www.bancroftstreetmarket.com

Bill Seidler, founder of the Bancroft Street Market, was kind enough to answer some questions for our Omaha Hotel Guide.

For those looking to explore the Omaha art scene, what does the Bancroft Street Market offer?

Bancroft Street Market, at 10th and Bancroft, 2702 South 10th Street in Omaha opened it’s newly remodeled building in November 2008. It is a 5,500 square foot flexible space that was once a corner grocery store. The history of the building dates to the late 1800’s.

It is located near Lauritzen Gardens, Omaha’s botanical gardens and the Henry Doorly Zoo.

The building has windows on three sides. The showroom windows face 10th Street. Smaller windows are on the north and south.
The open ceiling allows the viewer to see the original wood structure of the building. The floors have been lightly refinished to the original wood. There is incandescent track lighting throughout. Handicapped accessible bathrooms are also available. Two exterior walls feature a graffiti mural by Teddy Gonzalez. The parking area is surrounded by flower containers which have
been painted by artist Michelle Martinez.

Saturdays and Sundays from June to October 4 this year, the Market will hold its third annual farmers market from noon until 1 p.m. The farmers market features locally grown fruits and vegetables as well as tortillas, breads and baked goods. The small market has the flavor of the Deer Park neighborhood.

Who is the art work made by?

The building is currently hosting a variety of events. One of the most exciting is the Fashion Market. This event is held monthly on selected Sunday afternoons. Fashion Market is an opportunity for customers to meet local fashion designers displaying locally produced clothing, accessories and artist driven lines. Past markets have featured the work of Buf Reynolds, Alexia Thiel and Autopilot Art, Julia Drazic, Dan Richters, and Laura Miller. There are markets scheduled for July 19 and August 30, 2009.
Fashion Market is held from noon to 4 pm. During the market customers can meet and talk with the designers and discuss ideas.

There are several coming art events. July 24th and 25th the Market will welcome Arts on a Limb Benefit Show and Artist Workshop Series.

July 31 and August 1 the Market welcomes Echotrope New Media Festival: An Exhibition of Contemporary Electronic Art.

August 8-16 there will be a full a gallery installation by artist Birgit Larsen

The first International Festival will be Sunday, August 22

The Market is also the starting point for the weekly Bancroft to Bayliss Loop bicycle ride which starts at 10a.m. every Saturday morning until October 3.

Is there a particular genre or does the style of your exhibitions vary?

The style of the exhibitions varies. Some of the shows are full gallery installations, some are shows of smaller, individual works.

What are the admission fees?

Admission is usually free.

Does the Bancroft Street Market operate year-round or for a particular set of time during the year?

It operates year around. At this time it is only open to the public on the weekends and during shows. Our web site has the schedule and it is updated periodically.

Thank you Bill! If you are looking to explore the local art scene, the Bancroft Street Market is definitely worth a look.

Chris Watson, “Dolphin Jumping in Wake” April 14, 2007 via Flickr, Creative Commons Attribution

As part of our Savannah Cheap Hotels Guide we are featuring local attractions, one of which is Dolphin Magic. Amy was king enough to answer some questions for us…

What can a visitor expect to see on their Dolphin Magic experience?

Visitors can expect to see historical sights such as Fort Jackson, Fort Pulaski, Cockspur Island, the Cockspur Island Lighthouse, Tybee Island, and the Tybee Island Lighthouse. The route does change depending on weather conditions and the dolphin location. The goal of the trip is to find a dolphin, so when we find a pod of dolphins, we stay with them the remainder of the trip and follow them along the waterways. The dolphins often jump behind the boat, or at times, they will even come up to the boat. I guess the wonderful thing about the trip is the beauty of coastal Georgia’s barrier islands and the variety of wildlife to be seen. Not only do we see dolphins, but we also see a variety of birds from pelicans to bald eagles. We see occasional alligators, whales, and manatees. And you never know what animals may even be crossing the rivers. We have seen bobcats, deer, and even rattlesnakes cross the wide Savannah River. I guess you could expect to see the unexpected.

Is Dolphin Magic open throughout the year or at certain seasons?

Dolphin Magic conducts tours daily from March through November leaving from the historic district of downtown Savannah. During the winter months, we offer tours from Tybee Island.

How long do the boat rides last?

Trips last approximately 2 hours.

What happens if it rains?

In the event of bad weather, passengers who have purchased their tickets would receive a refund. We monitor the radar, so at times, we will change the schedule to accommodate for rain systems. We do recommend reservations, so if there is a problem with the weather, we can contact our visitors.

Where are you guys located?

We are located in downtown Savannah on Riverstreet. We ask that passengers check in at our ticket booth located at 101 East River Street (in front of Wet Willies…a block and a half to the east of the Hyatt Hotel and City Hall).

Thank you Amy! Dolphin Magic is one of the premier attractions in Savannah!

www.savannahbnb.com

As part of our Savannah Cheap Hotels Guide, we are featuring local attractions. Jennifer McKenzie, Innkeeper of Savannah’s Bed and Breakfast Inn was king enough to answer some questions for us.

What does the Savannah Bed & Breakfast Inn offer to out of town visitors?

Out of town visitors can get a true sense of Savannah history because the Bed & Breakfast Inn is nestled on historic Gordon Row, circa 1853. Guests can either stay in a room in the main house or in one of our converted carriage houses. Our staff loves to play hosts and hostesses to visitors and they are experts on getting around town, sites to see, and places to eat. We even offer a guided walking tour on weekend mornings customized to what our guests would like to see.

What’s the difference between a night with you and a night with a typical hotel?

Walking into the Bed & Breakfast Inn feels more like walking into a home where guests are greeted with afternoon tea and lemonade and given a personal tour of the Inn. Every night our staff bakes up homemade chocolate chip cookies served straight from the oven with ice cold milk. Our chef gets up early to cook breakfast to order. Guest have a choice of being served at our main tables in the parlor or at private tables outside overlooking the courtyard. Guests are welcome to interact with other guests and staff as much or as little as they would like.

Where are you guys located in relation to surrounding attractions?

Located on the Southern, quieter end of the Historic District, Savannah’s Bed & Breakfast Inn is walking distance to all Savannah attractions. River Street is a 15-20 minute walk. The Mercer Williams House, Forsyth Park, Mrs. Wilkes House are favorite attractions less than 3 minute walk. Most guests park their car (which we cover the expense) and don’t use it again until they leave.

What are your rates like?
Our regular rates are some of the lowest of Savannah B&Bs and even less than many of the hotels. Typically, rates start around $129 during the week and $149 Friday and Saturday. During the summer and winter months we often offer an off-season discount. Spring and Fall are the most popular times to visit.

Thank you Amy! If you are looking for a place to stay in Savannah, Savannah’s Bed and Breakfast Inn is certainly worth checking out!