Calendar

From top to bottom, we’ll prepare the dough, make the sauces, chop and dice, sauté and bake pizza on the grill.

From a traditional garlic, herb red sauce to specialty sauces like a white roasted garlic and feta or a Thai peanut sauce, we’ll try a variety of pizza’s and toppings and Jeanna’s favorite combinations; including a breakfast pizza and a dessert pizza! A fun night of cooking filled with flavors.

You’ll take home pizza dough, recipes and you’ll never call for take-out pizza again!

Limited Hands On/Demonstration

Turn it into a culinary vacation and book your overnight stay here.

Classes are offered anytime for parties of four or more. Check out all cooking classes available.

Details

We’re excited to host the John Byrne Band for the 4th year in a row!

Special opening act magic show by Ryland Fieckert.

Performances start at 6:30 PM, show up any time after 6:00 PM.  Bring your lawn chairs or blankets.

Guests are encouraged to bring their own adult beverages or if available, may enjoy samplings from sponsoring local wineries or non-alcoholic drinks.

$20 per person

No RSVP required as this is an outdoor concert.  For questions, contact Jeanna Stavas, Owner/Innkeeper at 402-873-5850 or jeanna@bbwhisperingpines.com.

All about the John Byrne Band

The John Byrne Band is led by Dublin native and Philadelphia-based John Byrne. Their debut album, After the Wake, was released to critical acclaim on both sides of the Atlantic in 2011. With influences ranging from Tom Waits to Planxty, John’s songwriting honors and expands upon the musical and lyrical traditions of his native and adopted homes. John and the band followed up After the Wake in early 2013 with an album of Celtic and American traditional tunes. The album, Celtic/Folk, pushed the band on to the FolkDJ Charts, reaching number 36 in May 2015. Their third release, another collection of John Byrne originals, entitled “The Immigrant and the Orphan”, was released in Sept 2015. The album, once again, draws heavily on John’s love of Americana and Celtic Folk music and with the support of DJs around the country entered the FolkDJ Charts at number 40. Critics have called it “..a powerful, deeply moving work that will stay with you long after you have heard it” (Michael Tearson-Sing Out); “The Vibe of it (The Immigrant and the Orphan) is, at once, as rough as rock and as elegant as a calm ocean..each song on this album carries an honesty, integrity and quiet passion that will draw you into its world for years to come” (Terry Roland – No Depression); “If any element of Celtic, Americana or Indie-Folk is your thing, then this album is an absolute yes” (Beehive Candy); “It’s a gorgeous, nostalgic record filled with themes of loss, hope, history and lost loves; everything that tugs at your soul and spills your blood and guts…The Immigrant and the Orphan scorches the earth and emerges tough as nails” (Jane Roser – That Music Mag)

The album was released to a sold-out crowd at the storied World Café Live in Philadelphia and 2 weeks later to a sold-out crowd at the Mercantile in Dublin, Ireland. John has toured with or opened up for acts as diverse as The Hothouse Flowers, Ian Gillan (of Deep Purple), Patti Smyth, Gaelic Storm, Murder by Death, Finbar Furey, Luka Bloom, The Saw Doctors, The Screaming Orphans, Solas, Sharon Shannon, The Young Dubliners and The Greencards. In Fall, 2012, John and the Band performed with The Irish Tenors for the Liberty Medal Presentation at the National Constitution Center in Philadelphia before President Bill Clinton and former British Prime Minister Tony Blair. John and the band tour the country as an acoustic 4-piece featuring banjo/accordion, fiddle/cello, guitars and bodhran, and as a 6-7 piece that adds drums, bass and horns to its lineup.

The John Byrne Band, however, is as much at home in a traditional session at a corner bar as it is in larger venues/festivals and opening for national acts. John has toured with or opened up for acts as diverse as The Hothouse Flowers, Ian Gillan (of Deep Purple), Patti Smyth, Gaelic Storm, Finbar Furey, Luka Bloom, The Saw Doctors, The Screaming Orphans, Solas and The Greencards. In Fall, 2012, John and the Band performed with The Irish Tenors for the Liberty Medal Presentation at the National Constitution Center in Philadelphia before President Bill Clinton and former British Prime Minister Tony Blair.

