Scarlett Johansson joins Nicole Kidman & Chris Hemsworth at G’DAY gala in Los Angeles

A 21-YEAR-OLD Sydney songstress and a Northern Territory based indigenous rock/reggae band will be among the guests performing in Los Angeles this weekend.

A 21-YEAR-OLD Sydney songstress and a Northern Territory based indigenous rock/reggae band will be among the guests performing in Los Angeles this weekend at the 2015 G’DAY USA Gala.

In a G’DAY first, the night will also incorporate the AACTA International Awards, hosted by Geoffrey Rush and Nicole Kidman with new mum Scarlett Johansson a special guest presenter.

The newly revamped annual event is a celebration of Australian talent in the United States, with former Home and Away turned Thor actor Chris Hemsworth announced as this year’s G’DAY USA honoree. Scarlet, who is a new mum to baby Rose, will present Chris his award.

G’DAY’s and AACTA’s inductee Chris Hemsworth after received the Best Global Actor in Motion Pictures at the 15th Huading Awards ceremony in Macau. Pic: AP Photo/Vincent Yu

The G’DAY initiative includes a tourism summit and is seen as an opportunity to grow the close business and tourism ties between Australia and the USA, which is a key part of Qantas’ role as the national carrier.

Qantas CEO Alan Joyce said the US is a key market for the airline and G’DAY USA provided a platform to strengthen ties between the two countries: “Qantas is proud to support an event that celebrates the tremendous success of Australians in the United States as well as opening doors for others,” Mr Joyce said.

“G’DAY USA is an opportunity to deepen business ties, grown tourism and export the best of Australian talent. Our participation reflects the deep history between Qantas and the US as well as our role as the national carrier to showcase Australia to the world.”

Musician Martha Marlow; the ‘voice’ of the latest Qantas commercial will be in LA. Photo: Tim Hunter.

Qantas is flying in the ten members of indigenous band East Journey and the vocal star of the Qantas Feels Like Home campaign, Martha Marlow, to join other Australian acts performing at the event, including indie band Sheppard, Human Nature, singer songwriter Nathaniel and Grammy nominated Australian hip hop producer M-Phazes, who’ll DJ the evening.

Among the audience will be Nicole Kidman, Rachel Griffiths, Mel Gibson, Tim Minchin and other heavyweights of the Hollywood entertainment industry.

G’DAY host: actor Nicole Kidman attends the 'Strangerland' Premiere during the 2015 Sundance Film Festival in Utah and will be star attraction in LA Saturday night. (Photo by Jason Merritt/Getty Images)

Presenters and attendees confirmed are Elsa Pataky, Liam Hemsworth, Luke Hemsworth, Rachel Griffiths, Jacki Weaver, Helen Reddy, Rebel Wilson, Angus Sampson, Elizabeth Debicki, Russell Hitchcock, Philip Noyce, Cameron Daddo, Emilie de Ravin, Josh Helman, Sharni Vinson and Jordan & Zac Stenmark.

Qantas Ambassador, two-time Academy Award Nominee and two-time Golden Globe winner John Travolta will also attend the Gala to present one of the AACTA International awards.

“G’DAY USA, featuring the AACTA International awards, celebrates all that is great about Australia, the enormous talent of the Australians who do so well here in the US,’’ says Travolta.

“I see it every day when I am working and I can tell you, it’s no secret that Aussies have practically taken over Hollywood.”

Actor John Travolta attends the 12th Annual "Living Legends of Aviation" at The Beverly Hilton Hotel on January and will be at G’DAY LA. Pic: Alberto E. Rodriguez/Getty Images/AFP

While the focus of the gala event will be on the glitz and glamour of the red carpet and AACTA International and GDAY USA award recipients, Qantas chef Neil Perry will be putting the spotlight on Australian food producers, working with US chef Tom Colicchio to produce a carefully crafted “LA street food” menu.

“This event is not just about creating a special menu for a party, it’s about Australian producers having the opportunity to spend time in the US and get introductions to potential business partners and wholesalers,” Mr Perry said.

Rebel Wilson: on the guest list for G”DAY LA on Saturday night Picture: Getty

“G’DAY USA has proven to be a sweet spot for companies like Vittoria coffee and Thomas Foods, both which have won lucrative contracts to supply US based companies off the back of their involvement in GDAY USA and we expect to see more of that after this year’s event.”

A first time co-sponsor of the event is Australia’s Paspaley pearls who will be adorning guests and presenters with pearls and diamonds for the evening.

Continue the conversation on twitter and Instagram @melissahoyer

Melissa Hoyer is travelling as a guest of Qantas at the G’Day USA event and AACTA awards in Los Angeles.

Originally published as Scarlett Johansson joins Nicole Kidman & Chris Hemsworth at G’DAY gala in Los Angeles