On The DL

Date Night

by Tami Fertig

Fri., Aug. 22, 7-9 p.m., $25-$30 (includes beer, wine, snacks, materials and firings), Clay Studio, 139 N. Second St., 215-925-3453, theclaystudio.org

Say what you will about Ghost, Patrick Swayze and Demi Moore nailed that four-handed clay-throwing thing. To a young mind, it was magical. Unlike the experiences we were having at home — hurriedly crafting little plops into vaguely muglike objects — this couple made sculpting look dirty and fun.

What better way, then, to bring people together than to have them make pottery in groups? That's the idea behind Clay Studio's bimonthly Date Night, started last winter in an effort to attract a younger audience to the art. They walk you through some basic projects of your choice — tiles, bowls, candle holders, cups — either on the wheel or by hand, while you throw back enough complimentary wine to chat up your hopefully unattached neighbor and suggest a little four-hand.

"It's a very relaxed atmosphere," says Wendy Fuglestad, Clay Studio's education coordinator. "Clay is very sensuous to the touch. There's something kind of romantic about it."

If you don't find love on Date Night, there's always next month: The folks at Clay Studio will glaze and fire your creations after you leave, having them ready for a mid-September pickup reunion.