Raven Performing Arts Center

115 North Street,
Healdsburg, CA 95448

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Related Websites

Raven Performing Arts Center (Official)

Additional Info

Architects: Gale Santocono

Functions: Performing Arts

Previous Names: Aven Theater, Raven Theater

Phone Numbers: Box Office: 707.433.5448
Manager: 707.433.5448

Nearby Theaters

Raven Performing Arts Center

Originally opened as the Aven Theater in 1949. This theater is now used for live performances. The marquee is embellished with a neon raven. The theater should not be confused with the Raven Film Center, which is also in Healdsburg.

Contributed by Ken McIntyre

Recent comments (view all 17 comments)

RoadsideArchitecture.com
RoadsideArchitecture.com on December 6, 2008 at 10:47 am

The theatre’s website puts the opening date as 1949 — and the original name as Aven (not Avon):
http://www.raventheater.org/about_history.aspx

DavidZornig
DavidZornig on December 6, 2008 at 11:32 am

There is also a Raven Theatre in Chicago on Western Ave near Granville. Though it is strictly live stage and was built inside of a former Jewel Foods grocery store.

korvettekid
korvettekid on October 27, 2011 at 3:02 pm

hey joe & ken, i know there has been a while since you both posted here. i did a web search for gale santocono and wound up here. the reason i did the search is i just found out the house i bought in la grange was in fact his and evelyn’s own personal home built 2 years before his death. do you guys know of any things about the santocono’s that might be interesting for me to learn? the house i bought that was designed by him is sure any thing but normal.

CarolSantocono
CarolSantocono on June 6, 2012 at 5:59 am

Gale Santocono was my father, and no, that house was not “normal” but I loved that house. To answer all of the old questions, my father became a licensed architect in the early 1960’s. He was the first person in California to be allowed to sit for the architect exam without the college background, or the requirement of working for an architectural firm. After obtaining his license in CA, he became licensed in several Western states, and then obtain a national license.

korvettekid
korvettekid on June 7, 2012 at 9:37 am

carol…thanks for the reply. if you are ever in the neighborhood feel free to stop by. if you have any old pics of the place i would greatly appreciate if you could send them my way. feel free to contact me at any time. thanks again for the info. email me at… thanks again…kevin

imrobert
imrobert on July 9, 2013 at 4:55 pm

I grew up in the Aven and remember the Plaza Theater after it had closed. The Analy Theater in Sebastopol (now gone) was also very similar to the Aven and I assume had the same designer.

Mikeyisirish
Mikeyisirish on July 9, 2013 at 6:59 pm

When I visited this theater last year, the neon bird want entirely functional, so I didn’t bother to shoot it. Anyone know if it’s been fixed?

terrywade
terrywade on February 18, 2018 at 7:16 pm

Was up in Healdsburg for the first time this past Friday afternoon and visited this former movie theatre now open for live events. A nice lady let me come in to check out the place. Still in good shape and they kept a great art deco light fixture on the ceiling of the lobby. This light would look so hot with Blue LED’s inside in place of white lights. I think It had color lights when It ran as a movie theatre. Time for them to get a fund going to put some color deco side lights on the side walls in as the original ones are long gone. Hope they can show some classic movies also. Check the theatre out If you are in town and see a event.

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