Golden Handbag Awards 2006/7...

venue:   Hilton Metropole review date:   Sunday, 18 March 2007 words by:   James Brooks photos by:   Sam Milford

review

It's been three years since REALBrighton began its involvement with the Golden Handbag Awards, Gscene Magazine roll of honour for the great and good of Brighton's gay scene. This year, both the online voting results and the event itself were bigger than ever!

A staggering 600 different individuals and businesses were nominated in this year's awards and in some categories, businesses and individuals from Europe and even Australia were nominated, making it a global bow to everything good about the Brighton scene and beyond.

Once again, Lola Lasagne proved why she is Brighton's Favourite Scene Personality (grabbing the gong for the second year) by providing world class entertainment. Not only was the entire show put together by the Brighton Belle, but it was also a slick demonstration that she is the most accomplished presenter in the business.

Acts included Brighton & Hove (actually) Gay Men's Chorus, Dave Lynn, Gareth Severn as Robbie Williams, Maisie Trollette, Paul Zerdin and Drag With No Name.

The event is taken very seriously by every nominee, however, it is important to remember that it is also one of Brighton's biggest fundraisers for the gay community. 75% of the funds raised this evening was for the Brighton AIDS Memorial - a project close to many people's hearts with the remainder to Spectrum, Brighton's gay community and services umbrella organisation.

A reminder of the importance of the Memorial was perhaps made in the most heartfelt way by Colin Fry, star of Living TV's 6ixth Sense, who pledged £3,000 towards the scheme in addition to his appearance fees for his Brighton show in the autumn. Quite understandably, the audience rose to their feet in appreciation.

In addition to the votable awards, their were three special awards presented. One to Brighton LGBT Switchboard for their continued work. An award also went to Paul Kemp and the Aeon Events team for their tireless fundraising which has recently topped £100,000 through their clubnights; Wild Fruit, Cash Queen, Sunday Sundae, Rebel and Monkey. David Raven (aka Maisie Trollette) received a standing ovation at the tearful presentation of her special lifetime award for all the generous time and effort that David has given to the local community in helping to raise funds for charities and supportive organisations.

Well done to all the winners and to everyone nominated - you are what makes Brighton so uniquely wonderful. Special thanks also go to Arena Entertainment Systems who supplied and managed the entire lighting, sound and technical production. Brighton Hilton Metropole supplied the ballroom free of charge. Big Security UK Limited supplied security, saving the event considerable money. Lola Lasagne for working tirelessly to produce the entertainment and keeping everything running smoothly and the Gscene team for arranging the whole event.

Early estimates put the fundraising total in excess of £9,000.

loved it!

I had friends on 3 tables near the stage. They had come from Peterborough, Bedford, Portsmoth and Bristol for Golden Handbags. To be surrounded by friends whilst enjoying the splendid cabaret. We know it's a fundraiser, but it makes the giving less painful if you are enjoying it. I think the precedent has been set... we can't go back to a circus tent we must stay at the Metropole in the future! Already people from all over the country are asking to be kept informed for next year. The word is spreading fast and far and wide... Next year maybe a good raffle will help raise even more. There are many gay businesses who could give good prizes to boost funds.
Well done to all involved, see you all again next year!
Bristol_Crystal, 21 Mar 2007 [+]

The hard work of a lot of people all paid off to bring the LGBT scene together in a fabulous evening of community! The photos, as usual, say it all...
Lola_L, 21 Mar 2007 [+]

Well Done to Lola, REALBrighton (Sam & James), and G.Scene for all your hard work in creating such a wonderful night! I can't believe Charles St, Joan Bond, Kelly, John, Chris Marshall, Dulcie Danger, and my very own night "Religion" managed to get awards! I can't thank the customers and all the people that have helped me develop this wonderful night. I'd also like to Thank Richard Jones for all his hard work at Religion and I hope one day your hard work will pay off and you will get best male DJ! Well done everyone and thank you very much to all the lovely people that have helped and are involved with Brighton's Best Club Night! Ben xxxx
bennyboy1976, 21 Mar 2007 [+]

With all the thanks going on (and all of it very deserved I might add), I wanted to say a big thankyou to Timmy, often the unsung hero of REALBrighton... he worked really hard to ensure that the voting was as fair as any online voting can ever be - scrutinising every vote and building a system to tie together and count all the votes for us at the end. A marvel. Tim's a star!
Samwell, 21 Mar 2007 [+]

Loved it, Loved it, Loved it.

It's the first time I have actually relaxed and watched the Golden Handbag Awards, and can i say how brilliant it was. I think the venue at the Hilton was a superb choice. The acts were fantastic... Dave Lynn made me cry with laughter with the song he did with Pete Bennet and Pavillion Pete who joined him on stage. Paul Zerdin was simply fantastic, how funny was this man! All in all a fantastic night, I may even come again next year, LOL. The atmosphere was friendly and fun.
Thanks Lola, James and the REALBrighton Crew for putting together a spueb night. XXXXX

Jamie
Star_Twister, 22 Mar 2007 [+]

What a Top night out!!!!
The Venue and Decor was amazing, the entertainment was first class and everyone was wearing their Sunday best. The Pink Pound Flag was flying high and proud.
Congratulations to all of the winners and thank you to Realbrighton, Gscene mag ,
Rupert and Lola and the back stage crew
for a fantastic evening.
Special congrats to Dulcie and well done to Ben and Religion
Looking forward to next year already
Hollie xxxx
hollie, 22 Mar 2007 [+]

What an excellent night! Big thankyou to everyone who helped organise it, and to everyone who turned up and made it such a fab night!
Rob, 23 Mar 2007 [+]

I wrote a really, really huge blog in the blog section so I don't want to bore you in this bit! Was such a wonderful night! I am really proud to be part of the Wild Fruit Team, who thought that going out having the best time could raise so much money for charity! Can't wait for Pride! Again thank you to everyone for making the community such a fabulous place. It's great that we are all a part of it. You make the parties special. Until next time... xxxxx
djdanger, 24 Mar 2007 [+]

Well what can I say, the Best Golden Handbag show I have ever attended. Thank you to James Ledward and Lola Lasagne and all those behind the scene for a fab night.

