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Sick of online dating, NYC singles are looking for love via PowerPoint presentations

Sick of online dating, NYC singles are looking for love via PowerPoint presentations

New York Posta day ago
They've got some hot pitches
At the buzzy new dating event Pitch & Pair, Gothamites try to sell the audience on their single friends with three-to-five minute PowerPoint presentations.
'I have a lot of shy friends who are single who are really great catches, and they kind of don't flourish in the typical dating apps or speed dating because they're introverted,' said the event's founder, Joe Teblum, a 33-year-old who lives in Chelsea and works in tech marketing. 'I also saw that there was this trend of people wanting to meet in person especially after Covid.'
8 At Pitch and Pair events, New Yorkers pitch their single friends to potential mates.
Emmy Park for NY Post
At an event last week at Slate in the Flatiron District, 16 locals gave presentations to a few hundred in the audience. There were bullet points, short videos and tickers.
'He can explain things without making you fall asleep,' Kedar Venkataramani's cousin told the audience of the 30-year-old, 5-foot-8 intellectual property lawyer who lives in NYC. 'He has a sharp mind, a sharp suit, and zero ego.'
The cousin also praised Venkataramani as a soccer enthusiast and tasting menu aficionado. 'He will take you to a Broadway show including 'Hamilton' or 'Book of Mormon',' she said. 'He also Citi Bikes everywhere like it's his personal Tour de France.'
The crowd was especially excited about the presentation for Chris Puch, a 33-year-old firefighter who lives in Staten Island and is a pseudo-celebrity on Tik Tok for being a hunky public servant.
8 Joe Teblum launched the events last year. They now attract hundreds and quickly sell out.
Emmy Park for NY Post
'He will cook healthy for you even though I've seen him eat $50 worth of Taco Bell in one sitting, so you don't have to worry about him being too healthy,' said his matchmaker friend, laughing. 'If you guys like to travel, he loves it. He's a world traveler, and he's been all over the world, and he's looking for someone to go with besides himself.'
Anand Tamirisa, a 33-year-old who lives in Chelsea and works in investment banking, was another one of the singles on offer. He admitted that he had authored much of the presentation himself, even though it was given by a dating guru buddy.
'I'm working in PowerPoint all day so it's easy for me,' he said. 'I made it in two hours. I even have a ticker on the top and stuff.'
8 Firefighter Chris Puch (with Caroline Busch) was a crowd favorite.
Emmy Park for NY Post
8 Puch's presentation touted his love for travel and Taco Bell.
Emmy Park for NY Post
His deck included information such as 'Moved to NYC in 2018 after being inspired by Jay-Z,' 'Works in investment banking but doesn't wear a vest,' and, 'Has performed stand-up comedy at world-class dive bars.'
It proved effective. By the time he walked off stage, Tamirisa had five new 'follow' requests on Instagram. (At the end of each presentation the matchmaker friend tells the crowd how to reach the single, whether it's via Instagram, email or text.)
'If I end up with one of them it would be a really good story,' Tamirisa said.
Pitch & Pair takes place twice a month at venues round town, including City Winery in the Meatpacking District and Second City in Brooklyn. It costs $40 to $60 pitch — with two tickets to the event included — and $15 to $25 to sit in the audience. The next event is August 4th at Caveat on the Lower East Side.
8 Anand Tamirisa (left, with Jaspreet Mini Hanjra) authored much of his presentation himself, he said.
Emmy Park for NY Post
Events regularly sell out shortly after being announced — in as little as 34 hours.
When Teblum first came up with the idea about a year ago, interest was limited.
'Only one person wanted to do a presentation,' he said of the first event, which was held at Kilo Bravo bar in Williamsburg and only attracted a few people beyond his friends.
8 The night's PowerPoint presentations displayed the fluency many young professionals have with the medium.
Emmy Park for NY Post
8 Pitch and Pair is held twice a month, at various locations.
Emmy Park for NY Post
ts some early iterations, people tended to roast their friends in an attempt to be funny. Audiences sometimes erupted into 'boos.'
Now, Teblum tells participants to keep it positive.
'The crowd gets so into it,' he said. 'Like the matchmaker shows a picture of someone's dog or hobby and everyone breaks out cheering.'
8 Sophia Demetriou said being pitched was a bit akward.
Emmy Park for NY Post
Still, Sophia Demetriou, who was the first single presented at last week's event, said the experience was slightly uncomfortable. Her former roommate extolled her virtues, including the fact that she has never lost a game of backgammon, can 'serve looks' and is a Pizza Hut connoisseur.
