The Stylos Awards were held at the Phoenix Art Museum on Friday. What makes Stylos special is not only that all the funds raised go to scholarship funds for students regardless of immigration status, but that it brings together many of Downtown Phoenix’s luminaries for one night in the same room. Phoenix has been dry for most of the year, but on Friday, rain hit the city in a way that made it hard to navigate your way towards the museum. Luckily, the ceremony was held indoors.
The show itself started off with a dance choreographed by Artist of the Year winner Liliana Gomez, which featured four dancers, along with a light show and music.
After the opening dance, the hosts – comedian Ernesto Ortiz and journalist and filmmaker Valeria Fernandez – announced the lifetime achievement award for Reverend John Fife, who was awarded for his contribution towards helping to found No More Deaths/No Mas Muertes in Tucson, which provides life-saving humanitarian aid to migrants crossing trails through the U.S./Mexico border.
After the awards portion of the night, there was a fashion show featuring local models and fashion designers such as Glamour Academia de Moda, Mamaachik, Diva Tutus, ABV HVN and Paulie Gibson.
To conclude the night, La Santa Cecilia played live in the ballroom. Their music brought out the dancers in the room to the front of the stage, where an impromptu dance floor gathered. La Santa Cecilia’s music echoed throughout the museum, and that’s probably the loudest the Phoenix Art Museum will be, or at least until the Stylos awards next year.
The winners from the night are:
Best Club: Monarch Theatre
Best Local Band: Carlos Rivas
Personality of the Year: Mayor Greg Stanton
Entrepreneur of the Year: Silvana Salcido Esparza (Barrio Queen)
El Mejor Locutor/Radio Personality of the Year: Joey Boy 101.5 FM
Activist of the Year: María Castro
Best Restaurant: Barrio Queen
Project of the Year: Fuerza Local
Artist of the Year: Liliana Gomez
Athlete of the Year: Rudy Ramirez – MMA
Best DJ: Adam Osuna
Orgullo Award: John Fife