One last note, it's not really fair to put the blame for singles events being no fun just on their identity as <singles events> (this is wrongfully inferring causation from correlation). Usually a party that's no fun is that way just because of bad planning, inappropriate target demographics or organizers who wouldn't know a fun waterballoon. I've put on my share of events that have bombed, from pep rallies to world cup launch parties, and it's never been just because we're trying to reach out to singles; its been because I did a sucky job planning or executing. Singles events aren't inherently boring; but like any other event that you want to be fun, are best left to be planned by people who know fun, and not by the bluehairs (after all, we already give them control of the Sunday services).

Can we make suggestions?

-- Wears plaid shirts = -2
-- Wears ironic plaid pants = +2
-- Shops at second hand shops = -1
-- Scores wardrobe items at second hand shops = +2
-- Talks excitedly about his second hand shop scores = +1
-- Stubble that is a consistent length from week to week = +1
-- Did his bachelor's degree in art (any), sociology, philosophy, or foreign languages = +1
-- Did his bachelor's degree in music = -1
-- Is excited about ethnomusicology despite leading for an all-white church = +1
-- Plays at least one goofy/ethnic/kitchy instrument on select occasions = +1
-- Has a wife who's so beautiful that there's no way he could be really gay = +2

I think it's good to remind ourselves that it's not just Christian singles events that are awkward and dubiously motivated. If you ask any of your single non-Christian friends what they think about Valentine's days or mixers, their response will probably be very similar to this post. And, of course, sometimes it's not even because the event was a "singles event" so much as it's because it's just a lame event (reality check on the efficacy of mocktails, defacto chaperones, and talks by 60yo married couples).

I used to plan events professionally, and my best advice is that you take the "singles" label off of the event and simply make it fun. This is called implicit branding, and it works like gangbusters for singles events. If the event is really fun enough for singles, married people won't even come (except for those very few rocker childless marrieds who are still cool enough to pull it off with the singles crowd).

Finally, the best singles events that I go to are my local Bible study groups. These tend to naturally group similar personalities, and it's a much better chance to meaningfully connect with single women than any singles event I've ever been to.