let's do fun thingsclasses & workshops · chicago
classes & workshops in chicago
drop into a class with no commitment. dance, pottery, cooking, language, lectures — short-format, beginner-friendly, and built for meeting the room.
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last call lectures: vikings, witches and knights: the violent birth of modern masculinity
Augie's
one of depaul's best professors walks into a bar and teaches you something that'll change how you see everything. drew miller breaks down how three of history's most iconic figures shaped the way we think about masculinity today. vikings, witches, and knights. each one a myth, each one a mirror. and the real story behind all three is way more interesting than anything you learned in school. here's how the night goes: drew kicks things off with a lecture, then opens it up for q&a, and then you break into small groups to keep the conversation going over drinks. it's part class, part dialogue, part really good night out. come solo or bring a friend. either way you're leaving with something to think about.
let's learn salsa (3 part series)
We The People Fitness Studio
Overview 3 part salsa workshop (+ a 4th event that's a dance social) for people who are serious about learning how to dance salsa Workshop Series — PLEASE READ 💃 Your ticket includes: • All 3 parts of our progressive salsa workshop • 1 social dance night at Epiphany • A full month of dancing, practice, community, and real progress • One ticket covers everything — no add-ons needed This is a true progressive series — each class intentionally builds on the last so you actually grow week to week. Classes are advanced-beginner to low-intermediate friendly. (If you're brand-new, our regular socials are beginner-friendly!) SCHEDULE Tuesday 5/12 Tuesday 5/19 Tuesday 5/26 WHY THIS WORKSHOP IS WORTH IT • You actually improve. Most classes teach random patterns each week. This workshop is intentionally structured so you build rhythm, timing, connection, and usable partnerwork. • You won’t feel lost. We keep the level consistent and the pacing supportive. Everyone’s here to learn — not judge. • You build a dance crew. Three classes + a social = a built-in community. People make real friends in these workshops. • You get real-world practice. The included Epiphany social gives you a perfect chance to try your skills in a welcoming, lively environment. • It’s an insane value. Three classes + one social + multiple instructors + structured progression… This would normally run $150–$250 elsewhere. We keep it accessible so Chicago can dance. WHO THIS IS FOR • People who want to level up their salsa • Anyone who can keep a beat and wants structure + real progress • Dancers who want confidence for salsa on a School Night WHO THIS IS NOT FOR • Someone looking for a one-time “try it once” class — this is a progressive workshop
let's learn hip hop
We The People Fitness Studio
your workout just got a lot more fun. this is a high energy cardio class set to hip hop that'll have you sweating before you even realize you're exercising. a certified instructor leads you through the whole thing, so all you have to do is show up, follow along, and keep up if you can. no dance background needed. just bring water, wear something you can move in, and be ready to go hard.
last call lectures: blame dopamine: the chemical behind your best and worst choices
Augie's
every bad decision you've ever made? dopamine had something to do with it. dr. ignacio keller sarmiento, neurologist at northwestern memorial hospital and movement disorders specialist at northwestern's feinberg school of medicine, breaks down the brain chemical that drives everything from your morning coffee craving to your worst impulse buys to why you can't stop scrolling at 1am. here's how the night goes: dr. keller sarmiento kicks things off with a lecture, then opens it up for q&a, and then you break into small groups to keep the conversation going over drinks. part neuroscience class, part therapy session, part really good night out. come ready to learn a lot about your brain and feel slightly less guilty about your life choices.
let's learn bollywood
We The People Fitness Studio
chicago, we’re dancing bollywood. let’s learn bollywood is a beginner-friendly afternoon dance class filled with high energy, expressive storytelling, and vibrant music. think bold moves, dramatic flair, and feel-good choreography you can actually pick up in one session. no experience needed. no partners required. just come ready to move, learn step by step, and leave glowing. joyful. powerful. unforgettable. let’s dance.
let's learn jiu jitsu (women only)
Downtown Jiu Jitsu Club Chicago
jiu jitsu class for women you've probably thought about it before. maybe you, or someone close to you, has been in a moment that felt unsafe and wondered what you would do if things became physical. knowing how to respond can make all the difference. this one is for the ladies. we're bringing in dr. ignacio juan keller sarmiento to the downtown jiu-jitsu club for a introductory self-defense class rooted in brazilian jiu-jitsu. techniques designed to work even against a larger, stronger attacker. no prior experience necessary. what you'll learn the session is split into two parts. first, you'll learn escapes from common standing situations: wrist grabs, hair pulls, and chokes. in the second half, you'll work on how to respond if taken to the ground. the focus is escape-based, not striking. break free, manage distance, get out safely. what to expect you'll partner up and take turns as attacker and defender in a safe, controlled environment. want an extra challenge? you'll have the option to test your skills against ignacio with increased resistance. time permitting, ignacio will close with a q&a on real-life situations. what to wear comfortable workout clothes, hair tied back, barefoot or socks. contact lenses recommended over glasses.
last call lectures: the chicago fire: how one night reinvented architecture forever
Augie's
one night. one fire. and somehow, chicago came out of it more ambitious than ever. david dewane, chicago architect, IIT professor, journalist, and one of the most interesting thinkers in the city, takes you inside the great chicago fire of 1871 and more importantly, what happened after. the city that burned down gave birth to the skyscraper, rewrote the rules of urban planning, and set the blueprint for modern architecture as we know it. here's how the night goes: david kicks things off with a lecture, then opens it up for q&a, and then you break into small groups to keep the conversation going over drinks. part history class, part architecture deep dive, part really good night out. if you've ever looked up at this city and wondered how it got here, this is the night for you.
let's learn pottery (byob)
1770 W Berteau Ave suite 407
lets do fun things chicago x the pottery loop get your hands dirty. bring your own drinks. leave with something you actually made. we're partnering with the pottery loop for a night of wheel throwing, glazing, and good company. two ways to join depending on how deep you want to go. click the link below to lock in your spot, this was a highly asked for event that is going to sell out very quickly. option a: the full experience — wheel + glazing social ($70) start on the wheel on may 29, learn to throw a piece from scratch, then come back june 9 for the glazing social to paint and finish what you made. byob at both sessions, instruction included the whole way through. option b: mug glazing only ($40) june 9 only. you get a premade ceramic mug and a table full of food-safe glazes. add your own designs, your own patterns, your own vibe. byob and paint the night away. both options are 21+ byob. studio instruction is included. pickup is typically a couple weeks after the glazing class. this is the kind of night you'll actually remember.
let's learn hip hop
We The People Fitness Studio
your workout just got a lot more fun. this is a high energy cardio class set to hip hop that'll have you sweating before you even realize you're exercising. a certified instructor leads you through the whole thing, so all you have to do is show up, follow along, and keep up if you can. no dance background needed. just bring water, wear something you can move in, and be ready to go hard.
common questions
- do i need experience?
- no. every class on this list is beginner-friendly by design. show up, follow along, leave knowing one new thing.
- is it weird to come alone?
- no. about half the room comes solo. classes are one of the easiest formats to meet people.
- what should i bring?
- check the event card — most classes provide everything. if a class needs you to bring anything, it'll be listed.