Good thing you said "SET UP" a date.
One of the great formulas that I use, is to invite her along. First, decide what you want to do, say ice skating or going to the movies. Then you call up a girl and you say something along the lines of: "Hey (name), my friends and i are gonna go to (wherever the hell you guys decide) at (time) and you're invited to come with us." Don't say "y'wanna go to the movies with me?", because that may make you sound like an AFC. Leave an open invitation, and act as if you would go whether or not she came along. If you get an answering machine just end it with something along the lines of: "Make sure you call me if you're coming, or you'll screw up the accomodations." so you can get a confirmation before you head out.
-Damian