Voting for Oscar's candidates is in full swing, as Cantabrians gear up for the biggest annual event on the LGBT calendar. Launched at Chameleon Bar in Christchurch two week's ago, punters have the next three months to cast their votes across 17 categories, with the 2006 winners to be announced at the Oscar's party on the Sunday evening of Labour Weekend, 22 October, at the Civic on Manchester. This year awards include the more serious categories of business, work for the LGBT community, and male and female icons, along with best actress in a floor show, sexiest woman, spunky hunk plus the outlandish awards for bitch attitude and Miss NZdating. “We'll also be presenting two lifetime commitment awards and announcing a nationwide Person of the Year,” says organiser Miss Mole. Final nominations will be announced at the Nominations Party in late September. “The Oscar's is in its 24th fantastic year,” says Miss Mole, “making it the longest running gay and lesbian event of all time in New Zealand, and I would say the most popular and most loved!” People come from all around the country for the event, says Miss Mole, and this year's Oscar's will be “bigger, better and more fabulous than ever!” Miss Mole reports that she has just confirmed the performance of the Gold Coast's Miss Tara Eden at this year's Oscar's. “We're really excited as she's the most stunning showgirl and this will be her first show in the Garden City.” Local MPs Tim Barnett and Lianne Dalziel will also be attending along with Christchurch's gay-friendly mayor, Garry Moore. Tickets for the event will go on sale from August 1 at Pandora's Costume Hire and Chameleon Bar. In the meantime, Miss Mole encourages Christchurch's LGBT community to have their say, by casting their nomination votes. Votes can be cast at Chameleon Bar, Menfriends, the New Zealand AIDS Foundation in Hereford Street, the New Zealand Prostitutes' Collective in Lichfield Street and at Wac Cafes.