Tag Archives: new year

Event & Adventures Winter Fun & Activities

Starting The New Year with New Activities

It might not come as much of a surprise, but studies have shown that the most common New Year’s Resolutions are losing weight and exercising more. These studies have also shown that enjoyment is a key factor in achieving any fitness goal and creating a happier and healthier you. Our clubhouses from Chicago to Vancouver took the time to incorporate new activities into their January calendars so members could start off their 2019 happier and healthier. Here’s a roundup of some of the new activities our club members enjoyed:

Burning Calories and Having Fun

On January 15th, Chicago kicked it into high-gear at a CycleBar class in Kildeer, Illinois. Members cycled their way through a class fueled by an enthusiastic instructor, fun club-like lighting, and energetic music. They were definitely feeling the burn once the class was done, but nothing brings friends closer together than a great workout! Chicago wasn’t alone when it came to featuring high-intensity workouts in January. Our Seattle club had an empowering and fat-blasting afternoon on January 20th at JabX Kickboxing and Fitness. They kicked and jabbed their way through more than 800 calories per member in the workout!

Cold Weather Activities

Three of our clubs embraced the cold weather to help burn away the extra slices of pie eaten this holiday season. Our Vancouver club swept calories away at the Royal City Curling Club in New Westminster on January 13th and enjoyed the benefits of the quirky game of curling. Minneapolis members frolicked through the snow on January 19th as they snowshoed along two miles of trails in Pine City, Minnesota. Members got to learn about winter travel during the fur trade and got to participate in additional activities like throwing a curling stone and playing a round of Ojibwe snow snake. The Denver club enjoyed a winter-inspired activity the same day when they went ice skating at Evergreen Lake!

Dallas gave football a wintery twist during their Flag Freezeball game on January 12th. During their pick up game of flag football, members forgot their winter blues and had a great time! Also embracing another classic activity, Houston gave Throwback Thursday a whole new meaning while roller skating. Houston members managed to get a leg workout in at the Adults Only night, January 17th, at the Dairy Ashford Roller Rink. Reliving roller rink memories with new friends was just a bonus!

Outdoor Adventures

Archery Tag was Phoenix’s activity of choice. They combined a game of tag with the combative skills used in other fun activities like paintball and dodgeball. Add the timeless activity of archery into the mix and this event made January 19th a unique, fun, and unforgettable day for Phoenix members. Speaking of paintball, Santa Clara had a great time enjoying this adrenaline-filled classic on January 12th. This was a great and colorful way to run around with fellow E&A members. Their friends just down the road at the San Francisco club spent January 13th participating in a Scavenger Hunt throughout the boats found at the Sausalito Wooden Boat Tour. This low-impact activity managed to incorporate a leisurely walk into a fun afternoon with friends.

No matter what city you’re in, Events and Adventures will be sure to help you live a happier and healthier 2019 while you make new friends and stronger connections. With over 30 scheduled events every month you can experience so many new activities and exciting things. After all, it’s our mission to help you live a life you love.

Events & Adventures Seattle

Events & Adventures Seattle Welcomes 2017

It’s already been a week since the huge New Year’s Eve bash for Events & Adventures Seattle, and as the old expression goes, time sure flies when you’re having fun and our NYE party was definitely that!  We sailed into 2017 on our private Argosy Cruise Ship, the Goodtime III, where our members danced the night away, enjoyed catered cuisine, and sipped free champagne (and doesn’t it always taste better when it’s free?)!  Our cruise took us around Lake Washington, where we passed houseboats and a variety of other seafaring vessels all decked out in holiday cheer.  And because we were out on the lake, our unobstructed view of the Space Needle fireworks was amazing!

The Party is Just Getting Started for Events & Adventures Seattle!

