#phillycupidsbow

[maggiealbright]

@sebcox the franklin institute, midtown village

Putting on a show of formality came easily to Maggie, so attending the Franklin Institute's Gala was something akin to second nature; she'd spent so much time at events for her family's foundation growing up that she'd learned quickly how to schmooze, how to smile, how to sustain a night dancing in heels. The pediatric unit had asked her to show face, and so she had — with Danny in tow — content to spend the evening drinking overpriced cocktails and making idle chit chat. And that's exactly what she'd been relegated to, Danny off doing God knows what, when she spotted a familiar face. She couldn't help the grin that overtook her features, and she rushed to suppress it as she excused herself quickly from the group she stood chatting with to stalk across the room to the man standing alone, nursing his cocktail, clearly out of his element.

"We've got to stop running into each other like this," she teased as she approached Sebastian, thoroughly bemused.

[philadelphia-hq]

Hello Philly!

Just a reminder that the event is officially open and date baskets have been posted to bid upon. For further information on how the basket bids work, please follow the link in the source. Winners of each basket will be posted on Tuesday, February 14th! Good luck, lovebirds!

— Admin Darby

[philly-media]

looking for love in all the wrong places? maybe it’s time to leave it up to chance.

Every year, the City of Philadelphia sponsors a date basket auction, where you can buy raffle tickets and enter for a chance to win a date with a random resident! Participants are tasked with designing a basket and accompanied anonymous description of what they have planned.

The proceeds benefit a particular charity every year, and this year the City has chosen the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia as their recipient!

Baskets can be as literal or figurative as you’d like them to appear. They can either provide an aesthetic overview for the evening or quite literally show items that would be contained in the basket, the artistic flair is yours to take and run with!

The fun in this event is truly allowing it to be anonymous, so only the Admin will know who created what basket, and the winner will win from a random number picked based upon those who bid.

All winners and their dates will be announced on February 14th!

For questions about designs or other aspects of this event off-shoot, please do not hesitate to message the main.

***Depending on numbers, all bidders may not receive a date.

please submit all baskets by february 10th.

[philadelphia-hq]

EVENT ONE: CUPID’S BOW

“I LIKE LARGE PARTIES. THEY’RE SO INTIMATE. AT SMALL PARTIES THERE ISN’T ANY PRIVACY”

The City of Philadelphia is proud to announce the annual Lover’s Ball, this year hosted in connection with the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia and the Jefferson Institute. For one night, and one night only, the Institute will be opening its doors and taking a step back in time! Yes, to the glitz and glamor, where the drinks were plentiful and the dances were riotous. It can only be the Roaring ‘20s! So, grab a gown (1920′s flapper dresses are highly encouraged), grab a partner — and don’t forget the secret password! The Jefferson Institute will be transformed into a Gatsby wonderland, fit for any Jay or Daisy. And, whilst you’re sipping on mint juleps, don’t forget to bid on one of our baskets, you never know what you might win... And remember, all proceeds go to benefit the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia!

LOCATION: The Franklin Institute

DATE: Saturday, February 11th, 2023

TIME: 7pm-12am

DRESS CODE: Black Tie Formal

“YOUNG HEARTS RUN FREE”

But, perhaps the 1920’s aren’t quite your thing though, and you much prefer a more modern era. Fear not, for Puente have got you covered with their annual ‘Anti-Valentines’ party, this year with an 90s twist ( of lime ) taking inspiration from the iconic movie Romeo+Juliet. Choose your house — Capulet or Montague, and dress in your houses colors ( Red for you Capulets, Blue for the Montagues ). Your favorite spot for sinning will be open from 10pm till 3am, and with a whole raft of brand new, one off drinks on the menu, there’s plenty of time to track down a fish tank and find a partner on the other side. Just remember the rule, what happens at Puente, stays at Puente. Oh - and stay away from balconies.

