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ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT Best Museum Sterling and Francine Clark Art Institute 225 South St., Williamstown, Mass. The Clark has a tremendous collection. The exhibits they host are worth the driveand from a lot farther away than the Capital Region. Their educational outreach, which extends from Williamstown to North Adams to Albany and beyond, is effective and smart. Their lecture, film and concert series are exemplary. The Clark is simply the best.
Best Museum (Kids) New York State Museum Empire State Plaza, Albany The State Museum may not have changed too much since you were a kid, but it awed you when it opened its doors, and it continues to awe the little ones today. With expansive halls of wonder that fuel the mind and the imagination, great interactive childrens programming, and even a carousel, the wow factor of the State Museum simply cant be beat.
Best Contemporary Museum Massachusetts Museum of Contemporary Art 87 Marshall St., North Adams, Mass. Take 100,000 feet of gallery space in converted mill buildings, add world-class artists and cutting-edge programming (not to mention Kidspace, a collaboration with the Clark and WCMA), and you get one of the best contemporary museums in the country, possibly the world. And a bonus: This years opening of the massive Sol LeWitt retrospective was like getting another museum in and of itself.
Best College Museum The Frances Young Tang Teaching Museum and Art Gallery Skidmore College, Saratoga Springs College Museums are often the best places to see cutting-edge and experimental exhibitions. Given their educational mission and their unique access to specialists in multiple disciplines, college museums are well positioned to provide challenging and enlightening programs. The Tang museum is exceptional at this. Their exhibitions and programs are always strong and compelling and they use every space possible including the hallways, the elevator, and even the roof. In addition, they have a great museum shop and their publications are always top-notch.
Best Photography Gallery The Center for Photography at Woodstock 59 Tinker St., Woodstock This wonderful nonprofit has been in operation since 1977 nurturing photographers, and at different stages of their careers through exhibitions, regionals (including a regional collegiate invitational), workshops, residencies, lectures, and PHOTOGRAPHY Quarterly magazine. The work they showcase is of the highest quality and defines photography broadly to include everything from Clint Baclawskis lightboxes (in the 2009 regional) to a film by Palestinian artist Annemarie Jacir and ambrotypes by Myra Greene.
Best Cultural History Muesum Adirondack Museum Routes 28N and 30, Blue Mountain Lake For most of us in the region, the Adirondack Museum is at least a two hours drivebut well worth it for a full day trip, and even better as an afternoons destination during a longer stay in the Adirondacks. On a lovely campus overlooking Blue Mountain Lake, 22 exhibit spaces chronicle the history of the region and the relationship between the Adirondack wilderness and the people who have both lived and visited there. The exhibits feature everything from the history of the logging industry to boats and boatmaking to trains, hotels and the evolution of the tourism industry to the craftsmanship of Adirondack furniture and great camps. And its always fun to revisit the story of how guides had to chase after Vice President Teddy Roosevelt on Mount Marcy with the news that President McKinley, in critical condition with a gunshot wound, had taken a turn for the worse.
Best Illustration Museum Norman Rockwell Museum Route 183, Stockbridge, Mass. The museum has been the epicenter of all things Rockwell since 1969, drawing visitors to the Berkshires with its in-depth exhibitions and lectures. And they really have something for everybody, from, yes, the nepotistic (a current show of Peter Rockwells sculptures) to the historic (American Posters from World War I, Al Parker and the American Womens Magazine) and the contemporary (LitGraphic and Steve Brodner). Best of all, exhibitions are expertly and thoroughly presented.
Best Exhibit Series Henry Hudson Quadricentennial, Albany Institute of History & Art 125 Washington Ave., Albany Many local museums and galleries are celebrating the Henry Hudson Quadricentennial, but the center of this effort is at the Albany Institute of History & Art. The AIHA, with its mixed focus on, well, history and art, is uniquely suitedin its mission, by its curatorsfor the task. In addition to the permanent collection of Hudson River School paintings, there are three other exhibits related to the Quadricentennial on view now. Check them out.
