We promised to look for other dates that inspire, by helping out with something larger than both of you.  Our next suggestion is for the two of you to volunteer at ”Feed My Starving Children”…and you don’t have to have kids to be part of this inspiring date!

One of Feed My Starving Children’s  (FMSC) belief statements is:  We believe that our lives are enriched when we graciously give our own time and resources to help others in need.  So why not enrich your relationship the same way?

Find something you both believe in, and a way to support it together.   FMSC makes it super easy – with 3 locations around the metro area (and 5 other states as well), and an online sign up to volunteer,  which allows you to search available timeslots in a date range. (Try signing up under “family” to get 2 or more spots). Sounds like a great date – both cheap and full of value!

FMSC is a  faith-based charity, headquartered in the Twin Cities, that is having an international impact.  FMSC seeks to ensure that every child in the world can receive adequate nutrition for healthy physical development.  In 2009, they were able to supply 96 million meals for distribution in over 62 countries.  The meals provided by FMSC are carefully designed by food scientists to provide the nutrients that malnourished children need and the success stories are impressive. 

Helping to solve the world hunger crisis is great fun at FMSC.  The volunteers (you and your date!)  will arrive for a 1.5 to 2 hour shift and watch a short motivational video,  receive a briefing on how the assembly process works, and then the take their place in the meal packing process.  The atmosphere at FMSC makes the work game-like.  Workers will give a shout when a bag of meals weighs exactly the right amount.  The music is fun and light-hearted competition is encouraged.  At the same time, the work is taken very seriously.  The ratio of ingredients is carefully maintained and the work flow maximizes output and minimizes stoppages.  When the shift is over, a staffer will tell the group what they have accomplished.  The result is always satisfying.  

So don’t delay, sign up on their website, or search out your own charitable challenge that means a lot to both of you, and find your relationship inspired on an unusual and unique date!

Summer’s Date Night!

Every summer night can be your Summer Date Night when you start looking around at the possibilities!  Dancing under the stars?  Perhaps some live music? What better way to replenish your relationship than checking out the ready-made date nights in the Twin Cities!

Thursday evenings through August 12th, the Ordway Center for the Performing Arts and several partners team up to turn Landmark Center Plaza into a venue for dance.

This Thursday, July 29th is Rock ‘n’ Roll night. The evening kicks off at 6pm with instruction by Arthur Murray Dance Studio, followed by live music  from the Rockin’ Holywoods from 7:30 until 10, giving you some time to practice what you learn and dance the night away.

Beer and wine is available for purchase starting at 5:30, so you can come early and mingle with other couples before class is in session.

August 5th, the schedule remains the same for Ballroom Dance night. Cinema Ballroom will provide instruction and live music is by the Jerry O’Hagan Orchestra.

But if dancing isn’t the way to your collective heart, you and your date could check out some upcoming free movies and music. Loring Park has some A+ Date Night opportunities!

 Tuesday nights starting August 3rd and wrapping up August 24th, the live music starts at 7pm followed by the movie screenings at dusk. Then you can head over to Nick and Eddie for more live music at the afterparty.

The series kicks off August 3rd with a live set from local heroes Communist Daughter followed by a showing of Raising Arizona, written, produced and directed by St. Louis Park natives Joel and Ethan Coen. Then at the afterparty, catch local electro pop outfit Estate.

What could be better than a ready-made fresh date night with no planning required!  So if you need something more spontaneous, on a date night of your choice, visit our website.  And enjoy a summer of unique romantic adventures!

Is it all the recent rain – or is it your relationship that needs some sunshine?

Sometimes, rain or shine, you just need to get out on a date! Maybe it is time to do something different.  There are lots of fun activities in the summer in the Twin Cities.  You can do some web searches, talk to friends, or just log on here and look for some fresh date ideas…this week with an emphasis on MUSIC!

Coming soon….

Check out the Twin Cities Jazz Festival June 17 -19 at Mears Park in St. Paul

You could enjoy a relaxing date with a sit and stroll while listening to fabulous music.  Friday afternoon, the music starts at 4 p.m. on the Main Stage with Story City. There will be an additional stage, the Sixth Street Stage, with more live music on Friday night as well, featuring Pete Whitman’s X-tet and Aakash Mittal. The Main Stage headliner for the evening is Joe Lovano with Us Five starting at 8:30. 

Mears Park

Saturday the 19th includes a concert at noon on the Main Stage. Highlights for Saturday include such giants as saxophonist Bobby Watson at 4 p.m., John Ellis & Double-Wide at 6, then the main attraction at 8:30 featuring guitar virtuoso John Scofield.

