While nothing in Rhode Island is more than a short drive away, I’m a big fan of turning any evening plan into an overnight trip whenever possible. It’s the sense of immersion that I enjoy: the lingering, exploring, and experiencing a location both night and day. Recently I turned a pair of tickets for a performance at Theatre By The Sea in Wakefield, into a Route 1-based itinerary for my visiting sister and me, by planning ahead and connecting a couple of dots: a late-afternoon floral workshop in Westerly and overnight accommodations at a Charlestown B&B.
FLORAL DESIGN WORKSHOP AT ECHO ROCK FLOWERS, WESTERLY
I’ve been following Echo Rock Flowers on Instagram (@echo_rock_flowers) for a while and when I saw they were holding a late-afternoon workshop in the fields of Barlow Nature Preserve, I wanted in. Flower farmers Colin and Stephanie Bennett are former restaurateurs (Malted Barley), and their hospitality roots shine through with thoughtful details at each turn that ensure a comfortable experience for participants. Noteworthy touches were the table of charcuterie fixings in canning jars, rows of chewy cookies and sliced banana bread, patterned tablecloths flowing in the breeze, and a row of bucketed blooms organized by variety. Our place settings for the evening consisted of green waterproof tape, a length of vinyl-coated chicken wire to squash into a stem-holder, clippers, gloves, and printed instructions, plus our compote vase on a wood turntable. Steph gave comprehensive instructions from her teaching table, including a brief chat about color theory, chart at the ready, to help inform the schemes of our bouquets. All the while Colin attended to anyone needing assistance or a snack, in between taking photos and smiling adoringly at Steph. These two love what they do, and it was an absolute treat to attend. My finished centerpiece was filled with favorite August flowers: cosmos, zinnias, gomphrena, a big ol’ dahlia, and sprigs of basil for an earthy note. After the workshop, we headed back to the inn, where I dropped off my arrangement to keep it cool and happy, before darting back out to Wakefield for dinner and a show. Floral design workshops: October 25; November 30; Westerly, EchoRockFlowers.com
THEATRE BY THE SEA, WAKEFIELD
Every show I have ever seen staged at this historic charmer of a venue has been nothing short of jubilant and impressive. I like to have dinner first at Bistro By The Sea, which has been helmed by nearby Duck Press Kitchen & Bar for two seasons now; it’s right on the property, which alleviates timing concerns. I gravitate to the starters portion of the menu with tasty offerings like RI quahog stuffies (there are two, perfect for sharing), or a bowl of the sweet corn bisque. All gets settled-up with plenty of time to walk the idyllic garden path, past the refreshment gazebo, to the theater before taking a seat. The current show and the final of the summer season is Heartbreak Hotel. Even though I’m not a huge Elvis Presley fan, I figured I’d enjoy it. Fast-forward two-and-a half hours, and I’m on my feet, applauding wildly. The performances, staging, costume changes, live orchestra, are all a dazzling spectacle. Billed as the official bio-musical, it tells the rock star tale that we’ve seen before, but what’s different is that Elvis was the first to go through it all – the ground-breaking rise to stardom, sudden wealth after childhood poverty, the fall, the comeback, the making of “the king.” Cast highlights are leads Laird LaCoste as young Elvis, who sparkles with confidence without being precocious, and Joe Hebel as adult Elvis is a force of nature: emoting, gyrating, sweating and singing with so much gusto, it almost seems unsustainable, but yet never wanes for a second. The show runs through September 14, and it would be a heartbreak to miss it. Heartbreak Hotel: August 20-September 14, Wakefield, TheatreByTheSea.com
THE GENERAL STANTON INN, CHARLESTOWN
After the show, Google Maps navigates us to the inn – less than 10 minutes away – via Matunuck School House Road. This is one of the darkest areas in the northeast. It’s also where my sister and I spy tiny red lights at eye-level by the side of the road. It's a pair of photographers and they’re capturing the Milky Way with their cameras on tripods. We look up and can see the hazy band in the night sky, along with the bright stars that form the Big Dipper. It’s special and something we would’ve missed if we’d driven home after the show. Back at the General Stanton Inn, we have a cozy (and perhaps, haunted by the general himself) room on the second floor of the main building. We choose to climb the outside stairs rather than traverse the narrow circa 1740 staircase. This is part of the charm of the inn; it’s a storied property with mindful updates. The wonky staircase stays, but the bathroom is completely renovated and elegant with premium bath products. Antique-looking bedframe, but outfitted with luxurious linens and comforters. It’s like imagining what it was like to live during the Revolutionary War but with today’s amenities; truly the best of both worlds. (Think: Martha Washington but there’s a blow dryer.) The following morning, the onsite restaurant bar is used as a breakfast buffet with everything from fresh fruit and yogurt, to bagels and baked goods like from-scratch blueberry muffins. Smack-dab in South County at 10am, we decide to continue south and on a whim, decide to spend the entire day exploring downtown Westerly. Year-round bed and breakfast, plus restaurant and events; Charlestown, TheGeneralStantonInn.com
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