Here are the results in Arts & Music categories of the inaugural Best of the West Awards, as well as a few staff picks.
Arts & Music Readers Picks
Cover Band
1. Brena
2. Funkle Jesse
3. Delilah Dewilde and the Lost Boys
DJ
1. AB (Adrian Butler)
2. SuperDre
3. Dean Martian
Local Alternative Art Gallery
1. Mexicains Sans Frontieres, 120 Division Ave., Apt 226, Grand Rapids
2. Tanglefoot
3. Spiral Gallery
Local Art Gallery
1. UICA, 2 W. Fulton St., Grand Rapids
2. Richard App Gallery
3. LaFontsee Galleries
Local Art Museum
1. Grand Rapids Art Museum, 101 Monroe Center St. NW, Grand Rapids
2. UICA
3. Muskegon Museum of Art
Local Live Theater Group
1. Grand Rapids Civic Theatre, 30 Division Ave. N, Grand Rapids
2. Dog Story Theater
3. Circle Theatre
Local Symphony
1. Grand Rapids Symphony
2. West Michigan Symphony
3. Kalamazoo Symphony
Music Festival
1. Electric Forest Festival, 5900 Water Road, Rothbury
2. Lamplight
3. Wheatland Music Festival
|
All Best of the West Categories: |
Music Venue
1. Pyramid Scheme, 68 Commerce Ave. SW, Grand Rapids
2. Frederik Meijer Gardens
3. The Intersection
Original Band
1. The Crane Wives
2. Vox Vidorra
3. Greensky Bluegrass
Radio Station
1. 88.1 - WYCE
2. 97.9 - WGRD
3. 95.7 - WLHT
Solo Musical Artist
1. Rick Chyme
2. Lady Ace Boogie
3. Megan Dooley
Vinyl Record Store
1. Vertigo Music, 129 S. Division Ave., Grand Rapids
2. Corner Record Shop
3. Dodd’s
STAFF PICKS
BEST RADIO STATION:
WIDR-FM, 1501 Faunce Student Services, Kalamazoo
Since 1952, WIDR, the student-run radio station at Western Michigan University, has taken pride in its non-commercialism and its ability to bring listeners a wide array of sounds, both new and old, with absolutely no genre bias. The station is also an integral part of the Kalamazoo music scene, hosting local and touring acts on its Basement Show and Kiva Sessions broadcasts, spinning tracks from local bands and artists, and participating in a number of events, including its very own WIDR Block Party. —Dwayne Hoover
BEST ORIGINAL BAND:
Bong Mountain (Grand Rapids), bngmntn.bandcamp.com
Bong Mountain has only been in existence for about a year and half, but in that short time they’ve managed to craft a brand of pop punk that’s catchy, gruff and (most importantly) a hell of a lot of fun. Whether they’re playing at a bar, a music festival or a random basement show, these guys always manage to deliver a heartfelt reminder that sometimes the best cure for what ails you is a little rock ‘n’ roll. The band’s debut cassette EP You’re Doin’ Great has sold out, but you can still download a digital copy at their Bandcamp page, as well as their 2016 split with Junior Battles. —Josh Spanninga
