Arts and Entertainment
By Dean Robbins

The arts landscape is ever-changing. Your favorite local rock band is already defunct; two of your favorite singer-songwriters, Kelly Pardekooper and Sean Michael Dargan, are pulling up stakes and leaving town. On the other hand, the newly revamped Majestic is now popular as a dance club, the new Sundance 608 cinema is wowing the crowds, and the city is suddenly overrun with sexy cabaret acts.

Local rock band

1. The Kissers
2. Screamin’ Cyn-Cyn & the Pons
3. TIE: Awesome Car Funmaker and The Gomers

The Kissers’ win is bittersweet, since the Irish rock band called it quits this summer. That should make it a bit easier for second-place winners Screamin’ Cyn-Cyn to take the prize next year.

Local new band

1. El Valiente
2. Zebras
3. Cribshitter

The accomplished instrumental trio El Valiente have won over local listeners on the strength of their evocative album, El Topo.

Local cover band

1. The Gomers
2. Hometown Sweethearts
3. TIE: Houses in Motion and Super Tuesday

The Gomers have this category wrapped up, so popular is their weekly live-band karaoke show at the High Noon Saloon. They win for the fourth year in a row, with the Hometown Sweethearts runners-up. Talking Heads tribute band Houses in Motion is tied with the all-purpose Supertuesday in third.

Local jazz band

1. Tony Castañeda Latin Jazz Sextet
2. Harmonious Wail
3. Tim Whalen Nonet

Tony Castañeda is another repeat winner, and another deserving one. Castañeda’s febrile Latin ensemble edges out Harmonious Wail and Tim Whalen.

Local blues band

1. Aaron Williams & the Hoodoo
2. Clyde Stubblefield
3. Westside Andy/Mel Ford

Aaron Williams & the Hoodoo are an energetic, guitar-driven blues band that formed just last year. The fact that they’ve already beaten out the venerable Clyde Stubblefield and Westside Andy/Mel Ford bands in this category is something of a shocker.

Local folk band

1. Cork n’ Bottle String Band
2. Lou & Peter Berryman
3. Reptile Palace Orchestra

Cork n’ Bottle String Band take the category with their fancy bluegrass fretwork and cheeky attitude. The idiosyncratic Lou & Peter Berryman run a close second.

Local hip-hop

1. Dumate
2. Know Boundaries
3. The Crest

Dumate specialize in politically charged rhymes, so it makes sense that they’d win this category in a politically charged year.

Local country band

1. Madison County
2. Pupy Costello & His Big City Honky Tonk
3. The Dang-Its

Madison County already have a shelf full of awards for best local country band, but they’ll just have to make a little more room. It’s tear-in-your-beer time for runners-up Pupy Costello and the Dang-Its.

Local world music band

1. Reptile Palace Orchestra
2. Natty Nation
3. TIE: Harmonious Wail and Navan

It’s almost too close to call, with the Eastern European-flavored Reptile Palace Orchestra edging out socially conscious reggae vets Natty Nation. Is there a World (Beat) Court that settles these kinds of things?

Local Latin band

1. Tony Castañeda Latin Jazz Sextet
2. Madisalsa
3. El Clan Destino

As a Latin jazz band, Tony Castañeda’s sextet gets to win two categories, Latin and jazz. The mighty Madisalsa places a close second.

Local singer/songwriter

1. TIE: Kelly Pardekooper and Ken Lonnquist
2. Stephanie Rearick
3. Sean Michael Dargan

Kelly Pardekooper and Ken Lonnquist run neck-and-neck. We suggest that each write a sensitive song to work out his feelings about the tie.

Place for karaoke

1. The High Noon Saloon’s Gomeroke
2. Mediterranean Hookah Lounge
3. The Shamrock Tuesday nights

The High Noon Saloon’s live-band Gomeroke runs away with this category, but the Mediterranean Hookah Lounge and the Shamrock gain support for the more traditional style of karaoke.

Live music venue

1. High Noon Saloon
2. The Barrymore
3. UW Memorial Union Terrace

It’s yet another strong finish for the High Noon Saloon. Owner Cathy Dethmers, take a bow.

Local comedy/improv

1. Comedy Club on State
2. Spin Cycle Improv
3. Atlas Improv

The traditional standup comedy of the Comedy Club on State trumps the improvisational work of Spin Cycle Improv and Atlas Improv.

Local cabaret act

1. Foxy Veronica’s Peach Pies
2. Mad Cabaret
3. Cherry Pop Burlesque

Madison is blessed with several sassy, sexy cabaret acts. But Foxy Veronica’s Peach Pies must now be hailed as the sassiest and sexiest.

Local theater company

1. American Players Theatre
2. Mercury Players Theatre
3. Broom Street Theater

It’s a photo finish for American Players Theatre (first), Mercury Players (second) and Broom Street (third). When in doubt, give top honors to Shakespeare.

Club DJ / Electronica

1. Nick Nice
2. DJ Tim Walters
3. Donnie Vendetta

Nick Nice helped found the Midwest |rave scene. He’s conquered Europe. And he’s motivated local booties for many years. He’s the undisputed local master of the groove.

Dance club

1. Club 5
2. The Cardinal
3. The Majestic

Club 5’s large dance floor is a favorite among Madison’s gay, lesbian, bi- and transgender population. The Cardinal (second) and the Majestic (third) are also swanky spots to shake ya tail feather.

Place to watch films

1. Sundance 608
2. Star Cinema
3. Orpheum

Was it the comfy seats? The superior projection and sound quality? The decorative birch branches in the hallway? In its first bid for Best Picture Palace, Sundance 608 wins in a landslide, followed by Fitchburg’s ever-reliable Star Cinemas and downtown’s venerable throwback to a more grandiose era, the Orpheum.