Also on Saturday, a third stage is added, presented by the Dakota Foundation for Jazz Education. This stage features the BFGS Quartet, and a number of student jazz groups from the area.

Or flip the memorable possibilities and try a new style together – Country!

Check out Toby Keith’s I Love this Bar & Grill for a little country fun! The vibrant atmosphere would shake off the cloudiest blues. The website shows their upcoming event, including Accoustic guitar with Tim Siegler on June 21^st!  You’ll find it in the newly reborn “West End” of St. Louis Park – if you haven’t been recently you’ll find the area looking quite different! 

For those die hard rock fans who like their relationship renewal in a comfort zone, a good date night can be found between First Avenue and Hard Rock Café downtown Minneapolis .  Check out the live music on June 18^th with Big City.

Revist First  Avenue if it has been awhile. It’s been the Twin Cities Danceteria since 1970!

Check out Delta Spirit, Lookbook, or Fujun on Friday; or  the JayHawks, Haunted House, or HollyGoLightly and the BrokeOff’s on Saturday.  Or visit their full June Calendar to find your perfect date! 

Can’t you just feel the fresh sunshine of new experiences creating a new Date Night like you’ve never had before?  Of course – you also need to remember that you can find your own unique Romantic Adventure with Out of The Box Dates.  That makes for an exciting and fun date night any time – with no waiting lines!  Enjoy!

Why Date Night Works!

 Straight from the LHJ, comes advice for long time married couples about rekindling early romance.  Their advice? Embark on a regular date night but reinvent it to include new and unusual experiences.

LHJ tells us new experiences activate the brain’s reward system, flooding it with the brain chemicals dopamine and norephinephrine.  These are the same brain circuits that are ignited in early romantic love when you feel exhilarated by — and obsessed with – your new partner. And several experiments show that novelty—simply doing new things together as a couple—may help bring the butterflies back, re-creating the chemical surges of early courtship.

No surprise to Out of The Box Dates!  We completely believe in Date Night.  And we’ve also found that being “out of the box” is all about trying new things, and sharing new experiences with your spouse.

So  take a few minutes to shop for Romantic Themed Dates with surprises here, at Out of  The Box Dates!  And look below for a few ideas for you to try something new  and memorable in the Twin Cities with your spouse this week:

Persephone: Reign of Fire

Presented by Bedlam Theatre and Infiammati Fire Circus
Directed by Rah Kojis
Playing June 3, 2010 through June 13, 2010

Persephone: Reign of Fire tells the story of an innocent maiden’s journey to the underworld, her rise to power as queen and her incandescent return as harbinger of spring. Theater, dance, fireworks, aerialists, acrostilting, shadow puppetry, video, and live score by Naomi Joy and Asylum Soundsystem.

Eat Street Excursion

The section of Nicollet Ave. from Grant to 29th St. is also known as Eat Street, so named for its dozens of restaurants and markets. Eat Street has an option for every palate, from Greek food (Christo’s, It’s Greek to Me) and pizza (A Slice of New York) to upscale Asian Fusion (Azia) and sushi (Anemoni Sushi & Oyster Bar). There’s German cuisine (Black Forest Inn), Chinese (Rainbow Chinese, Peninsula), American (Java, The Bad Waitress), a handful of excellent Mexican restuarants (Pancho Villa, Little Tijuana Cafe, Morello’s Mex-Grill, El Mariachi, Los Amigos), and even bakeries (Marissa’s Bakery, Sinbad Mideastern Bakery) and sandwich shops (Lu’s Sandwiches, Jasmine Deli). For more info on Eat Street options, check out the reviews page at Urbanspoon.com.

Sometimes romance IS in the crowds…

Sound crazy?  A couple can be come an island of closeness even with people all around. Whether it is an excuse to hold hands, squeeze together, or have a face-to-face conversation, a crowd can be very romantic!  We have several intimate-crowded-adventure-ideas for you…..

My husband I and recently went to Luci Ancora in St. Paul, billed as a casual elegant restaurant for people who like food.  The first thing I noticed is how close the tables were to each other. I shrugged – and decided it was like the cute little bistros in Europe.  The funny thing was, as you get lulled into the gentle buzz of all the conversations, you actually cease to notice any individual chats around you, and focus on your own. 

We had what really felt like a “date night” of non-stop conversation, easily moving from kids and jobs to sharing experiences and really talking. Thumbs up to Luci Ancora!  And we recommend the mussels appetizer and try the Limón cello sorbet for a light refreshing dessert!

Another inspired crowded yet cozy date night?

Add a little jazz to your date-life!

