Best Theater Company
A familiar presence in Virginia Repertory Theatre productions, Desiree Roots played Effie in “Dreamgirls.” (Photo by Adam Ewing)
Virginia Repertory Theatre
114 W. Broad St., 282-2620
Though the sun has set on Bruce Miller’s 41 years as founding artistic director, the horizon is bright at Virginia Repertory Theatre. Miller’s successor, Nathaniel Shaw, took the reins last month. A stage veteran, Shaw founded The Active Theater in New York City and was associate choreographer for the Broadway production “Once.” Says Susan Davenport of Virginia Rep, “Nathaniel brings a lot of energy and experience with new works.”
2. Firehouse Theatre
3. Richmond Triangle Players
Best Actor
Scott Wichmann
“There are amazing opportunities for actors in Richmond,” says Scott Wichmann, who is training as a mass communications specialist in the Navy (he enlisted in the Navy Reserve in 2009 and served in Afghanistan and Djibouti) and prepping to play John Adams in the musical “1776,” opening Sept. 30 at Virginia Repertory Theatre. He also appears as Adams in the Fox News “Legends & Lies” series, alongside Richmond magazine’s Harry Kollatz Jr. as Ben Franklin.
2. Tie: Evan Nasteff; Joe Inscoe
Not-to-miss Annual Performance
Richmond Ballet’s ‘The Nutcracker’
Come the holiday season, there’s hardly anything that can get you in the spirit like an elegant performance of a classic. With professional company dancers in the leading roles, the Richmond Ballet’s annual December production of “The Nutcracker” at the Carpenter Theatre also gives nearly 200 ballet students a chance to shine, from the littlest lambs to regiment soldiers to Clara and the Prince.
2. Richmond Folk Festival
3. SPARC’s “Live Art”
Best Season Ticket Series
The Richmond Forum
330-3993, richmondforum.org
After bringing the former prime minister of Australia and NFL superstar Russell Wilson to town during its last season, the Richmond Forum is planning talks with Pulitzer-winning authors Jon Meacham and Doris Kearns Goodwin, and former Israeli prime minister Ehud Barak, among others. Bill Chapman, executive director, says, “Variety is an important ingredient in a Richmond Forum season.”
2. Broadway in Richmond
3. VCU basketball
Best Music Classes
School of Rock
4300 Pouncey Tract Road, 212-3900; 13154 Midlothian Turnpike, 419-4925
Age is just a number for students at the School of Rock, which opened in Short Pump in 2013 and Midlothian last year. “Our youngest student is 5, he plays drums; our oldest plays guitar and is over 60,” says owner Parker Alter. School of Rock lets students demonstrate what they’ve learned through monthly concerts at Capital Ale House’s Music Hall downtown, where you might see “a 7-year-old, guitar in hand, rocking out to AC/DC,” says Alter.
Best Album Released by a Local Performer or Band
‘No Burden’ by Lucy Dacus
“I set a fire to my soul. It burned me and it made me whole,” Lucy Dacus sings as an acoustic guitar strums along on “Trust,” a mellow track from her 2016 album, “No Burden.” It’s just one of the standout songs that have earned the Richmond native praise for her unique indie sound and heartfelt lyrics. In June, Dacus was signed to Matador Records, which announced plans to reissue “No Burden” in September.
Best Vocalist
Susan Greenbaum
“Everything But You” is Susan Greenbaum’s favorite song to perform, nearly 16 years after the folksy tune was first released. Billboard said it was “strong, clear and drenched in pleasing harmonies,” and the song averaged 46 spins a week on WMXB-103.7 FM in its heyday. When she performs it now at regional festivals and events, Greenbaum says, “It’s so exciting to see people singing along to a song that I wrote. It’s an amazing feeling.”
2. Lucy Dacus
3. Emme St. James
No BS! Brand Band (Photo by PJ Sykes)
Best Band
No BS! Brass Band
The funky groove of No BS! Brass is well-loved in Richmond, but the 10-year-old group reached a new level of popularity during its first European tour this spring. Co-founder/drummer Lance Koehler says fans in places like the Netherlands and Belgium showed them major love. “People from other countries screaming ‘RVA all day!’ is really cool, even if they don’t know exactly where Richmond is.” The band was headed back overseas in late July.