Best Museum Shop Hardware MASS MoCA Even with our economy in free-fall, its doubtful that poorly conceived merch like Van Gogh mouse pads and Monet T-shirts will disappear. Quality swag, on the other hand, can reinforce a good art experience, and Hardware consistently offers great books, toys and groovy designs, like collapsible stepping stools and bags made out of recycled materials, at reasonable prices. Other museums: Take note. Everyone likes hip toys.
Best Place to See Regional Art (Curated) Albany International Airport Gallery Albany International Airport The Art & Culture Program at the Albany International Airport has been dedicated to showing a wide range of thematic exhibitions that highlight regional artists as well as regional museum collections. For more than a decade, the program has continually presented the rich culture of the region to travelers and visitors alike in endlessly creative and compelling ways. The dedicated gallery space is located before the security checkpoint, so even if you are not traveling you can see the exhibition. As an added bonus, you get a birds eye view of other people getting hassled by the TSA.
Best Place to See Regional Art (Community Supported) Albany Center Gallery 39 Columbia St., Albany For 32 years, Albany Center Gallery, a community-based and community-supported nonprofit art space, has been dedicated to exhibiting contemporary art of the Mohawk Hudson region. Its mission is to promote and exhibit contemporary visual art produced by emerging and established artists living primarily in the region and to build a diverse audience. Its downtown space is a huge improvement from its previous location. Any nonprofit space that is still in existence in these difficult economic times deserves major kudos. This space is proof that despite the fact that there is a dearth of contemporary art collectors in the region, there is nonetheless a strong community of artists and art appreciators.
Best Emerging Regional Curator Laura Colomb The Arts Center Gallery, Saratoga County Arts Council Art Center, 320 Broadway, Saratoga Springs Over the past couple years, the exhibitions at the Arts Center Gallery have been increasingly well organized and displayed. This nonprofit space is nicely situated in the busy shopping district of Saratoga Springs and it is well positioned to showcase regional artists. The current exhibition, The Space Between, is an interesting paring of work from the series Stone Days by Barbara Todd and photographs of tree stumps by John Yost. It is this type of distinctive display that has made this space a primary venue for regional art.
Best Gallery-Hopping Town Hudson A few years ago, the magazine Budget Travel highlighted Hudson as one of the coolest small towns in the U.S.A. And there is much to support that claim, which is not news to the many people you can find there on a typical day, strolling, shopping, and dining all along Warren Street. Commercial galleries thrive only when there are collectors, and Hudson must have some. Unlike most upstate towns, there are an impressive number of commercial galleries there, and many of them actually show art worth looking at.
Best Unexpected Arts Mecca Glens Falls We love it when a small town makes it big in the arts world, and Glens Falls has done just that. The Hyde houses a world-class collection of Western art, and continually offers extensive programming in conjunction with the exhibitions. The deBlasiis Chamber Music Series has brought stars of classical music from around the globe to the pint-sized city. The new Charles R. Wood Theater serves as home to the top-notch Adirondack Theater Festival and other local theater projects. The newly renovated Crandall Public Library offers some of the most extensive literary and educational programming in the area, and the Lower Adirondack Regional Arts Council holds a huge annual festival and a monthly arts walk promoting the private galleries that are blossoming throughout the city. As if that wasnt enough, they have a symphony orchestra, a dinner-and-a-movie theater, a history museum, and a museum of childrens art from around the world.
Best Movie Theater Spectrum 8 Theatres 280 Delaware Ave., Albany Its like that old Orleans song: The Spectrum 8 Theatres are still the one. Their programming still mixes the sublime (Summer Hours) with the ridiculous (Brüno); their popcorn and tasty treats are still delicious and fresh. We wonder: Did the city undertake the Delaware Avenue reconstruction just to accommodate the weekend traffic to and from the Spectrum?
Best Traditional Multiplex Bow Tie Cinemas Movieland 400 State St., Schenectady Still going strongand still looking as sharp as the day it openedSchenectadys urban multiplex remains an integral part of the ever-growing downtown arts scene.
Best Film Series Palace Theatre 19 Clinton Ave., Albany The Palace Theatre film series has it all. The programming, which is a mix of Hollywood classics from across the decades, and the setting, a beautifully restored golden-era movie house, combine to create a peerless moviegoing experience.
