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

The Chippewa Valley boasts many hangout spots for those 21+, but this category is all about people ranging from tiny tots to senior citizens. Coming in first place for Best...

Best Art Exhibition From the Past Year

With a vibrant and thriving arts culture in the Chippewa Valley, these art exhibitions were voted cream of the crop this year. First place for Best Art Exhibition From the Past...

Best Art Gallery

When it comes to celebrating art, there’s no better place to do it than the heart of Eau Claire. The galleries at the Pablo Center at the Confluence came in first place, with...

Best Bluegrass Band

Did you know that this year will be the ninth time Them Coulee Boys perform at Blue Ox Music Festival? It’s not a surprise, really; fans live for their heartfelt tunes and...

Best Blues Band

Local guitar legend Howard Luedtke and Blue Max stayed atop the area’s blues world this year, proving to be the...

Best Choir

Best Choir may be a new question to our poll, but the choral organizations represented here have been using the power of...

Best Country Band/Artist

Chris Kroeze may have come in second on the hit show The Voice, but he once again proves he is No. 1 in the hearts of...

Best Cover Band

Finding a group of nine musicians (not including their backups) who have a passion and incredible talent for delivering...

Best Drag Performer

Crowned in first place for Best Drag Performer, Devine Intervention swept through the Valley scene and up to the No. 1...

Best Electronic Musician(s)

If we could, we’d open up a place of worship to show our appreciation for first-place finisher, The Nunnery, who...

Best Event of the Past Year

Which events last year were ranked best of the best? Hold onto your taste buds because the culinary sensation of the...

Best Folk Performer(s)

Considering their placement in this year’s poll, local favorites Them Coulee Boys might just be feeling 10 feet...

Best Free Entertainment Option

If there’s one thing we can get behind, it’s a fun night out that’s light on the wallet. We like to...

Best Hard Rock/Metal Band (original)

Throw up those metal horns and let out a beastly growl for this year’s winner Evernoir, who will make their Rock...

Best Hip Hop Artist

Noah Estrada is deserving of his first-place finish: His captivating stage presence and heartfelt lyrics continue to...

Best Individual Musician

A musician is nothing without a great band behind them, but a band without a stellar musician isn’t going to win...

Best Jazz Band

Elevating the local music scene, these bands were dubbed the best of the jazz genre. The Sue Orfield Band was voted...

Best Local Album Released In The Last Year

Music fans in the Chippewa Valley have been requesting more of Howard Luedtke & Blue Max for decades, so it’s...

Best Local Book Released In The Last Year

Stress less and laugh more — that’s the idea behind this year’s top reads by Eau Claire’s...

Best Local Musical

And the Tony award goes to… well, OK, this might not be the Tony Awards, but a Best of the Chippewa Valley award...

Best Local Play (non-musical)

The theater scene has been a staple of the Chippewa Valley for decades, and the play that took center stage this year...

Best Movie Theater

As predictable as your favorite movie’s happy ending, Micon Cinemas effortlessly snags all the top spots for the...

Best Music Festival

A stellar music festival isn’t only about which artists come to play, it’s also about creating the type of...

Best Musical Performance (touring or local)

You wanted the best, you got the best, the hottest performance in the Chippewa Valley … Hairball! The retro rock...

Best New Band / Artist

Sometimes it pays to be the new kid in class. Singer-songwriter Andie Wyne burst onto the local scene this year, coming...

Best New Mural

For the second consecutive year, Passion Board Shop owner Chris Johnson’s colorful creatures crept into first...

Best Overall Band

Proving their local music dominance while maintaining their reputation as a delightful group of young musicians...

Best Place for Live Music

In the heart of the Chippewa Valley, live music takes center stage as a community passion. The Pablo Center at the...

Best Public Art Installation (non-gallery)

Walking down Barstow Street you’ll immediately come across the first-place winner for Best Public Art...

Best Scenic Photographer

If you’re looking for some serene images to bring you some peace and joy, check out this year’s Best Scenic...

Best Stand-Up Comedian

Why watch another comedy special on Netflix when you can see a live show right here in the Chippewa Valley? Matt...

Best Touring Theatrical Production

Time to roll out the red carpet! Your top choice for best touring theatrical production, The Book of Mormon, graced the...

Favorite Local Author

It comes as no surprise that Michael Perry — bestselling author of Population: 485, Peaceful Persistence, and his...

Favorite Local Visual Artist (Individual)

We’re bustling with artists of all demographics and mediums here in the Valley, so it’s hard to choose just...

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