2. Three Sheets to the Wind
3. Tie: Carbon Leaf; DJ Williams Projekt; Jackson Ward; Lucy Dacus; Pat Russell Band
Best Local Choir
Tie:
The Richmond Boys Choir, richmondboyschoir.org
The Richmond Symphony Chorus, richmondsymphony.com
Richmond Symphony Chorus director Erin Freeman says that through singing, “We can put aside the things that divide us.” Known for its rigorous auditions and range of voices, the chorus will perform Berlioz’s “Romeo and Juliet” on Nov. 12 in honor of this year’s 400th anniversary of Shakespeare’s death. The Richmond Boys Choir, of which “American Idol” finalist Rayvon Owen was a member, recently marked 20 years of guiding young voices.
Best Performing Arts Series
Virginia Repertory Theatre
114 W. Broad St., 282-2620
“As a regional theater, we feel a responsibility to offer both new works and tried-and-true musicals,” Virginia Rep spokeswoman Susan Davenport says. Staged at the historic November Theatre, the Signature Season for 2016-2017 launches Sept. 30 with the musical “1776.” Also in the lineup are “A Christmas Story, the Musical,” “In the Heights” and the world premiere next spring of “The End of War” by Richmond writer David L. Robbins.
2. Tie: Modlin Center for the Arts; Richmond Ballet
3. Broadway in Richmond
Best Craft Fair or Event
Bizarre Bazaar
673-7015, thebizarrebazaar.com
A Virginia tradition for 41 years, the Bizarre Bazaar gives new meaning to “shop ’til you drop,” with more than 500 vendors from around the country distributed among numerous exhibition buildings at the Richmond Raceway Complex. Expect to find gifts and home and garden accessories, gourmet food, clothing, jewelry and art. Held twice yearly, the 2016 holiday market runs Dec. 1 to 4.
2. Arts in the Park
3. Richmond Craft Mafia (Spring Bada Bing and Handmade Holiday)
Best Show/Performance in Richmond
‘The Lion King’
Disney’s blockbuster musical returned to Richmond with crashes of thunder and stomping of hooves, selling out the Altria and flooding the streets around Monroe Park with attendees. The winner of six Tony Awards, “The Lion King” was easily one of the biggest touring productions to make a stop in the River City in 2016.
2. Richmond Ballet/“The Nutcracker”
3. Tie: Friday Cheers; Richmond Folk Festival; Richmond Symphony
Best Movie Theater
Bow Tie Cinemas Movieland at Boulevard Square
1301 N. Boulevard, 354-1969
While you can catch the latest summer blockbuster at Movieland at Boulevard Square, it’s the other attractions that set it apart from your typical movie theater. From Movies and Mimosas, featuring classic films on the first Saturday and Sunday of each month, to Insomnia Theater, with cult hits on the first Friday and Saturday evenings at 11:30 p.m., Movieland gives you a reason to get off the couch.
2. Cinébistro
3. The Byrd Theatre
Best Music Festival
Richmond Folk Festival
Richmond’s downtown riverfront is transformed each fall into a hub for culture, music and merchandise during the Folk Festival, and 2016 promises to uphold that tradition. The lineup for the Oct. 7 to 9 event features virtuosic fiddler Natalie McMaster, “Norfolk Sound” rock ’n’ roll originators Gary U.S. Bonds and Gene Barge, St. Louis bluesman Marquise Knox, the Sri Lankan Dance Academy of New York and more.
2. Richmond Jazz Festival
3. K95 Countryfest
Best Music Venue
The National
708 E. Broad St., 612-1900
Since AEG Live purchased The National in 2014, ticket fees have gone up, but so has the prominence of the bands featured. Upcoming acts include Bush (Aug. 10) and Ja Rule and Ashanti (Aug. 27). On Sept. 16, the venue is moving off-site to bring folk rock heavyweights The Lumineers to the Richmond International Raceway’s Classic Amphitheater.
