Carmel's Oscar Gala

With the 79th Academy Awards just weeks away, the Oscar buzz is deafening. Political heartwrencher Babel or indie darling Little Miss Sunshine? Local fave Will Smith for San Francisco-based The Pursuit of Happyness or sleeper Half Nelson's underdog Ryan Gosling? Will Martin Scorsese finally win a golden statue? All these questions and more will be answered on February 25 and the place to be is beautiful Carmel. The Monterey County Film Commission's 17th annual celebration of Hollywood's Academy Awards presentation night is rife with glamor just like the real thing. It takes place at Carmel's Tehama Golf Club and features a live big screen telecast of the Awards show, a posh seated dinner and a black-tie optional red carpet entry. Tickets are $150 per person and benefits the nonprofit film commission which works to enhance economic development in the county through the film industry. Red carpet begins at 5pm, the show starts at 5:30pm. According to the event's co-chair Teresa Del Piero, "The Big Night 2007 will be the place to see and be seen. We'll have all the glamour of Hollywood right here in Monterey County."

For tickets go to the website or call 831.646.0910

If you need a place to stay for The Big Night, look no further than the Carmel Mission Inn, and continue your evening of feeling like a star.