JUNE 2009 - Papa Mojo's Roadhouse Special Events

Friday, May 29th at 3 pm - TODAY!!! - BEST DISH IN NC COMPETITION SPECIAL DEMO
We’re happy to announce that Mel has once again been named a chef finalist for the 2009 “Best Dish in N.C.” competition. As many of you know, he won the 2008 award for the casual dining category. Mel will prepare some of his 2009 competition entries at a special demo at the N.C. State Fairgrounds Expo Center.

Sunday June 7th - A Southern Season
The complete 2009 menu will be featured at A Southern Season’s CLASS from 2-5 pm with The Wicked Mojos performing as an added bonus!

– A special prix fixe tasting of Mel’s 2009 “Best Dish in N.C.” menu will be available to customers at Papa Mojo’s during the month of June. For a complete list of “Best Dish in N.C.” chefs, bios and recipes visit www.bestdishnc.org

– Papa Mojo’s Roadhouse is a featured restaurant profile in the summer issue of Fifteen501 magazine. You can pick up a copy at the restaurant (while supplies last) or at a nearby news stand to learn more about Mel’s culinary history and his recipes for buttermilk pie and crawfish etouffee!

– Dishes inspired by Mel’s recent road trip to Louisiana will be making their debut on a new summer menu coming to Papa Mojo’s very soon. Besides the exciting new menu ideas, Mel also went to the 40th Annual Jazz & Heritage Festival AND had the opportunity to perform with Sonny Landreth at The “Rock ‘n Bowl” as well as with Johnny Sansone, John Fohl & Anders Osborne @ Liuzza’s at the track during his visit to New Orleans! He also performed at a harmonica blow off at club Negril w/ Lee Oskar, Smokey Greenwell and Sun Pie.

– On June 6th Papa Mojo’s Roadhouse will be catering a special music event at the Cat’s Cradle with Mel and the Wicked Mojo’s opening for Tab Benoit -- doors open at 8:00pm and the music starts at 9:00pm. For ticket information visit www.catscradle.com

– Mel and fellow Triangle chefs Walter Royal of The Angus Barn & Ed Mitchell of The Pit will judge the best BBQ in N.C. on Saturday, June 20th from 8-10am at the 27th Annual Hillsborough Hog Day Festival. Thirty different teams from across the state are competing this year and there will be three days of music, and other family activities—including a “Battle of the Bands”, with the winner performing on Friday evening.

We’ve scheduled some exciting bands for June --take note & pass the word!!

June 12 - Don Dixon & the Jump Rabbits
We’re particularly looking forward to having this NC icon in the Roadhouse this month! He is known for being a trailblazer of the NC independent music scene 30 years ago and, over the years, has produced numerous albums of his own and for many national bands as well. He’s an engaging performer you will not want to miss and he’ll be bringing longtime touring partners Jim Brock and Jamie Hoover!

June 19 - Teresa James & the Rhythm Tramps
This California-based troupe of pros can dish out the Blues with finesse & style. Not only is Teresa astounding on keyboards & vocals, her sax player plays 2 saxes at once......really! They’re always a feature in Delbert McClinton’s Blues Cruises for a reason! They don't come to the East coast often, and we’re oh-so-lucky that they have fit us into their current tour.

If you missed their first visit to the Roadhouse last November - we’re giving you a second chance!

In addition to these two headliners -- This month is packed with local talent and you’ll want to mark your calendars:

– Roadhouse favorites WIllie Painter Band (June 6), Big Mama E and the Cool (June 13th), and Mel & The Wicked Mojos (June 27th) will be sure to deliver exciting evenings for us.

– And back by popular demand, David Dyer & the Crooked Smile Band (June 5th) and Valentino & the Piedmont Sheiks (June 26th) will be bringing their own distinctive shows for us.

– We’re also proud to welcome newcomers, Whistle Stop to our roster on June 20th. They come recommended to us for their engaging style of song writing - check out their website and come on in to welcome them!

– We invite you to learn more about these bands on our website’s Music Listing Online. And you can also link to the bands’ websites if you want to give them a listen or pass the info to friends as you plan out your June activities!

Papa Mojo’s is dedicated to featuring quality talent and thank you ALL for coming in to support great live music here in the Triangle!!

(l to r) Gail Abrams (Piedmont Wildlife Center exec. director), Mel, and Frank Heath (PWC board & Cat's Cradle owner)

– Mel & The Krewe worked their mojo magic and served up lots of gumbo at the 2nd Annual Festival for Wildlife at Leigh Farm Park on May 2nd. Mel & The Wicked Mojos performed to an enthusiastic audience on the lawn and visitors enjoyed all the family activities offered by nature organizations. Throughout the day no spirits seemed dampened by the clouds overhead or a few sprinkles of rain!

– On May 7th, Mel and The Wicked Mojo’s opened the “Music on the Lawn Concert Series” - an annual favorite offering at The American Tobacco campus in Durham’s Downtown Entertainment District. For more info on upcoming concerts.

– On May 5th, Mel & The Wicked Mojos won the first annual “Be That Band” competition sponsored by Artsplosure at Raleigh’s Tir Na Nog pub. And as a result, they played on the NC Stage to open for headliner Buckwheat Zydeco at Raleigh’s 30th anniversary of Artsplosure on May16th.

Wednesdays @ Papa Mojo’s
Wednesdays are growing into a special day of the week here at Papa Mojos!!
--Open Mic Nite -8:30pm-10:30pm - with Brett Chambers & “The Usual Suspects” This ever-growing, ongoing musical gathering has always got a variety of musicians coming out to show their stuff!!

Crawfish Boils
We’re still going all out w/ crawfish boils every Thursday through Saturday after 6:00pm. So y’all come on in and chow down on some of the most flavorful crawfish while they’re still available!!

Sunday Bayou Brunch
Chef Melton is offering up authentic Beignets, Cajun Omelettes, Roadhouse Poached Eggs, and the sweetest Pain Perdue (his version of French Toast) on Sundays from noon - 4:00pm!! If you haven't been down to try some of his brunch dishes yet..... you're flat out missin' out!! And for those of you yearning for some classic Bunch Cocktails - this is the place to be.

Papa Mojo's Bayou Brunch also features the fine music of Scott Sawyer, a dynamic regional guitarist known for his enticing style & finesse. View our brunch menu online

We appreciate your coming in to eat with us and thank you for making Papa Mojo’s one of your favorite destinations in South Durham! We’ll keep “stirrin’ it up” as we serve up our traditional gumbos, crawfish, catfish & brunches. And, keep an eye out for that new menu and our Best Dish entries -- they’re sure to tantalize your senses!

As always - we’re doin’ our best to be keepin’ it real!

-So, y'all come on in!
- Mel and the Krewe