Try a Blues singer/piano combo at the Dakota Jazz Club.  Davina has been a hit in Minneapolis, Memphis and even Switzerland for the melting pot of her blues, American roots, and New Orleans music.

Or try a little Pop with 10-time Grammy nominated Meshell Ndegeocello!  Her music, energetic and assertive, is equal parts funk, folk, hip-hop, jazz and African roots music. And you won’t be the first to find romance in the intimate candle-lit jazz room. 

And here’s an A+ romantic idea that can bring intimacy whether it is crowded or not – tho you will find people there! Try Patisserie Margo. They’ve been referred to as the bakery version of “Cheers”, where everybody knows your name. If you need desserts for a party, morning pastries or just a treat for the two of you, this is the place to be. They have muffins, scones, croissants, danish, bars, cookies, bread, quiche, sandwiches, and famously sinful desserts. Of course, they make everything from scratch daily.

What better way to create a memorable date night and relationship renewal than splitting a scrumptious hand made dessert?  Share a fork and look into each other’s eyes – the crowd will melt away!

How to find the perfect romantic gesture!

Sometimes Romance is right under your nose. Look around your hometown. You might be surprised at what you find.  We found several ideas in the Twin Cities to share….

Finding romance, no matter how long you’ve been married, or how long you haven’t been dating, is all about the romantic gesture.  And that gesture can be something as simple as a stroll at sunset on a warm spring evening.

Here are two A+ ideas for some great romantic strolls in your metro backyard.

Top of the list:  The University Avenue Project. It is a six-mile photographic journey!  From May to October, Wing Young Huie’s photographs will transform St. Paul’s University Avenue into a six mile public gallery.  Hundreds of images will be on display in windows and on buildings from the KSTP Tower to the State Capitol.

Wing Young Huie and Tara Simpson Huie

Each night at a Landmark Projection Site, Wing’s images will be shown on 40 foot screens, accompanied by a soundtrack from local musicians. Monthly cabarets will feature live community performances and new media presentations. 

   

This is billed as the Language of Urbanism, but is also a great excuse for the language of love, including walking slowly, holding hands, and having some discussions and experiences you hadn’t considered an hour ago!

  Second on the list has to be a classic:  The Minneapolis Sculpture Garden.  It is one of Minnesota’s crown jewels and its centerpiece, the Spoonbridge and Cherry, has become a Minnesota icon. The Sculpture Garden is essentially a free museum in a park.

 

 

How long since you have been there?  Wander freely to your two-hearts content and take in the sculpture, the landscaping, even the mini-arboretum walk-thru.  You will find the pace of life slows, and the pace of your hand-in-hand stroll becomes the best stress-buster you could ever imagine!  Where else can you improve your blood pressure and achieve a romantic gesture all-in-one?!

 

You might as well keep walking, over the Irene Hixton pedestrian bridge, designed by famous sculptor Siah Armajani crossing Hennepin Ave. and dropping you neatly into Loring Park. There you have a choice of 3 or 4 stops to get a bite or have a drink. 

 

 

Try Café Lurcat, Joe’s Garage, or Dunn Brothers Coffee!

  

  

  

  

 A Romantic gesture doesn’t have to be predictable; it can come up on the spur of the moment and be all the more treasured. 

 

Take a stroll and try it! 

 

 

So what does this A+ romantic idea company  have in common with Bed & Breakfast Getaways?  Well, Out-Of-The-Box-Dates Founder and CEO, LeeAnn Williams participated in our very first trade show – which means YOU are going to see some more cool and unique dates around Minnesota and Wisconsin.

LeeAnn displayed Out Of The Box Dates (OOTBD) at the Crown Plaza North in Minneapolis with the specific purpose of sharing our Romantic Dates and offerings with the Bed & Breakfast community of Innkeepers.

 The Bed and Breakfast owners, all 55 of them, primarily in Minnesota, and some in Wisconsin are very proud of their properties and the experience they offer their guests.  In LeeAnn’s words, “it was a privilege to meet the owners, and hear their excitement as they shared their unique offerings. ”

OOTBD offered a free assessment of the B&B’s current romance package… and we discovered the number one reason why people don’t stay at a B&B when traveling is because… they didn’t think about it.

 We’re about to change that!  Stay tuned as each of a myriad of proposals we received to create custom dates at B&B’s  in and around their hometowns become available. You can be the first to experience an exceptional new Date!

 In the meantime, don’t be one of those people who stay in some sterile suite with bagels for breakfast, when you can  experience an OOTBD at a B&B! Check out our current exciting, no planning required,  romantic MN date called The Pillar of Love!  And feel free to click on these B&B search sites and enjoy a unique and personal travel experience!  

