In 1997, Westword published its fourteenth Best of Denver issue, a celebration of the city that saluted everything from the Best Place to Put the New Broncos Stadium (Los Angeles!) to the Best Sneak Preview of an Art Project (the Robischon Gallery’s show on the proposed Christo project on the Arkansas — still in the works more than a decade later) to the Best Free Service: The Denver Public Library was offering lessons in that newfangled invention, the Internet. But the Internet had yet to really affect bookstores, and the Tattered Cover was going so strong that it inspired a special award that year: Best Tattered Cover.
The LoDo store won the honor, one of dozens of Best of Denver awards given to the Tattered Cover over the years. It’s impossible to imagine this town without the Tattered, but owner Joyce Meskis wants to give credit where it’s due. “The Tattered Cover would be nothing without the readers behind it — that’s the untold story,” she says. “Denver is a terrific book town, and we have been very fortunate.” Ten years after this particular award, Denver now has a choice of three Tattered Covers — one at the Lowenstein, one in Highlands Ranch and the LoDo store — which collectively put on close to 600 literary events a year. More than just bookstores, these are the heart of an active, engaged community, Internet or not. “People are definitely still reading,” Meskis says, “and we are grateful to those who’ve supported us for so long.”
Here are the rest of the winners from 1997:
Best of 1997
PEOPLE AND PLACES
Best Proof That Denver Is the Center of the Universe: Satellite World Headquarters Readers' Choice: Denver Summit of the Eight
Best Proof That Colorado Is the Center of the Romantic Universe: Silhouette Books' "36 Hours" series
Best Proof That Coloradans Are Lightweights: We're thin
Best Proof That Coloradans Are Heavyweights: Denver Summit of the Eight
Best Quote From the Summit of the Eight: Rita Kok-Roukema
Best Present for the Eight at the Summit: Gifts from Mayor Wellington Webb
Best Present for the Next Summit of the Eight: Cow Hair Balls
Best Display of Civic Booty: Mayor's Gift Display at the City and County Building
Best Politician: State Representative Benjamin King Clarke Readers' Choice: Roy Romer
Best Retired Politician: Pat Schroeder
Best Romer: Paul Romer
Best Legislative Rookie: State Representative Mark Udall Readers' Choice: Diana DeGette
Best New Colorado Law: Driver's Licenses by Mail Readers' Choice: Welfare Reform
Best Political Tongue-Twister: State Representative Brad Young
Best Suggestion by a Bureaucrat: Ditching the DIA Tollbooth
Best Mayoral Performance: Mayor Wellington Webb
Best Performance by Phil Anschutz: Ski Train Expansion
Best Performance by Phil Anschutz at the Oklahoma City Bombing Trial: Mystery Juror
Best Performance by a Journalist at the Oklahoma City Bombing Trial: Steffan Tubbs
Best Denver Buildings to Become Internationally Famous: U.S. Courthouse and Federal Building
Best Free Lunch at the Oklahoma City Bombing Trial: Chipotle Mexican Grill
Best Stephen Jones Look-alike: Al Fogleman, KWGN-TV/Channel 2
Best Bureaucratic Broadcaster: Alan DeLollis, KATV/Channel 8
Best TV News Anchor: Ed Sardella, KUSA-TV/Channel 9 Readers' Choice: Adele Arakawa, KUSA-TV/Channel 9
Best Sport in Denver TV News: Ernie Bjorkman, KMGH-TV/Channel 7
Best TV Sportscaster: Janib Abreu, KMGH-TV/Channel 7 Readers' Choice: Ron Zappolo, KUSA-TV/Channel 9
Best TV Weathercaster: Scott Zahorik, KCNC-TV/Channel 4 Readers' Choice: Larry Green, KCNC-TV/Channel 4
Best Hair on a Denver TV Personality, Male: Wayne Herman, KMGH-TV/Channel 7 Readers' Choice: Ed Sardella, KUSA-TV/Channel 9
Best Hair on a Denver TV Personality, Female: Kathy Sabine, KUSA-TV/Ch. 9 Readers' Choice: Aimee Sporer, KCNC-TV/Channel 4
Best Denver TV Morning-Show Host: Lynn Setzer, KMGH-TV/Channel 7
Best Radio DJs: Pete MacKay & Mari Szatkowski, KXPK-FM/96.5 (The Peak) Readers' Choice: Dave Granger
Best Radio Talk-Show Host: Jay Marvin, KHOW-AM/630 Readers' Choice: Peter Boyles
Best Investigative Radio Talk-Show Host: Peter Boyles
Best Radio Sports-Show Host: Tom Green, KKFN-AM/950 (The Fan)
Best Way to Go Out With a Bang: Don Martin, KHOW-AM/630
Best Way to Go Out With an Even Bigger Bang: Demolition of the DU Ice Arena
Best Long Goodbye: Bob Palmer, KCNC-TV/Channel 4
Best Crime-Time TV: "Cop Talk", KATV/Channel 8
Best Local TV Commercial: Colorado Buick Dealers Readers' Choice: Rocky's Auto "Shagman"
Best Bill Clinton Look-alike: Michael Newell
Best Local Bill Clinton Supporter: T.G. "Woody" Witte
Best Celebrity Tattoo: Representative Jim Dyer Readers' Choice: Amy Van Dyken
Best Teenage Celebrity: Mario Horta
Best Place to Watch Trust-Funders on a Weekday Afternoon: Fillmore Plaza, Second Avenue at Fillmore
Best Use for Ill-Gotten Gains: State Historical Society Grant Program
Best State Agency: Great Outdoors Colorado
