| Entertainment intro video by Okay Yellow |
John Paul Jones Arena
Runner-up: Charlottesville Pavilion
The bigger the better, we always say. Apparently, that’s what you say, too, as JPJ—the biggest of this town’s big venues—wins again. Headliners like Phish, Jimmy Buffett and Taylor Swift surely have something to do with the arena’s popularity, but with a capacity of just over 15,000, we figure sheer size is what has kept the JPJ a nose above runner-up Charlottesville Pavilion three years in a row. For more information on this winner, click here.
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Under the radar and dreaming: William Walter has risen from the "emerging" slot into a full-on winner in two musical categories. |
William Walter
Runner-up: Devon Sproule
Clearly, you folks already know that William Walter can pen some catchy tunes (see Best Musical Group). But, did you know that he’s also a renaissance man? By day, Walter owns WTW Development, a contracting firm that assists in commercial and residential builds. And your runner-up? Well, she’s a full-time, internationally appreciated songstress, and she’s eyeing the winner’s circle after a two-year absence.
X-Lounge
Runner-up: R2
After its 2009 win for Sexiest Atmosphere, X-Lounge takes the prize this year as the best place to get your groove on. Is it the comforting low-lighting on the dance floor? Does the curtain at the front door make you feel like a VIP? Maybe you dig the urban cool lavatories. Whatever the case, X-Lounge has you hooked like a techno beat. For more information on this winner, click here.
McGuffey Art Center
Runner-up: Second Street Gallery
Sure, McGuffey’s a great place to look at art. But it offers so much more: Stop in to see one of the 45 resident artists doing their thang, visit the gift shop, where you can take home member artists’ original creations, or even take a watercolor class with local master Lee Alter (and that’s just one example). Second Street Gallery, with its commitment to showcasing contemporary pieces from national markets, takes the runner-up spot again this year. For more information on this winner, click here.
ArtInPlace
Runner-up: McGuffey Art Center
If it’s art you want, this town has got it. Whether it’s the giant zipper on the 250 bypass, the oversized daffodils on Monticello Avenue or the now-defunct Whale Tail, you say the City Council-backed nonprofit meets your out-there visual needs.
Mellow Mushroom
Runner-up: McGrady’s Irish Pub
Question: In 1974, what local pizza chain opened its first shop in Atlanta? Answer: Isn’t it obvious? Clearly you like questions that pack more challenge, which is why you voted Mellow Mushroom the prizewinner this year. For those who want to answer the tough questions but prefer fish and chips to Funky Q Chicken pizza, McGrady’s is a close second. For more information on this winner, click here.
Baja Bean Co.
Runner-up: Fellini’s #9
Karaoke first came to the Bean in 2001, when karaoke jockey Steve Miller joined the team. Nine years later, Tuesday night at Baja beats any place in town to belt out “I Will Always Love You” to an audience of strangers. In the runner-up spot is Fellini’s #9, where Retrospective Collective will accompany your every note on Thursday nights. For more information on this winner, click here.
Wild Wing Café
Runner-up: Boylan Heights
Charlottesville’s most rail-friendly sports bar, Wild Wing Café boasts 29 TVs perfect for game-watchin’. It’s no wonder they took the prize this year. Coming in second and providing some stiff competition is Boylan Heights, with nine fewer TVs but all the enthusiasm. For more information on this winner, click here.
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My city was gone: Edward Thomas says many of his paintings are "things that are about to go away." |
Edward Thomas
Runner-up: Sharon Shapiro
Swooping in with his hyper-local, plein air style, landscape painter Edward Thomas steals the win this year. Former reigning queen, portraitist Sharon Shapiro who had won for three years, isn’t far behind.
Fridays After 5
Runner-up: Crozet Music Festival
We ’villians work hard to bring home the (certified organic) bacon and fry it in a pan. But, we also like to let loose. Enter Fridays After 5, summer’s free weekly local concert series. And this year’s runner-up? The Crozet Music Festival. The newcomer to Best Of throws together nearly 50 bands to rock western Albemarle for three long October days.
Live Arts Gala
Runner-up: Artini
If you’re looking to see and be seen, readers say there’s no better place to get your mingle on than at the exclusive $250-a-head Live Arts Gala. Fire breathers, aerialists and local celebrities alike come out to donate to the Downtown theater and mix with Charlottesville’s well-to-do. In second place, Second Street Gallery’s smokin’ hot dance party, Artini.
