HIGH GEAR PAGE 17

1980 Lambda Awards at Exedra

By Bill Gerard

The 1980 Lambda Awards were presented at Exedra on March 13, Vince and Mary Los. owners of Exedra, hosted the event. The idea to give awards to persong, businesses, and organizations for outstanding achieve. ment was first suggested by Los in late 1979. A collaboration between Los and the Gay News produced the Lambda Awards, which will be given annually.

one of the year's most exciting and glamorous social occasions.

This opportunity was realized with the presentation of the 1980 Lambda Awards at Exedra.

Emcee for the event was Mr. Tiffany Jones (The Texas Tornado), who impersonated Bette Davis throughout the evening. and delighted everyone with his wit and charm.

An air of anticipation pervaded Write-in ballots listing the the room as the presenters began award categories were printed in the Gay News and distributed. throughout the Cleveland-Akron area. People were asked to writein a nomination for each category A list of finalists with the most nominations in each category was compiled and distributed.

People were then asked to vote for one of the finalists in each category. Counting of ballots was done by several people representing different concerns.

The presentation of the awards to the winners was seen by Los to be an opportunity for members of the Cleveland-Akron Area Jay community to get together for

reading the list of nominees, and then the winner in each category

Most of the winners were in the audience and were charged enthusiastically by their supporters and friends as they went to the stage to accept the award and make a brief speech.

Winners of 1980 Lambda Awards and their categories are as follows: Best Barmaid-Mary

0

(Exedra). Best Bartender Ray (Dean's Lounge): Best Health-

clubClub Akron, Best Showbar JJ's 2402 Club. Best Show"Encore" by Amber Darling at new Dimensions, Best New BarDean's Lounge, Best Disco-New Dimensions. Best Di-(tie) Larry Petrasek (Traxx) and Dennis Cox (The Old Plantation). Best Entertainer (tie) Miss Cathy Craig and Mr. Tiffany Jones. Best. Manager Jimmy Cougar (Traxx). Best Cocktail Lounge -

-

Dear's Lounge, Best Restaurant Crown Cafe, Best Organization GEAR Foundation, Most Origi nal Promotion Krazy Nites (Exedra). Women of the Year-. Mary (Vaults) Man of the Year.Carlos Colon (Gay News).

The evening was a glowing success for everyone involved and will be anxiously looked forward to next year.

Man of the Year. Carlos Colon.

Tiffany Jones.

Barmaid of the year Mary of Exedra's.

Bartender of the Year, Ray

Woman of the.Year, Mary Norman (Vaults)

Bobbie of DEAN'S Lounge

Host Vince Los

Best Manger of the Year, Mr. Jimmy Cougar (Traxx)!