It’s
often said that our community organisations must change with the times to
remain popular and dare we say relevant. For several years now DIVA has been
reflecting the changes we’ve seen in the drag scene and the audience numbers at
the annual awards adjusting.
Although
the scene is much smaller now the enthusiasm of the audiences is still driving
an industry, fuelled somewhat by the RuPaul Drag Race phenomena and the fact
our performers are still as good as you’ll see anywhere else.
DIVA
have found it difficult over the last few years to establish a judging panel of
experts and consequently, who won what and why, was questioned more than ever
before. Change was needed.
Kudos
to the small team behind Avid Events who have been presenting the awards since
2009. Mostly these days a two hander of Greg Steel and Tim Millgate who have built
the event again, year by year, and it was so great to see last year at our 25th
anniversary awards how successful they have been.
It
appears their response is genius. Determine the nominees and consequent winners
by a voting process that gives showgirls 50% of the voting base and audiences
the other 50%. I’ve heard incredibly positive feedback from showgirls who tell
me things like ‘the balance will be brilliant’ and ‘any bias is buried’. For
the fans, well they now get to vote for the Variety Award, Technical
Achievement and the loved Bitch of the Year.
Tim
told me “DIVA is so excited to make changes to this year’s awards and voting
process, after listening to the community feedback over the years. We have
streamlined the awards available and opened some new ones up to the public for
the first time. We encourage the Sydney Drag community to get their fans
voting, as it will be a close race to the finish this year!”
The
DIVA Committee will continue to select the inductee to the DIVA Hall of Fame
and the Belle of the Ball at the event.
The
big one, the Entertainer of the Year, was selected solely by the judging panel
in the past, and was always the most debated at the Bitch and Boast after
party. From first hand I can tell you that sometimes it became very heated,
wine throwing, storming out and tears all par for the course. Now in our new era
Entertainer of the Year is decided by a combined vote, 50% showgirls and 50%
Diva Committee. We can’t guarantee the
end of the hissy fits but it sure opens up the field to change– and may the
best queen win!
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