Wear your heart on your sleeve this Friday. Poster design © Rebecca Snotflower

Singled out – the singles night that’s making couples jealous

Earlier this summer, there was a buzz on Facebook about the amazing number of gorgeous, bright, single women in this town. Someone suggested bussing in blokes from London to appreciate our fine crop of beachside beauties. Then Alison Cooper – beautiful, intelligent, single, and practical – decided to take the situation in hand. Erica Smith asked her to tell us more about this Friday’s singles night.

What gave you the idea for this event?
I’d been mulling it over for a while, trying to think of other ways that I would feel more comfortable meeting people – as I couldn’t seem to start the internet dating thing. Not that I have a strong opinion about whether it’s a good or bad thing – it just didn’t sit comfortably with me. Then I thought I’d find it less pressurised to meet at a singles social event and started researching those online. But that wasn’t very inspiring either – some were very age specific, some were too far away and others just not my thing. So that’s when I thought “well, I’ll create my own!” And I thought “wouldn’t it be fab to have a whole room of people that you knew were single!”. I mean that never happens. When you go to a pub, you don’t know who’s available and it would be weird to go around asking! I wanted to cut to the chase.

What is the format for the evening?
It starts at 9pm, Tracey Johnson and I will introduce the night so people can relax in the knowledge that there’s no embarrassing surprises! We have the witty Mr. Dodwell compering the night, some lovely and funny poets and singer/songwriter (Jonathon Sanders, Kate Tym and Andrea Knights) and DJs (Kim Richards, Tracey Johnson & Naomi Robinson) until 2am. I’m looking forward to a bop but it’s not really about the entertainment – although it does give people something to talk about. I’m so excited about the evening and want everyone to have a really good time. I know Hastings is very good at sharing the love!

Is it just a heterosexual dating night?
Absolutely not! It’s for everyone (over 35 yrs approx!)…

This town seems to be full of the lovely, funny, intelligent single women. How are you going to cope with a possible imbalance of heterosexual women to available men?
Good question – and I’ve worked really hard at reaching out in distance and in variety! I’ve spent hours emailing the poster (created by the talented Rebecca Snotflower) to companies, schools, colleges, hospitals, libraries and charities – basically ANYWHERE and asked them to share with staff. I have also focused on traditionally male dominated areas and given posters to sports facilities (windsurfing, canoeing, mountain climbing) and barbers! I also recently discovered when putting in the word ‘single’ in FB- it came up with ‘single men in your area’ so I invited lots of those from Eastbourne, Bexhill and Rye! Now I’m worried there won’t be enough women!

Are there any ‘rules’ or ‘guidelines’ for how to behave?
Not really, I hope people come with an open mind and heart… and just relax and have fun really. I hope people don’t put any pressure on themselves, no expectations… just enjoy the sense of possibility and talk to people! We will have sticky labels on the night so everyone can (if they want) write exactly what they are looking for – we think it’s good to be clear, saves an awful lot of misunderstandings!

And you – who are you looking for?
I’m looking for some fun company and affection, nothing too intense or committed.

Singled Out! is this Friday – 15 September
at the Blackmarket VIP Venue, George St, Old Town
9pm-2am.
£5 entry. Pay on the door – bring your single friends with you!
Check out the Facebook page

Also in: One Long Party