Best Big Film Experience GE Theatre at Proctors 432 State St., Schenectady The 70MM iWerks films shown on the giant GE Theatre screen are the best pure cinema experience in the region.
Best International Summer Arts Festival Bard Summerscape Bard College, Annandale-on-Hudson Many summer arts festivals were forced to scale back in this year of economic misery. Not Bard College and their Summerscape. The Bard Music Festival (Wagner and His World), the film series, the theater festival, the dance performances, the Spiegeltenttheyre all back. And from Paris to New York City to Albany, arts mavens will take note.
Best Dance Festival Jacobs Pillow 358 George Carter Road, Becket, Mass. Internationally renowned artists performing in what is, arguably, the most beautiful setting enjoyed by all the summer festivals. If thats not a reason to visit the Berkshires, we dont have another.
Best Dance Company-in-Residence Ellen Sinopoli Dance Company The Egg, Empire State Plaza, Albany A gem of a company in a perfect location. Sinopoli and her troupe, who present innovative programs all over the region, give their home basethe Eggits extra dimension.
Best Theater Company Barrington Stage Company 30 Union St., Pittsfield, Mass. Barrington Stage Company turns out consistently powerful, entertaining and original theater on two versatile stages. Their extensive seasons offer a mix of significant classics, contemporary favorites, and new works, all produced by a top-notch pool of local and national talent. And the BSC Musical Theater Lab has earned its place on the map as a successful incubator and launching pad for new musical theater.
Best Theater Company Artistic Director Mark Fleischer Adirondack Theater Festival Fleischer is just rounding out his second season at ATF, and continues to prove himself a commanding force as an artist and administrator. These are trying times for arts organizations everywhere, and while many theaters are playing it safe, defaulting to familiar box-office favorites, Fleischer is leading ATF in presenting innovative and important contemporary works, discovering and nurturing new talent, and finding fresh ways to connect with audiences new and old.
Best Educational Theater Programming New York State Theater Institute Schacht Fine Arts Center, Troy When it comes to theater education, no one does it better than NYSTI. Their internationally renowned program offers in-depth, interactive programming for visiting classes, individual students and educators. Teamed with their professional productions, NYSTIs education programs enrich the theater experience and bridge the gap between disciplines.
Best Staged Reading Series Theater Voices Steamer No. 10 Theater, 500 Western Ave, Albany For 20 years, the folks at Theater Voices have taken minimalism to the max. Their simple approach to theater allows them to focus on what makes great plays greatcharacters, language and storytelling. And their careful selection of important works draws together some of the areas best actors. To top it off, the series is free, so no excusescheck it out!
Best Literary Series New York State Writers Institute University at Albany (Fall-Winter-Spring), Skidmore College (Summer) Year after year, Donald Faulkner, William Kennedy and the good people at the Writers Institute bring authors and poets of great interest and distinction to our region, all year round.
Best New Poetry Series Yes, Reading! As tried-and-true local poetry events continue to bring the good word, its exciting to see something new come along. In addition to presenting the work of local poets/authors, the Yes, Reading! series has culled the energy of local universities and small presses to bring in talent from outside the region, and to present unique events such as the Poetry Game Show and the Dollar Store Show.
Best New Arts Complex Massry Center for the Arts College of Saint Rose, Madison Avenue, Albany Saint Rose set out to build something special, and they were more than successful. Both the Esther Massry Gallery and the Picotte Concert Hall exceeded expectations.
Best Museum/Movie Set U.S.S. Slater Hudson River at Broadway, Albany When Japanese filmmakers looked for a location to film a World War II naval drama, they zeroed in on the Slater, the last still-floating destroyer escort in the United States. The results seemed to satisfy the filmmakers, veterans and friends of the Slater.
Best Local Music Trend More Venues! Well be happy to hear the old complaint that theres nowhere to play go the way of the do-do, thanks to a boom of venue openings (and reopenings). In just the last year weve added more than a dozen names to the club listings, among them: a pair of Emack and Bolios locations hosting acoustic acts; Cohoes coffeehouse Bread and Jam (which reminds us more than a little of the old Troy Caffe Dolce); and Putnam Den, an honest-to-God concert club in downtown Saratoga Springs. Add to that the reopening of the historic Van Dyck in Schenectady and a new slate of live music at infamous Albany nightclub Bogies, and youve got what wed call a fans market.
