HAUTE CHILD N THE CITY | Meetup.com’s OC Social Superfly KALIDA Rocks the House NYC-Style at the Crowne Plaza in Irvine

If you haven’t already met one of the most charismatic social butterflies here in Orange County, you may be meeting her really soon. Meet Kalida Verdi, a saavy European international traveler with a vivacious spirit and love for people that is contagious. Kalida is one of the friendliest people you’ll ever meet in the OC. As founder of the Active European American Club on Meetup.com in Orange County, Kalida leads a party that draws on one of the largest, leading upbeat social meetup groups in town and is this month’s HAUTE CHILD N THE CITY.

HAUTEOC: For those of you unfamiliar with meetups,  Meetup.com is an amazing social network tool that specializes in one thing, it  allows folks to form groups based on like-minded special interests. On the online meetup platform you choose a selection or category of interests, city location, specify your interests and voilà an array of meetup groups customized by your own personal preference complete with calendar dates, open comment forums, post event reviews, and of course, all new friends.

Well, Kalida, we are excited about your upcoming premiere of your Meetup group’s NYC Style party and as a tribute we’re also featuring Film Editor and pleasure seeker Ed Maguyon’s NYC  718 Sessions Boat Party – Ed’ artistic film inspired us as he captured the culture, the people and flavor of NYC using a Canon MD and anamorphic lens. Thanks Ed!   We have this great family portrait of you and your brothers dancing, looks like you got an early start.. tell us about you..how did this all begin?

KALIDA VERDI: Wow! That’s a long story, but to make it short it all started after my divorce…just wanted to do something fun, and positive in my life, and to get divorced people to go out again and meet others not necessarily dating just to go out and have fun with friends…

HAUTEOC: Well, forming the Active European American Meetup group was a great idea as it has truly become a hit here in Orange County given the fact that we not only  have a large European community but in that it also serves as a great network for others looking to travel to Europe, as well as  visitors coming to Southern California looking to make new friends to hang out with. Current stats?

KALIDA: Our first Meet-up began on Jan, 5th 2009 and we now have over 840 members. With us you will get to meet other Active, Classy, Fun, Europeans American singles/couples and people from all over the world here in Orange County. Like yourself, we all have the passion for socializing and bringing people together; everyone is welcome to join but you must want to have fun with others. We will be meeting for drinks, dinners, and dancing…We also have daytime meet-ups for other activities, such as walking, biking, and bowling, picnics, Beach and Starbucks day. Our events offers you to meet and get to know Singles/ Couples Europeans and talk about languages and Culture and have the opportunities to mix, mingle, and make new friends and maybe even a love connection!

HAUTEOC: And what do you do for a living?

KALIDA: I’m an Event Organizer and Planner – I plan big Dance Parties check out my site www.kalida.name. My Meetup groups are going so well, made lots of friends and business associates and I love every minute of it. If I had to do it all over again I would not change a thing, I have a wonderful and full life and would love to do it all over again! I’m Fun, Funny, lovable, exciting and love people!!!

HAUTEOC: What is one thing you can’t live without?

KALIDA: One thing that I can’t live without is my children, as we all know a mom is always a mom.

HAUTEOC: To set the record straight,  you are undisputably one Haute Mom that can do it all (Kalida in red, RT)!  And best technical carry-on for choice is….

KALIDA:   My I-phone, another thing that I can’t live without..lol

HAUTEOC: It’s any wonder Orange County sleeps at night, amidst the sun setting, if you listen, you can almost hear the base pounce and feel the energy of happy spirits gathering. . . Think that’s Kalida’s Meetup group .. Get Ready to Roll.

Join the Active European American Club Meetup Group Friday, August 13 at 8PM the Crown Plaza 17941 VON KARMAN., in Irvine  for the Premiere of their NYC Style Dance Party online via Facebook or Meetup.com.  This event may be over, but the Party Goes On! Join Kalida and the Active European American Club on Meetup.com!

Meetup.com is perfect for the traveler coming to Orange County or  going to another country or city. Chances are you’ll learn about all the hot spots favored by the locals while your visiting, have a great time and make a ton of friends very quickly.

KALIDA: Don’t be shy or nervous about showing up at your first event. We’re all here to make friends and socialize. You’ll never get off your couch if you don’t come to an event. And you’ll never come to our event where no one talks to you…we call ourselves a “warm & friendly bunch” for good reason and we’re not kidding around.