Chuck Hodes/FX
Best Use of Minnesota Music on TV
“The Bear”
The beloved restaurant dramedy is known for a dad rock-heavy playlist. So it’s no surprise the Replacements are all over season two, episode five, “Pop,” kicking off with “Bastards of Young,” followed by a discussion on the merits of “Tim” and “Pleased to Meet Me,” and ending with an anticipated kiss set to “Can’t Hardly Wait.” fxnetworks.com/shows/the-bear –ACG
Best Columnist
Laura Yuen, Star Tribune
With empathy, compassion, and curiosity, Laura Yuen has found her niche as a Star Tribune features columnist. For the past two years, Yuen has connected with readers on everything from the pickleball craze and summer camp registration frustration to the complexities of interracial adoptions and her scary bout with Guillain-Barre Syndrome. startribune.com/laura-yuen/8127999 –ACG
Best Award Recipient
Boyd Huppert, KARE-11
The expert storyteller and prolific award winner known for his compelling “Land of 10,000” segments celebrates a banner year with a lifetime achievement honor from the Radio Television Digital News Association (RTDNA) Foundation’s First Amendment Awards, the RTDNA’s John F. Hogan Distinguished Service Award, and a Minnesota Broadcasters Hall of Fame induction. kare11.com/landof10000stories –ACG
Discovery Inc.
Best TV Host
David Bromstad
As the host of “My Lottery Dream Home” (HGTV) for nearly a decade, the charismatic Cokato native remains a delight as he helps an eclectic lineup of lottery winners find their new abodes. Also fun is spotting new additions to his ever-growing tattoo collection. hgtv.com/shows/my-lottery-dream-home –ACG
Brick Daniel Kyle
Best Comic
Ellie Hino
Whether she’s capturing the precariousness of scooching down the exam table during a trip to the gynecologist or recounting the harsh reality of trying on a romper at Target, Hino delivers her bawdy, relatable stories with a uniquely goofy charm. Check her out for guaranteed non-stop belly laughs. elliehino.com –ACG
Photo by Devon Sween
Best Literary Fair
Wordplay by the Loft Literary Center
Every summer, authors, publishers, literary fanatics, and more gather in Minneapolis for this revered annual literary fair. Enjoy panel discussions from your favorite authors on thoughtful topics such as climate change and narrative power in between bites of the city’s best street food. loft.org –SK
Best Fictional TV Character With Minnesota Roots
Tom Wambsgans on “Succession”
St. Paul native Tom Wambsgans (played by British actor Matthew Macfadyen) will do anything to impress powerful father-in-law Logan Roy, whether it’s betraying his wife or agreeing to go to prison if needed. But forget Minnesota Nice—Wambsgans, who has a dog named Mondale, ends up surprising everyone at the end of HBO’s hit show. hbo.com/succession –ACG
Best Reality TV Show Contestant With Minnesota Roots
Carolyn Wiger on “Survivor” Season 44
Goofy, emotional, and utterly charming, Carolyn Wiger stealthily made her way to the finals of this once-again popular reality show that also started with two other Minnesota cast members, Frannie Marin and Sarah Wade. Wiger’s day job as an addiction counselor and true-life recovery story had us all cheering for her. Her social media channels and meetups with other contestants continue to delight months after the season has ended. instagram.com/car0lynr0se –AN
Best FOMO Concert
Taylor Swift’s “Eras Tour”
In a year of impressive stadium tours, never-have-we-ever more wished we had gotten tickets for an event than we did for Taylor Swift’s two-night stand in Minneapolis. The critics called “Eras” one for the ages, and fans fawned for days. The surprise songs were “Daylight” and “Dear John,” and we’re really happy for everyone who experienced the spectacle. Really, we are. taylorswift.com –AN
Drew Arrieta
Best Illustrator
Philipo Dyauli
You may not know Philipo Dyauli by name, but you’ve almost surely seen the self-taught painter, muralist, and illustrator’s work. Earlier this year, the Tanzanian artist was one of six local creators to contribute to the Twins’ T-Shirt Tuesday Artist Series, with a colorful design celebrating fireworks and ballpark fare. His murals—which are bold, colorful, and full of movement and life—also adorn a number of local buildings, including the Lake Street Target. philipodyauli.com –EC
Best New Music Venue
Green Room
Who says Uptown is dead? Just a few blocks from the recently revamped Uptown Theater, there’s Green Room, which has been doing an especially good job of booking cool local shows since it opened in January. And while the lineup of excellent live music is one thing, the food here also rocks: They’ve got Parlour in the kitchen serving up chicken sandwiches, Chicago dogs, and those famous smash burgers. greenroommn.com –EC
Janna Fraboni
Best Fiction Writer
Kelly Barnhill
