By John Johnston
The Cincinnati Enquirer

One way to liven up an adult pajama party: invite singles of both sexes.

That's the idea behind Friday Night Sleepover, a new event for singles ages 30 to 50. The first of what promises to be a monthly mingle is 8 p.m. to midnight Friday at the Crowne Plaza Hotel, 15 W. Sixth St., downtown.

The event is the brainchild of Terry Oakes and Julie Phillippi, who met last December and, over dinner, traded online dating horror stories. Surely there's a better way to meet someone, they agreed, and the sleepover idea was hatched.

OK, so it's not really a sleep-over (although the hotel will offer special rates for guests who want to spend the night). But it will be impossible to overlook that theme, what with beds for lounging being placed around a dimly lighted room.

"We've decided to theme the beds," says Phillippi, 43, a public relations consultant. "That way, if people want to rendezvous, i.e. have a conversation, they can say, 'Meet me by the Scooby Doo bed at 10 o'clock.' "

Against a backdrop of live guitar music, pajama-clad hosts and hostesses will roam the room to help make introductions. Attendees may request "couch time" or "bed time" with other guests.

Admission is $70 at the door (cash or check only), and includes two drink tickets, hors d'oeuvres and desserts. Information: www.fridaynightsleepover.com.