Vote for the Best of Austin

Have you voted in the Austin Chronicle Best of 2008 poll yet?

The Austin Chronicle is back with their annual poll, where readers can bestow honor among their favorite people, places, and things in Austin. I've already cast my vote, but I wanted to make a few recommendations in the Arts & Entertainment category:

Scenester/Mover and Shaker: Jerm Pollet - From music to comedy to hawking Italian ices, this guy makes Austin more entertaining for the rest of us.

Art Gallery: Okay Mountain - A small space with big talent, welcoming local and international artists - and they're music friendly too!

Museum: Blanton - No explanation needed.

Place to See Local Art: United States Art Authority - Instead of drawing plasma, this space draws a crowd for eclectic art.

Performance Space: Salvage Vanguard Theater

Comedy/Improv Troupe: I was torn between Master Pancake and Coldtowne Theater, so I flipped a coin, and Master Pancake won!

Comedian: Shannon McCormick - A master of improv comedy and co-founder /co-producer of Out of Bounds Improv Festival, which now includes stand-up and sketch comedy.

Movie Theatre: Alamo Drafthouse Cinema - Ritz - The new downtown location is not just a great escape from central Texas heat, but an escape from the boring cinema giants in shopping malls and off the highways, especially when you don't just want to see a summer blockbuster. Good service and food, too!

Emergent Local Filmmaker: Thomas Humphreys - Known for directing and editing video shorts of cinematic quality, eye-popping trailers, and catchy music videos, he's a versatile talent awarded numerous times for his work, competing among international filmmakers. Humphreys is best known as one of the talents in Black Magic Rollercoaster (see Filmmaking Frenzy).

Film Series: I won't mention my final vote, but it came down to Weird Wednesday with Lars Nilsen and Terror Thursday w/ Zack Carlson. Both series (and hosts) make watching movies more engaging with knowledgeable and funny introductions, and special programs and appearances within the series (celebrated directors, writers, and actors). Both series are awesome - and free - so that made it a tough pick.

Karaoke: Rock 'n' Roll Karaoke @ Beerland. I haven't been yet - but I hear it's a lot of fun on a Monday night!

I won't post all my Media picks, but I'd like to suggest Owen Egerton for best author/poet, Sean Claes for best journalist, Austin's INsite for best non-Chronicle publication, and myself for best blogger.

Vote for your favorites here:

http://www.austinchronicle.com/feedback/bestof/08/

You can also cast a vote for a special category, like Best Open Art Space: Austin's Enchanted Forest.

~diy danna