The Local’s List 2023 readers’ choice poll winners for Arts, Culture & Entertainment include categories such as annual festival, family attraction, cover band, live music venue and much more.
Annual Festival
Dia de los Muertos
Recognized as one of the top Dia de los Muertos festivals in the country.
Second Place: Buc Days
Runner Up: Texas Jazz Festival
Annual Fundraiser
Greek Festival
Grade-A Grecian goodies.
Second Place: Fiesta De Los Niños
Runner Up: Pregnancy Center of the Coastal Bend Banquet
Art Gallery/Center
Art Center of Corpus Christi
Putting local art on a pedestal since 1972.
Second Place: K Space Contemporary
Runner Up: Rockport Center for the Arts
Arts Theatre
Harbor Playhouse
The oldest continually operating community theatre in Texas.
Second Place: Aurora Arts Theatre
Runner Up: TAMU-CC Theatre
Band (Original Music)
Triptonite
A genre-bending jam band with a unique psychedelic sound.
Second Place: Ambrose Brown
Runner Up: Flatbroke
Boys’ Night Out
Nueces Brewing and Barbecuing
Brew and BBQ … the makings of a perfect boys’ night out.
Second Place: Executive Surf Club
Runner Up: House of Rock
Ceramicist
Alex Chapa, Moonstone’d Pottery
This one-woman, small batch ceramics brand is kilnin’ it.
Second Place: Salty Vibes
Runner Up: Nathaniel Huffman
Comedian
Tina Garza (Tina La Cochina)
“Your favorite Local Loca.”
Second Place: Brittany Andrews
Runner Up: Javi Luna
Dance Studio
Munro Ballet Studio
Their performances will keep you on your toes.
Second Place: Tippi Toes
Runner Up: Alcorta’s Compania de Danza Folklorica
Date Night
Bellino Ristorante Italiano
A romantic setting, delicious food and great wine … that’s more.
Second Place: Water Street Oyster Bar
Runner Up: Dokyo Dauntaun
Digital Artist/Illustrator
Savannah Garza
Her playful designs welcome you to Corpus Christi. (Literally; check out her work at the airport!)
Second Place: Adam Skinner (Coastal Wrapz)
Runner Up: Gilbert Cantu
Family Attraction
Texas State Aquarium
A lineup of 17 engaging and exotic exhibits awaiting your discovery.
Second Place: Whataburger Field
Runner Up: South Texas Botanical Gardens & Nature Center
Fine Arts Painter
Monica Marie Garcia
Bringing color to Corpus Christi one mural at a time.
Second Place: Gilbert Cantu
Runner Up: Jennifer Seymour
Influencer/Blogger
Clarissa Serna-Farias – @clarissaserna
Your quintessential Coastal Bend influence.
Second Place: Jay Vibez – @jayvibes45
Runner Up: Monica Garcia – @ccbucketlist
Live Music Venue
Brewster Street Icehouse
Two locations to boot-scoot and boogie.
Second Place: Concrete Street Amphitheater
Runner Up: House of Rock
Girls’ Night Out
TANNINS Wine Bar & Tapas Restaurant
On Wednesdays, the girls get half-priced bottles of wine and yummy tapas.
Second Place: The Post at Lamar Park
Runner Up: BUS
Museum
Art Museum of South Texas
Serving as THE fine arts institution in the Coastal Bend region for 50 years running.
Second Place: Corpus Christi Museum of Science & History
Runner Up: USS Lexington Museum
Mural
“Seasons of the Sparkling City,” by Mayra Zamora and Monica Marie Garcia
Mural, mural on the wall, this K Space Summer Mural Arts piece is the finest of them all.
Second Place: “Bien Merite Flowers” – Daniel Dzulworks DeLeon
Runner Up: Art on Ayers – Jeremy Flores and Friends
Nature/Landscape Photographer
Shoocha Photography
Award-winning photographs of Mother Nature’s true beauty.
Second Place: Maria Nesbit Gallery & Photography Studio
Runner Up: Jason Page Photography
Portrait Photographer
Sweetest Snaps Studio
The sweetest snaps, then down for naps.
Second Place: Taylor Mayfield Photography + Film
Runner Up: Mardi Peña Photography
Radio DJ/Personality
Jay Vibez, Planet 102.3
Professional vibe setter.
Second Place: Big Frank, K-99
Runner Up: Rex Gabriel, C101
Podcast
Leading Ladies of Corpus Christi
If you give a leading lady a microphone … she’ll create an award-winning podcast.
Second Place: Bitches Who Brunch
Runner Up: Gino’s Table
Screen Printer
Stitch It Embroidery & Screen Printing
Stitching the community together for 17 years and counting.
Second Place: Elevated Screen Printing
Runner Up: T-Shirt Gallery – Andrea Valenti
Sculptor/3D Artist
Kent Ullberg
One of the world’s foremost wildlife sculptors, right here in our own backyard.
Second Place: Jess Cavazos
Runner Up: Millicent Alvarado
Solo Musician
Clarissa Serna-Farias
With an electrifying voice and personality, Clarissa Serna hits all the right notes.
Second Place: Eric Graham
Runner Up: David Martinez
Tattoo Artist
Chris Lain, Pinnacle Tattoo
A permanent staple in the local tattoo community.
Second Place: Jess Cavazos – Black Latern
Runner Up: Matthew Rosas – Axis Tattoo
Tattoo Shop
Pinnacle Tattoo
Individual creativity and collaborative artistic efforts make for the pinnacle of tattoo experiences.
Second Place: Axis Tattoo
Runner Up: Black Lantern
Sports Team
Corpus Christi Hooks
Every night with the CC Hooks is a home run.
Second Place: TAMUCC Islander Basketball
Runner Up: Corpus Christi Ice Rays
TV/News Personality
Alan Holt, KIII 3 News
You might watch his weather segments, but are his tweets on your radar? (@AlanSHolt)
Second Place: Clarissa Serna-Faris, Coastal Living
Runner Up: Leslie Adami, KIII 3 News
Videographer (Non-Wedding)
Duck Tapes
Intriguing visuals that capture a feeling, not a moment.
Second Place: Dorian Green – DGreenFilmz
Runner Up: HunerdPercent Productions
Website Designer
Milk & Honey Digital
Working with these pros is smooth and sweet.
Second Place: YellowFun Digital
Runner Up: Persona Digital Marketing
