The star-studded Golden Handbag Awards, sponsored by GScene magazine, was an absolute treat. It may have been a hot and sticky night in the big top, but the variety and quality of the acts kept the audience very happy.

The Oscars of Gay Brighton. The Awards themselves gave up few surprises, but the guys and gals entertaining were great. Announcers of awards included a lot of the Brighton Expected, but Chris Ellison of The Bill (who played "Burnside" seemed to enjoy being part of the proceedings. Dave Lynn started off, but had to zoom off to the White Swan, Colin Fry didn't really hit many marks for his half hour slot. I almost admitted to being Keith with the black and white bathroom towels just to stop him crying. Colin managed to panic a few people with a few words of psychic wisdom, such as "pay £480 back into your bank account by the end of the month"..(are you mad) and, "stop lifting or you'll get an excrutiating pain in the centre of your chest"...cheery words indeed. My German TV contract is imminent.

Other notable performers were the lovely Arsenic & Old Lace (Maisie and Phil), Lola Lasagne, Nick and Jane, D E Experience, Brian Ralph and Jacque Plunkett (a few less razor-blade numbers love - you have a fab voice...).

The Award Winners are:

Best Sauna: Brighton Oasis
Best Restaurant: Dadu
Best Landlord: Steve @ Marine Tavern
Favourite Cabaret Venue: Queens Arms & Legends (Legends appear to forget that they're joint winners at present)
Bar Boy: Michael @ Amsterdam
Bar Girl: Rose @ Club Fuk
Best Girls' Night Out: Wet Pussy
Favourite Bar: Charles Street
Best Night Out: Wild Fruit
Favourit Local Female DJ: Kate Wildblood
Best Nightclub Venue: Revenge
Entertainer of the Year Lola Lasagne.

Special awards went to Bulldog Tavern for their fundraising efforts and Allsorts Project as an important local resource for the community.

Special REALBrighton.com congrats go to Lola - she was fab on Sunday and wiped the floor with Dave for the first time!!

A good evening - a few more surprises maybe - but, heck, apparently it's a voting public.