The music scene in Wisconsin has taken some intriguing, indie twists in the last few years, with festivals featuring performers you’d only expect to see on the coasts. Buy your tickets and book your B&B for music events in Eau Claire, Appleton, Wausau and more.

Wisconsin’s live music calendar this summer should impress even east and west coast concert fans. Here are a handful of still-insider gems that are getting bigger by the year. Eaux Claires in Eau Claire, June 16-17, the brainchild of Bon Iver’s Justin Vernon, is a multi-stage experience with live music, performance art and visual art. Stay: The English Tudor-style Otter Creek Inn gives you room to spread out after being in the crowd at Eaux Claires. [caption id="attachment_1903" align="aligncenter" width="300"] Otter Creek Inn[/caption] Driftless Music Festival in Viroqua, July 8, features jazz, swing, bluegrass and zydeco genres. Stay: Cream Pitcher B&B in Blue River and Westby House Inn in Westby are both an easy drive from this music fest. [gallery columns="2" ids="734,396"] Acoustic Fest in Manitowoc, July 15, showcases the talents of accomplished acoustic musicians. All proceeds go to local scholarships and community organizations. Stay: Guests of Westport B&B are treated to a full candlelight breakfast, a nice complement to the unplugged vibe of the acoustic festival. [caption id="attachment_1904" align="aligncenter" width="450"] Westport Bed & Breakfast[/caption] Mile of Music in Appleton, August 3-6, prides itself on being cover-free, meaning only original music from hundreds of artists and it’s all free. Stay: Franklin Street Inn is the perfect mix of Victorian charm and modern amenities, providing a quiet oasis after hearing all those great artists perform. [caption id="attachment_1905" align="aligncenter" width="450"] Franklin Street Inn[/caption] Big Bull Falls Blues Fest, Wausau, August 18-19, is Wisconsin’s longest running blues fest. Stay: The Stewart Inn was designed by one of the founders of the American Arts & Crafts movement with luxurious rooms that will make you feel like an A-list musician yourself. [caption id="attachment_1906" align="aligncenter" width="450"] The Stewart Inn[/caption] Music Festivals allow fans an opportunity to sample a large number of bands in just a few days.  The rise in the popularity of the living like the locals also adds to the allure, giving folks who value experiences much more than owning things, an opportunity to not only enjoy some music, but also experience the community around the festival. They get a chance to break away from the business of their everyday lives and sample something out of the ordinary.  For those who love the camaraderie of a diverse group of folks coming together for one weekend to enjoy their favorite genre of music, but then would prefer to leave that all behind for a quiet, restful night's sleep, the WBBA Inns are the place for you.  Our Innkeepers can provide the peaceful respite you crave to rejuvenate and be ready for all of the mayhem another day has to offer.  We always like to remind our readers that all WBBA members are licensed, inspected and insured.  So rest asured, you will get a good night's sleep when you stay at a WBBA B&B, feeling refreshed and rejuvenated the next morning.

Are you ready to Seek the Unique?

Some of us are tomato snobs – we only eat fresh tomatoes grown in our gardens or sourced from local farms.  And once you start eating this way, there’s no going back.  If your tomato plants are heavy with sun ripened Roma, Wisconsin 55 and Better Boy varieties, then you’ll want to try this tomato recipe from the Cream Pitcher B&B in Blue River, Wisconsin’s Southwest “Driftless” area. Heirloom Tomato Pie 1 cup flour ¾ cup yellow cornmeal ¾ tsp salt 1 stick cold, unsalted butter cheese (cut into ½-inch pieces) ¾ cup, plus 3 Tbsp shredded Manchego cheese 4 Tbsp ice water dried beans (as weights) 1 tsp chopped fresh thyme Filling 2 Tbsp olive oil, divided 1 large onion, thinly sliced 2¼ lbs. mixed heirloom tomatoes ¾ cup shredded mozzarella ¼ cup mayonnaise 3 Tbsp breadcrumbs 3 Tbsp chopped fresh chives 3 Tbsp chopped fresh parsley 1 tsp chopped fresh thyme kosher salt freshly  ground pepper   Pulse the flour, cornmeal and salt in a food processor to combine. Add the butter and 3 tablespoons Manchego. Pulse until the mixture resembles coarse meal with pea-size bits of butter. Drizzle in 4 tablespoons of ice water and pulse until the dough comes together. Add 1 more tablespoon ice water if necessary. Turn out onto a sheet of plastic wrap and pat into a disk. Wrap and refrigerate until firm, about 45 minutes. Put the dough between 2 sheets of parchment paper and roll into a 13-inch round. Transfer the dough to a 9½-inch deep-dish pie plate. Fold the overhang under itself and crimp the edges. Pierce the bottom of the crust all over with a fork. Refrigerate until firm, about 20 minutes. Meanwhile, preheat oven to 350°F. Line the crust with foil, then fill with dried beans. Bake until the edges are golden, about 20 minutes. Remove the foil and beans and continue baking until golden all over, 10–15 more minutes. Transfer to a rack to cool. For the filling: Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the onion and cook, stirring until golden, about 15 minutes. Let cool. Meanwhile, thinly slice the tomatoes. Toss with 1 teaspoon kosher salt in a colander. Let drain about 30 minutes, gently tossing occasionally. Increase oven temperature to 375°F. Combine the remaining ¾ cup Manchego, mozzarella, mayonnaise, breadcrumbs, 2 tablespoons each chives and parsley, thyme, ¼ teaspoon each kosher salt and pepper and the sautéed onion in a bowl. Spread in the crust. Arrange the tomatoes on top. Drizzle with remaining 1 tablespoon olive oil and season with pepper. Bake until the tomatoes are browned, about 50 minutes. Top with remaining 1 tablespoon each chives and parsley.   [caption id="attachment_734" align="aligncenter" width="300"] A 'long and winding road' leads you to the Cream Pitcher B&B, in Blue River. Situated among the hills in Richland County (southwest Wisconsin), this unglaciated area offers awesome beauty as well as outdoor activities in every season. There are more than 3 miles of hiking trails through the 100 acres of woodland. Watch deer, turkeys and other wildlife; see and hear many species of birds. Enjoy the creek that flows close by...and the warm hospitality of innkeepers Diane & Vern.[/caption]