A few years back, this annual fundraiser for the YMCA was being sneered at as "Too Old-Austin Hippie." Of course, that was before bellbottoms became hip again, as did this celebration named for A. A. Milne's doleful donkey. Tiggers also welcome.

view this award on its own page ›

Peña's spare yet voluptuous images grace the walls of so many businesses around town (and the state, for that matter) that even if you don't know his work, you've likely seen it. His canvasses symbolize the rich cultural background of Austin in pastel and earth tones and mark the artist as one of our treasures.

view this award on its own page ›

There is little of essayist Marion Winik's life that isn't public record, and the living drama that is her life is beautifully documented in First Comes Love, the story of her marriage to a gay man who died of AIDS. Words like "touching" and "emotional" seem too trite for this book, which melds love with bohemian lifestyle and a true passion for writing.

view this award on its own page ›

The guiding hand of Ballet Austin has consistently expanded the city's notion of what ballet is, breathing fire into the form with a leather-jacketed Firebird, balletic riffs to jazz with artists like Acia Gray and Boyd Vance, and a ballet about a creator of ballets. Our readers know him as one choreographer who keeps them on their toes.

view this award on its own page ›

If there were an Austin dictionary, Kerry Awn's face would be under the phrase "perennial favorite." Voted Best Comic for the umpteenth time by the readers, the man who gives us Buck Husky and Ronnie Velveeta, not to mention a mean Elvis, is more than deserving of the honor.

view this award on its own page ›

The city's big ballet company keeps getting better and better, reworking old reliables such as The Nutcracker, constantly testing itself with new material, blending ballet with other forms of dance, such as tap and tangos, and adding dynamic performers such as Nadya Zybine to the troupe. Our readers know that a trip to BA these days can be electrifying.

view this award on its own page ›

South Austin holds many a hidden treasure and our readers believe one is this studio hidden in an unassuming building on South First. As host to classes in Power Yoga, bellydancing, drumming, art, acting , personal growth, and Nia Technique (hence the name), we figure there's a spiritual atmosphere in NiaSpace that adds excitement to dances there.

view this award on its own page ›

Gee, talk about rocking that vote - it was awfully close with the Christian Science Reading Room. But seriously, the public library isn't just for books. It's also magazines, videos, recordings, and much more.

view this award on its own page ›

Check out his b&w splendor in any of the gorgeous By George's ads.

view this award on its own page ›

Cullum is not only the heart and soul of Planet Theatre (and its predecessor, the VORTEX Performance Cafe), she's one of our most fearless theatre artists. She boldly and unapologetically stages some of the most unconventional and experimental new drama in town, and as a result we're already getting a good look at the theatre of the 21st century.

Bonnie Cullum
The Vortex
2307 Manor Rd.
vortexrep.org

view this award on its own page ›

A 10-year veteran of Austin's theatre scene, Miller has embodied dozens of characters, from the luckless Lucky in Waiting for Godot to the imperious Lady Bracknell in The Importance of Being Earnest. No doubt our readers enjoy the sense of play and decency that Miller brings to his roles, spillovers from the personality of the actor. He's universally considered "the nicest man in Austin theatre."

view this award on its own page ›

Shannon Sedwick
Esther's Follies
525 E. Sixth
www.esthersfollies.com

view this award on its own page ›