This event strikes me as one that would have been better scheduled in October, before local singles spent another New Year’s Eve huddled over a jigsaw puzzle, but better late than never.

Bainbridge Performing Arts begins the new year with Singles Night, an evening of mixing, laughing and dancing, Jan. 6 at The Playhouse. And, you don’t have to be single to attend; couples are welcome, too.

Christopher Shainin, BPA managing director, said the idea for the event came from a survey last year which showed that 19 percent of adults on Bainbridge Island are single, whether never married, divorced or widowed. In a BPA focus group survey done in 2006, many respondents said there needed to be more things for adults to do on the island.

The performing arts organization paired with the Bainbridge Island Downtown Association, and Singles Night was born: a safe, fun night out for singles.

“The Downtown Association is so great at putting together events that we thought they would be good partners for this,” Shainin said. “It’s the perfect time to get out and enjoy yourself, and shake off those winter blues.”

The evening begins at 6:30 p.m. with a social mixer in the lobby of The Playhouse. The Harbour Public House is catering the affair, which includes light finger foods and cocktails.

At 7:30 the party moves into the theater, where The EDGE Improv troupe performs its spontaneous monthly show. The show will focus on the “joys and maladies” of single life. Their shows are rated PG-13, but you’ll be leaving the kids home anyway.

There will be a chance for more mixing, eating and drinking in the lobby, then it’s back in for January’s After Dark event, salsa lessons with instructor Dan Suchman at 9:45 p.m. Salsa is the hottest dance on the scene right now, and is danced to a saucy Latin beat. Suchman is a Bainbridge Island dance instructor who gives private and group lessons.

“Salsa allows people who may not know each other to dance together,” Shainin said. Think of it as three minutes of speed dating set to music.

Singles — and couples — may attend one or both of the events plus the mixers.

Tickets are $10 for either The EDGE or dance lessons, $20 for both. Open seating. Tickets are available at The Playhouse box office, by phone at (206) 842-8569 or online at www.theplayhouse.org.