Matt O'Neill | | | | Matt O'Neill is a Philadelphia boy, born and raised. After earning dual degrees in Communications and Digital Media from Albright College, Matt became an avid blogger on various topics ranging from commercial insurance and middle market businesses, to personal relationship columns. You can view his personal blog at MyInnerMostThinking. Matt is currently the Creative Director for a risk management company out in King of Prussia, Pa. You can typically find Matt on the weekends reporting on gay friendly events spreading across the Philadelphia area.

This past Sunday, Philly hosted its first ever Big Award Show. From the minds of Brandon Barlieb and Mimi Imfurst, the show set the stage to award the city's top establishments and performers. With guest presenters ranging from a multitude of drag queens to PhillyGayCalendar's chief editor, Steve McCann, it was shaping up to be a pretty decent night. Winners included some very common names however, people like Jonathan Hernadez tying with drag queen Tammy Famous, two finalists from Brandon's earlier event, Circus of the Stars (not the only tie of the night). Others congrats can go out to Porcelain for winning Drag Queen of the Year and The Goddess Isis, recent winner of Miss Philly Pride, best host/hostess.

While all these folks deserve much praise and all equally popular recognition for their continuous nights of entertainment, it would have been nice to see some newer recognition as well. I know the flyer stated that it was Philadelphia's nightlife but perhaps a few more seats would have been filled if there was recognition of maybe a gay sports team for being the most attractive, or a best sponsored charity event. Many people don't know that many of the gay bars sponsor other events outside of their own establishments, and this would have been a great time to recognize them for their community involvement. I did think it was wise to house a best breakthrough artist, even if it did go to yet another drag queen, Satine Harlow.

What I guess I'm trying to say is, Drag Queens are great, those that work with the event they host are great. You know you are, we know you are (otherwise no one would show up!) but there is a lot more to the Philadelphia Gay Community than drag queens self injecting paint in their bottoms and secreting it all over a pictures of Mimi Imfurst. And yes that last part did happen during the show. I personally feel that to move this to become better than those that have tried to house award shows in the past, it's time to recognize those organizations, and individuals, who do go out and help all of our community.

Here is a list of winners:

Best host/Hostess – The Goddess Isis

Best Restaurant – Valanni

Best Dance Night – Saturday Night at Woody's

Best Vocals – Jonathan Hernadez & Tammy Famous

Best Nightlife Personality – Notorious OMG

Best Special Event – Philly Pride presents Outfest

Best Dance Performer – Omyra Lynn

Best Dressed – Misty Maven

Best DJ – Carl Michaels

Best Bartender – Julia Martin - Tabu

Comedy Performer – Mrs. P & Brittany Lynn

Best Local Gay Website/publication – PhillyGayCalendar

Best Gay Photographer – Patrick Hagerty

Breakthrough Artist – Satine Harlow

Best Show – The Doll House Revue

Best Bar/Club – Woodys/Voyer

Best Drag King – Oscar Wildchilde

Drag Queen of the Year – Porcelain

Lifetime Achievement Award – Lisa Lisa

Check out the Photos HERE.

NOTE: Opinions are those of the author, and not necessarily those of PhillyGayCalendar.com or of any organization or business that the author is assosciated with.