Tag Archives: chicago singles

Dating App Experiment

The Dating App Experiment

The Dating App Experiment

As a single staff member of one of the Events & Adventures clubhouses, I decided to do a bit of an experiment with myself. Like a lot of people, I’m a dating app user; as a person dating in the 21st century it often feels like there aren’t many other options. As a simultaneous member of Events & Adventures, I started to compare and contrast my experiences with my online relationships and the ones I was seeing develop at Events & Adventures.

I’ve been on the classic apps like Tinder and Bumble and have tried some of the more obscure apps like Hinge and Coffee Meets Bagel. They each have different layouts and specialties that make them seem like lights at the end of a tunnel filled with fellow singles. In the end, each app seems to turn out to have a similar end: possible dates and little connection.

 

The Findings

Dating apps turned the very real and emotional experience of dating into a very numb and robotic game. I’ve found myself mindlessly swiping through people without even looking at them. The sensation of matching with someone seems to create more of an endorphin boost than an actual opportunity for a true connection.

I’ll never forget when I matched with a guy and mentioned meeting up for dinner with him pretty quickly, trying to bypass the small talk and make something out of a match that seemed promising. He agreed, we set a time and location. The next morning, he was gone. He deleted our match and seeing as that was the only form of contact I had with him, there was no way of getting in touch to see what happened.

The experience stung, but a part of me accepted it because we hadn’t even met. How could I hold this guy accountable when he was only a picture on a screen?

I’ve gone on my fair share of actual dates through these apps too. I’ve even been in short-term relationships with some of the men I’ve meet. The large majority of the time the connection I thought I had with these guys online didn’t come through in person. If we did actually have something in common, there seemed to be a pressure to put a definition on whatever we had right away, which ended up scaring one of us away. When you make dating the primary focus of any activity, there’s an expectation of trust and vulnerability almost instantly. How can you put that kind of pressure on someone you barely know?

Having heard friends express similar frustrations, I know I’m not alone in my dating app woes. I even hear us wondering aloud if there is something wrong with us because of our lack of success.

 

The Solution

Having experienced Events & Adventures for the last six months, I honestly believe it’s not us but the online dating system that’s to blame. Unlike the forced nature of online dating, Events & Adventures creates an organic environment for members to have fun being themselves.

Are you filled with random facts or a board game connoisseur? You can guarantee there’s a trivia or game night coming up with Events & Adventures. More of a sports fan? Every club has at least one viewing party or pickup game on the books. Are you a whitewater rafting, bungee jumping, or adrenaline junkie—or do you want to be? Events & Adventures has you covered there, too.

And the best part? Other people are doing all of these things with you. You’ll be able to build connections with people that have similar interests and have the opportunity to see these same people on a weekly, or even daily basis, without having to plan the get togethers yourself.

All of the romantic relationships I’ve seen develop between Events & Adventures members have come out of the weeks and months they have spent together at Events & Adventures events. When people have the chance to develop friendships, those friendships turn into trust, and that trust can very easily blossom into something more substantial like commitment and love.

Our members have the chance to cultivate relationships with each other without having to worry about defining their experiences, romantic or otherwise, because that’s not what Events & Adventures is about. Our goal is to help people live a life they love, and that definition is different for everyone.

As a self-proclaimed wallflower, I’ve really had the chance to soak up all of the wonderful benefits Events & Adventures provides its members. In a world so fueled by instant gratification, Events & Adventures slows things down and gives its members the change to enjoy their lives with friends, new and old. So why keep staring at a dating app filled with what-ifs and maybes and come have some promised fun with Events and Adventures? You never know where it might lead until you give it a try!

Events & Adventures Chicago New Year's Eve Party

New Year’s Eve in Chicago with E&A

New Year, New Us!

The party was on this past New Year’s Eve, but whether you believe in making resolutions or not, we can all agree that achieving any kind of self-improvement can only help us live a more fulfilling life.  This past weekend over 150 Chicago singles decided that they wanted to do just that by starting the New Year meeting other singles and expanding their social circles.  So for our 2016 New Year’s Eve Masquerade Ball, Events & Adventures chose Townhouse Restaurant and Wine Bar to be the scene of the crime!

