At this Philly speed-dating event, laughter comes first

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Colin Coleman is trying to change the speed-dating game through comedy. Hailing from Allentown, Pennsylvania, the comic began hosting speed-dating comedy shows in March as a way to help people connect and to stand out as a performer.

Four local comedians last week joined Coleman at City Winery in Center City to perform for an audience of over 30 singles. Their candle-lit standup set lasted for about an hour, giving guests time to sip wine and warm up their hearts for love.

“People just need help relaxing and like being themselves,” Coleman said. “It lowers their guards, you know?”

After the comedy show portion, attendees switched seats and rotated through an array of microdates, bonding over the material they just heard from the comics on stage.

“People wanna talk to people face to face, but … I don’t know if they don’t know how … but we trick them with the comedy. That breaks down the wall,” Coleman said. “It’s a perfect storm right now. Everyone is tired of the dating apps, the culture of the swiping.”

In Philadelphia, 62.1% of people over the age of 20 are unmarried, according to a report from CBS.

Dating apps such as Hinge have risen in popularity, but some singles doubt their usefulness.

“I’m on Hinge,” said Lilly Ebert, a Baltimore resident who is staying in Philadelphia over the summer. “I’d rather just meet someone in person and connect with them in person. It’s difficult to connect with someone over text.”

Such perspectives on the local dating scene have caused some individuals to return to traditional in-person methods of meeting potential romantic partners. Coleman said his comedy speed-dating format tweaks that traditional method — just slightly.

“By the time they’re talking to people, they’ve had a drink or two, they’ve been laughing for an hour, so they’re ready to have more fun,” Coleman said.

As a means of easing interpersonal connection, his show got “swipe-right” from the audience last week.

“It’s a good way to put yourself out there,” said Michelle Tiana, who traveled from Trenton, New Jersey, for the event. “Even if you get shy, and you don’t want to date, at least you can come out and laugh. And like, be around people.”

Check Coleman’s website for upcoming shows.