Best Outdoor Toilets: The Clivus Multrum Composting System, Jefferson County Open Space Parks
Best Study Break: 2nd Floor Men's Room, Auraria Campus Library
Best Way To Awaken The Scientist In You: Denver Museum of Natural History Adult Education Programs
Best Eye on the Sky: Meyer-Womble Observatory, Mount Evans
Best Airplane at DIA: The Jenny
Best Airline: United
Best Place to Take a Picture of Out-of-Town Guests When the Rockies Are on the Road: The Balcony of the State Capitol Dome
Best Place to Take a Picture of Out-of-Town Guests When the Rockies Are in Town: Coors Field, Section 318
Best Out-of-Town Guests: Building Bridges for Peace
Best Parking Lot Sign: 16th and Wazee
Best No-Smoking Sign: Bruegger's Bagels
Best Warning Sign: Philatelic Center, U.S. Post Office
Best Graffiti: SK Grocery Store
Best Highway Sign Devoted Entirely to a Religious Organization: Focus on the Family
Best Place to Buy Official-Looking Street Signs: J&S Contractor Supply
Best Totem Pole: Rickenbaugh Collision Repair Center
Best Pavement Poetry: P.S. 1 Charter School
Best Poetic Euphemism: Jack Kerouac
Best View of Elitch's: Crescent Park
Best Up-and-Coming Neighborhood: Uptown
Best Slice of Urban Suburbia: East Bay
Best New Building: Metropolitan Lofts Readers' Choice: Denver Public Library
Best Loft Renovation: The Lofts at the Denver Dry
Best Book on Old Buildings: "Buildings of Colorado"
Best Development Under Construction: Denver Pavilions
Best Rehab of a Modern Building: Denver Health Administrative Offices
Best Rehab of a Historic Building: A.T. Lewis Building
Best Restoration Effort by a Whole Town: Silverton Town Hall, Silverton
Best Old Stone House: Old Stone House, Barr Lake
Best One-Room School Building: Pleasant Park School & Grange #156, Conifer
Best Piece of Madison County in Suburban Littleton: Southbridge
Best Guide to Colorado Living: "The Code of the West", Larimer County Planning Division
Best Rural Fixation: "Rural Is...", Colorado Rural Health Center
Best Ten-Block Strip in Denver: Larimer St., from 14th St to 24th Readers' Choice: LoDo
SPORTS AND RECREATION
Best Place to Put the New Broncos Stadium: Los Angeles, California Readers' Choice: Stapleton Airport
Best Way to Pay for the New Broncos Stadium: The Bowlen Taxing District Readers' Choice: Pat Bowlen pays for it
Best Attempt to get Mile High Back to the Drawing Board: Stuart Ohlson's Redesign of Mile High Stadium; Ohlson Lavoie Architects
Best New Feature at Coors Field: The Speed Sign
Best Place to Get to First Base at Coors Field: Behind Madeline's, Near Section 150
Best Offer of a Helping Hand: The Coors Field Message Board
Best Free Ride to Sporting Events: Cheerleaders
Best Rockie: Larry Walker, Right Fielder Readers' Choice: Larry Walker
Best Av: Peter Forsberg, Center Readers' Choice: Patrick Roy
Best Bronco: Terrell Davis, Running Back Readers' Choice: John Elway
Best Nugget: Antonio McDyess, Forward Readers' Choice: LaPhonso Ellis
Best Pro Soccer Player: Chris Henderson, Colorado Rapids, Midfielder
Best Soccer Games for People-Watching: Colorado Foxes
Best New Pro Franchise: Colorado Xplosion
Best Local Sports Team: Colorado Avalanche Readers' Choice: Avalanche
Best Team With Lots of Heart: U.S. Transplant Games, Team Colorado
Best Pro Coach: Marc Crawford, Avalanche Readers' Choice: Marc Crawford
Best College Coach: Ricardo Patton, CU Basketball
Best CU Football Player: Ryan Olson, Nose Tackle
Best CSU Football Player: Moses Moreno, Quarterback
Best Air Force Academy Football Player: Chris Gizzi, Inside Linebacker
Best CU Basketball Player: Ronnie DeGray, Forward
Best CU Women's Basketball Player: LaShena Graham, Guard
Best University of Denver Hockey Player: Paul Comrie, Right Wing
Best College Athlete You've Never Heard Of: Knut Ekjord, CU Golf Team
Best Player Quote: Shannon Sharpe, Broncos Receiver
Best Sports Bar: Chopper's Sports Grill
Best Rockies Game Day Bar: McCormick's Fish House & Bar
Best Olympic Athlete: Amy Van Dyken
Best New Sports Event: IRL Colorado 200
Best Race Car Driver: Buddy Lazier
Best Bicycle Racer: Rishi Grewal
Best Greyhound: Lord Dempsey
Best Boxer: Stevie Johnston, WBC Lightweight Champion
Best Sports Upset: Louis Monaco d. Peter McNeeley, Boxing
Best Way to Rack up Hits on the World Wide Web: www.blackjacktime.com
Best Local Sports Book: The Player's Guide to Golf in Colorado
Best Public Tennis Courts: Gates Tennis Center
Best Public Golf Course: Canterberry Golf Course Readers' Choice: Wellshire
Best Denver Public Golf Course Outside Denver: Evergreen Golf Course
Best Private Golf Course: The Sanctuary Readers' Choice: Castle Pines
Best Public Playground: City Park Community-Built Playground
Best Neighborhood Playground: Montview Community Preschool and Kindergarten
Best New-Mom Workout: Mom-O-Rama
Best Ladies' League: Colorado Columbines
Best Exhibition Games: First Annual National Vintage Base Ball Festival
