2008 Diabolique!

THE VIP EXPERIENCE
Special fun & frolic awaits you!
The VIP experience is limited to 100 people, and tickets are sold on a first come, first serve basis. Tickets are on sale NOW for $100.00 If available. Buy your tickets early, as the VIP Experience often sells out!
Each year, the Diabolique Ball hosts an exclusive VIP Reception where generous contributors can rub elbows with the celebrity guests, performers and charity representatives. The VIP Reception includes:

* Open Bar with TOP SHELF LIQUOR
* Complimentary Buffet
* Celebrity Dominatrix Hostess!
* First access to the Playgrounds
* First access to body painting, portraits, and photography services

THE RULES

Guide to Diabolique Success
Tips, ideas, places to shop, examples from previous years

Dress Code

THIS IS AN OVER-21 EVENT with a very strict costume-mandatory dress code of fetish, fantasy, or formalwear. No exceptions... the Fashion Police will be on the door! Proper attire ALWAYS includes your proof of age. NO refunds of tickets will be made if you are refused entry due to casual dress or lack of proper ID at the door. Don't let this happen to you!

To make life easier, here are some simple DOs and DON'Ts for attending Diabolique:

DOs:
* DO dress up in your most creative fantasy costume, fetish wear, or formal wear. Latex, leather, rubber, Halloween costume, tuxedos, or gowns are required.
* DO Bring toys and props with the EXCEPTION of knives.
* DO Enjoy play in the playground.
* Do Use Respect and Responsibility when playing and observing.
* DO Participate by dressing up, even if you only intend to go and see the sights.
* DO Wear collars, belts, and accessories made of leather, latex, or vinyl.
* DO Recycle your fabulous Halloween costume creation.
* DO Wear sexy shoes that are as high as you can possibly stand on your tiptoes.
* DO Wear black leather boots or military footwear.
* DO Wear military uniforms.
* DO Cross-dress or undress down to underwear and a collar (underwear is mandatory).
* DO Wear sexy underwear or jock straps (and pasties if you are female — no tightie-whities!).
* DO Paint your body or face with make-up or liquid latex.
* DO Wear masks and/or wigs WITH costumes.
* DO Wear swimsuits, spandex, leather, lace, fishnet, saran wrap, latex, chainmaile or velvet.

DON'Ts :
* DO NOT expose genitals or female nipples under ANY circumstances at the Ball.
* DO NOT bring cameras or any image-taking device to the ball. Take pictures before you arrive, or your camera will be confiscated!
* DO NOT Arrive wearing a business suit (tuxedos with bow-ties and cummerbunds ARE acceptable).
* DO NOT Wear sneakers.
* DO NOT Wear jeans or t-shirts (unless you have leather chaps over your jeans).
* DO NOT Wear medical scrubs or hospital gowns.
* DO NOT Arrive naked (CLEAN underwear is a legal requirement plus pasties for women).
* DO NOT Wear a strap-on or phallic object outside of your clothes (liquor control objected to this in previous year).
* DO NOT Wear sweat pants or sweatshirts.
* DO NOT Wear plain shirts or neckties (tuxedos with bow-ties and cummerbunds ARE acceptable).
* DO NOT Wear Halloween masks without costumes (i.e. with sneakers, etc.).
* DO NOT Recycle dirty laundry. Some people think stink is sexy, but not at the Ball, thank you!
* DO NOT Wear clothes that are likely to offend other guests... Nazi uniforms may be your fetish, but leave the swastikas at home in your bedroom.
* DO NOT play if you are inebriated. Playground monitors will have final authority in all such matters.

ETIQUETTE

A Guide to Ball Etiquette & Behavior
Will your visit to the Diabolique Ball play area or after-party mark your first venture into the world of public fetish-play? If so, you’ll do well to learn the basic customs and expectations of public players. Common sense prevails: respect, clear communication, acceptance, tolerance are key to successful party playing.
This is an occasion to dress up and have fun. That is the only participation that is required. Nobody is obligated to play. You may stand at a respectful distance and watch other people’s scenes without worry of being coerced into participating. On the same token, other people are not obligated to play with you. You may ask, but remember that NO means NO. You may also see things that you cannot or do not want to look at, or things that might turn you off. It’s okay... you don’t have to watch.

