From entertainment venues with the newest attractions to our top vote-getter, KVOA Weekend Newscaster Emily Guggenmos, we are proud to present Tucson's Best in Arts & Entertainment.
Best Annual Charity Event
Puttin’ On the Dog-Arziona Humane Society
This event is all bark and no bite! Rally 'round the Humane Society of Southern Arizona to help the homeless animals of Arizona by attending this fun-filled charity event. Puttin’ On the Dog raised over $230,000 for all those sweet pups last year. The night is filled with celebrity emcees, cherished pets modeling stylish fashions, delish hors d’oeuvres provided by the Tucson Originals and libations, an exceptional silent and live auction featuring pet-related products and a chance to have your pet’s photo in the 2012 Hot Dogs of Tucson calendar! Bring your dogs for a small fee and let them join in on the fun while feasting on a biscuit buffet! 520.321.3704, ext. 188, www.hssaz.org.
Best Annual Event
Oro Valley Festival of the Arts
Each spring, the Oro Valley Festival of the Arts brings together music, a variety of arts and food in celebration of personal expression. Held at the Oro Valley Marketplace, the festival is a cultural galore of local artisans and custom pieces that is fun for the whole family. Look out for the next Festival in February 2012. 520.797.3959, www.orovalleyfestival.org.
Best Arizona Sports Team
Phoenix Suns
It's no surprise that the men of orange and purple were voted Tucson's Best Arizona Sports Team. The Phoenix Suns are known to put on a show at the US Airways Center, owning the NBA's fourth-best all-time winning percentage and winning 56 percent of its games, as of the end of the 2010–11 season. With only more greatness to come, make sure to catch these boys lighting up the court in the upcoming season! www.suns.com.
Best Art Gallery
Mark Sublette Modern
This gallery offers a contemporary look at the western world. It features modern pieces that differentiate away from Mark Sublette’s Medicine Man Gallery, based on Maynard Dixon, a famed western painter. At Mark Sublette Modern, explore a classical setting with an abstract spin. 520.772.7798, www.marksublettemodern.com.
Best Casino
Casino Del Sol
Do you have game? Casino Del Sol has nearly 1,000 slot machines, blackjack, poker and bingo for your gaming pleasures. The fun doesn’t stop there: live entertainment, three bars and six restaurants are sure to keep you going. Spend time with Lady Luck and show her what you got! 800.344.9345, www.casinodelsol.com.
Best Country Station
99.5 KIIM FM
For the best mix of great country artists like Alan Jackson, Martina McBride, Brad Paisley and Toby Keith, in addition to all the local, national and international music news you can handle, keep your dial on 99.5 KIIM FM. Tune in for news reports, weather and traffic updates, and the best Country radio crew playing the best mix of Tucson country favorites. www.kiimfm.com.
Best News Station and Best Nightly Newscast
KOLD CBS 13
The first television station in Tucson, news is live, local and late breaking at KOLD CBS 13. With the latest high-tech equipment and a crew of dedicated reporters and staff, KOLD-TV News 13 serves the entire southern Arizona region with serious, hard-hitting news coverage. www.kold.com.
Best Newscaster – Afternoon Female
Jennifer Waddell, KGUN
Jennifer Waddell of KGUN has a passion for reporting centers on people and helping solve community problems that can be seen in her “Who's Trashing Tucson” reports. That everlasting passion also earned her an Edward R. Murrow Award and recognition from the Arizona Associated Press Broadcasters Association. In her spare time, Jennifer loves playing golf and attending sporting events. www.kgun9.com.
Best Newscaster – Afternoon Male and Newscaster of the Year
Dan Marries, KOLD
“Find a job you love and you'll never work a day in your life,” is Dan Marries’ motto. That's exactly how Marries feels about his career path as a newscaster for KOLD since 1999. When not reporting on the latest events, Marries can be found with his 9-year-old son, Kurtis around Tucson’s 4th Avenue or hiking “A” Mountain. www.kold.com.
Best Newscaster – Morning Female
Lorraine Rivera, KVOA
Start your morning off right with late-breaking news presented by Lorraine Rivera of KVOA. A native of Cochise County, Rivera received her Bachelor of Arts degree in Journalism from the University of Arizona. In her free time, she enjoys the outdoors, reading and spending time with her family. www.kvoa.com.
Best Newscaster – Morning Male
Scott Kilbury, KOLD
Scott Kilbury of KOLD news has earned nearly a dozen Associated Press Awards over his 16 years of broadcasting, seven Emmy nominations and a recent Emmy win in 2010 for news anchor of the year. A University of Arizona graduate, Scott enjoys spending time with family and friends, hiking in the desert, skiing, biking drawing and fishing. www.kold.com.