John and the band continue to tour the country as an acoustic 4-piece featuring banjo/accordion, fiddle/cello, guitars and horns, and as a 6-7 piece that adds drums and bass to its lineup.

2014/15 saw the band performing at Festivals such as the Valley Forge Mid-Winter Fest, The Philadelphia Fleadh, MusikFest (Bethlehem), the Philadelphia Folk Fest, Gorgas Park, Pastorius Park, FreedomFest(NJ), Saltwater Celtic Fest (Maine), The Celtic Classic (PA)and many others.

What the Critics are Saying…

“Up and coming Trad star hits the sweet spot… beautifully played… its Byrne’s natural vocal delivery that makes the album stand out from the crowd”
Hot Press

“John Byrne’s After The Wake is the sort of album that an artist spends their entire career trying to create. Every once in a while someone actually manages to do it; mix splendid story-telling skills, top-notch musicianship, and a grand creative sense with just the right mix of songs. After The Wake is nothing short of a brilliant collection”
Wildy’s World

“One of the few musical artists today who truly manage to be traditional and modern at the same time.”
Philadelphia Inquirer

“He’s good, period, with material that’s edgy yet accessible in a Luka Bloom meets Bob Dylan kind of way.”
Philadelphia Daily News

“After the Wake is the perfect combination of Celtic and American folk music.”
Record-Journal Newspaper

“Amazing tales of life and semi-autobiographical tunes… You’ll want to listen over and over again.”
Reviewer Magazine “Byrne’s songs are rich with the sounds and themes of Irish tradition, one that survives in a modern world… full of “raw strength”… an impressive work throughout… puts me in mind of an Irish Alejandro Escavedo”
Sing Out

For “fans of Celtic music, Bob Dylan, Steve Earle, Lucinda Williams and other such lyrically expansive folks.”
Sun Herald

Follow this link for video of the John Byrne Band

Blues, Brews and BBQ!

We’re partnering with Backswing Brewing Co. and bringing in the Levi William Band, both out of Lincoln, NE.

Gates open at 3 PM

Brews from Backswing Brewing Co. available 3 PM – Close

Blues Music by Levi William Band 5 PM – 8 PM

BBQ by Whispering Pines B&B served 3 PM – 5:30 PM

 Heart, Soul, and Stone Cold Blues!

Levi is an up and coming vocalist and lead guitarist.  He had his first chance to play in a bar in Lincoln, Nebraska at the age of 13.  He was able to learn from some of the best musicians around town with his countless experiences in the open stage environment.  At the ripe old age of 16 he was asked to join a local blues band, he played with them until he formed his own group at 17.   Levi spent his high school years attending class during the week and every weekend playing in local clubs.  Levi’s vocal and guitar abilities are truly beyond his years, he always delivers with his own special flavor.

The band is made up of three equal partners, Levi was lucky enough to find brothers along this journey.  Brian Farr on bass and vocals along with Josh Topolski on drums keep every performance fresh and lively.  Brian and Josh both brought their various musical backgrounds and tastes to this band.  This continues to allow for constant musical challenges and growth.  They bring the past, present, and future together as a tasty dish that will leave you wanting more.  Brian, Josh and Levi have taken the feelings from some of the legends of the blues and wrapped them into a powerful sound that excites audiences every time they take the stage.

In 2012, The Levi William Band won the Nebraska Blues Challenge and represented the state in Memphis for the IBC.  In 2013 Levi had the opportunity to join Shawn Holt and The Teardrops and played throughout the US and Internationally as well.

This band has grown over the past years, but always staying true to the original goal to enjoy every show and deliver Heart, Soul, and Stone Cold Blues!

Backswing Brewing Co.

Golfers have worked on perfecting the proper technique for hundreds of years. But we think it’s much simpler than that. All you need for a great backswing is a pint glass.

Like many great ideas, Backswing Brewing Company began on a golf course. There were three of us. We loved golf and, of course, beer.

But then life started to do what it does: We all got older, married and had kids. Before we knew it, we weren’t out on the golf course as much.  So we did something that allowed us to hang out like the old days, but at home with our families.

We started brewing a golf-themed beer. A new kind of awesome!