Best Exhibitionists: Shirtless Volleyball Players at Cheesman Park
Best Place for a Twilight Outdoor Amour: Berkeley Park
Best-placed Virtual Reality: Starport, Park Meadows
Best Place to Hallucinate: Tiny Town
Best Fun Run: Run With the Animals Series Readers' Choice: Bolder Boulder
Best Bowling Alley: Bowlero Lanes Readers' Choice: Monaco Lanes
Best Place to Lose Your Balls: Cosmic Bowling
Best Virtual Bowling: Alley 19, www.starplay.com
Best Non-Lethal Blood Sport: A-1 Archery
Best Place to Puck Around: Bladium Sports Club
Best BMX Track: Skyhigh BMX, Lutz Sports Complex
Best Holy Rollers: City on the Hill Church
Best Place to Ride Bikes With the Kids: Bear Creek State Park
Best Teen Hangout: FunPlex
Best Girls Club: Girls Incorporated of Metro Denver
Best Place to Learn Fly-Fishing: Blue Quill Anglers
Best Place to Buy Worms in the Middle of the Night: Bait N Bullet Shop
Best Place to Buy Dinosaurs: United States Postal Service
Best Place to Read About Dinosaurs: Prehistoric Journey: A History of Life on Earth
Best News for Train Nerds: Kansas Pacific Rebuild
Best Training Ground: Golden Branch, Jefferson County Library
Best Train Grounds: Colorado Railroad Museum
Best Out-Of-Season Ski Shopping: Colorado Ski Museum
Best Double-Diamond Ski Run: Devil's Crotch, Breckenridge Readers' Choice: Pallavicini
Best Blue Cruiser: Harrier, Beaver Creek Readers' Choice: Big Burn
Best Snowboarding Run: Naked Lady, Snowmass Readers' Choice: Area 51
Best One-Day Bike Tour: The Triple Bypass
Best Place to Pretend You're in Africa: Primate Panorama, Denver Zoo
Best Secondary Highway: Colorado 83, Colorado Springs to Parker
Best Tour of Colorado Landmarks: Colorado Journey at Cornerstone Park
Best Tours: TourUSA
Best In-Town Getaway: On Golden Pond Bed & Breakfast Readers' Choice: Brown Palace Hotel
Best Out-of-Town Getaway: Devil's Head Tower Readers' Choice: Boulder
Best Summer Getaway: Purgatory Village Resort
Best Bird-Watching Bed-and-Breakfast: The Plover Inn
Best Birdhouses: Denver Botanic Gardens Birdhaus Competition
Best Harvest: My Garden Visits
Best Year-Round Garden Boutique: Summerhouse, Ltd.
Best Service for Colorado Gardeners: Plant Select, Colorado State University and Denver Botanic Gardens
Best Beds: Welby Gardens
Best Erotic Gardening Book: Sex in Your Garden
Best Open-Hearted Donation of Open Space: Tweet Kimball, Cherokee Ranch
Best Tree Dedicated to William Shakespeare: The Shakespeare Elm
GOODS AND SERVICES
Best Store at Cherry Creek Shopping Center: M.A.C.
Readers' Choice: Lord & Taylor
Best One-Stop Shopping: Mammography Center at Nordstrom
Best New Store at Cherry Creek Shopping Center: The Great American Backrub
Best Reason to Go To Park Meadows: Shoe shopping Readers' Choice: Nordstrom
Best Reason to Go Near Park Meadows: The Container Store
Best Independent Outlet for Designer Clothes: Hotty
Best Place to Buy the Newest, Latest Hip-Hop Fashions: Hip Hop Fashion Shop
Best Hip Maternity Clothes: Applause
Best Locally Produced Frocks: Sarah Campbell Dresses
Best Locally Produced Coats: Treasure Coats by Sharelle Pankey, Sharelle's
Best Shirt Laundry: The Shirt Laundry
Best Wall-O-Hats: Rave's Uptown Antiques
Best Place to Buy a Cowboy-Hat Condom: Colorado Saddlery
Best Vaquero Boots: Bota de Oro
Best Cheap New Men's Clothes: T & C Mens Center
Best Cheap Facial: The Marquis Aveda Institute
Best Facelift: Walgreen Drug Store
Best Down-Home Beauty Products: Lily of Colorado
Best Old-Time Pieces: Atlantis Gems
Best Vintage Jewelry: Brigitte Schluger Gallery
Best Vintage Store: American Vogue
Best Collectible Vintage Posters: Colorado Vintage Poster Gallery
Best Movie Poster Shop: Cinema Graphics
Best Place to Find Star Wars Collectibles: Arvada Antique Emporium
Best Video Store: Video Station
Best VCR Diagnosis and Repair: Contact Electronics
Best British-Television Video Selection: Channel Six Store
Best Theater Arts Store: Scene to Screen
Best Backdrops: Colorado Scenery
Best Friend an Artist Ever Had: CoLA Arts Mediation Service
Best Medical School With No Tests: CU Mini Medical School
Best Place to Buy Stuff You Didn't Know You Needed: MacFrugal's
Best Free Service: Internet Lessons, Denver Public Library Readers' Choice: 16th Street Mall shuttle
Best Free Service, Part Two: Denver Public Library Map and Travel Collections
Best Free Service on Your Birthday: Free Admission to the Denver Zoo Readers' Choice: Denny's
Best School-Supply Store: Banks School Supply
Best Playground Equipment Supplier: Children's Playstructures Inc.
Best Children's Furniture: Kids & Co.
Best Mattresses: Z's Mattress Factory Store
Best Miniatures: Bob's Hobbies and Dollhouses
Best Doll Shop: Denver Doll Emporium
Best Place to Play Dress-Up: Dolls & Kids Closet
Best Costume Shop: Costume Department, Denver Public Schools
Best Kids' Boutique: Monkey Doodles
Best Music For Kids: Borders
Best Reliable Emergency Childcare: Seniors! Inc.
