Come Out with the Stars

It’s the glittering highlight of SA's gay calendar and this year’s annual Mars Bar Tosca Awards feature a very special host, Ron Hughes says.

The Tosca Awards are a fixture on the gay scene, a night where anybody in the LGBTI community can vote for anyone to thank and recognise them for their efforts. It’s a fabulous way for community members to have their say on who has entertained, influenced and helped them over the past year.

This year, the organisers are bringing a very special guest host to Adelaide, for one night only: the incomparable Carlotta (pictured).

National icon and lynch-pin of the legendary Les Girls, Carlotta will be doing “a couple of spots” on the night she says, but isn’t giving too much away.

“One thing I will tell you, there’s a number I’ll be doing from my one-woman show that is dedicated to all the people who have fought for LGBTI rights over the years,” she confides to blaze.

“Things like the Mardi Gras and other Pride parades, but also all those people who work quietly away in the background to make life better for queer people, the ones who don’t get thanks and recognition – the unsung heroes.”

With such a stellar host this year, the Mars Bar are ramping it up with three big shows planned for the evening.

At 10pm Vonni and Oktavia will be presenting a special surprise show. Our lips are sealed.

The Awards show is on early this year at 11pm, plus there will be a special late show at 2am for all you night owls.

Facebook gossip is that FiFi, Rochelle, Vonni, Cleo, Malt and Oktavia could be doing it Gangnam Style.

As always, the DJ line-up is superb, with Lill Miss K and Steph taking their turns to spin and DJ PuP closing the night.

The Mars Bar are setting up a special VIP Room this year, where you can mingle with Carlotta and other special guest presenters. $50 will get you VIP entry and great drinks specials from 9pm to midnight.

If you’re not into the VIP thing, tickets are only $15, but if you look on Facebook or the Mars Bar Application (APP) during the day of the Tosca Awards, there could be a surprise. Say no more.

Special Guest Host Carlotta says she is not only excited to be visiting Adelaide again after so long, she’s also looking forward to catching up with her old chum, Vonni.

“I haven’t been to Adelaide for a few years,” Carlotta croons down the phone, “and I haven’t seen Vonni for ages!”

Carlotta points out she used to live with Vonni in Sydney, back in the day, which she admits was “a riot”.

“She’s a lovely person with a heart of gold. I taught her well,” she chuckles.

The Tosca Awards are on Sunday September 30. VIP tickets $50, normal entry $15. Tickets available from the Mars Bar and the Colonel Light Hotel (see Vonni) www.themarsbar.com.au

And the categories are:

Twink award,

Drama Queen,

Slut of the year (presented by Gay Men’s Health),

Gossip Queen,

Popular Transgender, (new award)

Best New Drag, (new award)

Most Popular Female,

Most Popular Male,

Drag Queen 2012

The Tosca.

Unlike their cheeky name-sake the Oscars, there are no set nominees for you to vote for. Voters can nominate anyone they choose for any category. On counting day, the nominations will be sorted and counted, with the award going to the person with the most nominations.

Voting forms are available from the Mars Bar and the Colonel Light Hotel. Grab one and vote before Sunday September 30 – the day of the Tosca Awards.