Is It Gator Time, Again?

Weird things are happening out there: ice on mars, cougars and alligators on the perimeter of Chicago, and the discovery of a mathematical formula for the perfect cheese sandwich. In Prescott, you can rest easy in the knowledge that The Raven Cafe remains constant while always tossing in a little of the unexpected to keep things exciting. This week:

Monday: Pizza, Pitcher and a Picture night continues with "Thelma and Louise." It's like Sex and the City meets the Dukes of Hazzard with an M. Knight Shyamalan twist at the end. 8:30pm



Tuesday: Chef Tony Burris is putting together a Mediterranean themed menu for you featuring:

Appetizers:
Babaghanoush Plate
Tapas of Almonds, Olives & marinated Manchego
Garlic Shrimp

Entrees:
Ratatouille
Salad Nicoise
Spiced Duck w/ Pomegrante & Walnut Sauce & Fresh Pear
Lamb Sausage with Romesco Sauce
Chicken Thighs w/Garlic & Lemon
Fennel, Date & Orange Salad with Spinach & Almonds

Also on Tuesday Night...Music by The Porchlights of Cortez, Colorado. We really enjoyed them last time they came through and are happy to have them back again. 7pm
Thursday: Local band Smoot Mahooty will make their first appearance at the Raven. We've been hearing really good things about them and are excited to have them in. 7pm

Friday: We kick off another weekend of blues and grooves with The Denise Allen Band. Denise Allen has a great voice and a magnetic sort of stage presence that just pulls you out onto the dance floor. 8pm

Saturday: After a Friday night warm-up with Denise Allen, it's time to see just how long you can hold out on the dance floor...Shri takes the stage for a full night of inspired blues and slinky grooves. 8pm
Your Album of the Week: Tonight I'm in Houston to see Tom Waits. This week's album, Tom Waits "Heart Attack and Vine". It's a transitional album between his lounge singer work of the 1970's and his more eclectic experimentation of the 1980's. Because it fits in between these two periods it is often overlooked and under-appreciated. For my money, it's definitely one of his best. Enjoy!!!

Until Again

Raven

Careful With That Fire, Eugene

This past weekend was filled with all sorts of excitement: Tsunami on the Square, the approximate incineration of the building, etc... Still, as said Twain, "The reports of our demise have been greatly exaggerated." It's business as usual at 142 N. Cortez...We'll just be keeping a closer watch on the voltage meter.

Monday: Pizza, Pitcher and a Picture Night continues with Cody's divine culinary creations and my favorite film of the 1980's next to "Raiders of the Lost Ark"....."Airplane." This film is a masterpiece of politically incorrect humor and divinely inspired one-liners. 8:30pm


Tuesday: Dinner and Dancing with the Prescott Playboys. Put on your fanciest boots, your tallest hat, and your denimest denim. Tony will be putting together a menu of home-style country cookin'. Music starts at 7pm.

Wednesday: From Akron, Ohio...Patrick Sweany makes his first appearance at the Raven. Patrick grew up with The Black Keys, has played with the Black Keys, and his newest album was produced by the Black Keys. Would it be surprising if I told you he sounds a lot like the Black Keys? Haven't heard of the Black Keys...? Imagine a bluesier version of The White Stripes. 8pm

Thursday: Our Jazz Jam Session has been building steam over the last two months, and we couldn't be more excited. This is our goal...to provide a venue where the youngest jazz musicians in town get the opportunity to play with the most seasoned. If you love great improvised jazz music, this is your night. 8pm

Friday: It's that time again...Fire Ridge Bluegrass is back in town for a night of finger smokin' pickin' and grinnin'. Every time these guys play they pack the house. 8pm

Saturday: The Jacob Koller Jazz Band has been making waves in Phoenix for some time. They will be making their first appearance in Prescott at the Raven on Saturday night. Jazz lovers, this is a great band, and a great opportunity to help spread the word about the growing jazz scene in our community. 8pm

Sunday: Jonathon Best on the old-upright. An amazing brunch menu. Summer inspired mimosas. Need I say more?

Your Album of the Week: I'm thinking "Moby Grape" by Moby Grape. This is the debut album by the greatest band of the 1960's that you've probably never heard of. Think a bluesier version of "Working Man's Dead". It's good for the season.

Until Again

Raven

Tsunami's in the House

I'm on the road with not much yet to report. You'll get a full update next sunday on New Orleans. In the meantime, let me introduce you to our new manager, Brian Spencer. Brian is a dynamite chef with 20+ years restaurant experience, a father, and beyond that, a great guy. He will be working with Tony in the kitchen a bit, but his will be the face you are seeing more of in the front of the house. You will be getting to know him better over the next few weeks, and he is putting together a little bio for me to work into the e-mail next week. Until then, know you are in great hands.

This week also marks the departure of another two of our own. Brian Scavone and Dara Cantor are both moving on to pursue school and other adventures. They have both been with us since the beginning and will be missed immensely. Stop by, visit, and see them off before the end of the week...they'll love to see you.

