BEST DANCE: Dancing People Company

With a reputation for innovative partnering, imaginative performances and collaborative community engagement, it’s no surprise to see Dancing People Company at the top of our Best Dance category. Not only has Dancing People Company been bringing exciting modern dance presentations to the Rogue Valley since 2003, they also offer an array of classes for both youth and adults. In 2015, Dancing People Company performed their tenth (and final) “Call Back the Sun,” a solstice-celebrating collaborative dance experience. As they move into 2016, the company will move into a new era as founding director Robin Stiehm moves on to a new chapter. The award-winning choreographer will relocate, but the Rogue Valley will not lose the magic that is Dancing People Company: the legacy Stiehm gave the community is poised to keep on giving Southern Oregon an array of dance education, experience, and performance.

Our Best Dance category is rounded out with this year’s honorable mention, The Curtain Climbers Aerial Dance Company. This collective of aerialists have become a staple in Southern Oregon, with monthly First Friday performances at The Black Sheep as well as other shows around the Rogue Valley. J.J. ROWAN

BEST MOVIE THEATER:
Tinseltown
Honorable Mention: Varsity
And one vote for “the one downtown”

BEST THEATER COMPANY:
Oregon Shakespeare Festival
Honorable Mentions: Randall Theater Group (Medford), Barnstormers Theatre

BEST LOCAL AUTHOR:
Kumud Gokani (cooking)
Honorable Mentions: Josh Gross, PK Halinan (children)

BEST KARAOKE:
The Gypsy
Honorable Mention: Wild Goose

BEST MUSICAL INSTRUMENT STORE:
Cripple Creek
Honorable Mention: Tom’s Guitar

BEST PLACE TO SEE LIVE MUSIC:
Brickroom
Honorable Mentions: Howie’s, Talent Club
One vote for “outside”

BEST MUSIC FESTIVAL:
Britt Festival
Honorable Mention: Applejam
One vote for “hippie shit”

BEST ART GALLERY:
Schneider Museum of Art
Honorable Mention: Art & Soul