Best Rockin Auditorium Palace Theatre 19 Clinton Ave., Albany Sure, auditorium is a strange word to pin on the old Arbor Hill movie house, but it fits. A number of big-city tours have been using the Palace stage as a warm-up lately, because its simply a great room to pack em in for some rock & roll (or R&B, or what have you).
Best Outdoor Concert Venue Saratoga Performing Arts Center Saratoga Spa State Park, Saratoga Springs SPACs ongoing makeover means it keeps getting better. The lawn is in better shape than its been in years, and the carry-in policy has relaxed a bitneed we say more?
Best Split-Personality Concert Venue The Egg Empire State Plaza, Albany There are two very different, but equally excellent, venues within that giant concrete ovum. The Hart is a treasure for its elegance, its stately sense of theater-with-a-capital-T; you know when youre going to the Hart, youre in for a real concert experience. And the Swyer puts you in the lap of the performerevery seat in the place is within 10 rows of the stage. This is the area concert venue where the audience is most likely to become part of the show. Hugs for Eggs!
Best Classical Music Venue Troy Savings Bank Music Hall 2nd and State streets, Troy Were not saying that this isnt a great place to see the likes of Lyle Lovett, Maria Schneider or Herb Alpert; it is. What we are saying is that the sublime acoustics (and old-school architecture) of the Troy Savings Bank Music Hall show the Albany Symphony and the many performers in the Troy Chromatics Concerts series to their absolute best advantage.
Best Acoustically-Perfect Performance Venue Experimental Media and Performing Arts Center Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute A hive, a boat, a spaceship, an airplane hangar: People have compared RPIs new performance center to many things, but, in reality, the 220,000 square-foot, acoustically-superb facility, complete with two black-box theaters and the weirdest space-age technology youve ever seen or heard defies comparison. Were not authorized to offer Best on the Planet awards, but we expect EMPAC ranks.
Best Venue Worth a Drive (East) Pearl Street Nightclub 10 Pearl St., Northampton, Mass. This is exactly what a rock & roll club should be. Not too filthy, not too clean. A touch of 19th-century architecture punched in the mouth by 21st-century music. Not too big; not too small. Like Baby Bears porridge, its just right.
Best Venue Worth a Drive (West) Turning Stone Casino and Resort New York State Thruway Exit 33, Verona Turning Stone has two nifty performance spaces: the Vegas-style showroom and the mini-arena-style Event Center. There isnt a bad seat in either room.
Best Avant Music Series Albany Sonic Arts Collective ASAC might not be working with EMPAC-caliber resources, but for a volunteer-run, donation-based, DIY operation, they throw a damn good show. And, as far as noise, free-jazz, drone, and electroacoustic music are concerned, theyre the only show in town. Trust us, they bring the weird.
Best Club (Booking) Northern Lights 1208 Route 146, Clifton Park Thanks to new owners Upstate Concerts, this suburban rock destination got a much-needed shot in the arm in the booking department this year. And the clubs M.O. is quality, not just quantity: indie-rock favorites (Yeah Yeah Yeahs, Dinosaur Jr.), stars of old-school hip-hop (Slick Rick, Naughty by Nature), 80s metal dinosaurs (Queensryche, Stryper), and 90s alt-pop dinosaurs (Sugar Ray, the Wallflowers) all intermingle with the regular slate of hardcore, country, and regional acts. Good thing they have a big parking lot.
Best Club (Recession-Friendly) Valentines 17 New Scotland Ave., Albany The lineup is eclectic, there are twice as many stages as the average rock club, and you can check out live music almost any night of the week, often for just a five-spot. Thats not to mention the always well-stocked beer cabinet. Your unemployment check will go a long way here.
