Ditch the dating apps with Micropolitan Matchmakers

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Happy Tuesday, Capital Region! Just in time for Valentine’s Day, we’ve got some great dating advice from the chief romance officer at Micropolitan Matchmakers 💘 Plus, our Home of the Week is a super lovable starter home in Clifton Park.

—Phat X. Chiem & Karley Sullivan

Ditch the apps, find the spark IRL with Micropolitan Matchmakers

Tired of swiping left, right, and straight into disappointment? You’re not alone. The Capital Region is buzzing with singles who are over the dating app grind—and Becky Daniels is here to help.

The “chief romance officer” behind Schenectady-based Micropolitan Matchmakers, Becky is on a mission to bring real-life connection back to the dating scene. It all started in 2021, fresh off the isolation of the pandemic. She and co-founder Gabby Fisher threw a singles event just to see what would happen—80 people showed up. 

“We didn’t charge a ticket price. We just wanted to see what would happen,” Becky tells The 518. Turns out, the people wanted love—sans screens.

Fast forward to today, Gabby is no longer involved but Micropolitan Matchmakers is now one of the most active local singles groups helping folks make connections IRL. From coffee meetups to happy hours to unique collabs with places like the Albany Symphony and Siena Basketball, Becky is making dating more accessible, approachable and, yes, fun.

Her best advice? Show up with high hopes but low expectations. 

“People who don’t take themselves too seriously, who come in open-minded, ready to meet lots of different people—those are the ones who are the most successful,” she says.

And if you're wondering whether the Capital Region is a tough place to date? It all depends on your attitude, Becky says. 

“You can’t order people like pizza,” she jokes. In other words, drop your preconceived notions of what you need in a Mr. or Ms. Right. For best results, approach dating with a good attitude, a cheerful personality, and a dash of confidence.

As for trends, Becky says she’s seeing a lot of singles ditch the booze, opting for activity-based dates like hiking over awkward dinner-and-drinks setups.

And if you’re wondering—yes, Becky found love herself. “People always ask if I met my partner through my events, and the answer is no,” she says. “But we did meet in a bar, so… still old-school!”

The deets: Micropolitan Matchmakers. Upcoming events include Swipe Right Refresh at Frog Alley Brewing Co., a 55+ Singles’ Happy Hour, and Take a Shot at Love with the Siena Saints. Most events are $20-$30. Pro tip: Sign up for a membership and attend happy hours and coffee dates for free. If you’re really in the mood for love and have the funds, Becky offers a private matchmaking service.

❄️ WEATHER WATCH

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Call 518-356-4364. Let us know that The 518 sent you!

❄️ Who do you call when the white stuff starts piling up? The EmpirePlowza, of course! Albany County’s "Name a Snowplow" contest results are in: After 280 submissions and more than 2,100 votes, the winning names have been announced. Congrats to all of the winners! [News10]

🍦 Kurver Kreme in Colonie is under new ownership after 44 years with the Apple family. But no worries—the new owners say no major changes are in store for the iconic ice cream shop. Read the Apples’ heartfelt note to customers here. [News10]

👮‍♂️ Former Troy police officer Justin Byrnes will not face charges for the high-speed crash that killed delivery driver Sabeeh Alalkawi on Feb. 22, 2023. A State Police investigation found that Byrnes was responsible for the death, but prosecutors were not convinced that they could prove that the officer had acted “recklessly.” The city has already settled with Alalkawi’s family for nearly $6 million, and Byrnes was fired from the force. [Times Union]

💰️ Albany officials are pushing back against the Trump administration’s attempts to withhold federal funding for so-called sanctuary cities. Mayor Kathy Sheehan has reaffirmed the city’s sanctuary status, while noting that Albany is unlikely to lose funding because it follows federal laws. However, local law enforcement has emphasized that they will not prioritize immigration enforcement. [WAMC]

Talk about curb appeal. This sweet starter home in Clifton Park has everything a young family needs to sip the sweet manna of homeownership in an excellent school district. Folksy updates set an approachable tone with slate stone on the kitchen floor, raw wood siding for an interior stair wall, and fresh wood paneling in the bath. Cozy up to the fireplace in the living room, and soak up the magical outdoor space in the expansive backyard. An attractive circular driveway sets the mood right from the get-go. But prepare to roll up your sleeves ‘cause you’ll need to do a bit more updating at this price.

The deets: 3 bd, 1 ba, 1500 sf. Asking: $219,900. Days on market: 2. See the full listing here.

🎟️ WHAT’S HAPPENING

Note: Our full weekend roundup publishes on Thursday! Keep an eye on your inbox.

📸 Wow, look at this lineup of hot contemporary artists visiting the Capital Region on Tuesday! Catch Lesly Deschler Canossi, photographer and co-founder of Women Picturing Revolution, an organization that amplifies photographers documenting crises in private and public spheres, at Opalka Gallery at 6:30p tonight. Also this evening, Korakrit Arunanondchai talks about his Ghost Images at EMPAC’s Studio 1 (sadly, this event is sold out). And multi-ethnic, multi-media artist Saya Woolfalk gives the annual Malloy Lecture at the Tang.

🌲 Tonight is Twin Peaks Night at No Fun. Catch episodes 1 & 2 of the original international pilot at this free event.

💘 On Thursday, No Fun invites you to The Punk Rock Dating Game. Meanwhile, the Larkin Hi-Fi hosts a live recording of the Dear Love and Lust podcast.

🖼️ Also Thursday, Screenprint Biennial founder and curator Nathan Meltz hosts a print-focused panel at Opalka Gallery.

🤣 Are Finns really funny? Find out when ISMO, the “most insightful comic in Finland,” comes to The Egg on Thursday night.

💘 Friday is Valentine’s Day, of course. If you’re still looking for something to do with your sweetie, the TU has an excellent roundup of V-Day events.

🌍️ Hosted by NYS Senator James Sanders Jr., Taste of Africa on Friday celebrates the rich cultural heritage, diverse traditions, and delectable cuisines of the African continent and diaspora.

😼 Go beyond Internet cat videos as the New York Cat Film Festival 2025 screens at Proctors on Saturday. Also at Proctors: Oscar Nominated Shorts: Animation.

🥣 The Clifton Park Elks Lodge hosts its annual chili cook-off on Sunday.

❤️‍🔥 Also Sunday, join Typhoid Mary for a brunch that will soothe your achy breaky heart post-V Day, at Bard & Baker.

🧊 It’s the last weekend for the annual Fire & Ice Bar at The Mill in Round Lake.

💃 There’s a song and dance for all types at the Flurry Festival in Saratoga, one of the biggest participatory dance festivals in North America. All weekend.

🎸 LIVE MUSIC & MORE

GET YOUR EVENT ON THE LIST 🎸

Sundays are the deadline to be included in the coming week’s list!

🦫 GET IN TOUCH!

Got an awesome business, event or personality we should feature? Let us know! Contact: [email protected]