B&B Directory  B&B Planner  B&B Online  BnB Finder  Lanier B&B

And one more fun and amusing fact?

During the show, we found out that the first thing a male guest will do is check out the shower head to see how nice it is!

Well, we recommend you watch for Out Of The Box Dates updates regarding weekend get-away Bed & Breakfast Dream Dates…which make great gifts….(we’ll let you know about the shower!)

 Thanks to the OOTBD staff’s help in preparation for this show!

HUGE thanks especially to Scott for his help at the show!

Top 5 Events You Shouldn’t Miss!

1 ~ Spontaneity Skiing  With just a little “thinking cap” effort, you could find yourself with a medal! Surprise your spouse with an unusual outing. 

 It doesn’t really have to be skiing; perhaps you just haven’t gone bowling in years.  Or stretch a little and rent some snowshoes at your county park.  Or suprise him/her with some live theatre tickets. Visit http://www.hennepintheatretrust.org/

 2 ~ Bobsledding for Compliments

Go ahead! Just jump on and go for compliments on ice!  How quickly can you tell your significant other all their best qualities?  They won’t even mind a few sharp turns as you warm up and gain momentum, including things they’ve done that made you proud, or what simply makes them special to you!

 3 ~ Cross-Country Communication

 Communication really is a cross-country event. You need stamina, a strong heart, and lots of practice.  Winning at communication with your significant other means daily practice, not just when you might want something!

It is the art of asking questions, as well as the art of listening.  Some couples do well setting aside a private time, just for them. Whether it is morning coffee before breaking out the newspaper, or a glass of wine over dinner, you just need to make a pact that you will continuously practice, and make time for each other.  An evening walk around the block together is good for the heart, and c-c communication!

4 ~ Inspirational Ice Hockey

 Need a little inspiration to make sure you don’t skate past opportunities in your relationship?  If you’ve had that passing thought, “I should have done that” or “I could do that” but you didn’t go for the next step, then take some inspiration from Out of the Box Dates! These ultimate adventures could be your own personal Olympics! Score a 10 with an amazing date…just check out the Shop link next to this blog! Don’t take our word for it – read the Testimonials!  http://www.outoftheboxdates.com/testimonials.php

 5 ~Figure Skating Fun

 What Olympic experience would be complete without figure skating? Swirling couples in perfect unison, they create the picture of Ideal Romance!

Not an idealist? No problem! Most relationships are strengthened through sheer fun!  Ask your spouse what their idea of a fun outing is. You might be surprised! And it might be easier to create some fun than you think! Challenge him/her to a cook-off! Give him/her a punch card with 5 chances to do what they think is most fun as a couple.  You’d be surprised what a $15 nerf gun battle can do to make you think of nothing but each other! Live it up! You both deserve some fun!

Don’t be a bystander, join the Olympics! Create your own events! And go for the GOLD!  

How to Plan a Romantic Valentine’s Day With Only 4 Days To Go and Zero Energy!! 

There is a way to pull this off. You can still succeed on Valentine’s Day and avoid the cliché box of chocolates or cut flowers.  In some instances, however, classic Valentine’s may be the way to go!  It all boils down to communication.  You will have to ask!

 The Question???

 Although Men are from Mars and Women are from Venus, don’t despair. Sometimes you really just have to try straight-forward questions.  “I’d like to do something romantic for Valentines. What would you most like to do?”

  Answer 1

 If you get nothing but sarcasm, you may have bigger things to work on than Valentine’s Day plans. But, it doesn’t mean you should give up!  Classic may be the way to go here.  A reservation somewhere you can’t quite afford, combined with chocolates in a heart box is probably the best immediate step.  And you can still be lazy. Try an online reservation service to make a quick reservation without lots of dialing. Something like www.opentable.com.

 Answer 2

Really listen to the answer! If it isn’t sarcastic, then you are truly being told what she would like to do. And it pays to pay attention.  You might have multiple options, and none should be forgotten. 

Answer 3

If you get no answer, it can also be a good sign.  While straightforward communication is healthy, she may just feel like that answer is too much pressure. Whether it is a cop-out or not, saying “just surprise me” means she has trust in you.

It also means you can take a chance, or go traditional, and as long as you look her straight in the eyes when you “present” your present, she will think you rock.  But, if you have no ideas, see the last 4 sentences from Answer 1~!!

 And never underestimate the power of the tiny romantic gesture! 

Out of the Box Dates salutes the Lazy Man’s romantic intentions – visit our Romantic Adventure Shop!! We wish you the Perfect Valentine’s Day!