2. Innsbrook After Hours (Servpro Pavilion)
3. Tie: Altria Theater; The Broadberry
Best Visual Artist
Ed Trask
In addition to working as a creative consultant for various corporations and painting his trademark murals, Ed Trask is a drummer in three different rock bands. He also managed the logistics of 30 artists at this year’s RVA Street Art Festival in April, and he believes it takes a village to create and sustain meaningful art. “For an artist to be successful, to me at least, is to have a connection with the community,” he says.
2. Diego Sanchez
Best Gallery in Which to Buy Art
Crossroads Art Center
2016 Staples Mill Road, 278-8950
For 15 years, Crossroads Art Center has served as a training ground and springboard for local and regional artists, and it continues that tradition today, hosting and promoting 225 artists-in-residence. Crossroads also offers a range of art classes, and tries to make the process of creating art “accessible to all,” says owner Jennifer Kirby. “We truly want to be an art center, not just a gallery,” she says.
2. Glavé Kocen Gallery
3. Reynolds Gallery
Best Art Classes for Adults
Visual Arts Center of Richmond
1812 W. Main St., 353-0094
For its fall semester, the Visual Arts Center is launching a series of “Try Your Hand” classes that will allow adults to experiment with a medium entirely new to them, from pottery wheel-throwing to glass and woodworking. The classes are held in three-hour sessions, and executive director Stefanie Fedor says they’re perfect for “people who don’t have a lot of time to devote, or want to get a friend interested.”
2. VMFA
3. Spirited Art
Best Art Classes for Kids
Visual Arts Center of Richmond
1812 W. Main Street., 353-0094
Providing art-making opportunities for children and young adults is very important to the Visual Arts Center, says executive director Stefanie Fedor. “Wherever your creative drive will take you, we’ll give you the toolbox to get you there,” she adds. Whether it’s through individual enrollment or community outreach programs, students all around Richmond are able to explore their creativity, build skills and learn lessons through VisArts’ programs.
2. VMFA
3. ArtHaus
Best Art Festival
Arts in the Park
Organized by the Carillon Civic Association, this festival just celebrated its 45th year. More than 100,000 people visited the two-day show on April 30, perusing work by more than 450 artists from across the country, some of whom have been returning for more than 20 years. Money raised through artist booth fees goes back to the community, says director Jennifer Hulzing, and recently paid for a new tot lot at the Carillon.
2. First Fridays Art Walk
3. 43rd Street Festival of the Arts
Best Place to View Art
VMFA
200 N. Boulevard, 340-1400
With exhibitions like “A New Republic” by Kehinde Wiley (up through Sept. 5), the VMFA continues to broaden Richmonders’ perspectives. “It’s a great place for anyone to come and view art from all over the world, spanning several centuries,” says Sam Campbell, digital content specialist at the museum. And unlike many fine art museums around the country, the VMFA allows visitors to photograph the artwork on display.
2. Crossroads Art Center
3. First Fridays Art Walk
Best Art Auction
Collectors’ Night at the Visual Arts Center of Richmond
1812 W. Main St., 353-0094
The Visual Arts Center’s biggest annual fundraiser combines both silent and live auctions. At this year’s event in March, two ceramic squirrel bottles created by artist-in-residence Michelle Erickson inspired an especially heated bidding war. “People come to it because they know all of the artists they love will be there,” says Rachel Beanland, communications manager.
2. 1708 Gallery (Cabin fever)
3. Fox Elementary School Art Auction
Best Locally Owned Bookstore
Chop Suey Books
2913 W. Cary St., 422-8066
In business for 14 years now, the bookshop packed wall-to-wall with new and used local gems and national bestsellers is known for its community focus. Exemplifying this are upcoming local books being published by Chop Suey, including “River City Secrets,” a collection of short stories based in Richmond neighborhoods by 12 young authors. “We modeled [Chop Suey Books] off of what I wanted in a bookstore,” says owner Ward Tefft.
2. BBGB
3. Fountain Bookstore
Best Author
Kristen Green
Kristen Green’s debut book, “Something Must Be Done about Prince Edward County,” became a New York Times bestseller after its release last year, and Richmond readers helped make that happen. “A huge percentage of the book has been sold in the Richmond area, and I’m so grateful for that support,” says Green, who honed her investigative skills during a 20-year career as a newspaper journalist. “Richmond is a great place to be a writer, truly.”
