Dating With Real Highlife Adventures

For many singles, the trend toward group activities based on common interests breaks new ground in the dating arena. "In a sense, we'll go back to the future," said Mary Vallone, President of Highlife Adventures. "It's as if the ice cream social at the beginning of the 20th century has been kicked up a notch."

In this fast-paced culture, people sometimes spend more time with the BlackBerry or iPhone than they do with real potential partners. Sharing experiences and face-to-face interaction have almost become part of the past but is it what people want? According to Vallone, upscale social club for singles in Chicago and Indianapolis, "Men and women who stepped out of the confidentiality of online dating world and restore their lives," said Vallone. "Today's singles not only want to meet people who share their interests, but they also wanted to share real life experiences with like-minded potential mates."

Vallone explains that the approach serves to bring people together in a pressure-free setting. "When you attend an event, you meet people you already have something in common with and who are all there to meet you," he said. "And, when you're having fun, you let your guard down and are more likely to meet the right person."

Indeed, Highlife Adventures of '3, 000 members of the Chicagoland be difficult to find an ice cream social among the over 65 activities planned each month. Those who crave adventure can go parasailing, yield, or the experience of being a fighter pilot for a day. Music fans can enjoy the cool summer evening jazz or attend a rock star fantasy camp, while those with cultural interests can attend a Chicago Symphony performance or touring Frank Lloyd Wright. Members who enjoy the club scene can participate in a trolley pub-crawl, a moonlight party cruise, or events like "Martinis and manicures" or "Pots 'n' Shots Pottery Class."

This new dating trend is in contrast to the bar scene in the 1980s, one-one matching services in the 1990s, and the speed dating phenomena that peaked a few years ago. "Not all singles like to hang out in bars, many do not care about the pressure of sequential one-one dates, and most people find that speed dating is too superficial," said Vallone. And, while online dating may appeal to the students, many of the 25 - to 45-year-olds members have "been there, done that." According to Vallone, "Meeting people online can be fun, but also full of traps. Singles fare better when they put the mice, out of the house, and meet people face-to-face. We pre every member directly and have a company representative in each event to help ensure positive experiences by everyone. "

Ultimately, Vallone concludes, "We do not match with anyone. Instead, we provide a unique, fun events where groups of singles can meet each other and find what they seek - whether it's a friend, date or soulmate."