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Neil Skene: Blind dating a festival of fun

Neil Skene
Neil Skene

I was fascinated to learn of a special dating event being held in Aberdeen for adults with learning difficulties.

It was organised by a group called Dates-n-Mates and I think the concept is amazing, as everyone has the right to give and receive love.

I sometimes joke during my comedy set about “why blind men make the best lovers” as they don’t have visual distractions or need to visualise someone else.

I do sometimes wonder if there is a lot of truth in that statement, as so much of the time we judge each other on looks and appearance alone, and don’t see or feel the person beneath.  How many times have you heard the patronising words, “It’s not about looks, it’s all about personality”? A nice idea but doesn’t explain why people get together in noisy nightclubs.

I hope those who took part in the Dates n Mates event had fun and found what they were looking for.

October saw the return of the Aberdeen Comedy Festival. A sell-out audience turned up at The Rusty Nail to see Liam Withnail and myself going through our paces, despite the fact that I had been telling everyone that I was playing at the Continental (now that’s showing my age!).  It’s great large-scale events such as this are taking place here in Aberdeen, and it just goes to show that the north-east is a vibrant place with a wicked sense of humour.

It was great to perform in an old haunt, but I was shocked to learn that the venue hadn’t been known as The Continental since 2001, no wonder half the people I told where I was on at had no idea where it was, but of course everyone has heard of the iconic landmark that is the Masada Bar which is part of this great venue. Get along and see some comedy or some of the live music if you can – you never know you might meet your mate – even if you can’t see or hear them.