Best of the Chippewa Valley

Reader Polls

The Best of the Chippewa Valley 2022

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Arts & Entertainment

top picks for music, events, arts, and theater

Poll Questions in this Category

Best All-Ages Hangout

For years, Irvine Park in Chippewa Falls has been the home of the fantastic Christmas Village, dozens of animals, and enough nature to satisfy even the most outdoorsy of Chippewa...

Best Art Gallery

Art is an essential part of life and culture in the Valley, and Artisan Forge Studios (1106 Mondovi Road, Eau Claire) is a prime example of the wonderful artistic talent on display...

Best Bluegrass Band

Adding the infectious stylings of bluegrass to the Chippewa Valley, Them Coulee Boys continue to take the Midwest by storm, as not even a canceled countrywide tour could keep them...

Best Blues Band

While 2020 had many feeling the blues, these acts helped locals spin those blues into positive energy. The Sue Orfield Band features lavish saxophone performed by Sue herself...

Best Cover Band

A great cover can transform a song into something beautiful and unique, and these groups do just that. The common...

Best Drag Performer

A killer drag performance is anything but a drag, and Jem Stone always delivers a captivating performance for any...

Best Electronic Musician(s)

Providing the thumping backbone at concert venues, clubs, and parties, electronic musicians are on the cutting edge of...

Best Event of the Past Year

For more than 35 years, the Irvine Park Christmas Lights in Chippewa Falls have lit up area residents’ lives every...

Best Folk Performer(s)

Some of the best singer-songwriters in the country live in the Chippewa Valley – and that’s no folk tale...

Best Free Entertainment Option

Sharing entertainment with each other is a gift that keeps on giving, especially when that entertainment is free. Dozens...

Best Hard Rock/Metal Band (original)

Ghosts Of The Sun made 2020 their own, gifting the Chippewa Valley with their first full-length album, chock full of...

Best Hip Hop Artist

Staying loyal to his city and to his craft, Miles Blvd is now on top of the Chippewa Valley hip-hop scene. In a...

Best Holiday Season Event

The holidays shone bright this year, with many Chippewa Valley residents celebrating their love for the season even more...

Best Individual Musician

The true test of a musician is their ability to captivate a listener with an expertly crafted song. Chris Kroeze has...

Best Jazz Band

Do you like jazz? If so, these cool cats are your local source of quality jazz tunes. The Sue Orfield Band expands on...

Best Local Album Released In The Last Year

Local artists often don’t have the benefit of large budgets or limitless time in the studio, so each locally...

Best Local Book Released In The Last Year

Check out New York Times bestselling author (and Chippewa Valley favorite) Michael Perry and his recent collection, Big...

Best Local Musical

The Eau Claire Children’s Theatre dominated the rankings for Best Local Musical, as ECCT was virtually the only...

Best Local Play (non-musical)

You might notice a trend in Best Local Play, with the Eau Claire Children’s Theatre taking the top two categories...

Best Movie Theater

When it comes down to offering a powerful cinematic experience in the Chippewa Valley, Micon Cinemas sweeps the voting...

Best Music Festival

Do you remember music festivals? We sure do! The thought of tens of thousands of music lovers coming together for...

Best Musical Performance (touring or local)

Musical performances come and go, and each year there’s so many good ones to pick from. Normally, this category...

Best New Band / Artist

The vibrancy and excitement that a great new group like Uncommon Denominator can evoke is next to none. Bursting with...

Best New Mural

If there’s one good thing that hit the Chippewa Valley in the past year, it’s the proliferation of stunning...

Best Overall Band

Here in the Musical Capital of the North, Them Coulee Boys have firmly positioned themselves as the best of the best...

Best Place for Live Music

Live music … ahh, live music. It is dearly missed, especially at downtown Eau Claire’s Phoenix Park. On...

Best Public Art Installation (non-gallery)

Art is one thing that allows us to emotionally process the turbulent past year. And there’s no public art...

Best Scenic Photographer

If there’s one thing the top three scenic photographers know to be true, it’s that the Chippewa Valley is...

Best Stand-Up Comedian

Cullen Ryan is one of the wittiest guys around (and that’s nothing to laugh at). Doubling as the man behind the...

Best Touring Theatrical Production

Back when the Chippewa Valley (calmly and rationally) discussed the merits of building a new, large-scale arts center...

Favorite Local Visual Artist

Art can take a plethora of different forms, but art captured visually will always make for the most instant reaction...

Your Favorite Local Author

What the Best Local Author category lacks in surprises, it more than makes up for in quality. First-place winner Michael...

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