Before we get started…
I hope you all are having a wonderful summer and that your fourth of July weekend was safe and full of good memories.
I think we’ll have some things you will be interested in this week so stick around to the end for a chance to be featured on our next newsletter.
Don’t forget to reply with your favorite date idea this week.
FIVE DATES FOR THIS WEEK
Make Soap at The Soap Factory
Image source: Nano Banana
Creative · ~$32
The Soap Factory sits upstairs on Center Street in downtown Provo, near the temple. AI basically has this located across the street from the temple and the MTC (you can’t actually see the temple from the shop unfortunately). You each pick a mold from over 400 shapes, a scent from the essential oils, and your own colors, then pour, paint, and take it home about an hour later. You can walk-in or book a workshop on a weekend so you are not standing around. Pick the scents for each other and hope you don’t walk home with a total atrocity.
How to ask: “Lets try making soap on Center Street this week. You pick my scent, I pick yours. Deal?”
Get Featured and Get Asked Out
We’ll feature you as a single in an upcoming issue, using your photo and a few lines about you, so other readers can reach out and ask you out, all for $5. Think a one-person profile card that goes to the whole list instead of doom scrolling on Mutual.
How it works:
(1) Venmo $5 to me, @hamiltonpr,
(2) reply to this email with a photo, your first name, age, year and major, what you are looking for, and how you want people to reach you.
Smash Hit
Image source: Nano Banana
Thrills · $30-40
Smash It Rage Rooms just opened its Orem location, now the largest rage room in the state, about ten minutes from campus (no it doesn’t look like a cement garage in a murder movie in real life haha). A room for the two of you is $15, then you fill a bin with dishes, old electronics, and glass and destroy all of it at $2.50 a pound. They hand you coveralls, gloves, and a face shield, but make sure to wear closed shoes and bring nothing you care about keeping clean. Grab the $3 Princess Package hard hat if one of you lost a bet. Take turns, keep score by who swings the wildest, and do not expect either of you to be quiet.
How to ask: “Found a place in Orem where we get to break stuff—like real adults. I already reserved a room, and you get to come if you want.”
Guest Star in our Next Edition
Send us a selfie and you could be a person in next week’s date pictures. We drop you right into the scene using AI, so you and a friend can go looking for yourselves in the photos.
Blind Chocolate Taste Test
Image source: Nano Banana
Food · Under $20
Grab six or eight different chocolate bars, everything from a Hershey bar to the fancy Ghirardelli squares. Really one stop at Harmons (grocery store) should cover it. Break off squares, blindfold each other, and guess the brand and the cocoa percentage one bite at a time. You can even keep a running scoreboard on the counter.
How to ask: “I’m buying way too much chocolate Thursday. Come guess them blindfolded and settle who has the better tongue.”
This is one we keep going back and forth on:
When you barely know someone, is a big loud date like a rage room too much too soon, or is it like a shortcut to your next boyfriend or girlfriend? I think I’d prefer loud and memorable, but I’ve definitely watched my fair share of dates flop when two people really just needed somewhere quiet to actually talk.
The Great Escape
Image source: Nano Banana
Games · ~$45
Escapes In Time in Orem runs six themed rooms ten minutes from campus, from a jailbreak at the OK Corral to a hoarder’s attic where you dig for hidden cash. Its usually recommended to have 4 or more people to a room, so it wouldn’t be just the two of you (hopefully less awkward). Tickets are ~$22 a person (if you use the student discount) and you can book a room online once you pick one. You’ll definitely find out fast whether you two actually work well together.
How to ask: “I booked an escape room Friday. One hour, one locked door. Think you can handle it?”
Advertise With Us
Want to put your business in front of hundreds of students in Utah Valley who are looking for somewhere to go or something to do? Reply to this email and let’s talk.
Spikeball at the Park
Image source: Nano Banana
Active · Free
I hope you look this cool when you play spikeball, but not all of us can have a Superman style dive (send me a picture if you have a better Superman dive please). Borrow or bring a Spikeball set, head to the big lawn at Kiwanis Park in Provo, and play until someone is literally trying to become the next Superman. Bring water and a second couple or even two others if you want to mess around for more than 5 minutes. Its a good test of how athletic they are (if that matters for you).
How to ask: “I’m getting some people together for a Spikeball group date at Kiwanis tonight once it cools off. Bring your competitive side, we’re winning.”
UPCOMING DATE OPPORTUNITIES
BONUS EVENTS
Wednesday July 8: Outdoor Movie: National Treasure, SCERA Shell Outdoor Theatre, 600 S 400 E, Orem · 9:00 pm · ~$5
How to ask: “National Treasure on a giant outdoor screen tonight. I’ll bring the blanket and the snacks.”
Thursday July 9 to Saturday July 18: Matilda the Musical, SCERA Shell Outdoor Theatre, Orem · 8:00 pm · Check website for pricing
How to ask: “Matilda under the stars at the SCERA Shell this week. Want to come see it with me?”
Saturday July 11: Provo Farmers Market, Pioneer Park, 500 W Center St, Provo · 9:00 am to 2:00 pm · Free
How to ask: “Provo Farmers Market Saturday morning. We go at 11, you pick what we eat.”
Wednesday July 15: Outdoor Movie: Zootopia 2, SCERA Shell Outdoor Theatre, Orem · 9:00 pm · ~$5
How to ask: “Zootopia 2 on the big outdoor screen Wednesday. Low stakes, just a fun night out.”
Friday July 17 to Sunday July 19: Salt Lake Bees vs. Reno Aces, The Ballpark at America First Square, South Jordan · 6:35 pm Fri/Sat, 6:05 pm Sun · Tickets from ~$12
How to ask: “Bees game Friday night, cheap seats and a hot dog. Come heckle the other team with me.”
Monday July 20: Kings Return in Concert, SCERA Shell Outdoor Theatre, Orem · 8:00 pm · Check website for pricing
How to ask: “There’s an a cappella group at the SCERA Shell Monday. Bring a blanket and we’ll sit on the grass.”
Just reply to this email!
From the Editor
You don’t remember the dates where you just watched a movie. As someone whose been on more than their fair share of first dates… the dates you remember are unique, fun, and give you a chance to talk to just your date.
As you put yourself out there, your life will be happier and so will the people all around you.
Until next time,
— Two Tacos & a Hike