We moved to this area last year. But honestly I've never been very good at finding things to do, or local events.
Recently I joined a group, all women, geared towards meeting new friends and getting out of the house. I hit it off really well with the organizer, and she asked me to co-organize. I don't want to drop the ball on her. So I need ideas as to where to look to find events in the area, or area specials at restaurants etc.
I found a page that showed local festivals, but that seems geared more towards family. I want to find a variety of things to. Wine tastings, concerts, fun shopping, comedy etc.
We are all in between Cinci and Dayton.
Look in the entertainment section of the newspaper. You don't need a hard copy you can just pull it up online.
Community papers, definitely the public library (they often have flyers posted as well as passes to area institutions like museums), even groups like AAA (if you are not necessarily looking for free events - their travel agency has all kinds of flyers and brochures). Get on the email list of area museums, vineyards or liquor stores (you mention wine tastings), the city cultural affairs offices, universities (lecture & concert series) etc. You can set up a Facebook page for your group (or use your own page) and "like" the pages of these various groups, which will get you the notices. Also check out things like botanical gardens or zoos - sometimes they have concerts and other events in the evenings after the kids/families go home. Check out national or state parks in the area, because sometimes they have hiking or nature events, canoe/kayak days, and so on. Look up "improvisational comedy" or comedy events - a lot of times restaurants have these, as do hotel restaurants, also karaoke and trivia nights.
You've got great suggestions in the below posts.
My advice - and you might have already done this - you might want to take some kind of a "survey" of your group, to find out what type of activities most people are interested in, what time of day they want to do stuff, etc, so that you don't spend too much time planning activities that end up with very low attendance.
Check the closest college and take a gander at their community calendar. They may have events and student performances that are free and open to the public.
Look up events at your local parks to see what nature activities are being offered.
Meetup.com may be helpful...
I have looked in my area...and there ARE groups...just not have had time to check them out.
Typically the newspaper focuses one day on local events. Around here that day is Thursdays.
If you are ever looking for kid friendly events try the local 'macaroni kids' e-newsletter.
Look in the local paper (we have a local version of Patch.com), look for where events are being held (like the library or coffee shop or mall).
Chamber of Commerce is a great start. Go visit there or City Hall.
See if they have any local newspapers or little freebie magazines.
Call the local newspaper office.
Drive around, stop at local shops & centers and ask them in person if they have anything special going on.
Call local concert venues.
Stop by or call restaurants.
our area has a website, kansascityonthecheap.com that lists free/cheap events in the area. Does your area have anything like that?
Tourism center, city newspaper, community newspaper.