Best Club (Recently Deceased) Saratoga Winners Blown Away Into the Mohawk, Mostly This time last year, there was still talk of Saratoga Winners rejoining the ranks of active music venues. But that all changed April 30 when the new ownera former gynecologist who lost his license for misconduct, and whos also under investigation by the Labor Department for illegally deducting money from workers paychecks at the employment agency he runsallegedly set the old Route 9 roadhouse ablaze, adding arson and insurance fraud to his illustrious resume. Most anyone who saw a concert in the 1990s has a Winners memory or two; well fondly remember the club for its mid-90s heyday, when bands like Wilco and Radiohead routinely made pre-superstardom appearances there.
Best Band Railbird Sarah Pedinotti has officially hit her stride. The Saratoga chanteuse has finally assembled the band we always knew she could, one that amplifies her eccentric Americana and offers enough new ideas (and chops!) to push the project into a class of its own. Every time we see them they just get better. Please, somebody make these guys rich.
Best Solo Artist Sean Rowe Sure, this guy once ate a chipmunk so as not to starve, but he also opened for Boz Scaggs and the Doobie Brothers, so cut him some slack. Better yet, give his recent album Magic a spin and then try to tell us Rowe aint the bees knees. This survivalist has pretty much the best baritone around and certainly knows his way around a six-string, backing band be damned.
Best New Band Sea of Trees In Japan, its called Aokigahara and is said to be a site of supernatural curiosity, but around here, Sea of Trees are one of the most exciting indie rock bands to come along in some time. Only a couple months after the release of their debut Animal Sounds, the band already have become rather well-acquainted with local clubs and radio. Get used to the name; youll be seeing a lot of it.
Best Great White Hope Sgt. Dunbar and the Hobo Banned Every few years a band comes along that gets the music community whispering about that acts potential to make it. And those bands very rarely live up to expectations. So whats different about Sgt. Dunbar and the Hobo Banned? Mainly, theyve made significant strides on the national radar without any such murmur. They dont seem to be after the big record deal or magazine cover; theyve simply, quietly become a self-made success, having amassed their audienceand NPR hype, and primo showcases, and out-of-town gigsthrough sheer hard work. So were not whispering this time. Because we want to be able to say we told you so when these guys get their first 9.0 from Pitchfork.
Best Electronic Duo Phantogram We could have given Phantogramnée Charlie Everywherethe Great White Hope award, based on their out-of-nowhere march to success. But it would be damning them with faint praise to do so. Truth is, the industry has come a-calling because of the laptop-and- guitar duos infectious mix of head- bobbing funk-hop and ethereal indie-pop. Theyve been spreading the word far and wide this year, touring with road warriors like Ra Ra Riot and the Slip; its only a matter of time before Albany is just another date on the tour itinerary.
Best Acoustic Duo We Are Jeneric What started with a box of Nerds and a shared love of Emerson and Thoreau has turned into a gorgeous musical arrangement (not to mention marriage) for Jen OConnor and Eric Krans. The two craft lovely, lo-fi tales of tea and turkey vultures in their haunted Altamont parlor when theyre not off rambling with the Hobo Banned. Keep on the lookout for Animals Are People Too, due out later this summer.
Best Pop Band Scientific Maps They took this one in 2006, and Aaron Smith emerged from the scrum last year as Best Male Songwriter, but with Hold On Whoever You Are, Smiths record for this years RPM Challenge, the Maps still craft the smartest, catchiest crypto-zoological tunes in the land. With song titles like Wherein We Are Introduced to the Author as He is Tortured and Transported via Ship from Portugal to an English Prison, its tough to be the competition.
Best Electropop Band Beware! The Other Head of Science Dont even think about asking who the original head of science is or why you shouldnt exercise caution around him/her. Just dance. Beware!s spazzy synth-pop is like a can of root beer, filled with Pop Rocks, poured down the pants of a hyperactive seventh grader. Yeah.
Best Rock Band Super 400 Because . . . well, because they are. In our minds, and those of many Capital Region music fans, Super 400 = rock music. The trios forthcoming Sweet Fist (due in September) is a doozy, and they remain an unimpeachable live act. So, yeah? Hell yeah.
Best Hard Rock Band Empire State Troopers The new CD by these hard-rock titans is titled Turn Lights Out. And they do, in a punishing, and appealingly sludgy, old-school way. Theres nothing ragged about them, either, as their ensemble approach is solid.
