Welcome

Welcome to The Billies: Billy Penn’s annual award gala celebrating awesome Philadelphians. We’re thrilled you’re joining us to party tonight.

We’re presenting 10 awards and chatting with Billies MVP Terrill Haigler, popularly known as Ya Fav Trashman.

Join us on Zoom at this link, or use the info below:
Meeting ID: 874 5632 3972
Passcode: 21BILLIES

Send BP some love ?❤️

The Billies is our annual fundraiser, and we rely on donations to support our nonprofit newsroom. Funding goes to our original reporting, our free daily newsletter, and our monthly events, which help connect Philadelphians to information, resources, activities — and each other.

Your attendance and support at this fun awards show makes a big difference in helping keep Billy Penn’s journalism alive.

[pedestal-cta-button url=”https://checkout.fundjournalism.org/memberform?org_id=billypenn&property=billypenn&amount=150&installmentPeriod=once&utm_source=fundraiser&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=2021_the_billies&utm_term=&utm_content=billies_dot_org&campaign=7013i000000Qd2PAAS”]I support Billy Penn[/pedestal-cta-button]

House rules

Good vibes only

The chat is your friend, and every nominee here deserves to be celebrated. As we share more about our nominees tonight we want your energy in those comments. BP Reporter Michaela Winberg is moderating the chat, so say hello!

Tell people they’re awesome. Say congrats. Share the brotherly love, sisterly affection, and gender-neutral sibling kindness. Hype up these rad Philadelphians!

If you’re wearing it tonight, it’s fancy

Share your Billies looks on social media tonight. We want to see your gala vibes, your sweatpants vibes, and everything in-between.

Bottoms up

As we said, this is a partayyy. If you decide to whip up a thirst-quencher tonight or throw back a local brew, snap the selfie and tag #TheBillies to keep the hype going.

Tag + retweet + share

Make sure to follow us on Instagram, Twitter, or Facebook. BP reporter Layla A. Jones is live-tweeting tonight’s event at @billy_penn and might even retweet you if you’re nice.

Raffle Tickets

Support Billy Penn’s nonprofit newsroom and play your luck by purchasing a raffle ticket.

Our raffle baskets are sponsored by Bluecoat Gin and Neshaminy Creek Brewing so they’re packed with delicious sips. Get your tickets and stay tuned — we’ll announce the winners at the end of the live program.

Tickets are:

  • 1 for $3
  • 5 for $10
  • 15 for $30
  • 25 for $50
  • 55 for $100

Lavender Bees Knees ?

The cocktail demo to start us off comes courtesy of Bartender Barry, one of our Better Than Wooder nominees. Sponsored by Bluecoat Gin, this cocktail is light, refreshing, and perfect for summer. Make sure to prep your cocktail mixing supplies and ice, or take notes for future happy hours.

You’ll need:

  • Bluecoat Gin
  • Fresh Lemon Juice
  • Honey Syrup
  • Lavender bitters

Cheers to The Billies nominees!

Billies 2021 categories

Read more about the nominees here!

  • ? Better Than Wooder: For creating great drinks and places to enjoy them
  • ? Never Delete Your Account: Most persuasive social media use
  • ? Graffiti Glowup: Most interesting street art
  • ? Best Pandemic Pivot: Celebrating a small business that ‘made it work’
  • ☀️ Lenfest Sunshine Award: Most Impactful Local Journalism Project
  • ? Stoop-er Star: Honoring a neighbor that leveled up their community
  • ?? We All We Got, We All We Need: Celebrating mutual aid organizations providing for their neighbors
  • ? Socially Distant Showstopper: For excellent (and safe) pandemic live arts production
  • ? The Kids Are Alright: Zoomers breaking barriers and making waves
  • ? Most Valuable Philadelphian: Honoring Ya Fav Trashman, Terrill Haigler

Thanks to all for their great work, and thanks to you for helping keep Billy Penn’s journalism alive.

[pedestal-cta-button url=”https://checkout.fundjournalism.org/memberform?org_id=billypenn&property=billypenn&amount=150&installmentPeriod=once&utm_source=fundraiser&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=2021_the_billies&utm_term=&utm_content=billies_dot_org&campaign=7013i000000Qd2PAAS”]I support Billy Penn[/pedestal-cta-button]

 

DJ Bounce Gawd, Fruut, Kevonna Rose Credit: Courtesy the artists

Entertainment

Kevonna Rose, Fruut, and DJ Bounce Gawd bring tunes to The Billies awards gala celebrating awesome Philadelphians.

? DJ Bounce Gawd spins hip-hop, R&B and pop into high-powered mixes that burst with rhythm.

? Fruut layers lo-fi beats under plaintive tunes that sync with your internal monologue.

? Kevonna Rose has a rich, soulful voice that excels at turning internet memes into love ballads.