Best of the Chippewa Valley

Reader Polls

The Best of the Chippewa Valley 2022

The Best of the Chippewa Valley 2023

The Best of the Chippewa Valley 2024

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Arts & Entertainment

top picks for music, events, arts, and theater

Poll Questions in this Category

Best All-Ages Hangout

Eau Claire has plenty of nightlife, natural beauty, and places to love. Our readers chose these as their favorite spots for the whole family. The most exciting new spot downtown is...

Best Art Exhibition From the Past Year

Local celebrations of art are best enjoyed while drinking a delicious cup of coffee, in an inviting atmosphere, or at a historic landmark. Taking gold for Best Art Exhibition is...

Best Art Gallery

Celebrating art is nothing new to the Valley. Making the dream possible, Artisan Forge Studios (1106 Mondovi Road, Eau Claire) features not only more than 40 local artists but...

Best Bluegrass Band

Get ready for that unmistakable banjo twang; Bluegrass music is kicking it strong in the Chippewa Valley. Winning first place for the 7th year running, Them Coulee Boys cements its...

Best Blues Band

Some of the Chippewa Valley’s best sounds are found in the bluest music. Returning to first place, The Sue Orfield...

Best Cover Band

Uncommon Denominator has been the reigning winner since 2019, the professional party band offers a full rhythm section...

Best Drag Performer

The queens are in drag and they’re just getting started (now, this is the kind of monarchy I can get behind!)...

Best Electronic Musician(s)

Electronic music continues to be a popular musical vibe for the Valley. Moving up to first place this year is The...

Best Event of the Past Year

The Irvine Park Christmas Lights are a staple in the Chippewa Valley, the event reigning as the winner of the category...

Best Folk Performer(s)

Folk music maintains a colorful place in Chippewa Valley music culture. Winning first place this is Them Coulee Boys and...

Best Free Entertainment Option

Want to have a great time without breaking the bank? Loyal readers know how to find it – and picked these...

Best Hard Rock/Metal Band (original)

Get your rock hand ready, cuz you’re gonna want to rock out to these top three Best Hard Rock/Metal Bands...

Best Hip Hop Artist

Hip-Hop has led the way around the world as one of the most popular music genres. With new artists popping up across the...

Best Individual Musician

When it comes to these local artists, they seem to get better with each listen! Topping the charts is Chris Kroeze, a...

Best Jazz Band

The blues that sings throughout the Valley is best performed by the Sue Orfield Band. A reigning champ for the best jazz...

Best Local Album Released In The Last Year

It's no surprise to Volume One readers that the music scene in Eau Claire is thriving, it's helped put our entire...

Best Local Book Released In The Last Year

Michael Perry’s Hunker: Essays on Human Connection struck a chord with local readers, the book crowned #1 in this...

Best Local Musical

Performances were back in full swing in 2022, including some great local musicals. The Eau Claire Children’s...

Best Local Play (non-musical)

The Chippewa Valley Theater Guild has claimed the #1 spot for Best Local Play for the second year in a row thanks to its...

Best Movie Theater

In the only example of a monopoly that we can get behind, Micon Cinemas has swept the category for Best Movie Theater...

Best Music Festival

Whether you wanna rock all night long, or you’re all about that bass, the Chippewa Valley likely has a music...

Best Musical Performance (touring or local)

2022 once again had a myriad of dynamic performances that really captured the attention and imagination of Chippewa...

Best New Band / Artist

From hard rock to reggae, the Chippewa Valley is filled with a wide variety of musical talents. These newcomers raised...

Best New Mural

Murals have been popping up all over the Valley – even under bridges – which is where you’ll find the...

Best Overall Band

Music’s a language we all share and rolling the hills of the Chippewa Valley rings out the tunes of many talented...

Best Place for Live Music

If there’s one thing the Chippewa Valley loves, it’s live music. After all, the community’s passion...

Best Public Art Installation (non-gallery)

Newly established as the largest sculpture tour in the whole country, Sculpture Tour Eau Claire (starting near 610 S...

Best Scenic Photographer

Chippewa Falls-based photographer Mike Howard has been exploring the photography world since the 1990s when he first...

Best Stand-Up Comedian

The reviews are in, and to no surprise, Cullen Ryan emerged as this year’s best stand-up comedian! Whether...

Best Touring Theatrical Production

The Pablo Center at the Confluence again played host to the year’s top three favorite theatrical touring...

Favorite Local Author

The Valley’s favorite authors have done it again! Michael Perry remains steady in the number-one spot for the 16th...

Favorite Local Visual Artist

There are those people in every town who live and breathe art, bringing beauty to cafe walls, sidewalks, galleries...

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