Looking for a better way to meet and connect with fellow artists in NYC? Tired of online dating and forced networking that don't result in real connections? Especially in fields such as art, where you're often working independently or with only a few other people [that you would really not want to mix work and pleasure with..], NY can be a difficult place to form new relationships. The Dating Ring gives you an opportunity to meet fellow artists and creatives, for everything from dating to co-working to sharing job opportunities.

What is this? In short, if Grouper and Pandora met on OkCupid and had a super smart baby, it would be The Dating Ring. The network is invite / application only, and composed of attractive, accomplished, 20 and 30-somethings - including a lot of creative professionals in the arts. Everyone meets me, Lauren (a fellow singleton, 'pro' online dater, Brown '11 grad (where I majored in love) and founder of a 4-year-old babysitting company, SmartSitting) in person, and I do the work for you, of setting you up with your next soulmate or cuddle buddy.

The personal touch of matchmaking is then combined with the powers of technology and a super smart matching algorithm in the works, that improves with dating feedback. Aside from meeting everyone in person and screening out the weirdos, the network is a much lower pressure layer on top of 'real' life, meant to connect the dots of living it up in NYC. We live in an amazing city with amazing people and a billion amazing things we could be doing every day - but everyone, and everything, is so disconnected. I match members up on group dates, some 1-on-1 dates, and arrange group outings to arts and culture related events. The network is just a fun way to keep living your normally awesome, amazing life, but with a few more people to do that with. Or it. Or whatever.

You can view current members here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/458120044281868/?fref=ts , my rambly 'blog' here: thedatingring.tumblr.com and my personal Facebook page here: https://www.facebook.com/laurenikay .
How to join?: Fill out the application / private profile here: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1cXYLSNsT5djJNil-zP41PIfcSu6NKQ0ZLto4WeAZPAI/viewform  . If you look like a good fit, I will ask to meet in person over drinks, with a few fellow newbies. We're in a trial run now, so all setups are free.

Does this all sound ridiculous? That's cause it is. So is love. The loneliness of NYC makes me sad and I’m going to be my crazy self and try to fix this problem, yenta style.