Talk was all about the party before, during, and after the event.  Members made their way into the venue wearing their carefully selected masks and formal attire.  New and familiar faces made their way around the room trying to guess who was who, making new friends, and writing their New Year’s resolutions on our resolution board.  After enjoying their favorite frosty beverage and grabbing a slider or two from one of the floating hors d’oeuvres trays, it was time to hit the dance floor!

Every year starts and ends with our New Year’s Eve Bash!

Events & Adventures makes it fun and easy for our members to meet other singles through our interactive events.  At the NYE party, members certainly didn’t shy away from making new connections.  Whether it was grabbing a crazy hat or mustache and hopping over to the photo booth with their friends, trading for their favorite colored 2017 led glasses, or dancing to the tunes of the DJ, by the time 11:59 rolled around many were ready for that New Year’s kiss.

Our New Year’s Eve bashes are only once a year, but they are each more like once-in-a-lifetime experiences.  You never know who’ll meet or what the night will have in store because no one throws a NYE party like Events & Adventures.  There is no better way to start the year than with new friends and great memories—and 2017 is only starting!

Singles Social with Events & Adventures

Join Events & Adventures Chicago for the Singles Social at the Arlington International Racecourse

Single?  Time to get back on that horse—literally!  Events & Adventures members know that horseback riding, wine tastings, camping, white water rafting, rooftop parties and baseball games are only the tip of the iceberg of what we do in the summertime here in Chicago.  But that’s not all, because we’re adding yet another amazing experience for our members this summer!  On Saturday, June 25th, Events & Adventures and the Arlington International Racecourse present Singles Social!

Ladies and gentleman, it’s time to break out your sun dresses, sun hats, bow ties, and slacks because we’re throwing the BIGGEST singles’ party in all of Chicago at the horse races!  At the first annual Singles Social, members and ALL CHICAGO SINGLES alike will have the opportunity to join us for ice breaker games, live music, an all-inclusive drink and hors d’oeuvre package,  and of course all the heart pounding thoroughbred horse racing action!

It’s going to be a fun-filled day at the racecourse!  Don’t miss your chance to meet plenty of singles, place some bets, and participate in activities that will keep the conversation flowing all day.  It will be another beautiful sunny day in Chicago, so why stay in when you can live a life you love?  Click here to get in on the fun at this one-of-a-kind event!

Splatter Paint and Water Balloon Fight Events and Adventures Chicago

Single Chicago

This had to be one of the most exciting events we’ve done with Events and Adventures Chicago all summer! First we expressed our artistic side with splatter painting a canvas. Some people got very creative and enhanced their art with tape designs and some glitter! We were able to make over 20 paint colors…which allowed everyone’s masterpiece to look different. And just when we were done relaxing with painting…we got some aggression out with a water balloon fight! Almost 450 water balloons were gone within 4 minutes! Everyone had a blast! And practically no one walked away dry… It was a night we won’t soon forget! Thanks all you Chicago Singles!

Water balloon fight chicago singles

 

 

 

Events and Adventures Receiving the Royal Treatment at the Cubs Game!

Events and Adventures at the Cubs vs Padres Baseball Game

Events and Adventures Chicago received the royal treatment this past Tuesday night for the Cubs vs Padres game! Waiting at the top of the bleachers for us was a whole row of couches reserved for E&A! We had the best view from the rooftop overlooking the Cubbies at Wrigley Field. We sported our baseball gear and enjoyed the array of food and beverages included in our ticket price! There might have been more socializing then actual game watching, but we had an amazing time as a  singles group! And we must be good luck because the Cubs brought home the WIN!