CAMERA POLICY

No personal camera or video recording device will be permitted inside the doors. ONLY official event photographers, who will be wearing laminated event badges, will be permitted to take pictures of any kind. Official Event Photographers will be limited to stage performers, official photography areas, long shots of the dance floor, and to guests WITH permission. Cell phones are allowed, but if you use them as cameras, they will be confiscated.

ALL OFFICIAL EVENT PHOTOGRAPHERS MUST ASK PERMISSION before taking photos of partygoers. The right to refuse is reserved to our guests. If you see a camera or situation that looks questionable, or your photo is taken without your permission, there will be identifiable security personnel everywhere. Tell us and let us handle it.

If YOU are the questionable situation... no matter who you are, your images will be confiscated and your equipment may be damaged accidentally in the process. We take privacy seriously. Please recall that we cannot control photography outside the event. If you have questions about this policy, e-mail info@diaboliqueball.com

AT SHAMPOO
Respect club/party rules. Pennsylvania clubs that serve alcohol do not allow nudity, so keep the genitals/nether regions covered. There will be no overt sexual activity. Under no circumstances should any fake or real organ or extremity penetrate any orifice. Ask the monitor for tape or liquid latex to cover female nipples if you wish to expose them for play.

There will be Monitors in orange vests on duty at all times. There are also a Head Monitor, quite a number of security guards, and hundreds of experienced people from an assortment of alternative lifestyles. If you have questions, find someone who is not involved in active play. Alert the Monitor regarding potential hazards, harassment, breech of regulations, or other problems. The Dungeon Monitor has the final say in any disagreement. We will not allow anyone to do anything that could jeopardize our ability to protect the club's liquor license. There are other venues for more variety of play, including the afterparty.

VOLUNTEERS

This event is, above all, a charity fundraiser, even as we have a great time planning and attending it. Please be generous of pocket and spirit on the evening of the event, and keep in mind that the event is largely staffed by volunteers who work very hard.
As we progress toward the event, we will credit and thank our volunteers on this page. If you would like to volunteer, please contact volunteers@diaboliqueball.org.
This event is a fundraising effort supported by lots of folks from alternative lifestyles and supportive businesses. We want everyone to have fun (or at least, a reasonable amount of fun), but please keep our charity goals in mind and give generously when you have a chance.

HOTELS

Coming from out of town?
Or just want to get a room nearby?
It might be a good idea to get your friends together and split a room. PLEASE especially consider getting a room if you are staying for the afterparty. Even if you live in the Philly burbs, you might just want to lie down and snooze without having to drive all the way home. We want everyone to get home safely.
DO recall that a hotel is not PART of the event venue. Yes, you will be in costume, perhaps in elaborate costume with some naughty bits almost showing. But don't scare the hell out of the other hotel guests or keep them awake with the noise from your own little afterparties. Cover up your naughtiest bits on the way in and out.
Disclaimer
This is a not a listing of approved accommodations. This is only a listing of most of the hotels within 5 miles of the venue. We encourage everyone seeking accommodations to research each location and perhaps refer to Hotels.com for other options. The two below were the least expensive hotels that we found. Book early for the best rate!

Holiday Inn Express (Midtown)
1305 Walnut St
Philadelphia, PA 19107
215-735-9300

Holiday Inn (Historic District)
400 Arch St. (cor. Arch & 4th)
Philadelphia, PA 19106
215-923-8660

Alexander Inn
Spruce At 12th Street
Philadelphia, PA 19107-5907
Phone: (215) 923-3535
Fax: (215) 923-1004

Doubletree Hotel
Broad Street At Locust
Philadelphia, PA 19107-5659
Phone: (215) 893-1600
Fax: (215) 893-1663

Embassy Suites Philadelphia
1776 Ben Franklin Pkwy
Philadelphia, PA 19103-1289
Phone: (215) 561-1776
Fax: (215) 963-0122

Courtyard Philadelphia Downtown
21 North Juniper Street
Philadelphia, PA
Phone: (215) 496-3200
Fax: (215) 496-3696

Loews Philadelphia
1200 Market Street
Philadelphia, PA
Phone: (215) 627-1200
Fax: (215) 231-7305

Marriott - Downtown
1201 Market Street
Philadelphia, PA
Phone: (215) 625-2900
Fax: (215) 625-6000

Philadelphia Marriott
1201 Market St
Philadelphia, PA
Phone: (215) 625-2900

Philadelphia Marriott
1201 Market St
Philadelphia, PA
Phone: (215) 625-2900

Wyndham Philadelphia
17th & Race St.
Philadelphia, PA