Vinegar Hill Theatre
Runner-up: Regal Downtown Mall 6
There’s no shortage of movie theaters in this town, but, year after year, Vinegar Hill Theatre and Regal Downtown Mall 6 come out on top. We suspect these two venues beat out the competition on account of their central Downtown location and proximity to other date-night stuff like restaurants and bars. Vinegar Hill nabs the top spot, though, because of its unique film choices and, let’s face it, sheer charm. For more information on this winner, click here.
James Wilson of Sons of Bill
Runner-up: William Walter
William Walter may take the prize for Best Musical Group, but when it comes to Best Front Man, you say nobody does it better than Sons of Bill’s James Wilson. Is it his dreamy eyes? His wholesome upbringing? Or is it his voice that makes you swoon? No matter—the local country boy is No. 1 on the ballot…and in your hearts.
Live Arts
Runner-up: Four County Players
Live Arts does it all: The Water Street theater team throws a helluva bash (see Annual Fundraising Party) and it has the slickest lineup season after season (a little Mamet, a little Bard, a taste of Sondheim). That might explain why it wins again this year. Coming in second? Barboursville’s Four County Players, whose 37th season delivered some noteworthy classics: Othello, A Christmas Story and Cabaret. For more information on this winner, click here.
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There’s a boy inside that man: At 16, Cody Purvis has a winning way with country music. |
Cody Purvis
Runner-up: Julius Hangman
For a new category like this one, we had hoped readers would fill in the blank with a few unknown names. And boy, did you deliver. Sixteen-year-old Cody Purvis, Charlottesville’s answer to Toby Keith, takes the win with his country tunes. Coming in at a close second is Julius Hangman, a little bit country, a little bit rock and roll, a whole lot of talent.
Johnny St. Ours
Runner-up: Chris Farina
Johnny St. Ours has an impressive resume—an entry in the Cannes Film Festival, a music video for Dave Matthews, a commercial for a BF Goodrich iPhone app. And that’s just this year’s body of work! No wonder he’s your winner for local filmmaker. A close second? Chris Farina, whose heartwarming World Peace…and other Fourth Grade Achievements, featuring the work of local elementary school teacher John Hunter, made it to this year’s South by Southwest film festival in Austin, Texas.
DJ XSV
Runner-up: DJ WesternFront
Among his list of accomplishments, Rob Bedford (a.k.a. DJ XSV) counts opening for Snoop Dogg and The Black Eyed Peas. But rubbing elbows with Fergie Ferg herself ain’t nothin’ to you readers when it comes to his regular jam-packed gigs at The Box. And your runner-up? By day a graphic designer for Watermark Design, Wes Webb (a.k.a. DJ WesternFront) brings the funk at weekend shows around town.
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There’s nothing small about the sounds that come out of the Jefferson, from Gogol Bordello to Deerhunter and, some day, Neko Case. |
The Jefferson Theater
Runner-up: The Southern Cafe and Music Hall
It may have smoked the competition for one of this year’s more diminutive categories, but there’s nothing “small” about The Jefferson. Since opening at the end of 2009, the Mall venue has hosted the likes of Sharon Jones & The Dap Kings, Brandi Carlile and Gogol Bordello, for a rowdy show on New Year’s Eve. For more information on this winner, click here.
106.1 The Corner
Runner-up: 91.9 WNRN
We took a break from this category last year, but it doesn’t matter. A year away apparently won’t break your allegiance to these two stations that earned the exact same titles back in 2008. Much like listening to your favorite song, no matter how often you hear it (or how much time goes by since you heard it last), every time you turn these stations on, it’s like the first time.
William Walter & Co.
Runner-up: Sons of Bill
There are many similarities between this year’s winner and runner-up. Both bands comprise five crush-worthy musicians. Both pay homage to their elders (SoB is named after Bill Wilson, father of three of the band members; William Walter shares his name with his dad). And both rule the local music scene this year.
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A contest winner twice over: Your pick for best photographer, Sarah Cramer Shields, won C-VILLE’s annual photo competition with this image in 2008. |
Sarah Cramer Shields
Runner-up: Jen Fariello
It must be a pleasure to see the world through the lens of Sarah Cramer Shields, your winner in this new category. The local photographer has been churning out beautiful pics professionally since 2005, documenting everything from births and weddings to family portraits and business photos. She’s been behind the camera for a few C-VILLE projects like C and ABODE, too. Jen Fariello is also a well-loved baby and wedding photographer, who’s been in business since 1996.