Has any local fiction author had such a blazing run as Minneapolis’ own Kelly Barnhill recently? She’s a Newbery Medal winner for her magical, mystical young-adult novel “The Girl Who Drank the Moon,” and you’d be hard-pressed to find a better book than “The Ogress and the Orphans” for coping with these times—kid or adult. But she has also recently released some acclaimed fiction for adults: the incendiary “When Women Were Dragons” and “The Crane Wife.” So lucky to call her ours. kellybarnhill.wordpress.com –KD
Best Fiction Book
“Ink Blood Sister Scribe” by Emma Törzs
If you’ve been intrigued by the “dark academia” aesthetic trend on TikTok (imagine Gothic, tweedy, murder-mystery-at-boarding-school vibes), this “Good Morning America” book club pick from Minneapolis author Emma Törzs should be next on your to-read list. Törzs’ debut novel follows the journey of two magical sisters who are estranged but must come together to protect their family’s library of magical books after the suspicious death of their father. A brooding and mysterious tale of power and loyalty, “Ink Blood Sister Scribe” is the kind of story that’ll have you hoping for a sequel. emmaemmaemma.com –EC
Best Nonfiction Book
“The Stories Whiteness Tells Itself: Racial Myths and Our American Narratives” by David Mura
Published in January by the University of Minnesota Press, “The Stories Whiteness Tells Itself” is an unflinching look at systemic racism that explores how its roots continue to impact American culture today. Minnesota author David Mura is also a poet and playwright, and it shows in this latest book, which is as lyrical as it is critical of the cultural narratives used to uphold white supremacy. A tough but necessary read for anyone who opposes racial oppression. davidmura.com –EC
Best Comedy Open Mic
Uproar at Bryant Lake Bowl
Uproar does an amazing job of highlighting queer, trans, and BIPOC comics…but most importantly, it’s consistently funny. At this weekly open mic, hosted by Devohn Bland, Xochi de la Luna, Comrade Tripp, and Madi RT, you might hear provocative jokes, but you won’t hear jokes told at the expense of people of color or other marginalized folks—unfortunately not a guarantee in comedy. It’s boundary-pushing without punching down, and that’s how good comedy should be. bryantlakebowl.com –EC
Provided
Best Dive Karaoke
Otter’s Saloon
Every weekend, the best (and the worst) singers in the Twin Cities descend on Otter’s Saloon to sing their hearts out. Pack your friends or colleagues into this cozy corner bar for professional-grade covers of Broadway hits, scream-sung Lady Gaga renditions, passionate classic rock ballads, and everything (truly, everything) in between. Don’t worry about being shy…you’ll have a whole bar of backup singers cheering you on. otterssaloon.com –SK
Courtesy of the Walker Art Center
Best Film Series
“Hanif Abdurraqib’s Black VHS Experience” at the Walker Art Center
Hanif Abdurraqib is many things: poet, essayist, author, music writer. He’s also got a killer curatorial eye. For example, look no further than the summer film series “Hanif Abdurraqib’s Black VHS Experience,” held at the Walker Art Center. Abdurraqib’s selection poses the 1990s as an especially vibrant time for Black representation in cinema, kicking off with Robert Townsend’s “The Five Heartbeats” and concluding with F. Gary Gray’s “Set It Off.” walkerart.org –EC
Best Sightseeing
Sugarloaf Cove in Schroeder
A quick 1-mile hike takes you to this serene cove on Minnesota’s North Shore. The clear water and scenic rock formations make it the perfect spot to prop up an easel for landscape painting, spread out a blanket for a nice picnic, or slip on a bathing suit for a dunk in Lake Superior. sugarloafnorthshore.org –SK
Best Bike Trail
Cannon Valley Trail
Northern Minnesota’s trails get a lot of love from cyclists—and for good reason! But southern Minnesota deserves some love, too, especially the Cannon Valley Trail. Not a gravel rider? No problem: This 20-mile paved trail, which parallels the Cannon River, connects Cannon Falls, Welch, and Red Wing. About an hour from the city, it’s a scenic route well worth a little drive—especially if you can time your ride with a little leaf-peeping. cannonvalleytrail.com –EC
Best Winter Road Trip
Grand Marais
Seeking a serene winter escape? This harbor village, nestled between the Sawtooth Mountains and Lake Superior, offers a tranquil retreat from the hustle and bustle. Kick off your visit with a warm brew from Java Moose, then meander through the town’s artisan shops. Dive into northern traditions at the North House Folk School, which holds workshops from timber framing to blacksmithing. For the adventurous, the Pincushion Mountain Trail System boasts groomed cross-country ski trails. Or, snowshoe through Judge C.R. Magney State Park, leading to the enigmatic Devil’s Kettle waterfall. End your day at Gunflint Tavern, savoring hearty dishes and craft beers with harbor views. visitcookcounty.com –TW
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