BEST DENTON BAND

Brave Combo

Brave Combo

Brave Combo won the hearts of Denton Record-Chronicle ages ago. It’s almost as if the Best Denton Band category belongs to the two-time Grammy winning polka band.

You won’t catch founder and lead singer Carl Finch assuming that, however.

“Every year it’s a surprise,” said Finch. “We don’t take Denton for granted. We don’t take our fans for granted.”

Finch said the band isn’t really a band any more, but more of “a part of the fabric of the town.” He said the band is well aware of being in good company, and a lot of it. He pointed to the wealth of press Denton earned in 2008 for being home to some of the country’s best music – much of it undiscovered. Denton was named the best music scene in the highly regarded Paste magazine, and noted in a Sunday edition of The New York Times for the undiscovered music at house parties and in independent home studios.

Finch said musicians and town officials are working together in a way they haven’t before to promote the create edge of a growing city. He’s particularly pleased with NX35, an inaugural music festival that was staged in March. The festival showcased the maturing musicianship of the town’s independent scene, and attracted some darlings of rock media.

“The truth is there’s a lot more going on in Denton than Brave Combo and the One O’ Clock Lab Band. There are so many great musicians in this town, and Brave Combo want people to get out there and support them,” Finch said. “Really. Just take a few minutes, plop down $5 here in Denton. This kind of recognition happens in a moment in time and then the press moves on. We appreciate everyone who voted, but get out there and listen to as many bands as you can. I look forward to the day when we pass on the torch to another band, because that other band is out there, and they are probably making great music right now.” —L.B.

Runners-up: Eli Young Band and Bowling For Soup

BEST LOCAL ACTOR

Justin Harmon

Aubrey resident Justin Harmon was in the midst of rehearsals for Music Theatre of Denton’s Crazy For You went he got the call that he had earned our readers’ top vote for local actor or actress. It is the second year in a row that he has won this category.

“I don’t even know what to say,” Harmon said. “It’s a surprise every time, but it’s funny as well. I love what I do, I love this company and I love being on stage. I think that even in this crazy economy, that people are still getting out there and seeing shows is great.”

Harmon’s most recent performance was in Aida for Music Theatre of Denton. In Crazy For You, opening May 1, Harmon plays Bobby Child, the leading male role.

“My character pretends to be a Hungarian man. It’s like playing two roles. I’m playing a guy who’s playing a Hungarian man. With a bad Hungarian accent,” he said. This is probably the biggest dance show I’ve ever done. These a huge tap [dancing] roles.”

Harmon said the show – and performing in general – are important now.

“It’s almost a chance to get away from all of the news, and in me going out and , it gives the audience a chance to get away for two and a half hours,” he said.

The upcoming show is co-directed by Tyler Donahue and Clay White. Ann Black Scalf returns to the community theater to choreograph the show. – L.B.

Runners-up: Pat Sherman and Lindsey Wilson

BEST INDIVIDUAL PERFORMER

Paul Slavens

Paul Slavens is no mere musician. Music is but a particle of the man, who seems to have the creative spark of a musical Energizer Bunny.

Slavens has been in Denton for decades. He’s a serious musician and recording artist, a rare bird who bridges the distance between mastery of an ultra-clean technique and gut-level artistic expression. Slavens is a consistent collaborator, sitting in with bands as a rhythm section man or a guy going nuts on the keyboard – always without upstaging anyone else. His standing Monday night date at Dan’s Silverleaf transcends a simple gig. He takes requests from an eager audience, recruiting lawyers and dreadlocked kids alike to help him make a short musical – the stuff Frank Zappa might try if he were living – out of a suggested song title. That’s what makes him a performer.

“I love Denton, and the fact that I would be honored by people who live in this town is really great,” Slavens said. “And there are a lot of great musicians here.”

Slavens said his Monday night performances are built around audience participation.

“I’ve always liked the feeling of the audience being invested in the performance. The idea for me is, if they hadn’t been there, it wouldn’t have been the performance that it was. It makes it special. There are some artists who perform and try to do the best they can and give it over to the audience and that’s that. Me, well, I kind of want to go after the audience a little.”

And they like it — even the occasional fumble that is part of improvisation. 

“If I go to a performance and the whole thing is about how good he is, and he messes up, I’m like ‘ugh.’ But this way, it’s different. If you crash it’s almost part of the fun,” he said. —L.B.
Runners-up: Justin Harmon and Joe Tucker

BEST PLACE TO HEAR AND SEE LIVE MUSIC

Dan’s Silverleaf
103 Industrial St.
940-320-2000

www.danssilverleaf.com

Just off Industrial Street, it’s no surprise to hear music and the sounds of a good time coming from Dan’s Silverleaf.

The local bar and music venue offers its share of Americano, punk, jazz and local acts each night.

Bar owner Dan Mojica said he credits the up-and-coming area for the bar’s success.

“In the light the many popular music venues around this area, it is very nice to be counted among them,” Mojica said. “I think we have a real nice atmosphere because of the restaurants right next door and the exceptionally talented bands that come here.”

Dan’s Silverleaf carries a full calendar of musical talent and offers a full scale bar with drink specials Monday thru Wednesday.

“Our deck tends to draw in a crowd and many people feel this is a comfortable place to see a great show,” Mojica said. “And we’re looking forward to the growth, once the train and other restaurants are offered around here — this is a great place to hang out and get to know people.” —A.A.

Runners-up: Rockin Rodeo, Denton Arts and Jazz Festival

BEST PLACE TO SEE ART

Center for the Visual Arts

400 E. Hickory St.
940-382-2787

The Center for the Visual Arts has long been part of the Denton arts scene, with two public galleries, a banquet hall, dance studio, workshop, boardroom and storage for the council’s permanent art collection.

Readers especially like the public galleries – the Gough Gallery, an intimate space, and the Meadows Gallery, the larger gallery. Hundreds come through the two spaces each year to enjoy exhibits, and sometimes, to listen to music performances and meet artists.

“We were extremely pleased, because we do think we have wonderful exhibitions, not only our local and regional exhibitions, but also national offerings,” said Margaret Chalfant, executive director of the arts council which manages the arts center.

Chalfant just saw the national exhibit, “Materials: hard & Soft” close. The annual show brings the best American craftsmen and women into the Meadows Gallery for a contemporary Craft exhibit. It also attracts some of the top curators of Craft galleries in the country as jurors.

The center also includes some of Denton County’s most gifted youth in Spring shows for Denton Youth Art Month and the annual high school exhibit. Recently, patrons had to wait a half hour in line to see the youth art exhibit.

Chalfant said the council has hustled to market the center’s shows in as many ways as it could.

“We have been, of course, using the newspaper and the press releases we send out,” Chalfant said. “But we have gone regional, too, using spots on WRR [North Texas classical radio] that seems to be bringing people across our entire North Texas region.” Chalfant said the upcoming University of North Texas competition has been advertised through social media like Facebook.com.

Chalfant said an organization can’t discount the value of good volunteers.

“The docent program [guided tours by trained volunteers] has been really good,” she said. “Also, the fact that we are bringing in nationally-known artists like Gerald McDermott has made a huge difference. People can see the work of national artists here.” —L.B.

Runners-up: Art Six and University of North Texas Art Gallery