'It was terrifying,' said Demetriou, a 26-year-old fashion designer. 'But I do think this is how people are going to date in the future. It just makes sense.'
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Shania Twain Last October, the 59-year-old country-pop icon celebrated the Canadian Thanksgiving long weekend in the area. The "Man! I Feel Like A Woman!" hitmaker took to Instagram on Oct. 14, 2024, to share a photo of herself bundled up on a dock while sitting in a Muskoka chair. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Shania Twain (@shaniatwain) "There isn't anywhere more beautiful than Canada in the fall, and there isn't a better feeling than being warm and cozy in the crisp, cold air," she wrote. "Thankful for friends and family and this fabulous view. Heaven!" Canadian fans (and fellow celebrities) were quick to echo Twain's love of Canada. "Happy Canadian Thanksgiving!" commented fellow Canadian songstress Avril Lavigne. "It's like God dumped bright colours on all the trees. Growing up in northern Ontario, it was my favourite season," wrote a fan. 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In summer 2022, Crawford also made a few Instagram posts of her time at their cabin, including a video of herself steering a boat and a carousel of photos of her husband at their lakeside property. David and Victoria Beckham View this post on Instagram A post shared by Victoria Beckham (@victoriabeckham) Last summer, Victoria Beckham shared another series of photos from her and her family's summer spent in the Muskoka area. On Aug. 27, 2024, she posted a carousel of snapshots featuring loved ones, as well as a group photo featuring Crawford and Gerber. "Special family moments in Muskoka," she wrote with a Canadian flag emoji. "Kisses, #SalterFamily, I love you all so much!!" The 51-year-old fashion designer also tagged her 50-year-old husband David, as well as kids Romeo, Cruz and Harper. The previous summer, Victoria shared another carousel of photos from a family trip to the Muskoka area. On Aug. 7, 2023, she posted a variety of candid lake-side pictures of herself and loved ones. The post featured a picture of herself waterskiing, along with snapshots of the family enjoying the lake life. She also shared a photo of her and her husband posing with Canadian businessman Jamie Salter and his wife, Sheryl, on the water. "The most perfect few days in Muskoka with beautiful friends," Victoria captioned that post. In the comments section, people expressed their love for the English couple and welcomed them to Canada. "Come back soon! Hope you enjoyed your stay in the Muskokas!!" one person wrote, while someone else wrote, "Welcome to our playground." Austin Butler View this post on Instagram A post shared by Victoria Beckham (@victoriabeckham) Victoria Beckham also took to social media last summer to share a video featuring husband David, son Cruz and Elvis star Austin Butler lifting a fallen tree trunk above their heads. Butler, 33, likely spent time with the Beckhams while visiting the Muskoka region with then-girlfriend Kaia Gerber, Cindy Crawford's daughter. "Did you ever think you would see Elvis and Beckham lifting a tree? Helping the community in Muskoka. I'm impressed, gentleman!" Victoria captioned her clip on Aug. 6, 2023. In the comments, fans praised Butler and the Beckhams for embracing "the Canadian way." "How very Canadian of them," a fan wrote, while another added, "they are being so helpful like friendly Canadians." Justin and Hailey Bieber View this post on Instagram A post shared by Hailey Rhode Baldwin Bieber (@haileybieber) While Hailey and Justin Bieber don't currently own property in Muskoka, they've rented places on Lake Rosseau and Old Woman Island on Lake Muskoka in the past, according to Hello! magazine. The couple, who welcomed their first baby together last summer, reportedly kick back in the region often. Muskoka might be one of the couple's favourite Canadian destinations, but an area closer to Toronto appeared to steal their hearts back in 2018. That year, according to iDesignArch, Justin, 31, and Hailey, 28, purchased a $5-million waterfront estate on Puslinch Lake near Cambridge, Ont. Simu Liu In July 2023, Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings star Simu Liu took to Instagram with a carousel of snaps from a vacation in Muskoka. In the sun-soaked photos from Goshulak Island, the 36-year-old actor spent time on the lake boating, jet-skiing and wakeboarding with his fiancée, Allison Hsu. In his now-deleted post, the Canadian star included a caption that was nothing short of a love letter to Goshulak Island, revealing it has been his "safe haven for over a decade." The 36-year-old Barbie actor added he "lived a lot of life and