NIPPERTOWN’S LOCAL HERO AWARD (aka Best Venue of 2011) goes to…

THE MASSRY CENTER FOR THE ARTS

College of Saint Rose’s intimate recital hall is letter-perfect for classical performers like the New Century Chamber Orchestra and the exquisite 24-year old pianist Yuja Wang. What wins Massry the Golden Dog is the way Sal Prizio goes beyond the space’s boundaries, bringing in everyone from Maceo Parker and Ramsey Lewis (the latter in a wonderful tribute to the late Billy Taylor) to a solo acoustic Tim Reynolds and jam-band stalwarts Soulive’s searing tribute to the Beatles. (And there’s more to come in the New Year, including Chick Corea playing solo piano!)