First Annual Cider Awards Rock The BF Opera House

BELLOWS FALLS, VT. - As Frankie Valli once sang, "Oh, what a night!"
That pretty much sums up a fantastic event of music, entertainment and laughs last Wednesday night at the Bellows Falls Opera House, as a packed house celebrated the first annual Cider Awards presented by Bellows Falls' own Cider Magazine.

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1. Jatoba opens the show 2. Shana Stack (left) and Natalie Turgeon belt out a number 3. Joey Leone finds a groove 4. Comedian Rusty "The Logger Dewees". Photos by Joe Milliken

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Launched in the fall of 2010 by co-publishers (and Bellows Falls' natives) Brian Joy and Chris Nostrand, Cider Mag is a free, local monthly music, arts & entertainment magazine which covers Southern Vermont and New Hampshire.

"This local music scene has really come a long way since we started Cider, and that isn't just because of what we do. Teams like Barnaby's Presents, GRIP Lighting, Tri-Valley Productions and Vermont Festivals and many more, work really hard to bring a spotlight to the performers in the area," Cider Mag co-publisher Brian Joy said in a recent interview.

Last Wednesday night, the Bellows Falls Opera House was packed with fans of all ages… folks who simply appreciate and enjoy the local music and arts scene. Musicians, artists and local businesses received the coveted "Apple Award" in 33 categories including "favorite festival," "favorite local beer," favorite rock, jamand bluegrass bands," favorite local pub," "favorite live venue" and "favorite tattoo artist," just to name a few.

Hosted by 98.7 Wink Country DJ Shana Stack, over a dozen bands and musicians - which ran the gamut of local genres - also performed live, as well as the redneck comedy of Rusty The Logger" Dewees.

From rockers Stonewall, Spectris and Joey Leone's Chop Shop, to the loops and hip-hop vibes of Stegga and The Lynguistic Civilians, to the country-stylings of the Shana Stack Band and the jam band-jazzy grooves and pickin' of Flabberghaster, Twittle and Jatoba. Yes, there was something for all music lovers to enjoy.

A wide range of award presenters included local artists, musicians and promoters (even yours truly) such as Charlie Hunter, Ray Massucco, Josh Hearne, Scotty Ball, Joey Leone, Josh Mosher and Rusty Dewees.

A few of the local "Apple" winners included The Pizza Stone VT (who won four in all)for "business of the year," Josh Hearne's Barnaby's Presents for "favorite promoter," Flabberghaster for "favorite rock band" and Charlie Hunter for "favorite artist," to only name a few.

"To say this is an honor would be an understatement," Pizza Stone VT owner Darlene Doane said in a recent interview. "Without this amazing group of people and this amazing community we live in, The Pizza Stone would not be possible. So many thanks and blessings to everyone for believing in us."

The show was produced by co-publishers Joy and Chris Nostrand, along with Chris Lincoln of GRIP Lighting & Effects. Fan voting began on Oct. 1 and closed on Dec 1, with nearly 51,000 votes tallied. "We're making folks aware and that's what its all about,it's the collective effort of many that is making this all happen," Joy concluded.