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Art and creativity transform Village's Marketplace Café into Sedona magic


Douglas Rouse in front of both the Soaring Eagle and the Horse paintings, before they were sold  for charities. Photograph by Beverly Copen.
7/31/2012 1:19:00 PM

 Marketplace Café, after only three months under the leadership of new owner, Ken Rouse, is quickly and visually undergoing innovation.

As you enter, you are immediately struck by a huge wrap-around and inspiring “wall art” mural of the Sedona Red Rocks in the stage area. 

The mural was painted by Ken’s son, Douglas Rouse, who resides in Colorado Springs, Colorado.  He is known for his “three dimensional” chalk art, “speed paintings” and murals that range from private homes to a 10,000-square-foot wall on a warehouse building in Colorado Springs. 

The new mural at MPC creates a very different atmosphere for diners, and provides a great back-drop for guest musicians. 

One evening in June, Douglas returned to MPC and treated a packed MPC house for an amazing event. He created two speed paintings that were then auctioned off for the benefit of both Big Brothers Big Sisters and Camp Soaring Eagle.

Those two pieces of art, an eagle and a horse, yielded approximately $2,500 to the two charities. Rouse & Rouse are an innovative combo, and very conscious of giving back to the community and special charities.

In the near future, the Sedona Room (stage area) will also become a gallery for local artists who will be invited to display their “Sedona themed” photographs and paintings.

They will be for sale, and 15 percent of the proceeds will be devoted to local charities.  Beverly Copen, artist and photographer, has been asked to coordinate this project.  The area to the left of the popular bar area, is now designated the “Legends Room," and continues to reflect the traditional Hollywood theme. 

As another benefit for customers, a newly designed menu (with lower prices) still carries all of the most popular food items plus several new and exciting dishes that are the result of customer requests.  The Sunday brunch menu has also been changed.

The bar/lounge is more than ever a gathering place for locals and visitors to share their experiences, make new friends, and to celebrate LIFE.

Music has been an integral part of the MPC experience for some time.  However, what is happening now reflects a conscious effort to respond to a wide variety of musical interests and tastes. 

Ken, “Mr. Hospitality," is frequently greeting and talking with guests, getting their feedback on everything from food to music to service. On Tuesdays, “Meadowlark” creates a very relaxed atmosphere with enchanting flute and finger-style guitar music paired with breathtaking photographic images by Paul Gill. 

Wednesday Wine Tasting is now complimented with a variety of solo guitarists and song writer/singers. 

On Thursdays, Robin Dean Salmon takes everyone on a journey from the early beginnings of Arizona 100 years ago to experiences of the current Southwest and memories from South of the Border. 

On Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays, the focus is on music and talented artists who range from Jazz and Blues to Country Western.  The likes of Susannah Martin, Robin and Eric Miller, Patrick Ki, Vincent Z, Vismaya and her Cabaret Jazz Group, LeAnne and the Leman Jazz Ensemble, Alex Ogburn, Eventide with Adara, the Wright Brothers and others are making the evenings and Sunday Brunch a memorable experience for everyone who shows up at the Marketplace Café. 

On special evenings, there is even a small dance floor created in front of the stage where guests can “kick up their heels” or slow dance and hold each other close.

Most importantly, the atmosphere at Marketplace Café is one in which friends, regular visitors and newcomers are able to share fun, friendly conversation, great food and drinks and enjoy outstanding musical talent.

If you haven’t checked out the Marketplace Café lately, you owe it to yourself to see first-hand the “Creative Changes” taking place.


 

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