Best Reliable Web Site for Childcare: KidCare Online, http://www.KidCareOnline.com
Best Local Web Page: MapQuest, http://www.mapquest.com Readers' Choice: www.citysurf.com
Best Online Future: Mo's Mystical Metaphysical Tour
Best Alternative to Reading Trashy Tabloids at the Grocery Store: Mercury Mail, http://www.mercurymail.com
Best Magazine for Geeks: Boardwatch
Best Proof That Three's Not a Crowd: Loving More magazine
Best Nest Egg: Home Ownership Bridal Registry
Best Directions to Splitsville: Friendly Divorce Guidebook for Colorado
Best Adult Bookstore: Adult Book and Video
Best Tattered Cover: Tattered Cover LoDo
Best Used Bookstore: Books Unlimited
Best Revival of a Bookstore: The Hue-Man Experience
Best Place for Legislators to Sneak Away From Work Unnoticed: Capitol Hill Books
Best Children's Bookstore: Book Worm
Best Mystery Bookstore: The Rue Morgue
Best Study Hall: University of Denver Penrose Library
Best Higher Source: The Metaphysical Book Store
Best Place to Wear the High Life: Hemperor's New Clothes
Best Place to Get in Touch With the Collective Unconscious: Jungian Ministries
Best Place to Find Your Pagan Soul: Herbs & Arts
Best Place to Attain Home-Repair Nirvana: 52nd Ave. and Wadsworth Blvd.
Best Treasure Hunting: Soul of a Gypsy
Best African Objects and Drum Circles: From Slaveship to Ownership
Best Third-World Crafts Shop: Ten Thousand Villages
Best Place to Buy Batiks: Shakti Images
Best Fabric Store: D'Lea's Fabric & Button Studio
Best Made-To-Order Afrocentric Clothing: Akente Express
Best 16th Street Mall Vendor: JoAnn Trudel Readers' Choice: Tristan, 50-cent hot dogs
Best Larimer Square Tourist Trap: Fandango
Best Ethnic Strip Mall: Plaza Esteban
Best Judaica: Temple Emanuel Judaica Shop
Best Exotica: Kandu, Inc.
Best Eclectica: Ruins/SMS Studio
Best Eclectic Bath Shop: Manorisms
Best Wacky Lamp: Pismo Original Art Furniture
Best Mexican Furniture: Disant
Best Salvaged Home Furnishings: Architectural Antiques
Best Lawn Alligators: Joe Anderson Metal Art
Best Pet Pro Venders: Sherlock Hound's 6th Avenue Pet Supply
Best Place to Coif Your Canine: Ooh La Pooch‚z Boutique & Spa
Best Public Service for Abused Pets: Animal Orphanage
Best Public Service for Homeless Cats: Alley Cat Allies
Best Public Service for Homeless Mountain Pets: Intermountain Humane Society
Best Place to Establish a Trust Fund for Your Pet: Boulder County Humane Society
Best Place to Pamper Your Puss: The Whole Cat
Best Place to Get your Mutt Fixed: Harrison Memorial Animal Hospital Spay/Neuter Services
Best Place to Get your Mitt Fixed: Chaney's Sport & Fitness
Best Kite Store: Into the Wind Kite Store
Best All-Terrain Boards: MountainBoard Sports
Best Blowups: Boulder Blimp Co.
Best Hubcap Replacement: Hubcap America
Best Custom Two-Wheeler Dealer: Dragon Lowriders
Best Local Moving Experience: Man With a Van
Best Way to Get to the Airport: RTD SkyRide
Best Airport Vendor: Colorado Colors Readers' Choice: The Body Shop
Best Way to Get Into the Airport: Valet Parking
Best Way to Pamper Your Car While You're Out of Town: ETA Express
Best Grocery Express Lanes: King Soopers Castle Rock
Best Use of Plastic: King Soopers Card
Best Use of Paper: Paper Pleasures
Best Card Store: Montague's
Best Greeting Cards: The Gathering Place
Best Artful Framing: Old South Frame & Gallery
Best Place to Find a Framed Picture of Shaun Cassidy: Koochi Koochi
Best Place to Buy 45's: Hear Here
Best Place to Buy Used Jukeboxes That Play 45's: Universal Sales & Service
Best Vinyl Haven: Don's Discs
Best New Record Store: Wax Trax Records
Best Used Record Store: Recycle Seedeez & Tapes
Best Informed Record Staff: Twist & Shout
Best Laser Disc Store: J.B. & H. Records and Tapes
Best Place for Cigars, Cigarettes and Oldies Music: Your Cigarette Outlet, Inc.
Best Smokers: Jordan's Custom Made
Best Used Camera Store: The Camera Trader
Best Name Change: Infotest International
Best Business Name: Rentokil Tropical Plants
ARTS AND ENTERTAINMENT
Best Free Entertainment: Capitol Hill People's Fair Talent Tryouts Readers' Choice: Symphony in the Park
Best Festival: Oatmeal Day, Lafayette Readers' Choice: Taste of Colorado Festival of Mountain and Plain
Best Fourth of July Celebration: Firehouse, Indian Hills
Best Arts Festival: Art Students League Show and Sale Readers' Choice: Cherry Creek Arts Festival
Best Art Show in Colorado--Ever: Boardman Robinson: American Muralist and Illustrator (1876-1952); Colorado Springs Fine Arts Center
Best Solo Show--Living Artist: Mary Obering Paintings (1978-1996); Rule Modern and Contemporary Readers' Choice: Mary Obering Paintings (1978-1996); Rule Modern and Contemporary
Best Solo Show--Dead Artist: David Rigsby Retrospective; Pirate: A Contemporary Art Oasis
Best solo Show by an Emerging Artist: Cameron Jones: bash, waste, and obfuscate; Pirate: A Contemporary Art Oasis
Best Group Show: Materials Witness; Emmanuel Gallery Readers' Choice: Metro Student Art Fair
Best Old-Timey Modern Show: Al Wynne; Mackey Gallery
Best Landscape Show With a Contemporary Twist: Chuck Forsman; Robischon Gallery
Best Sculpture Show: Jeffery Keith: Tools/toys, childhood & gender; Boulder Museum of Contemporary Art
Best Ceramics Show: Altered States: Contemporary American Ceramics; Metro State College Center for the Visual Arts
Best Installation Show: Insight on Site; Arvada Center for the Arts and Humanities
Best Print Show: Working Proof: 20 Years of Prints from Shark's Inc.; CU-Boulder Art Galleries
Best Salute to the New York School: Robert Motherwell: Master Prints; Robischon Gallery
Best Painting Show: Major Paintings; Inkfish Gallery
Best Museum Exhibit (Temporary): The Grosvenor Gallery; Denver Art Museum Readers' Choice: Imperial Tombs of China
Best Place to Buy Museum-Quality Art: The Vance Kirkland Foundation and Studio
Best Gallery That Hasn't Presented an Exhibition in More Than a Year: Sloane Gallery
Best New Public Art--High End: "Argus (P.J.)," by Deborah Butterfield; Denver Art Museum
Best New Public Art--Bargain Division: "The Welcoming Committee," by Elaine Calzolari; RTD Terminal at S. Broadway and I 25
Best Art for Arf's Sake: Cosmo's Dog Biscuit Bakery
Best Western-Themed Show: Cheyenne Dog Soldiers; Colorado History Museum
Best Sneak Preview of an Art Project: Christo and Jeanne-Claude--Works in Progress: Over the River; Robischon Gallery
Best Mural: Leo Tanguma and Friends; North Arvada Middle School
Best Museum Devoted to Bells: International Bell Museum
Best Museums Devoted to Ma Bell: Telecommunications History Group
Best Example of Teamwork in the Arts: Art & Soul
Best Public Sandbox for Poets: Bleeding TVs of Angels
Best Overdue Appointment: Mary Crow, Colorado Poet Laureate
Best Irish Rebellion: James Joyce Society
Best Coffee-Table Book: The Triumphant Spirit
Best Story Theater: The Story Gleaner
Best Place for Bilingual Bear Stories: Woodbury Library
Best Family Theater: Peter Pan; Denver Center Theatre Company
Best Slice of Americana: Stanton's Garage
Best Production of an American Classic: Orpheus Descending; Industrial Arts Theatre
Best Period Reproduction: 42nd Street; County Dinner Playhouse
Best Musical: A Brief History of White Music; The Vogue Theatre
Best Theater Production: Racing Demon; Denver Center Theatre Company Readers' Choice: Always...Patsy Cline
Best Director: Laura Cuetara; American Buffalo
Best Experimental Production: HamletMachine; The LIDA Project
Best Hamlet: Richard Nelson as John Barrymore
Best Breathless Bard: The Compleat Wrks of Wllm Shkspr (Abridged); Theatre on Broadway
Best Political Tragicomedy: Good; Hunger Artists Ensemble Theatre
Best Surprise Performance: Joseph Miller in Faithful; Avenue Theatre
Best Dysfunctional Family Show: Faithful
Best Wicked Fun: A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum; The Physically Handicapped Amateur Musical Actors League
Best Villain: Paul Page in Faithful
Best Theater Company: CityStage Ensemble
Best Theater From Hell: Don Juan in Hell; Germinal Stage in Denver
Best Actor: Christopher Leo
Best One-Man Show: Harvey's Boy; Chicken Lips Comedy Theater
Best Jack-Of-All-Theater-Trades: Jeremy Cole
Best Surfer Dude: Mark Rubald in Comedy of Errors; Denver Center Theatre Company
Best Comic Performance by an Actress: Deborah Persoff in Faithful
Best Performance by an Actress: Jeanne Paulson in Molly Sweeney; Denver Center Theatre Company
Best Supporting Actress: Stephanie Cozart in Arcadia; Denver Center Theatre Company
Best Feminist Performance: Therese Pickard in Painted Bread; Industrial Arts Theatre
Best Female Ensemble Theater: The Deer and the Antelope Play; Avenue Theatre
Best New Theater Company: HorseChart
Best Movie Theater: The Continental
Best Theater in Which to Absorb the Teachings of Yoda: The Continental
Best Movie Theater Parking Lot: The Continental
Best New Multiplex: Mann Olde Town 14
Best Art House: The Mayan
Best Concession Candy Bar: "Sundried Jungle Banana"; The Esquire
Best New Concession Item: The Iceman Cometh Sorbet; Mayan and Esquire theaters
Best Refuge for Pre- or Post-Movie Cocktails: The Hornet
Best Movie Promotion: Big Night Dinner, Barolo Grill
Best Movie Made in Denver: George Stanley, Ghost Hunter; Leslie Cyril and Artemus Fred, producers
Best Locally Produced Film: The 27th Hour; Mary Lynn Chambers, director
Best New Colorado Filmmaker: Steven Luff
Best Movie Produced by a Denver Cop: The Final Message; Brian Charles, director
Best Revival Run: Das Boot
Best Denver Film Festival Film: A Personal Journey With Martin Scorsese Through American Movies; Martin Scorsese, director
Best Denver Film Festival Sleeper: Microcosmos; Claude Nuriedsany
Best Oscar Handicapper: Amy Windels, Englewood
Best Star Sighting: Esquire Theater; March 10, 1997
Best New Event: The Denver Jazz on Film Festival; Acoma City Center; May 23-36, 1997
Best Campus Film Event: Errol Morris; CU-Boulder Film Series
Best College Film Course: "Sex, Death and Cinema," CU-Boulder
Best Reference to Colorado in a Recent Movie: Dying to Be Perfect: The Ellen Hart Pena Story Readers' Choice: The Shining
Best Performance by a Colorado in a Recent Movie: Asteroids Readers' Choice: The Shining
Best Heavenly Performance by a Coloradan: Martha Williamson
Best Performance by a Colorado Group at the White House: The Association of Living History
Best Sign That Colorado Bands Are Being Noticed in Places Other Than Colorado: South by Southwest 1997
Best Music-Oriented Legal Dispute: Janet Jackson vs. the Onion
Best Publicity Stunt: VH1 Press Conference; Buell Theatre; January 22, 1997
Best Protest by a Music Scenester: Hakeem Abdul-Khaaliq
Best Protest by a Music Scenester--Runner-Up: Mike Elkerton
Best Musical Soap Opera: The Samples
Best Musical Cult Figure: Ralph Gean
Best Musical Iconoclast: David Willey
Best Impersonation of a Country Singer: Bob Tyler/Bub Taylor
Best Country Radio Station: KYGO-AM/1600
Best Public-Radio Station: KGNU-FM/88.5
Best Native American Music and News: alterNative Voices; KUVO-FM/89.3
Best Rock DJ: Susie Wargin, KBPI-FM/106.7
Best Rock Band: Space Team Electra Readers' Choice: Big Head Todd and the Monsters
Best Punk-Rock Band: The Hate Fuck Trio
Best Rap Band: nGoMa Readers' Choice: Lord of Word and the Disciples of Bass
Best Dance Band: Lord of Word and the Disciples of Bass Readers' Choice: Hot Tomatoes Dance Orchestra
Best Blues Band: The Lionel Young Band Readers' Choice: Stanley Milton
Best Blues Vocalist: Wende Harston
Best Jazz Band: Ginger Baker's Denver Jazz Quintet Readers' Choice: Dotsero
Best Country Band: The Dalhart Imperials Readers' Choice: Slim Cessna's Auto Club
Best Bluegrass Musician: Tony Furtado
Best Singer-Songwriter--Male: Steven Ray Liedlich
Best Singer-Songwriter--Female: Sherri Jackson
Best Band Name: Whores, Pigs and Ponies
Best Stage Name: Winona Righteous
Best 16th Street Mall Entertainer: Rifkin Readers' Choice: The Mickey-Mouse-ears guy who plays harmonica and guitar
Best New Music Festival: Denver Blues Festival
Best New New-Music Festival: Creative Music Festival
Best New Acoustic Music Festival: Roots of Blues; Swallow Hill Music Association
Best Homegrown Music Festival: The Denver Rock N' Rhythm-Billy Weekend; July 12-13, 1996
Best Garage-Rock Festival: Treble Fest '96!
Best Concert--Denver: Bruce Springsteen; Paramount Theatre; October 16, 1996
Best Concert--Boulder: Tricky; Fox Theatre; January 21, 1997
Best One-Man Concert Promotion Operation: Pat McCullogh, Celtic Events
Best Theater--Denver: Bluebird Theater
Best Theater--Boulder: Fox Theatre
Best Concert Venue: Red Rocks
Best Local Recording: Starbent but Superfreaked; Foreskin 500 Readers' Choice: Sherri Jackson
Best Cassette: The Collected Works of Shitbox; Shitbox
Best Rock Label: 360 Twist! Records
Best Blues Recording: Rosewood & Steel; Mary Flower
Best Country CD: Changes in the Heart; Richard Dean
Best Bluegrass CD: I Tell You What!; Pete Wernick's Live 5
Best Dance Label: Terraform Records
Best Metal Label: Napalm Records America
Best Death-Metal CD: Thanatos Descends; Dead World
Best Classical CD: Vikings of the Sunrise; Stephen Scott
Best News for Colorado Symphony Lovers: Free Cough Drops
Best Attempt to Ballet Up to the Bar: Colorado Ballet's Bill's Saloon
Best Bossa Nova Album Made in Denver or Anywhere Else: In a Brazilian Mood
Best Jazz Recording on a Major Label: Ron Miles; Woman's Day
Best Hideaway for Jazzophiles: Sherman's Coffee House
Best Jazz Jam for Players-In-Training: Joe Lukasik's Underground Jazz University; Sherman's Coffee House
Best Colorado-Made Instruments: Ross/Warburton Basses
Best World Beaters: MKONO
Best Out-Of-This-World Fan Club: Official Star Wars Fan Club
Best Musical Performance by a News Anchor: John Soderman
Best Performance by a News Anchor on a Local CD: Ernie Bjorkman; Garden Weasels' Lawn Job
Best Musical Performance by a Sports Coach: Rick Neuheisel
Best Place to See Sports Celebrities Singing Badly: Sing Sing Piano Bar
Best Place to Kick Back After a Saturday Night Lady Buffs Home Game: Lava Lounge at the Elle
Best Rock Club: The Lion's Lair Readers' Choice: The Church
Best Punk Club: 15th Street Tavern Readers' Choice: The Lion's Lair
Best Blues Club: Brendan's Pub Readers' Choice: Brendan's Pub
Best Jazz Club: El Chapultepec Readers' Choice: El Chapultepec
Best C&W Club: The Grizzly Rose Readers' Choice: The Grizzly Rose
Best Barn Dances: Cowboy Cotillion; C-FOOTMAD/Swallow Hill
Best Darn Dances: Zydeco House Party; C-FOOTMAD/Swallow Hill
Best Place to Learn to Imitate Michael Flatley: The Wick School of Irish Dance
Best Revamping of a Club: The Mercury Cafe
Best Reincarnation of a Gay Bar: Tracks 2000
Best Dive Bar: Gordy's Lounge
Best Club Decor--Exterior: Rock Island
Best Club Decor--Interior: The Church
Best Club DJ: DJ Skunk Readers' Choice: John Chamie
Best Experimental Dance Club: The Snake Pit
Best Progressive Dance Club: Rock Island
Best All-Ages Club: Club Synergy Readers' Choice: Rock Island
Best After-Hours Club: Club Synergy Readers' Choice: Club Synergy
Best After-Hours Event Production Company: Come Together Productions
Best After-Hours Event of the Last Twelve Months: "Do You Own a Pet?"; Tribe Production Company; April 5, 1997
Best Last Call: Lane's Tavern
FOOD AND DRINK
Best Chicken-Fried Steak: Great Scott's Eatery
Best Roast Chicken: Aubergine Cafe Readers' Choice: Boston Market
Best Chicken Kebobs: Caf‚ Euphrates
Best Chicken, Little: Brown Sugar's Burgers & Bones
Best Chicken, Livered: Plaza Deli
Best Chicken, Out: Safeway
Best Fried Chicken: Castle Cafe
Best Chicken for Chicken Feed: El Azteca
Best Chicken Noodle Soup: The Filly Bistro
Best Gumbo: Moondance
Best Takeout Clambake: Cherry Crest Market & Restaurant
Best Crabcakes: Pinots
Best Oyster Shooters: Jax Fish House
Best Fried Shrimp: Isle of Singapore
Best Fried Lobster: Trinity Grill
Best Seafood Restaurant: Starfish Readers' Choice: McCormick's
Best Fish-Eye View of Downtown: Sonoda's Seafood and Sushi
Best Frog's Legs: Le Delice
Best Fish Neck: Japon
Best Turkey Butt: Carniceria Guadalajara
Best Puttanesca: Mel's Bar and Grill
Best Pot-Au-Feu: Cucina Leone
Best Pot of Food: Empress Seafood Restaurant
Best Cheap Breakfast: Dumitri's Readers' Choice: Pete's Kitchen
Best Breakfast on Your Way to the Hospital: Hot Cakes
Best Breakfast on Your Way to the Mountains: Home on the Range
Best Brunch After a Mountain Bike Ride: Morrison Inn
Best Brunch Buffet: The Augusta at the Westin Hotel Readers' Choice: Simms Landing
Best A La Carte Brunch: Le Central Best Power Breakfast: Dixons Downtown Grill
Best Power Lunch: Thuy-Hoa's Bar & Grille Readers' Choice: The Palm
Best All-You-Can-Eat Deal: So-Fully Kosha' Restaurant
Best Veggie Buffet: Creative Cafe
Best Asian Buffet: Thai Kitchen
Best Bang for Your Buck: Ho Ho Chinese Restaurant
Best Dinner Under $5: Chef's Noodle House
Best Dinner Specials: The Park Tavern and Restaurant
Best Place for Dinner After 10 p.m.: My Brother's Bar; Wazee Supper Club Readers' Choice: Racines
Best Free Food Samples: Price Club
Best Children's Menu: Bourbon Street Pizzabar & Grill Readers' Choice: Red Robin
Best 16th Street Mall Food Vendor: The Philadelphia Filly
Best Food Court Vendor: N'Orleans Cajun Grill
Best Outdoor Patio: La Coupole Readers' Choice: Rock Bottom Brewery
Best Salad Bar: Wild Oats Readers' Choice: Healthy Habits
Best Surprise Salad Bar: The Rotary Table in the Amoco Building
Best Caesar: Cliff Young's
Best Vegetarian Menu: Hugh's New American Bistro
Best Vegetarian Pie: Bump & Grind Cardio Cafe
Best Vegetarian Sandwich: Cafe Galileo
Best Grilled Sandwich: Pressto
Best Sandwiches: Maria's Bakery & Deli
Best Subs: Mangia Subs
Best Hot Dog: Paul's Place
Best Hamburger: Brasserie Z Readers' Choice: Good Times
Best French Fries: Strings Readers' Choice: Good Times
Best Steak: Morton's of Chicago Readers' Choice: Morton's of Chicago
Best Steak According to Barry Fey: Del Frisco's Double Eagle Steakhouse
Best Cheap Steak According to Barry Fey: Trail Dust Steak House
Best Retro Steakhouse: Emil-Lene's Sirloin House
Best Pork Prime Rib: The Prime Rib Restaurant and Steakhouse
Best Barbecued Ribs: M&D's BBQ & Fish Palace Readers' Choice: Sam Taylor's Bar-B-Q
Best Example of Using Your Noodle: Oodles
Best Plate of Spaghetti: Valente's
Best Thin Pizza: Enzo's End Readers' Choice: Bonnie Brae
Best Thick Pizza: Beau Jo's Readers' Choice: Beau Jo's
Best In-Between Pizza: Bourbon Street Pizzabar & Grill
Best Pizza-Dough Deal: Cub Foods
Best Breads: Denver Bread Company
Best Drop-In Dessert Spot: Pony Expresso and Dessert Bar
Best Before- or After-Concert Nosh: Across the Street Caf
Best Cinnamon Rolls: Eats and Sweets
Best Bagels: Bagels & Beyond Readers' Choice: Einstein Bros.
Best Bakery: Costco Wholesale
Best Cookies: Heavenly Ham
Best Gourmet Pies: Granny Scott's Pie Shop
Best Humble Pies: Heidi's Bagels & Ice Cream
Best Gingerbread: Bang!
