At The Variety Artists New Zealand Awards Night held this year in Auckland on Sunday 6 November, local entertainer Rick Sahar was awarded the 2011 "Top Variety Artist" award. This prestigious award is in recognition for Rick's entertainment - the many shows he has performed in various venues throughout New Zealand and as a variety of Rick's comic characters and themes.

As this award is decided by his peers in the entertainment industry, Rick feels humbled and honoured to be this year's recipient and for the recognition that accompanies it. "I know I am good, but I did not know I am this good!", Rick jokingly says. "To be appreciated for work I really enjoy doing is great and affirming of the effort and thought I put into being an entertainer, to honour the audience".

Rick is American-born, living in New Zealand for 30 years and has been a professional entertainer for 27 years. During this time Rick has also performed shows in Australia, Hong Kong, Paupa New Guinea and Israel, from kindergartens through to exclusive country clubs. None of this goes to his head, as Rick says, "I see myself as a tradesman simply doing a job that I am asked to do, much like a good plumber would, that leaves people happy".