HAPPY INCOMING SUMMER AFTER A LONG WINTER and spring of deeply American soul scratching. The approaching humid swelter means it’s that time again: Style Weekly’s Best of Richmond issue is upon us.
Each year, we ask readers to vote for their Richmond favorites in four different categories: arts and culture, people and places, food and drink, and goods and services. We received 109, 442 votes this year—not too shabby. (I’d also like to congratulate you for being ‘a reader,’ considering the sheer number of distractions competing for your attention every second of every day. In fact, if you’re in need of summer nonfiction reading, might I suggest Chris Hayes’ “The Siren’s Call: How Attention Became the World’s Most Endangered Resource.” Interesting stuff .)
Wait, what was I writing about? Best Of Issue, right.
Just what are Best of Richmond issues good for, anyway? People rarely agree on anything these days. Traditionally, this issue has been a fun, lighthearted way to provide a snapshot in time of the city, while also laying out an introductory guide of sorts for anyone new to town. At the very least, it feels rewarding for folks who are nominated, and who win, to get some recognition from the public. Sure, there are some other reasons we do the issue, but I won’t bore you here. Hit me up in line at Kroger.
However, we’re not doing this to make local artists or businesses feel more competitive, especially when American arts and nonprofits are under attack from the federal level and need your support more than ever. As musician and environmental activist Laney Sullivan recently told me, a lot of musicians find the notion of ‘best anything’ distasteful; they prefer to support each other, not compete.
While I agree with her (I have a feeling she’s usually right about most things), there is a silent competition each day for people’s attention. We do our best as journalists to cover local arts, culture and food for 52 weeks a year. And if these winners help someone discover a new artist or restaurant, or a book about Richmond’s urban expansion, or how to get that black velvet painting of your beloved dog, all the better. Those last couple are among this issue’s editorial picks, written (mostly) by our freelancers. They tend to be a little quirkier or off the beaten path. You know, stuff AI would never get right.
We hope you enjoy this issue and find it useful, I know I did (Squashpenny Junction, next time I’ve got time to kill in Doswell, I’m checking you out). One final note: Style Weekly’s Best Fest parties are great fun thanks to General Manager Macaulay Hammond’s elite party throwing skills, so consider buying a ticket to the next party on Aug. 15 and help us celebrate the winners. It will be held once again at the lovely Branch Museum of Design, featuring live music, drag performances, an open bar, food from winning restaurants, all the good stuff that colorful selfies and photo opps were made for. Tickets are available at styleweekly.com/bestfest.
Finally, as the San Francisco Bay Guardian’s founding publisher and editor Bruce B. Brugmann used to say, really close to your face: “Read my paper, dammit!”
View the winners in each of the following categories:
