And the nominees are...
Spring is in bloom (in theory) and with the turning of the seasons comes an annual tradition...award season.
Local business, local artists and local musicians are all coming into focus this month and it's time to celebrate some of the things that make it pretty great to live and work in this community.
The best part is - you get to decide.
The gang over at the Portland Buy Local campaign is celebrating what it means to buy local and the people who make it possible with the first Portland Indie Biz Awards.
Now through April 17 they are accepting nominations for local businesses in seven categories, including "Portland Soul," "Local Legend," "Forest City Hero," and "Beacon of My Neighborhood," among others.
When you're celebrating all the things that make spending your money around town great, you can't use cookie-cutter categories:
THE PORTLAND OBSERVATORY
PILLAR OF THE COMMUNITY - This is the business that has been around forever, persevering through the good and the bad, mentoring new businesses, preserving our city’s history and character. It’s the classic spot “you have to go to” when visitors come to town.
The Indie Biz Awards are a fundraiser for the Buy Local folks, but it's also a chance to show some love for your favorite local businesses (outside of actually spending money with them of course). The nominations are open now through April 17 and the awards will be held at SPACE Gallery on May 22.
Many of you may already know about the Phoenix's Best Music Poll, the annual popularity contest and barometer of local bands, music and tastes.
As always, some of the biggest names top the categories, including Dave Gutter (of Rustic Overtones and Paranoid Social Club) and Pete Kilpatrick (of the band of the same name) in best male vocalist, as well as Emilia Dahlin and Sontiago in best female vocalist.
But there are also plenty of new names popping up, including H++L in best DJ and dance act, Mike Blast in best hip-hop act, Hiss and Chambers in best rock act and Cursillistas in best indie act.
The best local act this year should be a tough choice, with Cambiata, Covered in bes, Cult Maze, Fire on Fire, Rustic Overtones and Samuel James in the running.
If you recall this time last year I wondered how different the contest would be if the nominees ran campaigns similar to politicians.
Still, this is an election year, you have to wonder if we'll see some smear tactics before voting closes on Friday.
Favorite bands? Favorite business? Sound off!
Posted by at 10:46 AM
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