Best Ice Cream Cakes: Magill's Ice Cream
Best Dessert Menu: Palmetto Grille Readers' Choice: Cheesecake Factory
Best Peach Cobbler: Racines
Best Fruit Cake: The Market
Best Tiramisu: Janleone
Best Way to Put the Rush Back in Rush Hour: The Coffee People
Best 25-cent Cup of Coffee: Caf‚ Nordstrom
Best Coffee Selection: Gallery Coffeehouse
Best Gay Coffee Klatch: Dietrich's Coffee
Best Lesbian Coffee Klatch: Euphemia's Place
Best Net Cafe: Majordomo's
Best Coffee in a Teahouse: Satsang Cafe
Best Happy Hour for Free Food: The Church Readers' Choice: Jose O'Shea's
Best Happy Hour Under $2: McCormick's Fish House & Bar
Best Brewpub: Breckenridge Brewery and Pub Readers' Choice: Wynkoop Brewing Co.
Best Performance by a Brewpub: Wynkoop Brewing Co.
Best Pub Pop: Coopersmith's Pub & Brewing
Best Local Microbrew--Lager: 1858 Gold Camp Amber Lager, Cheyenne Mtn Brewing Co.
Best Local Microbrew--Ale: Alpenglow Strong Ale, Steamboat Brewery
Best Local Microbrew--Porter: St. Brigid's Porter, Great Divide Brewing Co.
Best Local Microbrew--Stout: Oasis Zoser Oatmeal Stout, Oasis Brewery
Best Local Microbrew--Fruit: Strawberry Wheat Ale, Breckenridge Brewing Co.
Best Local Microbrew--Spice: Saison, New Belgium Brewing Co.
Best Local Microbrew--Wheat: Tabernash Weiss, Tabernash Brewing Company
Best Local Microbrew--Pale Ale: Ancient Whale Ale, Atlantis Brewing Co.
Best Ballpark Beer: Squeeze Play Wheat, The Sandlot Brewery
Best Wine List--Selection: 240 Union Readers' Choice: Enoteca
Best Wine List--Price: Legacy Grill at Legacy Ridge Golf Course Readers' Choice: Le Central
Best Wine List--By the Glass: Trios Readers' Choice: Enoteca
Best Wine List--Selection, Price and By the Glass: Today's Gourmet Highland's Garden Cafe
Best Wine List in a Chinese Restaurant: Imperial
Best Martini: Avenue Grill Readers' Choice: Purple Martini
Best Martini Bar: The Palm Restaurant Readers' Choice: Purple Martini
Best Cigar Bar: Del Frisco's Double Eagle Steakhouse Readers' Choice: Enoteca
Best Bar Table: Kozy Corner Bar and Cafe
Best Bachelors' Pad: Duffy's Shamrock Restaurant & Bar
Best Margarita: Croc's Cafe
Best Offbeat Margarita: La Fogata
Best Chips and Salsa: Zolo Grill Readers' Choice: Benny's
Best Taco: El Tejado Readers' Choice: Taco Bell
Best Burrito: Z-Teca Mexican Grill Readers' Choice: Chipotle
Best Breakfast Burrito: The Bagel Deli Readers' Choice: Pete's Kitchen
Best Basic Burrito: Rosa Linda Mexican Cafe
Best Tamale: La Pasadita Inn
Best Soft Chile Relleno: Las Brisas
Best Crispy Chile Relleno: Alamos Verdes
Best Green Chile: Bamboo Hut Readers' Choice: Chubby's
Best Gringo Green Chile: Cherry Cricket
Best Red Chile: Brewery Bar II
Best Chili Con Carne: Denver Buffalo Company Readers' Choice: Las Delicias
Best Steak Ranchero: Se¤or Pepe's
Best Refried Beans: La Cueva
Best Free Menudo: Mickey Manor
Best Hot Sauce Collection: Caribbean Colors
Best Hot Sauce to Go: Hot Cha Cha Cha
Best Puerto Rican Market: Old San Juan Groceries
Best International Market: International Market
Best Mom-and-Pop Health Food Store: Sundance Natural Foods
Best Food for Thought: Seasonings for a Colorado Afternoon, Evergreen Women's Press
Best Place to Find Roast-Moose Recipes: The Cook's Book
Best Breadstuffs: Middle East Market
Best Olive-Oil Selection: Aladdin
Best Polish Deli: Staropolska Deli
Best Thai Market: Lucky Oriental Market
Best Asian Market: Pacific Mercantile
Best Steamed Dumplings: Pavilion Chinese Restaurant
Best Egg Rolls: Little Saigon
Best Unconventional Egg Rolls: Irene's International
Best Chinese Restaurant: Golden Plate Readers' Choice: Imperial
Best Sushi: Sonoda's Seafood and Sushi
Best Japanese Restaurant: Mori Readers' Choice: Mori
Best Thai Restaurant: Taste of Thailand Readers' Choice: Tommy's Oriental Thai-Chinese
Best Indonesian Restaurant: Bali Island
Best Vietnamese Restaurant: Saigon Bowl Readers' Choice: New Saigon
Best Indian Restaurant: India's
Best Middle Eastern Restaurant: Jerusalem Readers' Choice: Jerusalem
Best Mediterranean Restaurant: Aubergine Cafe
Best Greek Restaurant: Thia's Cafe
Best Pasta Restaurant: Pastina
Best Italian Restaurant: Barolo Grill Readers' Choice: Carmine's on Penn
Best French Restaurant: Tante Louise Readers' Choice: Tante Louise
Best Fusion Restaurant: Papillon
Best Romantic Restaurant: Manor House
Best Place for a Low-Rent Rendezvous: Bastien's
Best Place for a Discreet But High-Class Affair: Mataam Fez
Best Place to Eat When Someone Else is Paying: Tuscany at the Loews-Giorgio Hotel Readers' Choice: Morton's
Best Creative Sign Change: Panaderia Aguas Calientes
Best Restaurant Resurrection: Sadie's Kitchen
Best Place to Get Resurrected--Fast: Denver Diner
Best New Restaurant: Brasserie Z Readers' Choice: The Cheesecake Factory
