Hopefully everyone reading this will be aware that Saturday past was Valentine's Day, and most of you will also know that it was formal time in Exodus Lisburn.

A mild night was something of a blessing as quite the queue built up at the door.  Our resident photographer Tatch was on site to take the snaps of our guests as they made their way in.  If you haven't seen these yet, click here.  (nb, I personally feel they're best viewed by viewing the slideshow!)

Once most people had given their best pose,and Dj Dave's 'ambient music' had served its purpose it was Olivebbage up on stage first with some of our romantic favorites (it was valentines day after all).  The girls looked and sounded the part as always as they played for a packed Freedom crowd.

 

Following that performance the Lounge doors were opened as we moved to one of the most banterful parts of the evening: SpeedMeet!  This gave everyone the chance to chat to a couple of people who they never had done before.  Some embraced this concept, others didnt fancy the move so much!  But anyone who got Henry was on to a winner.

Following this was a bit of Blind Date action.  Kirsty was the girl in the box seat with family man Brian (not family guy brian, he is not a dog), millbag Jonty Mills and muscleman...Mr Muscles (Jonny 'I don't even work out' Stewart).  Our very own Cilla Black, Hannah Jess,lead the proceedings supported by a not-so-chatty Graham up top. 

To summarise, Mr muscles played the gun card and was shot-down early on, his idea of a perfect date probably consisting of bench-pressing the girl.  That left Jonty and Brian.  Jonty and Kirsty seemed to connect with their milly similiarities, but living on the peaceline doesn't really say 'security' you would imagine.  Brian, well Brian described himself as a polar bear because, and I quote 'I protect my woman and my young'.  Well when you put it so gently like that....

Interestingly, that did it for Kirsty who recieved the prize of an all-expenses paid trip to Portstewart for a romantic coastline break.  We wish them all the best (which is the least we can do as we certainly won't be paying any expenses.)

 

In a break from fiction, following this we had our awards!  Congrats to Dani Murphy, Henry and Andy Masters for their nominations in the smooth-talking category, more on this later.  But the main awards were for the king and queen of the prom.  Despite tough competetion, we mean that, the crown for queen of the prom was given to Heather Vient.  On the guys side, Alan Wall thought he had it with those gold trousers, but the victor was Mark Osbourne, victory sealed no doubt by the mob hat.

Concluding this part of the night, Our 3 nominated smooth talkers were put in the blind date chairs and given the opportunity to impress with their best lines as they outlined their perfect date with Cilla.  In summary, Andy would take her round to his gran's for scones (playing the OAP card on Cilla there), Dani, well that was a let down, I don't even know what he said his voice was so dull, something about being bored no doubt, and Henry took the easy win with his date idea, 'I'd bring her round and make her a meal out of freezer food.'  If you know Henry, you'll understand why that's so brilliant.

For the last part of the night, everyone was invited for a bit of a dance in Freedom with the Article For guys and DJ Dave.  Great trousers from the band guys, great tunes from Dave, great night had by all and a great point to end this story.

Next week we are closed, not open, not here, you will not get in if you arrive.  You will get in to Elmwood Presbyterian though if you arrive at around 8pm, so make your way there instead.  Arrivederci!