Friday, December 29, 2006

Parties, Dec 15-23

We sponsored 4 holiday parties over this period, and they all went well.

Our Napa-Sonoma Wine Tasting Party on Dec 15 had terrific food pairings with the wine, and everyone appeared to have fun. Smaller crowd than expected, probably because a lot of people didn't know where American Canyon is!

Our Sausalito party on Dec 19, on the other hand, had a much larger crowd than expected--125 singles, which is a humongous crowd for a Tuesday night! The food was terrific, as usual. People stayed late, because the energy level was high. Clear night, so we had a great view of SF and the Bay! Unlike our previous party in the same location, the male-female ratio was good, thank God.

Our Young Single Professionals Party on Dec 21 had a nice turnout. Barbara Millin, who ran the party, reports that the White Elephant gift exchange was lots of fun.

The Art & Wine Tasting Party in San Francisco on Dec 23 was very well-attended. Lots of new faces, fun crowd. Once again, a good male-female ratio. Hope that continues at our upcoming wine tasting parties, January 7 at a 1927 Spanish Mansion; and January 20 at Evolving Art Gallery in SF.

We are all looking forward to the biggest party night of the year, New Year's Eve. This year our bash will be at the Sheraton Palo Alto, and it will be a massive crowd! Details about all of our upcoming parties at www.ThePartyHotline.com.

Happy New Year!

Monday, December 11, 2006

Parties, Dec 9-10

The heavy rains hit, and I was in a panic. So much time and expense goes into planning and promoting singles parties, then the weather turns sour. But the clouds had a silver lining: two very nice parties this past weekend.

On Friday, Dec 9, we did our first-ever party at Los Gatos Lodge, which used to be the hottest singles spot in the Silicon Valley. Why not do a singles party in this venue, with so much history? Terrific turnout, in spite of the heavy rain. In fact, the foul weather probably was fortuitous, because if we had 50 more people we couldn't have fit them in! We kicked off the party with a Lock & Key Mixer, then turned the show over to DJ HickeyB!, who is the owner of Choice Music. Another terric job, the dance floor was packed until late.

On Saturday we did America's first-ever Cider Tasting Party for Singles, coincidentally at America's first Cider Pub, Ace-in-the-Hole Pub in Sebastopol. Great food, good turnout, and live jazz to boot!

This coming weekend we only have one party, Friday, December 15. We do a lot of wine tasting parties, but this is our first one with Food Pairings. We call it The Battle of the Pinots, because singles will be tasting two French and two California Pinot Noirs. $10 at the door includes both the wines and the food pairings--such a deal! More details at www.ThePartyHotline.com.

Hope to see you Friday!

Monday, December 04, 2006

Holiday Party, 12/1/06

Last week I sent out a special email asking for more men at our singles parties. We had just done a party with three women for every man. And of course you already know the punch line--the very next party we did, a Holiday Party at Pasta Pelican Restaurant in Alameda on Friday, Dec 1st, we had too many men. When it rains, it pours.

That's why when people call or email me with questions about how many people will be at a particular party, or what the male-female ratio will be, I politely decline to answer, on the grounds that I am not psychic. After 28 years throwing over 2,000 singles parties worldwide, on six continents, I still can't foretell what the attendance will be. Too many variables beyond my control.

It was a very good party Friday night, nevertheless, at a lovely restaurant right on the water. Beautifully decorated, great view, tasty appetizers, great DJ, the dance floor was still packed when I cut out a few minutes early. We hope to do this location again.

This coming weekend we have two parties, both at new locations for us. On Saturday, Dec 9, we are at Los Gatos Lodge, with a Lock & Key and Dance Party, with one of the top DJs from Choice Music. On Sunday we sponsor our first-ever Cider Tasting Party. This is hard cider (contains alcohol). Those of you who don't drink alcohol will be able to taste non-alcoholic apple juice as well. Plus light appetizers, and live jazz after the cider tasting. We are doing it in the world capital of apples--Sebastopol, near Santa Rosa. Should be a fun party!

More details about these and many other holiday parties for singles, at www.ThePartyHotline.com. If you have ideas for parties at other locations, or with different themes, please don't hesitate to suggest them.

Happy Holidays!