The Watermark Awards for Variety and Excellence, better known as the WAVES, are back and the competition was intense this year.
We asked you, our faithful readers, to tells us your local LGBTQ favorites in both Central Florida and Tampa Bay in nearly 50 categories — some new (Favorite Theatrical Show), some old (Favorite LGBTQ Club/Bar) and some returning classics (Favorite DJ) — and you did not disappoint.
After you nominated the best of the best, we presented to you the top three in each category and asked for your help once again and, once again, you did not disappoint.
Below, you will find links to view all of the winners, as well as a few number one favorites that we chose to highlight. In the process of selecting your favorites, we also asked you to tell us the people and places we said goodbye to in 2019 that you will miss the most. Along with your WAVE favorites, we reflect on your responses and remember some of those people and places we lost.
Let’s get to it. Congratulations to everyone who made it into the top three, another congratulations to those who came out on top and a big congratulations to all our readers who have made this one of the biggest WAVEs in Watermark history.
May we have the envelope, please…
TAMPA BAY
Tampa Bay’s Favorite Local Faith-based Establishment: King of Peace MCC
Tampa Bay’s Favorite Local Corporation for Equality: Tech Data
Tampa Bay’s Favorite Local Performer (Stage, Musician): Alyssa
Tampa Bay’s Favorite Local Performer (DJ): Mike Sklarz
CENTRAL FLORIDA
Central Florida’s Favorite Local Geek Spot: Gods & Monsters
Central Florida’s Favorite Local Theatrical Show: ‘The Golden Gals’
Central Florida’s Favorite Locally-owned Hair Salon: Floyd’s 99 Barbershop
