Empire Control Room
2016 › Readers › Arts & Entertainment
HIDE BLURBS 2016 INTRO / TABLE OF CONTENTS
Best Actor/Actress
Kaci Beeler
Kaci is simultaneously the most unique and relatable actor I've had the pleasure of seeing. She brings so much depth, joy, and passion to her work and I genuinely believe, with all my heart, that she's changing the world with her craft. – Caiti Ward
view this award on its own page ›
Best Art Gallery
Art on 5th
Great space. Awesome humans. Wonderful gallery. – Kristina DeLos
3005 S. Lamar Ste. C-110-B, 512/481-1111, www.arton5th.com
view this award on its own page ›
Best Burlesque Performer
Ginger Snaps
Ginger Snaps keeps the weird in Austin burlesque, from the best, weirdest troupe (Black Widow) to mentoring, teaching, and bringing up the next generation. She also is an amazing aerialist and aerial burlesquer, bringing the art to new heights! – Eve Richter
view this award on its own page ›
Best Choreographer
Allison Orr
Allison's portfolio of work across an amazing spectrum of different communities – from sanitation workers to arborists to Goodwill employees – demonstrates that her choreography transcends dance, changes lives, and strengthens community. – Michele Martell
Forklift Danceworks 2023 Cesar Chavez, 512/222-5287 www.forkliftdanceworks.org
view this award on its own page ›
Best Classical Musician
Graham Reynolds
What a powerhouse! Is he even human? – Juliana Gilchrist
view this award on its own page ›
Best Dancer
Lindsey Taylor
Lindsey's movement is so genuine and inspiring. She beautifully shines her truest light through her graceful and gesture filled movements. – Lorie Young
www.fb.com/little-stolen-moments-77984712998
view this award on its own page ›
Best Drag Performer
Louisianna Purchase
Louisianna is an inspirational person both in and out of drag, with effortless style and a heart of blood-red gold. – Lexi Landolt
view this award on its own page ›
Best Fiction Writer/Poet
Amy Gentry
Right out of the gate, she has wowed the entire United States. – Leah Moss
view this award on its own page ›
Best Film Festival/Series
SXSW
The easy access to some great films is always appreciated. – Grant Rothhammer
www.sxsw.com, 512/467-7979
view this award on its own page ›
Best Improv Troupe
Parallelogramophonograph
With a name so long, only their mad skills could justify it. – Chris Moredock
view this award on its own page ›
Best Local Video Game Developer
BioWare
BioWare makes my favorite games. Their storytelling and characters are so compelling, it feels real – like you actually have space alien friends and are in love with a space alien boyfriend even though he looks like some kind of weird raptor-bird. – Tabitha Thompson
3110 Esperanza Crossing #110, 512/382-8682, www.bioware.com
view this award on its own page ›
Best Movie Theatre
Alamo Drafthouse
I mean, come on, Adele sing-alongs, movie quote-alongs from my childhood, and hosting Jaws on the Lake? This is a no brainer. Alamo is what makes Austin. – Marshell Bastidas
Multiple locations, www.drafthouse.com/austin
view this award on its own page ›
Best Muralist
Xavier Schipani
Xavier brings an exciting style and energy to the Austin mural scene. This guy is going to be HUGE! – JM Ledesma
@xavierschipani www.xavierschipani.tumblr.com
view this award on its own page ›
Best Museum
The Blanton Museum of Art
SoundSpace and other multidisciplinary events expand the role of museums in our lives and engage a larger community. – Tara Barton
200 E MLK, 512/471-7324, www.blantonmuseum.org
view this award on its own page ›
Best Nonfiction Writer/Memoirist
Spike Gillespie
Spike isn't just a writer, she embodies everything that is wonderful about Austin. Spike promotes all the local museums, musicians, artists, writers, and local restaurants. She doesn’t compete, [but] instead promotes. Also, Spike officiated my wedding! – Melissa Zone
view this award on its own page ›
Best Outdoor Festival
ACL
ACL got me fucked up the day after, but the experience was so incredibly worth it. ACL chooses the greatest lineup every year, making it a really magical experience for every festivalgoer. – Holland Dorgan
view this award on its own page ›
Best Party Place
The HighBall
Zoodust, Motown Mondays, comedy shows, Nineties parties, Eighties parties, and so many other forms of entertainment all in one place. – Gaby Garofalo
1120 S. Lamar, 512/383-8309, www.thehighball.com
view this award on its own page ›
Best Performance Space/Theatre
Paramount Theatre
I know this seems kind of silly but I love their bathrooms. In the women's there is like a "powder room" area with just lights and seating. I imagine it like in the early 1900s when women would go to freshen up. Like you read in a book. – Shireen Connor
713 Congress, 512/472-5470, www.austintheatre.org
view this award on its own page ›
Best Repertory Theatre
Alamo Drafthouse
The absolute Mecca for film aficionados! Obsessed with this place and totally tell all my visitors about it. Really appreciate how they cater to movie fans and the entire movie-going experience. – Alison Alcantara
Multiple locations, www.drafthouse.com/austin
view this award on its own page ›
Best Stand-Up Comic
Maggie Maye
Tha' best, dammit! So fresh, brash, and unafraid of taking her comedy anywhere it wants to go. – Marci Spivey
www.maggiemayehaha.wordpress.com
view this award on its own page ›
Best Theatre Director
Jenny Larson
Jenny has been creating and producing amazing work in Austin for years! So happy to see her recognized this year! – Adrienne Dawes
Jenny Larson, creative director, Salvage Vanguard Theater www.salvagevanguard.org
view this award on its own page ›
Best Up and Coming Filmmaker
Owen Egerton
Best Visual Artist
Tim Doyle
There's something so poignantly bittersweet and lovely about his pop-culture landscapes. – Quentin Norris
Nakatomi, Inc., www.nakatomiinc.com
view this award on its own page ›
2016 Intro
Readers: Food & Drink
