Bad Dates = Good Stories
By Betsy Mikel in Arts & Entertainment on Feb 12, 2010 10:40PM
Whether you're happily coupled or bitterly single on this February 14, we all know what the dating trenches are like. We've all lived out our fair share of rejection, drunken regrets and yes, even sometimes, poopy pants. The storytelling gurus at 2nd Story decided to compile some stories of failed happily ever afters, and tonight you can hear them at Mismatched: Horror Stories from Chicago's Dating Front.
Take some disastrous dating stories, add some eligible singles and a few glasses of wine, and it sounds like a winning equation for meeting someone new. Tonight's 2nd Story storytellers Margot Bordelon, Ric Walker, and J. Adams Oaks are single and available, so if you like their stories, feel free to make eyes at them as they're on stage. Cameron Esposito will be delivering the other three stories, which were selected from the 50 submissions to the Chicago Reader's Best Bad Date contest. Although tonight's event is open to anyone with or without a significant other, we think singles might find more solace in these stories of dating woe. After story time come to an end, audience members are welcome to stick around, chat and share their own best worst date stories, drink more, and make bad decisions with each other.
In the bigger scheme of things, 2nd Story's whole mission is to bring people stories that will entice them to share their own. And since everyone knows the best stories involve not only a strong storytellers, but also strong drinks, 2nd Story plans its events at bars. Tonight's anti-Valentine's event is at Bottom Lounge, which boasts a large beer selection of draft and bottle beers. If stories about being single don't tickle your fancy and you'd rather hear about relationship trials and tribulations, a few other storytellers and their partners will be on stage next week at Webster's Wine Bar doing just that. After if things go well at Mismatched, expect to see some of tonight's crowd in next week's couples audience. Once they are single no more, these folks might need some relationship advice.
Mismatched: Horror Stories from Chicago's Dating Front, Bottom Lounge, 1375 W Lake, 8 p.m., $10, 21+