After brewing our first IPA, we realized we had something special on our hands. So instead of keeping it to ourselves, we knew we had to share it—and

whatever else we created—with the world.

So you can spend hours, days, weeks or months working on the perfect backswing, or you can leave all the hard work up to us and just raise a glass that’s filled with it.

Ticket Price includes 3 flight beer tasting, a full plate of BBQ w/dessert and live music – $45

Additional small concessions will be available.

From top to bottom, we’ll prepare the dough, make the sauces, chop and dice, sauté and bake pizza on the grill.

From a traditional garlic, herb red sauce to specialty sauces like a white roasted garlic and feta or a Thai peanut sauce, we’ll try a variety of pizza’s and toppings and Jeanna’s favorite combinations; including a breakfast pizza and a dessert pizza! A fun night of cooking filled with flavors.

You’ll take home pizza dough, recipes and you’ll never call for take-out pizza again!

Register through Southeast Community College by calling Cindy Meyer at 800-828-0072 or cmeyer@southeast.edu.

$54 Hands On/Demonstration

Turn it into a culinary vacation and book your overnight stay here.

Classes are offered anytime for parties of four or more. Check out all cooking classes available.

Details

We’re excited to host our first Farm to Fork meal with a concert.

Meal with be served at 4:00 PM, menu will be determined that week based on Farmers’ Market and Nebraska Food Coop offerings

Weather permitting we’ll have the meal and concert outside.

You are welcome to bring your lawn chairs or blankets to get comfortable for the show.

Guests are encouraged to bring their own adult beverages or if available, may enjoy samplings from sponsoring local wineries or non-alcoholic drinks.

RSVP required for the meal, but if you’d like to come just for the concert, just give us a heads up.

$30 for meal/$15 suggested donation to artist.

For questions, contact Jeanna Stavas, Owner/Innkeeper at 402-873-5850 or jeanna@bbwhisperingpines.com.

All about Bruce Mandel

Bruce Mandel’s acoustic guitar, keen lyrical ear, and intimate and honest voice have traveled with him across the country and through musical territory both new and familiar.

With three full length albums to his credit – “Sketches”, “Between Dreams and Regrets” and “Follow Your Heart” – Bruce regularly tours the U.S. as well maintaining a musical presence in the Berkshire Mountains of western Massachusetts.

Lyrically driven, the diverse sounds of his recordings straddle and expand the Contemporary Folk, Americana, Singer/Songwriter genres reflecting the breadth of Mandel’s experience.

Bruce grew up in the suburbs of northern New Jersey, rocking out to the Beatles and playing in bands.  Listeners familiar with the great singer-songwriters of the ’60s and ’70s won’t be surprised to learn that at a young age Mandel happily absorbed the rich and varying styles of music played on the FM airwaves of the day.

Next came college and the folksy coffeehouse scene followed by Rock and Top 40 bands playing New York City on down to Philadelphia and some of the New Jersey Shore’s hottest spots.

After traversing the country, Bruce took a break from the road and settled in Atlantic City for a time, taking the chance to work as an entertainment technician in the Atlantic City Casinos.

While soaking up the experience of working alongside the likes of America, Tanya Tucker, Tom Jones, and The Temptations, Mandel stayed true to his calling, writing and producing his own songs.

Then after attending a songwriting convention in Durango, Colorado, in 1992, Mandel felt the pull of the area’s open musical community and soon relocated there.  The impulse proved a good one as he quickly became a true presence in his new home, opening in concert for nationally and regionally touring songwriters, as well as performing a mix of choice covers along with his growing repertoire of soulful originals in bars and saloons around the four corners.

Mandel’s work in Durango culminated with his co-founding of the Annual Durango Songwriter’s Expo in 1996. This popular event that features listening sessions, showcases, seminars, panels, and networking opportunities has attracted new talent and high-profile musicians and industry experts alike, and continues to grow and spread to new locations around the country.

Mandel picked up his guitar and returned east in the early part of the new century, where he has settled deep into the artistic community of the Berkshires. Produced and recorded in his own studio, his second and third albums “Between Dreams and Regrets” and “Sketches” traverse the musical and emotional ground between Colorado and the Berkshires.  The lyrically driven songs are both personal and probing, whether Mandel is writing from his own experience or weaving the ballad of another’s, as in “Irene Kibbe,” about a young Polish emigrant during World War II.  Throughout these records, the acoustic guitar maintains its constant presence, as does Mandel’s warm voice and distinct style.

