About Us

Here's what people are saying about us: You know, by all rights, Harvey's should be the Hottest Place around. Once you go there, you're hooked forever! There is absolutely nowhere in this town where anyone can go and do that type dancing, and enjoy the company of so many sweet, wonderful people at the same time! I just don't think I'll ever enjoy something so much in my life. So therefore, I'm coming back !!!! -- Amy Champlin Click here for more comments from our guests.

The Singular Connection, originating from Monroe's St. Thomas Episcopal Church, is an ecumenical group of single adults of all ages in northeast Louisiana. The group strives to provide wholesome social interaction among the area's single adult population. Our core group (affectionately known as our "ring leaders") continually grows, changes, and evolves in order to plan outings that meet the needs of the present group. We welcome new ideas! We don't have meetings or speakers, dues or officers. What we do have is fun! We have parties; we go on trips; we even dance! We also participate in service projects and have occasional prayer services. Through these activities we support one another in life's challenges and victories. Although we are good listeners, we are neither a grief recovery group nor a divorce recovery group. We are the group out there for those ready for the next step, those ready to connect again with life and living, those looking for fun, interesting, and even adventuresome outings. So when you are ready to plug back into life again, let us be your outlet.

In the late 90s, two friends had a conversation one Saturday night about the dream to have a safe and supportive group of single adults who could enjoy various social events together, providing an avenue of comfortable social interchange. The priest at St. Thomas encouraged a group to hold an initial meeting which resulted in plans for a gathering to "test the waters" for the need for such a group. To our surprise, people from other churches and denominations showed up at the party and expressed their desires for a different sort of singles' group. It became obvious to us that single people wanted a way to have fun together, a group to go places with, a group to share events with. These comments led to various monthly gatherings. We began sending monthly reminders to a growing list of interested people. These postcards led to newsletters filled with plans, articles, and pictures and a mailing list of up to 350 people.

And then we realized how much we love to dance!! Some of us started taking dance lessons-country-western, line, Cajun, east coast swing, cha-cha-whatever somebody was willing to teach us. We continued our monthly events with significant success, but we found ourselves organizing extra opportunities to dance. Since places to dance are relatively limited, have been smoke-filled and bar-oriented, discussions of having a place like an old-fashioned dance hall began to surface more and more. Our Harvey led the way in looking for possible places. Finding a place that we could use and afford seemed a rather huge undertaking. But Harvey never gave up and in 2003, we opened Harvey's Dance Hall in old downtown Monroe where we meet and greet and dance on Thursday and Friday nights. We don't own the place; we are not a business; we don't sell alcohol; we don't allow smoking inside. We do gather regularly; we do ask for a donation to cover expenses; we do offer dance lessons and times to practice; we do have lots of fun!! We are there for people from 18 to 80 and their friends, relatives, children, and grandchildren! Harvey's is open to the public, but has become the informal gathering place for the Singular Connection as we organize and plan our other trips and parties. So come on down to the corner of Hall and DeSiard Streets on a Thursday or Friday night and check us out.

Quotes from some of our guests:

Dear Karen and Harvey (and Sylvia too):

Thank ya'll for one (if not the greatest) birthdays of my 55 year life. Thank ya'll! Karen, to you for allowing me to be a girlfriend in your group. And then Harvey, to you and your 'dance instructors' for "allowing" my joy to dance. Harvey, Kenneth, Phil, Steve, Larry.. all were such gentlemen! And what's so neat about ya'll is we all go in there to make a whole pie! I love it!
-- Marilyn McGee, Shreveport

I want you guys to know that I had a wonderful time last night.  I am so thankful for having met you and the others at Singular Connection.  Everyone is so nice and respectful of each other; it's like being with family. Don't forget that I would love to have the group out here for July 4.  If we have it later in the afternoon, and into the evening, we can have fireworks.  I have room to play volleyball, horse shoes, or other games people might want to play.  I think it would be fun.  I know that a lot of people do vacation or family things on that day, but others might not.  Let me know what you think. Thanks again for a wonderful time.
-- Mary

Wanted to tell you that I reread the "Dance Lesson for Life" and I do not remember reading that when I received the letter. It made me contemplate many things in my life the last few years, and also caused me to rethink many things. The easy solution is to retreat from life, the difficult thing is to step out of the safe box. My New Year's Resolution is to step out of the box more. I always feel so alone when I go out by myself, but you and Karen always make me feel comfortable at Harvey's. I plan to see you all soon. First step to step out of that box! Thanks for a new perspective.
Happy New Year to you,
-- Pam Butler

Hello. I work for the railroad so I have not been able to attend functions as I would like. However, I came to a dance session/lesson back in April and enjoyed it thoroughly ... I am glad there is such an opportunity for professionals to meet for a such a diverse selection of activities. I find it a blessing that I have found this group and hope that ... I can attend some of these events.
Thank you,
-- Claire Carothers