2. David Baldacci
3. Dean King
Best Lecture Series
The Richmond Forum
330-3993, richmondforum.org
With 4,500 attendees, the Richmond Forum is the largest nonprofit lecture series in the country. Bringing together former U.S. presidents and film producers alike, the organization aims “to expand horizons, stimulate conversation and inspire our community,” says Bill Chapman, executive director. One notable speaker for the upcoming season is Nate Parker, director and star of the 2016 film “The Birth of a Nation.”
2. Virginia Historical Society Banner Series
3. Tie: TEDxRVA; University of Richmond Jepson Leadership Forum
Best Summer Event
The Watermelon Festival
Live music, flash-fried treats and truckloads of watermelons will soon flood the streets of Carytown in one of Richmond’s most popular summer events. This year’s festival, on Aug. 14, features five different stages for live performances, five fresh watermelon stands, a kid-friendly activity area and rows and rows of local vendors. Proceeds from the watermelon sales will benefit Shriners Hospitals for Children.
2. Dominion Riverrock
3. Innsbrook After Hours
Best Girls Night Out
Spirited Art
4029 Whittall Way, 360-5909
Girls just wanna have fun, and Spirited Art is happy to oblige. The studio offers customers the chance to create their own acrylic paintings, providing the canvas, supplies and liquid courage in the form of wine. The less-than-artistically-inclined need only follow the staff’s step-by-step instructions to enjoy the experience. Says manager Emily Poole, “A lot of people come in here scared at first, uncomfortable with painting, and then when they finish, it’s a masterpiece!”
2. Shyndigz
3. Quirk Hotel
Best Date Idea
VMFA
200 N. Boulevard, 340-1400
A cornerstone of Richmond culture, the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts is also a sexy date setting. Every Thursday, lovebirds can groove to live jazz and sip cocktails in an arty atmosphere, all for free. “It’s also interactive, which you don’t get to do as much if you go to a movie,” says VMFA digital content specialist Sam Campbell. In addition, the First Friday series offers no-cost gallery tours, happy-hour specials and musical performances.
2. Brewery hopping/tours
3. The Boathouse (any location)
Best Patio
Legend Brewing Co.
321 W. Seventh St., 232-3446
In the Year of the Rooftop, Legend’s patio stands firm as a down-to-earth socializing spot with a beautiful view of the city that’s even better with a brew or two. Company president Tom Martin notes, “We’re the last of the founding craft breweries in Virginia; we started in January 1994, before any of the newer breweries.” What does he think of Richmond’s beer boom? “I hope they all do well, but many have come and gone.”
2. Portico
3. The Boathouse (any location)
Best Rooftop
Quirk Hotel
201 W. Broad St., 340-6040
Despite the opening of several new rooftop hangout spots this year, Quirk’s rises above the rest for its scenic setting, its bar stocked with unique cocktails and small plates, and its undeniably swanky atmosphere. “With our rooftop, we didn’t want it to have that ‘nightclub’ feel,” says Kate Brown, Quirk’s director of sales and marketing. “We wanted to have a place where you could go and talk with your friends and feel comfortable.”
2. Postbellum
3. ACAC Short Pump
New Brewery
Stone Brewing Co.
4300 Williamsburg Ave., 489-5902
The California-based beer behemoth that is Stone Brewing Co. opened in the Fulton ’hood in February to much fanfare. Richmond was selected as the company’s East Coast brewery and distribution center in 2014, beating out Norfolk and Columbus, Ohio. In late May, the 220,000-square-foot facility celebrated a major milestone with a bubbly Facebook post: “Congratulations on the FIRST STONE BREWING BEER made in RVA! #rvabeer”
2. Ardent Craft Ales
3. The Veil Brewing Co.
Best Distillery
Belle Isle Craft Spirits
615 Maury St., belleislecraftspirits.com
Since 2013, Belle Isle Craft Spirits has been producing moonshine from organic corn with the goal of “elevating America’s original distilled spirit,” says co-founder Vince Riggi. In the works now is a new Infusion Kitchen that will let visitors “sample what we’re working on and help us determine what products to launch next,” says Riggi. In October, Belle Isle will introduce its first coffee-infused spirit, using Blanchard’s cold brew coffee and beans.