Best Songwriter (Band-Oriented) Ashley Pond Weve been fond of Pond since she started playing around the area. And weve grown even fonder (of Ponder?) since she debuted her trio, with bassist Sarah Clark and drummer Scott Smith. But its called the Ashley Pond Band for a reason: the songs. When coupled with that oh-so-expressive voice, Ponds folk-rock gems shine with a bluesy swagger.
Best Songwriter (Ensemble-Oriented) Eric Margan No area pop group are as likely to tote music stands along to the gig as Eric Margans band, the Red Lions. Margan is an old-school composer and arrangerthats old-school, like Brill Buildingand to hear his orchestral-pop brainchildren come to life, as they do on the recent Midnight Book, is to hear the first bold steps in what is sure to be a long and fruitful career.
Best Songwriter (Project-Oriented) Matthew Loiacono Loiacono has proven to be an ace songwriter (in addition to label honcho and musician-about-town), particularly when he puts himself to task. Last years excellent Kentucky, recorded for the RPM Challenge in just 22 days, found the artist limiting himself to just mandolin and voice. For this summers Penny Riddle he used different constraints: Each of its eight songs is just a minute long. We cant wait to see what he puts his mindand talentto next.
Best Big Band Keith Prays Big Soul Ensemble Seventeen-strong, these guys only half-fit on the Lark Tavern stage for their monthly gig, but if you can squeeze in the room you wont be disappointed. Prays crew is an all-star team of local players, and his unique charts draw on everyone from Mingus to Mr. Bungle.
Best Jazz Combo Brian Patneaude Quartet Hardly a stranger around these parts, sax-man Patneaude reminded us this year why hes a perennial contender in this category with the release of his excellent Riverview. His Sunday-evening sessions at Justins are always a solid jam, and he always stocks his combo with seasoned pros.
Best Repertory Jazz Ensemble Empire Jazz Orchestra What makes the Empire Jazz Orchestra specialaside from the virtuoso musicianshipis their ability to take, say, a 1929 piece by Benny Carter, set it side-by-side (on disc or in concert) with a 1999 piece by Maria Schneider, and bring out the best in both works in a timeless way. Theyre not exactly a best-kept secret, but they deserve whatever acclaim and fame comes their way.
Best One-Stop Hip-Hop Shop Sub Bombin Records Phantograms self-titled debut put these guys on the map, but that dynamic duo is just the beginning of what this label has to offer. Hip-hoppers, electro- rockers, DJs and dub-heads can all agree that Sub Bombin is the whos-who and whats-what for local beat junkies.
Best Hip-Hop In-Person/Live Broadcast Live Weve always maintained that the best boom-bap comes from a live kick and snare. These guys go the distance, though, with a full band thatll make heads roll as soon as theyll make them bob. This years Boomerang Metropolis is a bold political statement that also brings the party.
Best Hip-Hop Collaboration Bigfoots Dick (Dezmatic and Mr. Dibbs) Part mix tape, part pop-culture mashup, and all kinds of nasty, Bigfoots Dick is a wicked slice of throw-your-hands-in-the-air (and your panties on the stage) hip-hop fun. The ocassionally vicious and often hysterical Dezmatic spits his best recorded verses here, while Cincinnati DJ Mr. Dibbs pulls tracks from all over the place (Arctic Monkeys, En Vogue, Elvis Costello) and dialogue from films like Anchorman and Training Day. Its funny, its filthy, and most importantly its free. Get it at dezmatic.com.
Best Symphony Orchestra Albany Symphony Orchestra Another excellent year for maestro David Alan Miller and the ASOs fine musicians (and administrators). They maintained the high standards of programming and performance weve come to expect. But do not take them for granted; get out to a concert when the fall season begins.
Best Adventurous Chamber Ensemble Musicians of Maalwyck Another exciting year for Ann-Marie Barker Schwatz and company: Their re-creation and staging of George Washingtons fave opera (The Poor Soldier) last December drew the attention of opera insiders up-and-down the East Coastand capacity crowds to Schenectady County Community College.
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