seen many things in those years, but nothing quite compares to the majesty of the lake." Goldie Hawn, Kurt Russell and Kate Hudson According to Forbes, actors Goldie Hawn, 79, and Kurt Russell, 74, own property on Lake Rosseau, north of Lake Muskoka. It's where the couple have spent summer vacations with Hawn's 46-year-old daughter, Kate Hudson. In a red carpet interview with etalk at the 2023 Oscars, Hudson recalled her family's go-to pit-stop when driving up to their Northern retreat. "You got to go to Tim Hortons, and I usually just get coffee," she told Canadian TV host Tyrone Edwards. Martin Short Canadian comedian Martin Short is a big fan of Muskoka. The Only Murders in the Building star owns a cottage on Lake Rosseau and has even honoured his summer getaways in Ontario by creating a collector's coin. In 2013, the 75-year-old actor teamed up with artist Tony Bianco to create a $3 coin for the Royal Canadian Mint. The collector's item features Short's summer home, a sailboat and two Adirondack chairs. "As much as I adore the excitement of cities, it's rural Canada that has always had my heart," the Hamilton, Ont.-born star said in a press release that year. "When I'm there, I feel like I'm in heaven. More than anything, that's what Canada means to me." Mark Wahlberg and Tie Domi View this post on Instagram A post shared by David Beckham (@davidbeckham) In August 2022, David Beckham shared a photo on Instagram posing with Canadian billionaire Jamie Salter, 63, Ted actor Mark Wahlberg, 54, and former Toronto Maple Leafs player Tie Domi, 55. In the picture, the four men flashed bright smiles for the camera and put their arms around each other. "Great few days in Muskoka," Beckham shared in the caption, alongside a Canadian flag emoji. "With family and friends. Wow, what a place. And yes, we laughed a lot and drank a little. The best." Shenae Grimes-Beech View this post on Instagram A post shared by Shenae Grimes-Beech (@shenaegrimesbeech) In July 2022, 90210 star Shenae Grimes-Beech shared a set of photos from her family holiday in Muskoka on her Instagram Stories. "Found a strip of pop-up shops made out of pastel-painted shipping containers in the middle of the woods. Muskoka, you're great," she captioned the first snap. The 35-year-old actress doubled down on her love for the region by sharing an additional photo of herself jet skiing, paired with the caption, "I repeat... Muskoka, you're great," alongside a Canadian flag emoji. Tom Hanks According to Forbes, Forrest Gump actor Tom Hanks has planted roots on the coastline of Lake Muskoka. The 69-year-old star owns a stunning lakeside cottage full of bay and picture windows, according to Bavarian Window Works. In the past, Hanks has shown his love for Canadians and the country's beauty. He replied to a letter from a fan in Toronto in 2016 who made a bet to see who could get a bet from a famous actor the fastest. "Toronto, huh? D— fine town," he wrote in his response, enclosed with a photo of himself. "Growing fast, all those condo towers down on the lake." Lisa Rinna and Harry Hamlin The Real Housewives of Beverley Hills actress Lisa Rinna, 62, and her Clash of the Titans-starring husband, Harry Hamlin, 73, have been taking getaways to the Muskoka area for years. They've reportedly spent many summers on Governors Island in Lake Joseph, where Hamlin's family has had a cottage for more than a century. View this post on Instagram A post shared by L I S A R I N N A (@lisarinna) In August 2023, Rinna took to Instagram with a carousel of photos from her summer in the region that year. "Some lake life 2023," the star captioned that post, alongside a Canadian flag emoji. Fans back then shared their appreciation for the post in the comments section. "Have the same view! It's the best," wrote New York-based stylist Leslie Fremar. "You rock," a fan added. Summer McIntosh Summer McIntosh might be an Olympic-winning swimmer, but that doesn't mean she can't spend a bit of vacation time on Lake Muskoka. Following the Paris Olympics last year, the 18-year-old athlete took off to her family's cottage in the area with "the girls." The Toronto-born swimmer took to Instagram last August to share a carousel of photos with her friends enjoying the lake-side relaxation time. In the photos, the women posed on a dock wearing bikinis. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Summer McIntosh (@summerrmcintosh) "I think her favourite place is our cottage up north, she's just so excited to go there," McIntosh's mom, Jill, said last summer, according to the National Post. "She loves outdoors. She loves waterskiing. She doesn't do any swimming up there — she might do a cannon ball off the dock and that's it.

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