2. Reservoir Distillery
Best Place to Fill up Your Growler
Growlers To Go
1017 N. Boulevard, 367-3073; 11341 W. Broad St., 360-0400
Aptly named, Growlers To Go is the go-to for quaffables from soda and kombucha to cider and an assortment of craft beers. Using a business model focused on an ever-changing and extensive collection of brews that can be bottled in all sizes of growlers, the 18-month-old business is capitalizing on the River City’s fascination with all things beer.
2. Hardywood Park Craft Brewery
3. Sedona Taphouse
Best Locally Owned Wine Shop
Once Upon a Vine
4009 MacArthur Ave., 726-9463; 2817 Hathaway Road, 864-9463
This specialty wine and beer store boasts racks of craft brews from six continents and a carefully organized wine selection from all over the world. Each Friday, there are wine and beer tastings, and the North Side shop shows movies in the parking lot. “On Friday night when we do the tastings, you’d think it was a community meeting,” owner Robert Kocher says. “Everybody knows everybody.”
2. J. Emerson
3. Barrel Thief
Best New Bar
Quirk Hotel
201 W. Broad St., 340-6040
Boasting sweeping views of the city, Quirk Hotel’s sky-high bar ushered in the Reign of the Rooftop when it opened in April. With a glass in hand and a light breeze in the air, it’s easy to feel like a VIP. Need a sipping suggestion? “Quirk Beer is only available at our rooftop bar,” says Kate Brown, director of sales and marketing. “It was created for us by Hardywood, and it’s a cream ale with a hint of lime and salt – very refreshing and very good.”
2. Belle & James
3. District 5
Best Sports Bar
Home Team Grill
11351 Nuckols Road, 967-9060; 1630 W. Main St., 254-7360
If the words “sports bar” conjure images of drunken men shouting at TV screens and sloshing beer onto their shirts, a visit to Home Team Grill will dispel that vision. Manager Kevin Henley says the family-friendly atmosphere and partnership with community organizations set it apart. “We do a lot of stuff with the Richmond Police Department, and a lot of events with VCU. We’ve done fundraisers for fallen police officers; it really helps their families out.”
2. Buffalo Wild Wings
3. Sports Page
Best Bartender
Mattias Hägglund
Mattias Hägglund has been slinging drinks with style at Heritage restaurant since 2012. He says the bar’s consistency makes it stand out. “I think people can expect hospitality, well-made drinks and, hopefully, no pretention.” If he could swill just one drink for the rest of his days, what would it be? “Negroni,” he says, assuredly. “It’s a ‘desert island’ drink among bartenders. It’s a little bit bitter, a little bit sweet, and tastes very good.”
2. Beth Dixon, Pasture
3. Paul Blumer, The Rogue Gentlemen
Best Happy Hour
Tazza Kitchen
3332 Pump Road, 716-6448; 1244 Alverser Plaza, 415-6224
The reason nearly every review of Tazza Kitchen begins with “we got there during happy hour” is because the place has unmatched drink specials to complement its Italian-centric menu. Patrons can pair their personal pizzas with wine for as little as $4.50 a glass or savor $5 pours of liquors such as Tito’s Vodka and Old Forester Bourbon. Beverage program manager John Haggai has been known to travel the globe for libation inspiration.
2. Tie: Joe’s Inn; Lemaire
3. Kona Grill
Best Cocktail Program
Saison
23 W. Marshall St., 269-3689
The best liquid thrills can be found at Saison, say readers, and beverage director James Kohler says it’s all thanks to his team. “It’s a very collaborative process, choosing the cocktail menu,” he says, touting the creativity and talent it takes to create such libations as the Spicy Meatball, made from Rittenhouse Rye, Ancho Reyes, spring honey and grapefruit bitters. Saison also took home an Elby award this year for Best Cocktail Program.
2. Tie: Heritage; The Rogue Gentlemen
3. The Roosevelt
