D's Guide to Shopping and Coffee on the Road
Hi!
I thought I'd weigh in and give all of our Biddy Buddies a sneak peek of what I love to do on the road. (Besides play, of course!)
Each Biddy, I know, likes to find out what makes each town we visit special. For example, when our guides in Grand Rapids, Michigan, where we played recently, drove us past two local Frank Lloyd Wright houses, we freaked out (in a good way). That kind of thing is just COOL.
We also love eating at fun and unusual restaurants. (As we always say, Looking for The Biddies? Check the buffet!)
In addition, my number one favorite activity in any town is to ask around for the coffee shop with the most local flavor (that rules out you, Starbucks!). Then I make a pilgrimage and settle down for a few precious minutes of private journal time, along with whatever icy-caffeinated fun drink I can get my hands on. (although this back-fired one time when we were in Houston-I asked for a "fun coffee drink" and was given a coffee drink with several kinds of alcohol in it, which I wasn't made aware of until afterwards. And I'm definitely the least likely to ever order alcohol! Needless to say it was a woozy show.)
What makes a good coffee house? In my humble opinion, it's equal parts great coffee, of course, and great ambiance. For a non-Starbucks near you, try delocator.net or coffeehouse.com.
If you happen to be in South Boston, Virginia, anytime soon, hop on over to the After Class Cafe, 206 Main St. 434-575-0082.
After reaching that coffee high, head down the street to Sacs So Bo. As you can likely guess, my other favorite road activity (if there's time) is SHOPPING. Sacs So Bo is an amazing vintage shop, and the owner reminds of me of Iona from Pretty in Pink--friendly and fiesty. When we visited, all Biddies were treated to homeade sloppy joes while we shopped.
During our last visit to Grand Rapids, Michigan, the best coffee shop in town, I was told, is Morningstar 76, on 1507 Wealthy St SE. It was awesome!! Hopefully Lee will post a photo of the drinks list, because each drink had a funky name and description. You had to take a chance on the name, since no ingredients were listed! I ordered the French Kiss ("like making out with a stranger in Paris"), and was not disappointed.
I'd barely made it out of sound check at the Wealthy Theatre, where we were playing, when I was sucked as if by magic into a shop called Mother Punker (1136 Wealthy St, 616 913-0900). Rebecca Kilgore, the original Mother Punker, makes her own handbags, which are for sale. In addition, she carries cool clothing designs which she sometimes alters by adding beautiful ribbons or touches. I scored with a great gig dress that makes me feel very Kirsten Dunst.
When we were in Orlando recently for the Cabaret Festival, my home coffee spot of choice was Urban Think Bookstore in Thornton Park. They only have a few coffee/espresson selections, but have a Illy machine and Jim keeps the store stocked with interesting and carefully chosen books.
For all your gig dress (and shoe) needs in Orlando, go to nearby Marie-France at 716 E Washington St # B, (407 835-8855). The Biddies spent what is likely way too much time and money at this place!
Well, off to enjoy a well-deserved day off before we play the Abrons Arts Center in Manhattan tomorrow. Afterwards I'll probably hit my two favorite Manhattan spots, Mud and Meg.
Happy coffee-ing and shopping! And please, if you know of any cool spots in your town, please email me at info@biddies4ever.com.
Deidre
I thought I'd weigh in and give all of our Biddy Buddies a sneak peek of what I love to do on the road. (Besides play, of course!)
Each Biddy, I know, likes to find out what makes each town we visit special. For example, when our guides in Grand Rapids, Michigan, where we played recently, drove us past two local Frank Lloyd Wright houses, we freaked out (in a good way). That kind of thing is just COOL.
We also love eating at fun and unusual restaurants. (As we always say, Looking for The Biddies? Check the buffet!)
In addition, my number one favorite activity in any town is to ask around for the coffee shop with the most local flavor (that rules out you, Starbucks!). Then I make a pilgrimage and settle down for a few precious minutes of private journal time, along with whatever icy-caffeinated fun drink I can get my hands on. (although this back-fired one time when we were in Houston-I asked for a "fun coffee drink" and was given a coffee drink with several kinds of alcohol in it, which I wasn't made aware of until afterwards. And I'm definitely the least likely to ever order alcohol! Needless to say it was a woozy show.)
What makes a good coffee house? In my humble opinion, it's equal parts great coffee, of course, and great ambiance. For a non-Starbucks near you, try delocator.net or coffeehouse.com.
If you happen to be in South Boston, Virginia, anytime soon, hop on over to the After Class Cafe, 206 Main St. 434-575-0082.
After reaching that coffee high, head down the street to Sacs So Bo. As you can likely guess, my other favorite road activity (if there's time) is SHOPPING. Sacs So Bo is an amazing vintage shop, and the owner reminds of me of Iona from Pretty in Pink--friendly and fiesty. When we visited, all Biddies were treated to homeade sloppy joes while we shopped.
During our last visit to Grand Rapids, Michigan, the best coffee shop in town, I was told, is Morningstar 76, on 1507 Wealthy St SE. It was awesome!! Hopefully Lee will post a photo of the drinks list, because each drink had a funky name and description. You had to take a chance on the name, since no ingredients were listed! I ordered the French Kiss ("like making out with a stranger in Paris"), and was not disappointed.
I'd barely made it out of sound check at the Wealthy Theatre, where we were playing, when I was sucked as if by magic into a shop called Mother Punker (1136 Wealthy St, 616 913-0900). Rebecca Kilgore, the original Mother Punker, makes her own handbags, which are for sale. In addition, she carries cool clothing designs which she sometimes alters by adding beautiful ribbons or touches. I scored with a great gig dress that makes me feel very Kirsten Dunst.
When we were in Orlando recently for the Cabaret Festival, my home coffee spot of choice was Urban Think Bookstore in Thornton Park. They only have a few coffee/espresson selections, but have a Illy machine and Jim keeps the store stocked with interesting and carefully chosen books.
For all your gig dress (and shoe) needs in Orlando, go to nearby Marie-France at 716 E Washington St # B, (407 835-8855). The Biddies spent what is likely way too much time and money at this place!
Well, off to enjoy a well-deserved day off before we play the Abrons Arts Center in Manhattan tomorrow. Afterwards I'll probably hit my two favorite Manhattan spots, Mud and Meg.
Happy coffee-ing and shopping! And please, if you know of any cool spots in your town, please email me at info@biddies4ever.com.
Deidre
posted by Deidre Rodman Struck at 7:47 PM
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