The nominations have been announced for the 85th Annual Academy Awards, and award season excitement has begun! Who will take home an award? What will everyone wear? Will Jack Nicholson be there? Whose acceptance speeches will have to be censored? What bizarre film montages will be shown?

The biggest event of the year in Hollywood, the Academy Awards, will be broadcast at 6:30 pm on Sunday, February 24, 2013. You could watch the glitz and glamour of the awards from your couch at home in front of the television, or you could enjoy the most exciting awards night of the year with a social, entertaining celebration at the Varscona Theatre!

Matt Alden and Tom Edwards are your hosts for Oscar Night at the Varscona

The 5th Annual Oscar Night at the Varscona event lets you experience the awards on the big screen and celebrate the fun and excitement of the awards with enthusiastic movie-goers.

Can’t make it to Hollywood? The Red Carpet at the Varscona is the next best place to be on Oscar night.
Photo by Janna Hove

Arrive at the red carpet outside of the Varscona and strike a pose for the lingering paparazzi. Make your way inside to enjoy a selection of complimentary snacks and appetizers, sip champagne (cash bar), mingle with excited movie fans, and vote for the films you think will take home the awards in each category.

All votes will enter you into a draw for a variety of prizes donated by local venues in Edmonton, including Continental Treat, The Princess Theatre, Upper Crust Cafe, The Next Act, Packrat Louie, The New Asian Village, Elephant and Castle, Da De O, and High Level Diner. There is some serious swag up for grabs; we’ll boldly say it rivals the Gift Bags given out to guests at the Oscars. New this year will be a silent auction and “a few other surprises”, producer David Belke remarks. Finally, settle down to watch the live broadcast of the Oscars. 

Who will win awards this year? Cast your vote and enter to win some fabulous prizes!
Photo by Janna Hove

Dressing up in Oscar-worthy style is highly encouraged, but don’t worry about running out to purchase something from Gucci – semi-formal attire will do. Though if you do want to don a tux, floor-length gown, or Bjork-inspired swan dress, go right ahead! You’ll fit right in!

Doors at the Varscona open at 5 pm for cocktails and mingling, and at 6 pm the broadcast begins with arrivals and fashions on the red carpet. At 6:30 pm the broadcast of the Oscar ceremonies begin. Local talents Matt Alden and Tom Edwards (stars of the Varscona’s weekly Die-Nasty Improv Show) will delight and entertain audiences with comedy, trivia, and musical numbers during the boring commercial breaks.  Though the official Oscars has had some underwhelming hosts in the past, these two are exceptionally entertaining and never disappoint as official hosts of the Varscona Oscars.

If you are a fan of movies and consider awards show to be some of the most exciting nights of the year, then this is the way to experience the Oscars in Edmonton. Some features of this year’s Academy Award ceremonies include the hilarious, sometimes controversial, Seth MacFarlane (creator of Family Guy and Ted) as host, and a special tribute to the James Bond film series which celebrated its 50th Anniversary in 2012. While the latest Bond film Skyfall is not up for any major awards, it is nominated in a few categories, including best Original Song (Adele’s “Skyfall”).

Tickets for the event are $27, as a fundraiser for the arts and theatre programs at Shadow Theatre and the ACME Theatre Company. Tickets can be be purchased at Tix on the Square (9930-102 Ave.), online, or by calling 780-420-1757. The Varscona Theatre is located at 10329-83 Ave., just off Whyte Ave. The event takes place on Sunday, February 24; doors at 5 pm, broadcast at 6:30 pm.

CONTEST: Where Edmonton has a pair of tickets for Oscar Night at the Varscona to giveaway! To enter to win, follow @whereedmonton on Twitter and tweet us the name of the movie you think will win the Best Picture at this year’s award ceremony. (Not sure what the nominees are? See the complete list here.) All submissions will be entered into a draw for the two (2) tickets. Only one entry per Twitter account. Contest opens January 11, 2013 and closes on Tuesday, January 15 at 11:59 pm.