Bruce has always believed in the power and magic of song, and thoroughly enjoys sharing that magic through his music and thoughtful  insights into his creative process through the close up intimacy of house concerts.

In 2010, Mandel debuted a song he wrote & recorded to help celebrate the Otis, Massachusetts Bicentennial in a special performance funded in part by a Massachusetts Cultural Council Grant.  Long a supporter of Public Libraries, Bruce donates a portion of the proceeds from the sale of this CD to The Free Otis Public Library.

2017 will mark the release of Bruce’s fourth album and a July – September national summer tour.

“Reminiscent of the singer/songwriters who penned the soundtrack of the ‘60s and ‘70s, Bruce Mandel brews up a coffeehouse sound that’s espresso rich in inspiration and experience.” Singer & Musician

Follow this link to hear Bruce Mandel

Using The Bountiful Harvest

It’s the time of year when gardens and the farmer’s markets are overflowing with the rich and bountiful harvest. We’ll create new and interesting dishes with those everyday items like zucchini but also dive into some fun dishes using those more rare vegetables you may stray from because you just don’t know what to do with them. Vegetables are healthy and offer a multitude of opportunities in the kitchen.

Register through Southeast Community College by calling Cindy Meyer at 800-828-0072 or cmeyer@southeast.edu.

$54 Hands On/Demonstration

All about Mare and Nomad

“Daddy was a seeker,” says Mare Wakefield. “Eventually he became a Salvationist minister. Mama was some kind of gypsy, loving nothing more than a long, clear stretch of open highway.”

ABOUT DANIEL CHAMPAGNE

One reviewer recently wrote – ‘Daniel Champagne exudes a natural ease on stage, as he sings poignant lyrics and beautifully crafted melodies that invariably whisk the heart up with grand romanticism. Coupled with an exhilarating guitar talent that transcends mere acoustic playing to replicate a whole band, Champagne is just magical’ (themusic.com.au)

The story goes that the young Australian singer, songwriter and one-of-a-kind guitar virtuoso first picked up his instrument of choice as a five-year-old following in the footsteps of a musical father. He began writing songs at 12, training classically throughout his teens and performing solo wherever he could, honing his craft and developing what would become the dynamite live show that he is renowned for today. At 18 he left school, turned professional and hit the road.

The next five years saw him traversing North America, the United Kingdom, Europe, New Zealand and of course, his homeland Australia playing such festivals as Vancouver and Mariposa Folk (Canada), Belgium’s Labadoux Festival and Australia’s Woodford, Falls Festival, Port Fairy Folk Festival and the legendary Byron Bay Bluesfest. As well as touring and sharing stages with the likes of Lucinda Williams, Judy Collins, INXS, John Butler, KT Tunstall and Ani DiFranco – all of this while writing, producing and independently releasing two Eps, ‘My Own Design’ (2009) and ‘Wide Eyed and Open’ (2010), his first long player ‘Pint of Mystery’ (2011) and the ‘Real Live’ offering in 2012. As one reviewer recently wrote, “still in his early twenties, the distances he has been would be more frequently associated with veterans of the Folk scene” (The Dwarf). This globetrotting lifestyle would become the centerpiece of Daniel’s next recordings when in 2013, he undertook the ambitious task of delivering two stand-alone albums within the space of twelve months. The Gypsy Moon – Volumes I and II marked a great leap forward for him both as a songwriter and a recording artist, with Australia’s roots music bible Rhythms Magazine saying that ‘Champagne has gone a step further this time, it’s like he’s realized his own potential, his confidence is sky-high and he’s truly ready to explore’

Now regarded as a leading light in acoustic music, with a firm reputation for making festivals buzz, holding crowds in his palm, dropping jaws and breaking guitars wherever he goes. Daniel Champagne has recently signed to US booking agency Fleming Artists and relocated to North America where he continues his exciting career as an international touring and recording artist.

Have a listen to Daniel.