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Gramercy Karaoke Speed Dating Turns Solos Into Duets

By Amy Zimmer | January 27, 2011 7:51pm | Updated on January 28, 2011 7:10am

By Amy Zimmer and Gabriela Resto-Montero

DNAinfo staff

GRAMERCY — Jennifer Weinberg's karaoke-loving friend dragged her to a speed dating event last October, where pairs could take the stage for duets after the round of three-minute "dates" were over.

Her friend stayed a soloist, but Weinberg met a singing partner whose voice makes her swoon.

She and Tommy Cairney have been dating since that first rendition of Grease's "Summer Lovin'" at OnSpeedDating's karaoke event, which they reprised for DNAinfo.

"I love people that can just get up and be goofy and be themselves and not be afraid to let loose," Cairney  said. "That's what I was looking for and I found it."

"I had my let-loose moments at karaoke," Weinberg said with a laugh. "It's a good way to unwind and have fun."

Amber Soletti, host and co-founder of OnSpeedDating.com, hopes participants will pair up following the third karaoke event at the Watering Hole on Friday … and that includes herself.

"I got the idea because I'm a big karaoke person," said Soletti. "I've gone out with guys before that absolutely refuse to sing karaoke even if I bought them a lot of drinks. I want a guy who's confident, can laugh at himself and go with the flow."

If he can't, it's one of Soletti's "dating dealbreakers."

Her company — which she started to meet potential dates — organizes more than 75 differently themed speed dating events based on interests and physical preference, including "Size Matters," "Men with Accents are Hot," "Gentlemen Prefer Blondes," "Cougar/Boy Toy," and a "Fireman's Singles" party.

Even though she's still single, Soletti remains hopeful: "I always say, love is a numbers game and all it takes is one."

OnSpeedDating.com's Speed Dating for Karaoke Lovers, Friday, Jan. 28, 8:30 p.m., $35, Age Range 25 - 45