LOCATION: Puente

DATE: Saturday, February 11th, 2023

TIME: 10pm-3am

DRESS CODE: 90′s Cool

* Puente is not associated with the City of Philadelphia. The City of Philadelphia is not responsible for any of the events that take place on Puente’s premises.

As you can see from the description above, there will be two parties on the same night — the ‘official’ city run event, which will be a 1920s themed ball, complete with charity basket bids and giving everyone the chance to schmooze and dance ( the City of Philadelphia has of course, invited a top DJ for the evening. None of that megamix nonsense for this event no siree ), and the unofficial - Anti-Valentines party at Puente. The Jefferson Institute event will be hosted in one main room, but you can feel free to explore the many exhibits, which will be open to party-goers!

For further details about basket bids please click HERE. Basket bids must be in the inbox by the 11th February in order to be included. Submitted basket bids will then be posted HERE.

The Puente event will be taking place simultaneously across town, and will function as a standard nightclub, albeit a nightclub that’s taken a trip back to the 1990s.

Your muses can attend both events - The Lover’s Ball will end at midnight, and Puente will remain open for another three hours, but please feel free to be creative with this. If your character isn’t the sort of person that would go to a city ball at all, then they can spend the whole night at Puente. Or perhaps there may be a party crasher or two? Either way we want you to have fun with this event. Philadelphia’s Cupid’s Bow event will be running from Friday 10th-Sunday 21st February.

Please tag anything to do with the event with #phillycupidsbow - this can be anything from threads, self paras, outfits ( between the 1920s aesthetic and the Baz Luhrmann vibe I’m sure you can come up with something ). If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to get in touch with the main and I’ll attempt to answer anything I can!

Otherwise - look out for Cupid’s bow!

~ Admin Darby

[philly-media]

BASKET #6

Animal lover?  Come get a behind the scenes view at America's first zoo! The winner will receive a VIP tour, including experiences with animals and staff not open to the public!  And once we're done waddling with the penguins, roaring with the lions and hanging with the monkeys, we'll finish the day off with a picnic in the warmth of the avian house! Free feel to bring along a loved little one in your life!

[philly-media]

BASKET #5

A date filled with culture, champagne and creativity! We'll start the day at the Philadelphia Museum of Art, I'll bring the coffee and pastries to get us going. After taking in the artwork and hopefully finding some inspiration, we'll enjoy a leisurely lunch at Parc with champagne for two. Once we've eaten we'll go on to Flowers and Co. where we can put our inspiration to good use and create something of our own.

[philly-media]

BASKET #4

The perfect evening - a few rounds of bowling followed by a visit to Loco Pez. If you're lucky I'll share some of my favorites with you. To finish we'll grab a beer at Fishtown Tavern, loser buys the first round.

[philly-media]

BASKET #3

Enjoy an evening of axe throwing, where you can picture your ex as the target, since you were single enough to bid on a basket...

And if you’re bitter over an ex, enjoy a few drinks and eat your feelings with someone who is certain to be better company.

[philly-media]

BASKET #2

Overwhelmed by the more…intense aspects of Valentine’s day? Looking for something more casual? Join me for a lighthearted and fun-filled boozy flower arranging class! Come with me to a local florist for a special flower arranging session, where we’ll craft the perfect bouquet to bring home with us…or maybe give to someone extra special. I’ll bring the fixings for some specialty cocktails and some light snacks – the only thing you need to bring is yourself!

[philly-media]

BASKET #1

Spend a day with Philadelphia’s bravest...

Start your day with a hot coffee brought to your home, where your local Philadelphia firefighter will check your smoke alarms and make sure your home is protected.

Receive a complimentary Philadelphia Fire Department T-Shirt so you can show your support wherever you go.

Tour your local station, slide on the fire pole, try on a set of bunker gear and ride along on a call! 

At the end of your day, you’ll receive a calendar of Philadelphia’s finest... Showing off their very best assets.