Singles within Kansas City’s queer community are about to experience a fresh take on matchmaking, said Tiffany Watts, detailing plans for a pitch event this week where lonely hearts could find connections with help from people who already see them best: their friends.
The interactive Where to Find Us event is set for Thursday, Nov. 21, at Parlor in the Crossroads.
“It’s going to be really exciting and entertaining — bringing people together in a fun way,” said Watts, who co-founded the effort alongside Lo Cowan. “Our goal is to create spaces that inspire and connect us beyond just the typical night out.”
Shining a light
The event’s format is simple but unique: instead of participants promoting themselves, their friends step up to the plate. These “bestie pitches” allow attendees to highlight their single friends through fun anecdotes, clever slideshows, and heartfelt presentations in a series of four- to seven-minute showcases.
Lo Cowan, Where to Find Us
“The queer community already knows how to throw a good party, and Kansas City’s thriving event scene is proof of that,” said Cowan. “But we wanted to create something different — an event focused on honoring our single friends, while still being fun and full of connection.”
The evening’s plans begin with mingling over drinks, creating a relaxed and social atmosphere before the pitches kick off. It’s an interactive way to celebrate queer love and friendships, moving beyond the usual dating app dynamic, Watts said.
“We’ve seen something similar happen in San Diego, but it was just a small piece of an event. We thought, ‘Why not build an entire night around it?’” she said, describing the inspiration for the concept.
“There’s something really special about letting your friends shine a light on you,” Watts added. “They see all your goodness when it can be hard for you to see it yourself.”
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Making space for more
The event’s deeper purpose, Watts emphasized: creating spaces that cater to LGBTQ+ people outside of traditional nightlife, especially with a growing sober community.
“We really do a lot of parties, and they’re super fun, but we don’t really have anything aside from drag shows that’s just entertaining for the queer community, or that inspires or teaches us in ways that are just for us. That’s where this event comes in,” she said.
The Parlor venue was chosen for its inviting layout and the flexibility of its team, Watts noted.
“They’re amazing to work with. If you sell 75 tickets or 200, they’re ready to make it happen,” she said. “That kind of support is everything.”
Tiffany Watts, Where to Find Us
Building community beyond the party
The organizers envision Thursday’s debut event as just the beginning, they said. Their long-term goal is to expand the concept to a series, offering a variety of experiences tailored to Kansas City’s LGBTQ+ community.
Click here to follow the Where to Find Us journey on Instagram.
“In the future, we’d love to introduce events that focus on healing, relationships, and even learning,” Watts said. “Think TED Talks, but strictly for the queer community — short, impactful lectures that educate and inspire, from relationships to business to personal growth.”
For now, the focus remains on this week’s launch, which promises to combine humor and matchmaking magic, she said.
“We’re excited to see the response,” said Watts. “It’s all about creating something special for our community — a place where people can truly be themselves and make meaningful connections.”