 

Six Flags, Members Mtg and Games For Chicagoland Singles!

membersmtgsixflags


This past weekend was jam-packed with so much fun for Chicagoland Singles that we needed to blog about two events this week! First on Saturday night we had our New Member Ice Breaker! There were a TON of new faces to welcome. They all had a blast playing “People Bingo” and getting to know interesting facts about one another! After the meeting, mingling, and buffet, it was game time! With air hockey, shooting games, racing games, and tickets to win, we were like little kids in a candy store! It was great to see a lot of new members mingling and fitting in with the group so well! It was a great night had by all…but then there was Sunday! Sunday Funday at 6 Flags Great America! With the new amazing ride Goliath out, that’s where we headed first… only to find out there was almost 4 hour wait! A little disappointed, we set out to ride some other roller coasters. Turns out, it was great that everyone else was in line for Goliath, because that meant shorter lines everywhere else! Everyone said they’ve never been able to go on so many coasters in one day! We even had a take breaks to give our stomachs a rest. By the end of the day, we were very tired and ready to head home after a long day of excitement. What an amazing weekend with E&A!

Friday Night Was An Amazing Night For Our Chicago Singles!

Having fun at our Members Meeting and Mingle

Friday night at Bar Forza was an amazing mingle for our Chicago Singles! First our new members (and we had a lot!) arrived to go over Events and Adventures policies and get to know one another. Once the regular members joined us, the real party started. We were spoiled with our own private room and even a surprise buffet! The new chef delighted us with parmesan French fries and bruschetta, what a treat! The food was a clear hit with everyone as it was gone in about 5 minutes! As the night went on and the music got louder, people started to put on their dancing shoes and bust some…very interesting moves. Overall the night was a huge success with the mingling of old and new members. For our first event members, we hope you had an amazing night and can’t wait to see you at another event soon!

Chicago Singles: 4th of July….Music, Ribs, Fireworks and Fake Mustaches!

Singles enjoying 4th of July in Chicago

This year the Chicagoland Events and Adventures celebrated Independence Day at Ribfest in Naperville! There were so many ribs to try, we had a hard time deciding which award winning vendor to choose from! Luckily there was a lot of sharing going on, so we we’re able to sample a good variety! It was definitely a relaxing day, hanging out by the South stage enjoying the music and good conversation. As the day went on, lots of silliness seemed to happen, which included fake mustaches! We later headed up to the North stage to enjoy some lively jazz music and found a great spot to watch the fireworks. We ended the night with an awesome fireworks displays and had an amazing day together as a group!

In Case You Are Unaware, Chicago LOVES Its Food!

Chicago Food

So each month we head out and try a new (or old) restaurant in the city. We usually choose a place that has been reviewed on a local station or in a newspaper. Sometimes we go big and check out places that are even on national TV shows like Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives. We like to see what the chefs and critics have to say and then go in and rate it ourselves. This week we definitely found a hidden gem! Nestled between two buildings and just below the ‘El’ train tracks is Macello. The street is dimly lit and the noise of the train every few minutes echoes for blocks. From the store front it looks like your average Italian butcher shop. But as you step inside and walk toward the back you are taken in by delicious aromas. The atmosphere is rustic with wooden beams and bright, boldly colored artwork. The brick oven definitely adds a cozy touch. We had a private section reserved just for E&A. The menu had so many scrumptious choices that we all had a hard time deciding what to order. Everything was made fresh right in the restaurant! Most of us ended up sharing and sampling eachothers delicious dishes. We also were in luck because it was ½ off wine bottle night! It’s so nice to meet up after work and share dinner and drinks and talk about our day. We decided that events like this make a long day at work worthwhile when we have something to look forward to at the end of it. There’s nothing like spending an evening with good food and good company. (Especially when the owner sends over a round of delicious limoncellos “on the house” for dessert!)

April Event Manager Chicago

Monday Night Howlin’

Full Moon Monday

The night was crisp and clear, and hung high in the dark sky was a dazzling full moon. We had to celebrate this lunar delight, and what better way than at Howl at the Moon! We tipped back cocktails and sang at the top of our lungs with our dueling piano accompaniment. Since we E&Aers were obviously the coolest people there, we dominated the dance floor. We mad new friends and danced the night away! At one point we even stole the spot light when we were invited up on stage to show off our moves! The music was so great that some of the ladies even abandoned their heels to keep dancing! Now that’s what I call having your priorities straight! I think the Chicago club made that full moon proud!

April Event Manager Chicago