Oscar season is upon us and I’m making plans. Even when I’ve lived in other countries, I have kept an eye on the date as to not miss the hoopla. One year, thanks to a friend’s membership, I saw the ceremony on a big screen at the American Club in Taipei. This was one of those fun-filled events that Americans throw to feel like they are still in the U.S. On Oscar night I’m happy to pretend.
Because I am a movie fiend, as soon as I see Half Nelson my oath as a member of the Columbus Academy of Movie Pickers Picks [CAMPP] is fulfilled. We are a group of folks who the Dispatch (Columbus Ohio’s main newspaper) deemed worthy of the weighty responsibility of seeing all the nominated movies, actors, actresses, directors and those in supporting roles to pick who we think should win before the paper’s press deadline. On Oscar Sunday our photos and quotes end up in print. With a few days left to make up my mind, I’m still mulling.
What I am not mulling about is where to see the Oscars. Across the U.S. there are Oscar Night America® parties where the award ceremony is broadcast live on the big screen. The website lists where the events are and gives details how to attend. By attending, participants get to do things like walk the red carpet, eat yummy hors d’oeuvres, cast their ballots for the winners in order to win prizes, and earn money for charity. Each attendee also receives the same program they would receive if they were actually at the Oscars. The event I’m going to is at the Drexel Gateway near the Ohio State University campus. The money raised that night will go to Columbus AIDS Task Force.