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
- The Kissers
- Screamin’ Cyn-Cyn & the Pons
- 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
- El Valiente
- Zebras
- Cribshitter
The accomplished instrumental trio El Valiente have won over
local listeners on the strength of their evocative album, El Topo.
Local cover band
- The Gomers
- Hometown Sweethearts
- 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
- Tony Castañeda Latin Jazz Sextet
- Harmonious Wail
- 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
- Aaron Williams & the Hoodoo
- Clyde Stubblefield
- 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
- Cork n’ Bottle String Band
- Lou & Peter Berryman
- 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
- Dumate
- Know Boundaries
- 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
- Madison County
- Pupy Costello & His Big City Honky Tonk
- 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
- Reptile Palace Orchestra
- Natty Nation
- 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
- Tony Castañeda Latin Jazz Sextet
- Madisalsa
- 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
- TIE: Kelly Pardekooper and Ken Lonnquist
- Stephanie Rearick
- 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
- The High Noon Saloon’s Gomeroke
- Mediterranean Hookah Lounge
- 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
- High Noon Saloon
- The Barrymore
- UW Memorial Union Terrace
It’s yet another strong finish for the High Noon Saloon. Owner
Cathy Dethmers, take a bow.
Local comedy/improv
- Comedy Club on State
- Spin Cycle Improv
- 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
- Foxy Veronica’s Peach Pies
- Mad Cabaret
- 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
- American Players Theatre
- Mercury Players Theatre
- 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
- Nick Nice
- DJ Tim Walters
- 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
- Club 5
- The Cardinal
- 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
- Sundance 608
- Star Cinema
- 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.