Best Newscaster – Weekend
Emily Guggenmos, KVOA
Emily Guggenmos, the weekend co-anchor and Tucson’s Best top vote-getter for KVOA News 4 still continues to investigate and report during the weekdays for News 4 at 4, 5, 6 and 10 p.m. Since arriving to the Old Pueblo, Emily has reported among the national media on stories such as the SB-1070 immigration protests at the Arizona State Capitol and the horrible mass shooting involving Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords. Nevertheless, Emily also loves hearing from and reporting on Southern Arizonans making a positive difference on the community.
Hailing from Sioux City, Iowa, Emily garnered her passion for reporting by interning at KWWL in Waterlook Iowa while attending the University of Northern Iowa. From there, she moved on to Sioux Falls, SD, where she was the morning anchor for KDLT, the NBC affiliate, covering everything from murder trials to the oldest living South Dakotan.
When not working, Emily enjoys photography, hiking and exploring the Southwest with her husband, Lou, whom she married in June 2010. Of course their Westie Parker is never far behind! www.kvoa.com.
Best Pop or Hits Station and Best Radio Station
KMXZ FM 94.9
Get your groove on with Tucson’s Best Radio Station, 94.9 KMXZ in the morning with Bobby Rich Morning MIX. Marty Bishop and Adrienne Walker will then help you through your workday with a great MIX of music from the 70's through today and keep you up to date with news updates and traffic reports from KGUN 9 On Your Side. Delilah relaxes you at night from 7 p.m. to midnight, and John Tesh keeps you company in the overnights with "Intelligence For Your Life." Enjoy weekend KMXZ bits with the 70's and 80's Weekend MIX! www.mixfm.com.
Best Rock Station
KHYT 107.5
Rock out with Tucson’s Best Rock Station KHIT 107.5 and listen to classic hits music, “K-Hit 107.5.” Actively supporting the Arizona Wildcats basketball and football teams, KHYT is the only FM radio station in Tucson that airs sports games. www.khit1075.com.
Best Special Event/Wedding
Stillwell House
Imagine your special day in a spacious, private courtyard paved with antique brick. Listen to the relaxing sound of falling water from the whimsical frog fountain while your guests enjoy the 35-foot high cathedral ceiling and privacy of the 1901-built Stillwell House. Kick up your heels at this historic event facility in a modern, southwestern style cantina featuring an antique bar, dance floor, and stage. 520.623.9123, www.stillwellhouse.com.
Favorite Local Band
Halocene
Up-and-coming band, Halocene has been on the music scene only since 2009 and has made waves, snagging Tucson’s Favorite Local Band. With song names like “Limerence” and “Rumble,” who wouldn’t want to take a listen to the Alternative/Pop/Rock newcomers? www.myspace.com/halocene.
Favorite Local Morning TV Station and Favorite Nightly Newscast
News 13 This Morning / News 13 at 10 p.m.
Jumpstart your day with News 13 This Morning, a 2-hour weekday morning newscast from 5 a.m. to 7 a.m., and catch up on the day’s events with News 13 at 10 p.m. Coverage is brought to viewers by dedicated reporters for only the best live, local and late breaking news. www.kold.com.
Favorite Meteorologist
Aaron Pickering, KOLD
Anchoring the evening weather segment during the weekends, KOLD meteorologist also fills in for the morning and chief meteorologist during the week for only the most accurate and up-to-date weather. In addition to the on-air duties, Aaron works is involved in Raycom Corp., a computer graphics company, to bring fun, interactive physics experiments into schools to get kids excited about math and science. www.kold.com.
Favorite Radio Show – AM
Jennie and Chris, 92.9 The Mountain
Wake up with 92.9 The Mountain morning hosts Jennie and Chris as they entertain and play Tucson’s modern music from 6 a.m. to 9 a.m. Every day of the week there is a different featured segment. Take “New Music Mondays” where every Monday, three new songs are premiered on the show, one per hour, and listeners get to vote and choose what stays and what goes for the station’s regular playlist! www.929themountain.com.
Favorite Radio Show – PM
Adrienne Walker’s Custom Mix at Six
You pick the songs you want to hear and make a dedication every weeknight at 6 on the Adrienne Walker show. Want even more of an incentive to hear your favorite tunes? Contributing listeners can win a great prize by entering Custom MIX @ Six online. www.mixfm.com.
Favorite Sportscaster
Damien Alameda, KOLD
Discovering early on that he was too short for the NBA, too skinny for the NFL and too slow for the Major Leagues, Damien Alameda became a card-carrying member of sports fan nation as a teenager. As a young adult, Damien soon realized his love for athletics and his love for entertainment were interchangeable. Sports broadcasting was the perfect career for Damien, who constantly looks forward to bring his audience a unique blend of news and entertainment. www.kold.com.
Local News Site
KOLD.com
It’s live, it’s local, it’s late breaking: KOLD.com is Tucson’s number one spot for all of your news needs. Looking for the latest in weather, traffic and sports updates in the most efficient way possible? KOLD.com is it. www.kold.com.
