November, no plays on Mondays. One of the largest venues for production of Shakespeare's plays in North America, the OSF provides a continuous run of theatrical works from early spring until late fall. In a weekend adventurous theater lovers can fit in 3-4 plays. Performances usually include 2-3 Shakespeare pieces per season, as well as one or two contemporary pieces. The staging and acting is of consistently high quality, but the festival is very popular and buying tickets in advance is almost mandatory. Last-minute travelers can pick up spare tickets at the on-site box office. $30-50 (discount during spring and fall, 25-50% discount for youth and seniors). </span><a class="external" href="http://www.orshakes.org/" rel="nofollow"><span style="font-size:85%;">http://www.orshakes.org/</span></a><br /><br /><strong><span style="font-size:130%;">Regional Activities</span><br /></strong><br /><span style="font-size:85%;">Rafting on the Rogue River (check out the storefront on the Plaza near the Black Sheep)<br />Fishing in the Rogue River<br />Water recreation on Emigrant Lake<br />Skiing on Mt. Ashland<br />Hiking on Mt. Ashland (Pacific Crest Trail proximity)<br />Crater Lake National Park (a significant drive)<br />Lithia Artisans' Market downtown (seasonal, weather permitting)<br />Impressive Halloween crowd downtown.<br />The Fourth of July Parade is a big event for the town; it draws visitors from around the region.<br /></span><br /><strong><span style="font-size:130%;">Lodging</span></strong></p><p><span style="font-size:85%;">Just one block from the acclaimed Oregon Shakespeare Festival, the McCall House, our lovingly restored Italianate mansion offers luxurious accommodations in Victorian inspired suites and guestrooms. Enjoy relaxing in the elegant double parlor amid some of the original McCall furnishings and the pleasures of beautifully appointed guest rooms with private tiled baths, period antiques and custom-made linens. For more on the McCall House, a distinctive bed and breakfast: <a href="http://www.mccallhouse.com/">http://www.mccallhouse.com/</a></span></p><p><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"><strong>Theaters</strong></span><br /><strong><span style="font-size:130%;"><br /><span style="font-size:85%;">Live Theaters<br /></span><br /></span></strong><strong><span style="font-size:130%;"></span></strong><span style="font-size:85%;">Oregon Shakespeare Festival (Elizabethan, Angus L. Bowmer and New Theaters)<br />The Green Room<br />Artattack<br /></span><br /><strong>Movie Theaters</strong><em><br /></em><br /><span style="font-size:85%;">Varsity Theater (Located in downtown Ashland)<br />Ashland Cinema (First-run movies--located in the Ashland Shopping Center at southwest end of town)<br /><br /></span><span style="font-size:130%;"><strong>Bookstores<br /></strong><br /></span><span style="font-size:85%;">Bloomsbury Books<br />The Book Exchange<br /></span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"><strong>Dinning</strong></span><br /><br /><span style="font-size:85%;">Most dining in Ashland is not inexpensive, but is generally of very good quality--you will probably not go wrong. Most places have many vegetarian choices. Here's a stab at some places by price and area:<br /></span><a name="Mid-range"></a><br /><br /><strong>Mid-range Downtown</strong><br /><br /><span style="font-size:85%;">Pangea (wraps, sandwiches, salads and soups)<br />Pasta Piatti<br />Ashland Bakery Cafe (breakfast and lunch; breads, cakes and other goods)<br />Greenleaf Cafe (Hot sandwiches, soups, salads and specialties)<br /></span><br /><br /><strong>Splurge Downtown</strong><br /><br /><span style="font-size:85%;">Thai Pepper (Thai cuisine)<br />Chateaulin Restaurant Francais<br />Amuse<br /></span><span style="font-size:85%;">Larks<br />Pearless Hotel</span><span style="font-size:85%;"><br /></span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"><strong>Drinks</strong> </span><br /><strong></strong><br /><strong>Brewpubs</strong><br /><br /><span style="font-size:85%;">The Ashland Creek Bar and Grill<br />Standing Stone (microbrewery with several beers and full menu)<br />The Black Sheep (English-style pub offering a full menu of many pub food classics and specialties as well as draft and bottled beers and spirits.)<br /></span><br /><strong>Coffee Shops</strong><br /><br /><span style="font-size:85%;">The Beanery (Ashland and Walker Streets - Southwest end)<br />Rogue Valley Roasting Company (East Main and Eighth Streets)<br />Key of C Coffee House and Bakery- 116 Lithia Way, (541) 488-0302, Hours: Monday-Saturday 6am-4pm, Sunday 7am-3pm. This little shop has handmade bagels that are fantastic. Get there early and get them hot with cream cheese or have them make a sandwich with one. They have other typical cafe treats and an extensive (hand drawn) menu of tea, mostly exotic.<br />Bloomsbury Books has a coffeehouse in its second-floor loft</span></p>Millis McLaughlinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16077979355912892273noreply@blogger.com