A BIG thank you to everyone who voted for me. I can't tell you how thrilled I am. You guys make the it that much more enjoyable. A big thanks to Chris and the team, and to Ben from Religion. And a special mention to my partner in crime, Miss Joyride. I miss you babes. What a cracking night it was.
BONDED, 26 Mar 2007 [+]

A very well done to Maisie, Dulcie (again!) Tony B, Ben and Religion, and to other deserved nominees, Hollie, King K, The Bulldog, Amsterdam, The Candy Bar, e.t.c.. Sorry i missed it, as it was a surprise night for many of us.

:)
JustinK, 10 Apr 2007 [+]

Wow what a night... we’ve only just recovered!

Thanks Gscene & REALBrighton for putting on such a great evening of fun and entertainment.

We would like to take this opportunity to congratulate all the winners.

Thanks must go to everyone who voted for Wild Fruit, in fact any of our nights.

We must also thank all the talented DJ’s who play for us, Mr Haywood, Neil Duffie, top diva Dulcie Danger, The lovely Richard Jones, Kate Wildblood, Hollie & Gary Watts as well as all our guest DJ’s, thanks for your genuine loyal support.

We have to say that this year was a huge honour for us, being presented with an award that really means so much to all the Aeon events crew, The Community fundraising award, It’s testament to all the loyal support from all the Wild fruiters. We would never be able to raise such a huge amount of cash for our community without your support, this is an award that really does make a difference to our community so this award belongs to YOU!

We promise to continue with our fundraising efforts and endeavour to bring you some of the UK’s best and most original parties, the huge big top at Pride & fly the flag nationally for Brighton.

A huge Thank you
Love from Paul & all the Fruit crew xxx
WildFruit, 24 Mar 2007 [+]

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someone said... A VIP comment randomly selected for your delight: "Had to make him smile ;-) x" Said by airkick16 on Thu, 22nd March 2007. click to view the photo

snapped! Click the VIP's name to see where we caught'em! _Skip_ airkick16 Alfie Anastasia Andrea_Sian Arena bennyboy1976 bexbn1 Billie_Lewis1977 BONDED bouncerboi Bristol_Crystal CarlHobden CherryPoppin Chrissie cozmic1988 DameMargot danxx105 djdik e3jon Eeniebloke extravirgin flowerman Glam_Orville hippytarian hollie Jackhorner80 Jackson Jimboberoo johnBHaGMC kebycol Lisa1 Lola_L lotus_om lucas LukeLloyd lycra_uk00 melsy mikey25yobtn MissDonna misshap monkey MrScruffles MsPiggy Ozzie Palky pendragon puppet28 queenjosephine red_junior Ritchiexx Rob RubyRoo Samwell Timmy tonyb vinylrichi vivian wildblood Wilma wylie

the photos...

		Golden Handbags 2006/7 : First Half photos by Sam Milford Photos taken of the winners receiving their awards and of the acts during the first half of the evening. view review
		Golden Handbags 2006/7 : The Interval photos by Sam Milford Social photos taken during the interval. view review
		Golden Handbags 2006/7 : Second Half photos by Sam Milford Photos of award-winners and acts taken during the second half of this evening's proceedings. view review

about Lola Lasagne

The award-winning Lola Lasagne has long been a favourite cabaret performer in London and Brighton. Although it's obviously a drag queen's prerogative not to reveal specifics - let's just say it has been more than a decade and less than a lifetime! The next Lola Lasagne date for your diary: Sunday, 3rd August Cabaret & Karaoke Street Party @ Queen's Arms (Pride in Brighton & Hove) Click for more info and complete listings for Lola Lasagne

about Dave Lynn

Dave Lynn has been bringing his distinctive cabaret shows to audiences in Brighton and around the UK for more years than he would care to remember. In fact, he's been 34 years old for more years than we can remember... The next Dave Lynn date for your diary: Saturday, 26th July Dave Lynn sails in to Portsmouth @ Martha's & 227, Portsmouth Click for more info and complete listings for Dave Lynn

about Gscene Magazine

Gscene has been flying off venue shelves in Brighton for well over ten years, with pages packed with news, reviews, regular columnists and politics from Brighton's LGBT scene. Editor, James Ledward is known for being an outspoken and active member of the local community, often voicing views and concerns in his editorials. Click for more info and complete listings for Gscene Magazine

about REALBrighton.com

Over the last six years, the unique perspective of REALBrighton.com has attracted an audience of millions of visitors and is now Brighton's leading nightlife website, covering Gay Brighton, Straight Brighton and everything in-between. The next REALBrighton.com date for your diary: Sunday, 3rd August Bent Double – Pride Special @ Komedia (Pride in Brighton & Hove) Click for more info and complete listings for REALBrighton.com