Best Art Gallery
Decatur Market & Gallery
If you’re looking for that priceless painting or piece of jewelry, or a fun night at a gallery opening, Decatur Market + Gallery (www.decaturgallery.com) is your pick. This was a competitive category, though, with only 30 votes separating this and second place Kai Lin Art (www.kailinart.com). Third place is Bill Lowe Gallery (www.lowegallery.com) and fourth place is Jackson Fine Art (www.jacksonfineart.com).
Best Local Artist
Alli Royce Soble
Eclectic artist/photographer/mixed media specialist Alli Royce Soble (www.alliroycesoble.com) — an Atlanta native — is your favorite here. Soble is known for her individualistic style, such as exhibiting her work in all sorts of atypical spaces. Finishing in second place was Phillip Bonneau and third was Drew Green.
Best DJ
Vicki Powell
The top vote getter for a disc jockey to spin infectious records and make you dance all night is Vicki Powell. Vicki is a club/event fixture and has also brought crowds to the popular Sunday Service at Sister Louisa’s Church of the Living Room & Ping Pong Emporium. In second place is Mike Pope, third Bill Berdeaux and fourth Pat Scott.
Best Drag King
Justin Atlanta
Since 2000, Justin Atlanta (www.facebook.com/justin.atlanta) has been entertaining crowds with his patented high energy performances. A magazine cover boy, terrific dancer and winner of the Mr. National MI (Male Impersonator) in 2010, Justin is your choice here, just nosing out second place Devon Liquor by 11 votes. In third is Gunner Down and fourth is Hayden McCord.
Best Drag Queen
Ruby Redd
Ruby Redd, a familiar face who has performed all over the city and internationally, is Atlanta’s favorite drag queen. Among other appearances, Ruby helms the popular Birdcage Bingo and brings down the house with her razor wit. By a mere three votes, however, Ruby edged out second place Nicole Paige Brooks and newcomer Edie Cheezburger came in third.
Best Live Music Venue
Eddie’s Attic
Even without Eddie at the Decatur hot spot anymore, Eddie’s Attic (www.eddiesattic.com) remains the top choice to hear live music. Whether it’s a new band or a reliable crowd pleaser, Eddie’s is a fun night out, plain and simple. In second place is Cobb Energy Performing Arts Center (www.cobbenergycentre.com) and third Smith’s Olde Bar (www.smithsoldebar.com).
Best Party Promoter
Bill Kaelin
Bill Kaelin (www.billkaelin.com) launched his own marketing firm in 2009 and has high-profile clients across the country. With regular parties and restaurant launches, such as the recent opening of 5 Napkin Burger in Midtown, Bill is your fave in this category. In second is Chris Coleman (www.chriscolemanenterprises.com) and third Barry Brandon.
Best Actor/Actress
Best Playwright
Best Writer/Poet
Topher Payne
Your fave in these three categories is the ubiquitous Topher Payne (www.topherpayne.com), who writes and acts almost nonstop. Whether he’s in high heels tackling one of the “Designing Women” or doing an about face and playing David Frost, he brings absolute joy to his work. A tireless playwright, he opens another show this week in the ATL — the drama comedy “Evelyn in Purgatory.” Does this man ever sleep?
For Best Actor, Timothy Gray finished second and Charles Green came in third.
For Playwright, in second place is Johnny Drago and in third place Timothy Gray.
For Writer/Poet, Michelle Daniel is your second fave and Amanda Kyle Williams (www.amandakylewilliams.com) third.
Best Theater Company
Actor’s Express
Saving itself from the brink of extinction last year, Actor’s Express (www.actorsexpress.com) has rebounded with a robust year, full — as is always the case — with a heavy dose of LGBT fare. This season alone we’ve seen “Spring Awakening” and “Next Fall” onstage. In second place was OnStage Atlanta (www.onstageatlanta.com) and in third is Process Theatre (www.theprocesstheatre.org).
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