Now that we’ve begun our journey into 2017, we are so excited for another wonderful year filled with new experiences and new adventures!  Already this year we’ve had members “shred the gnar” up on Mt. Stevens, sip wine while painting beautiful artwork, and enjoy a fun Sunday morning on a coffee-crawl!  While there are plenty of exciting events to come, we are especially excited for our next big party, which is already only a month away—our annual Valentine’s Day bash!

Members of Events & Adventures Seattle are looking forward to their very own private club, equipped with DJ, dancing, an amazing light show, and stellar drink options.  In the spirit of promoting “being adventurous!” we will have a mystery drink list, printed on strips of paper which will be drawn from inside a giant mason jar.  Should you be daring enough to try a mysterious adult beverage, you slip the paper to the bartender, who will then concoct the mystery drink and dazzle your taste buds!  For an added element of fun, we request that all attendees will wear white, as well!  This will enhance the psychedelic light show that will be projected and promote a sense of unity and fun.

If you’re an Events & Adventures member but haven’t already checked out our upcoming Seattle events, be sure to do so soon and snag a seat while you can!  And if you’re not, there’s no better time to join Events & Adventures, just in time for our upcoming Valentine’s Day party.  We can’t wait to see you there!

Events & Adventures New Year's in Minneapolis

Events & Adventures Goes Back to the 20s

Events & Adventures Minneapolis started off 2017 with a bang!  More members came out for our New Year’s Eve Roaring ’20s Gala than any event we’ve put on before.  And everyone was dressed to the nines from flapper dresses to zoot suits! The food was amazing and offered a little of everything, including, of course, the cocktails.  The fabulous 514 Studios hosted the party, where the night kicked off with live music from a wonderful local duo who entertained everyone while they checked in before turning it over to the DJs to make sure everyone was able to dance the night away!  Here is what our members had to say:

“I cut my trip short just to come back for the party. The 18-hour non-stop drive from Texas was so worth it! Sorry fam, but I’ve already made my plans for next year! Loved getting dressed up in theme; everyone was looking fabulous! The dance floor was hopping and the people were great. It was an amazing night! Definitely one of the best New Year’s Eves I’ve had.”  – Amanda

It was an incredible night! Met many great people, with the gems in the women’s hair to their sparkle on their dresses, the men geared to the nines with their shiny shoes!” – Preston

“My favorite part of the night would have to be dancing. Seeing people so free and living it up is contagious! It was definitely a night to remember.” – Raquel

There were so many more great members in attendance, each with their own story to tell.  New Year’s Eve should always be a night to remember, and Events & Adventures puts on a party you’ll never forget.

Events & Adventures Phoenix New Year's Event

Events & Adventures Phoenix Rings in 2017

Events & Adventures Phoenix brought in the New Year with style—Great Gatsby style, that is—as we rang in 2017 at the spectacular Sheraton Grand Phoenix Hotel. There was no more fitting place than the Sheraton Grand Phoenix to celebrate a new year like it’s the Roaring ’20s; it’s right in the heart of Phoenix, just steps away from the convention center, restaurants, arenas and museums.

Old and new Events & Adventures friends gathered their best 1920s gear and showed us all that a little party never killed anybody. Dressed to the nines, everyone showed off a bit of their personality with their best ’20s get-ups. Flapper dresses, boas, long strands of pearls, fedoras and suspenders lined the dance floor as everyone showed off their best moves while the DJ spun away.  To keep the memories of the night alive we had a photo booth that beautifully captured the laughs, happiness, and fun of the evening.

Nobody Parties Like Events & Adventures Phoenix

And the fun didn’t stop there! As we clinked glasses and cheered to new friendships courtesy of our open bar, we also played our best hands at the blackjack table in true 1920s fashion. For all of those eager to find out what their new year had in store for them, we were also guested with a psychic who provided tarot readings and good fortune for all. Events & Adventures Phoenix couldn’t have thought of a better way to say “out with the old and in with the new” than at this event. As we all counted down those 60 seconds to a brand new year full of endless, exciting, and adventurous possibilities, everyone seemed to be ear to ear with happiness as we toasted in 2017.

