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.