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The Golden Handbag Awards 2004

| title | The Golden Handbag Awards 2004 |
| venue | The Old Market, Hove |
| event: | REALBrighton.com/Gscene Magazine/Spectrum/The Golden Handbags |
| review date | Sunday, 16 January 2005 |
| words by | Sam Milford |
REALBrighton review
So... 2004. What a year! Lola introduced the evening by talking us through some of the highlights which, of course, includes the astounding achievement of the Pride volunteers in creating the country's favourite festival. This kind of event doesn't happen without a huge effort from a great number of people and perhaps, from experience, a bit of heartache as well at times. Congratulations to all at Pride in Brighton & Hove for a great achievement.
And on with the show... Entertainment throughout the evening was provided by some big names and some top local stars. Jennie Castell, Corel and Jacque Plunkett sang for us, Topping & Butch took us through the news with their ever-topical 'Never Mind', Julia Morris had the audience in stitches with her Ozzy take on life in London and Kitty Litter, Arsenic and Old Lace got the crowd on their feet cheering for more. All the acts gave their services for absolutely nothing to ensure that we all coughed up for some tickets, which in turn went to Spectrum! The murmers that £15 a ticket was a bit steep were firmly put to rest... they'd have been cheap at twice the price!
...and so onto the awards themselves. 18 in total... some expected results and some surprises amongst them. Hilda Braid (Nana Moon in Eastenders) kicked us off with the first few awards... I had to fight the giggles to keep the camera steady! There was a lovely moment in the out-of-town nominations where Nana Moon, having been corrected that G-A-Y should be spelt out, proceeded to spell out the next nomination - C-R-A-S-H. She was then given the opportunity to present the award for the best gay sauna! What a star!
The results, then. Lots of fabulous, fabulous businesses and people didn't win... but lots of fabulous ones did of course! Many congratulations to all the nominated businesses and personalities (far too many to list!) and to the runners-up shown below. It was often just a handful of votes between the top entries but a big pat on the back for those that took away their award!
| category | runners-up | winner |
| Best Out of Town Venue | G-A-Y
CRASH |
The Fountain |
| Best Gay Sauna | The Denmark Oasis
The Amsterdam |
The Brighton Oasis |
| Favourite Scene Personality | Toby Bowen
Betty Swallocks |
Stephanie Starlet |
| Best Male DJ | Pete Haywood
TonyB |
DJ Wes |
| Best Barman | Nick, Storm
Ian, Storm |
Jamie McDonald , Brighton Tavern |
| Best Gay Business |
Clone Zone
|
Café22 |
| Best Restaurant | The Saint
No Name |
The Strand |
| Best Manager | Andy, Fountain
Phil, Charles Street |
Andy, Queen's Arms |
| Best Female DJ | Kate Wildblood
Ricky Rocket |
Dulcie Danger |
| Best Bar Girl | Jo, Couch 33
Gemma, Revenge |
Claudia, Candy Bar |
| Best Girls Night Out |
Koochy
|
Wet Pussy |
| Best Cabaret Bar | Legends | |
| Favourite Entertainer | Dave Lynn
Phil Starr |
Lola Lasagne |
| Best Club Night |
Lollipop
|
Wild Fruit |
| Best Bar | Queen's Arms
Legends |
Charles Street |
| Best Club | Storm
Envy |
Revenge |
| Gscene Special Awards |
The Marine Tavern
|
|
A huge thankyou to everyone involved but particularly to Gscene's editor, James Ledwood, to the fabulous host Lola Lasagne and to REALBrighton's James Brooks for all the organisation and skill that ensured the show went so smoothly.
Big thanks also due to the Old Market for providing the venue, to Arena Entertainment Systems for the sound and lighting and to Karis for providing essential sponsorship for the event.
latest captions who was snapped?
"and then the blasted lens cracked..'who threw that bottle?'"
Said by _Skip_ on Tue, 18th January 2005.
the photos...

First Half
photos by Sam MilfordStar presenters for the first half included Hilda Braid (Nana Moon in Eastenders), Matthew Bose (Paul Lambert in Emmerdale) and Betty Swallocks (in a suit!). Jennie Castell, Julia Morris and Topping & Butch entertained us...

Interval
photos by Sam MilfordA short breather for the acts, and time to tape our split sides back together after Julia Morris. The volunteer barstaff continued to work tirelessly through the interval to ensure that as many people as possible didn't have to get up and go to the bar! Cheers you lot!

Second Half
photos by Sam MilfordThe tension's rising... the drumrolls seem to be getting longer as each award is read out. Some of the most hotly contested categories are saved for the second half...
coming up...
The next REALBrighton.com date for your diary:
The Village Street Party 2010 @ St James' Street
Saturday, 7th August
pride countdown
Forthcoming pride festivals...
now Stockholm Pride 2010
26th - 31st July 10
2 days Brighton Pride 2010
31st July - 8th August 10
7 days Amsterdam Gay Pride 2010
5th - 8th August 10
7 days Reykjavik Gay Pride 2010
5th - 8th August 10
9 days Liverpool Pride
7th August 10
REALPride carries full details of these events and the major pride and mardi gras festivals around the world.