Let’s just say the Great Gatsby himself had nothing on this event! There really is no better way to ring in a new year than with Events & Adventures. We are so excited for the New Year and to share in all of those adventurous New Year’s resolutions. Say hello to 2017 with new friends, new adventures, and a new you!

Events & Adventures New Year's Eve Party

New Year’s Eve Party How-to Guide

The Experts at Events & Adventures Share How to Throw a New Year’s Eve Party

  • Location. Where you choose to throw your party is almost as important as what you do at your New Year’s Eve party!  Are you going for a destination event, like hosting it at the beautiful and historic Hotel Galvez?  If your guests are going to travel you want to make sure you make it an all-day or two-day affair.  Planning meals and cocktail hours in the area makes for a complete experience your friends will enjoy.  If you want to stay in the city, look and feel is important.  A good planner can transform any space, but why spend the extra time if you don’t have to?  Book early if you can, but if you have to book late then make sure to negotiate.  Banquet/event coordinators will be willing to negotiate because an additional, unexpected end-of-the-year sale will bump their paycheck and year-to-date totals. So we recommend going private if you can.  Separating yourself from the party people who have a carefree spirit on New Year’s is a way for your guests to relax and get into the event.  If you book a room in a restaurant or bar hire security to keep out unwelcome guests and under-age explorers.
  • Theme?  Putting pressure on your guests to dress up or do work for your event must be taken seriously.  Am I really going to have more fun if I make a mask for a masquerade ball or a western theme?  If the answer is yes, make sure your guests know exactly what to expect.  To put it bluntly—don’t half-ass it.  Expect to put in some money to make it come to life in the space you are using.  Simple color scheme themes make it easy for people to participate without having to put in a lot of effort.
  • Food?  Start later and go lighter.  If you start around 9pm, most of your guests will have eaten dinner beforehand allowing you to have more fun with your food budget.  Finger foods only with light or no sauce—you don’t want there to literally be stain on your evening! Food is important if you plan on a night of drinking so think about serving lite bites that will soak up at least a couple Manhattans.
  • Drinks.  We’re talking booze for a New Year’s Eve party, so this is where you want to focus your budget.  Don’t cheap out.  Open bar at most venues will run you about $15-25 per hour per person depending on your options.  The perfect time to host a bar is from 9:30 pm to 12:30 am.  If you are running the bar yourself, try to focus on one or two signature cocktails, two wine choices, and a mix of quality beer and domestics.  If you are hosting the party you shouldn’t feel obligated to stock an entire bar.  Choose one or two of your favorites and stock up.  A fun bourbon drink and vodka will cover most of your bases. You can still serve bourbon on the rocks and shake up a martini for those guests who just have to have it their way.
  • Entertainment.  Friends and tasty cocktails should be all you need for a fun-filled evening.  If you must add on, keep it simple.  A photo booth and casino are easy.  You don’t want your guests to separate themselves from the party vibe or have to sit and think about anything else other than socializing.  If you must spend more money, consider upgrading your drinks or investing in drivers to take guests home at the end of the evening.
  • Champagne Toast.  This is a must have, but even though it’s a New Year’s Eve party, don’t overspend on champagne.  Get the cheap stuff and rip the label off or keep it in the kitchen, then pour and serve to your guests.  You’ve already given them drinks and no one needs more than a sip of champagne after their liquor or they will regret it the next day.  If you are hosting a house party, only people trying to look cool will splurge on fancy champagne glasses they will only use once, so use the plastic.  When half of your guests drop their glass they won’t have to feel bad for breaking your stemware.

Hopefully, these tips that we’ve learned over the years at Events & Adventures will help you throw some awesome New Year’s parties of your own.  And if you’re ever in doubt, or want to skip the work, joining Events & Adventures is a great way to take part in legendary bashes and meet new people without having to buy all the booze and handle all the planning!