Monday: Pizza, Pitcher and a Picture night continues with "Smokey and the Bandit." In case you forgot why Burt Reynolds is the man, definitely come check this one out. 8pm



Tuesday: Duo Sabaku, a classical ensemble from Phoenix will be on hand for a dinner performance as part of the Chaparral Music Festival. 7pm

Wednesday: Three bands, Birds and Batteries from San Francisco return for a stellar performance. Imagine Neil Young with hints of light ambient electronic music. Then Ramona Cordova returns with his blend of american gypsy folk and Francois Virot, from France, performs his take on new european folk. 8pm

Thursday: Austin favorites, The Just Desserts return to the Raven. They are the best at what they do...infectious Southwestern-Tango dance music. If you love dancing and an amazing stage show...this is your night. 8pm

Friday: Tsunami on the Square kicks off at the Raven. This years theme...The Lucky 13 Cabaret. Every year Tsunami puts on an amazing weekend of performing arts for the local community. Please come out to support this wonderful event. Friday at the Raven, Saturday on the Square. 8pm

Saturday: Flamenco guitarist Chris Burt Jacome performs at 4pm as our second part of the Chaparral Music Festival. Then...Jack Norton returns. Jack's performance as an archivist of historical music, and a magical presence on stage is unparalleled. He is a mix of Vaudville, Woody Guthrie and Ramblin' Jack Elliot. If you are down at Tsunami and you feel like taking a break, come down for a bit...you won't be disappointed...I promise. 8pm

Sunday: After Tsunami Brunch. What better way to relax the morning after?

Your Album of the Week: I'm in El Paso right now, so I'm going with "Gunfighter Ballads" by Marty Robbins. This could be the first concept album of the modern era. Is it good? Oh, Yeah.

Until Again

Raven

Say It Ain't So!

As many of you may or may not know, I (Newt Lynn) am leaving the Raven at the end of the week. Fear not, I tell you. Change is in the air, but it is all for the better. I've loved being a part of The Raven from its conceptualization to the present, and will remain with you into the future. How? Well, first let me start by telling you where I am headed. I will be starting graduate school at Tulane this fall....That means....New Orleans. The stars just lined up in such a way, and so I go. However, aside from daily in-house operations, which will be turned over to a new management team, I will continue with all of the work I do behind the scenes. That means you will still be getting the weekly e-mail from me, and I will continue booking music and designing ads. Only thing is, I won't be in town to get all of your input, so I'm hoping you will take the time to e-mail me (newt@ravencafe.com). Let me know what you are thinking about music and entertainment, and keep me apprised of anyone you would like to see booked. I'll be making the occasional appearance, and you'll know when I am coming to town, so if I don't get to see you this week, we will still have an opportunity to connect. Okay, that's enough about that. There's plenty of other stuff happening this week.

Monday: Pizza, Pitcher and a Picture night continues. Ty has been holding us on the edge of our seats with this weeks pick. He promises it will be a top classic. I'm guessing 1980's. Maybe "Spies Like Us", "Caddy Shack". Chevy Chase? Bill Murray? There are obvious hints at what I'm hoping for. Let's see if I guessed it right. 8pm

Tuesday: It's a going away party. Ben, Beth and I are all leaving together this weekend. Tony is putting together a Southern-Creole-Cajun-Soul menu as a way of sending us off in style. We hope you can come down, hang out, eat some great food, and visit. This is also a great way to gauge how Tony is going to do for you regarding Southern cooking. He's from Nebraska, but he's got spirit, he's a great chef, and we've known each other long enough to have had some serious meals together. Dave Manning will be on the Old Upright, and we will be around all evening. Hope to see you there. 7pm

Wednesday: Verde Watershed Wednesday. Education and Information was never put forth with such an eye toward entertainment, fun, and great atmosphere. 8pm

Thursday: Jonathon Best, Matt LaVoire and Jesse Pursley perform as Jigabe. It's like an old-time medicine show performed by the alien band in "Return of the Jedi." 8pm

Friday: A very special night of music. The local JNG Band will make their first appearance at The Raven. Then, from Phoenix and Chicago, Michael Krassner will be on hand for a rare solo performance. Krassner is best know for his work with The Lofty Pillars and Boxhead Ensemble, which may not mean much to you save the stellar group of musicians he put together for both of these groups (Jim O'Rourke from Sonic Youth, members of Dirty Three, Jeff Tweedy of Wilco, Will Oldham aka Bonnie "Prince" Billy, Edith Frost, several members of Tortoise, David Grubbs of Gastr Del Sol, and Ken Vandermark). You may not know all of those names, but you've probably heard of at least one, and if not, know this...These folks are the whose who in the world of progressive music today. Following Michael Krassner, Try Me Bicycle, a new group he is producing and promoting will be performing. Imagine a dreamy, contemplative and stripped down version of Calexico. We are definitely looking forward to this show.

Saturday: O. Allen Huddleston's "Evolving Art Show" comes to a close. Details are still in the wings, but I hear rumors of a couple of DJ's coming up from Phoenix for a dance party. Will let you know more when I know.

Don't Forget Lunch and Brunch at the Raven. Shaina has taken our lunch, brunch, and daily specials to a new level. If you are looking for the perfect place to meet a friend, have a meeting, or just relax for a bit...It's all about the Raven in the afternoon.

Your Album Of The Week: Eddie Bo "The Hook and Sling" ... Listen to it and fondly think of me...It will be your next favorite.

Until Again

Raven