Our critics choose the most interesting, entertaining and edifying cultural arts events of 1999.

The Best in Arts 1999

At this great milestone in history it’s only natural that we should look back just as we are looking ahead. The year has been filled with a surfeit of lists — the best this of the decade, the top that of the century, the greatest such-and-such of the millennium. However, our goal in this issue is much more modest: to present our critic’s personal choices of the year’s most interesting, entertaining and edifying cultural arts events.

Be it a hot little rock ‘n’ roll show in a sweaty, downtown club, an ethereal installation in one of Richmond’s top art galleries, or a rude and crude cartoon movie that made someone smile, all of our critic’s choices have one thing in common — they are examples of art — high or low — that succeeded by touching a deep chord in someone’s heart.

Long after history has forgotten Pokémon cards, the Backstreet Boys and today’s Dow Jones average, the great books, films, music and art of 1999 will endure. For as Susan Glasser of the Hand Workshop said in our pages earlier this year, “It’s the arts that last. It’s through the arts that everything gets remembered.”

— Jessica Ronky Haddad,
Arts and Leisure Editor

Theater – Measuring up the year on Richmond’s stage scene.
Dance – The best dance and performance events of the year — on-stage and off.
Classical – The best classical music of the year spoke straight to our hearts.
Music – These shows may not have been the biggest in town, but they were some of the year’s best.
Art – To honor a rich and diverse arts scene, some diverse and idiosyncratic awards.
Airwaves – What’s the best new show on television? It depends on who you’re asking. Our critic weighs in with his picks.
Art – From Joe Seipel’s amazing installation at 1708 Gallery to the windows of Pink in Carytown, truly great art knows no bounds.
Books – The books most likely to keep you turning their pages.
Film – The 10 most intriguing films in an intriguing year for

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