Text Box: Make friends as you explore the city Living Here 2007-08 The Charlotte Observer By Denise Renfro   It’s hard to be a hermit in Charlotte.  One of the best things about this city is that strangers talk to you.  And I’m not talking about “Give me your purse, lady!”              There is no stranger danger here because men, women, young, old, all colors and creeds … we speak to each other.  It’s weird.  And it takes some getting used to for visitors and folks moving from other parts of the county.              You can go to a sushi bar by yourself and make a friend before your last sip of miso soup.  You can lose your Frisbee in the Freedom Park pond and four people will help you fish it out.              Here’s the best advice I can give to meet people here – look for events that involve drinking, eating and outdoors.  Good options include gallery crawls, outdoor coffeehouse patios, tailgating, Oktoberfest, Knights baseball games, food and music festivals, culture and arts festivals and NASCAR events.  It’s an endless list, all year long.              There is so much going on for singles and young professionals.  Besides fundraisers, church or the gym, there are lots of “organized” ways to make friends and meet people.  Charlotte is full of networking clubs – many offering free membership.  These are not dating groups per se, just ways to make friends with similar interests.  Here are some of the most popular in Charlotte, ground by interest. Text Box: ARTS AND CULTURE   Charlotte Symphony’s OPUS X:  This group hosts post-concert parties and other events where young adults can mingle with musicians; provides volunteers for youth events; gives money to youth education projects.  www.opusx-charlotte.org   Club Blume:  The Blumenthal Performing Arts Center club hosts pre-show mixers, weeknight “Informances” to learn about upcoming shows and seating in blocks with fellow Club Blumers.  www.blumenthalcenter.org   N.C. Dance Theater’s Opening Night Insiders:  The club offers ticket packages with post-show receptions where dance lovers under 40 can mingle with the artists.  They also host gallery crawls and other events.  www.opening-night.org   Opera Carolina BRAVO!:  Members attend social and education programs and get ticket discounts.  After-parties are popular with patrons and artists, and can run into the wee hours.  www.operayoungprofessionals.org   Young Affiliates of the Mint:  This very organized group plans fundraisers to benefit The Mint Museums; hosts wine tastings, gallery crawls and other events.  www.youngaffiliates.com