Mingle mania
New social club offers alternative to bar scene

Kirsten Larsen
Northern News Services

NNSL (Apr 23/99) - Yellowknife's singles crowd were mingling on a new level and in a new atmosphere Saturday night, celebrating their single status at the first meeting of a new social club.

The Mingles Club, held its inaugural meeting at Giorgio's Restaurant on Saturday, setting the scene for what organizers hope will provide a regular alternative to the bar scene.

Don't call it a singles club though, said Mingles Club organizers, who claim that was just the theme of the first party.

"It's not actually a singles club," said Cheryl Best, who attended.

"It's for adults who want to meet other professional adults."

Best said she and her friends were sick of the bar scene, so, they helped organize a Saturday-night attraction with the owners of Giorgio's Restaurant that would solve the dilemma of what to do on the weekend.

"It's the Saturday- night syndrome," said Best. "You go out Friday to the bar but you don't want to do it two nights in a row all the time and you don't want to stay at home."

Saturday's meeting didn't spill into a loud, wild party taking over Giorgio's. On the contrary -- those who attended were seated at a large table, conversing while enjoying a meal. One man said the atmosphere made it easier for him to meet others who were out.

"It's so much easier for women to meet a group of people than it is for guys because women are natural bonders," said Lorne Tardiff. "They will go up to each other and start communicating whereas guys will stand there. It's very difficult for a new man to come into town and meet a group of people."

Few who were at the club's table knew each other prior to the evening, but even those who were a little shy had met everybody by the end of the evening.

"I only knew two people when I came in, but I have met all the rest," said one woman who did not wish to be named. "I haven't had many conversations yet really -- I'm eavesdropping still."

For some, the club was seen as offering the right environment to provide an adventure and build new friendships.

"I think it can grow to be a fun broadening of perspective and adventure where you are not worried about being unpleasantly hit on," said a local woman who did not want her name published.

"I'm adventurous -- I came here didn't I? If I come a second time or a third time, next time I will know a few people and I'll probably be talking a few people into coming here, too."