classes & 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: the irl effect: building community in the age of ai
The Scout Waterhouse + Kitchen
1419 N Wells St, Chicago, IL 60610, USA
the irl effect: building community in the age of ai what happens when you put a room full of builders, dreamers, and the ai-curious in the same space? you get the irl effect. join us for a night with umama kibria. forbes 30 under 30, tedx speaker, and the mind behind hot girls vibe code. she's spent years obsessed with one question: how do you actually build community that lasts? now she's bringing that to chicago. umama will share how ai has reshaped the way she builds rooms, fills them, and keeps people coming back. expect real stories, the tools she actually uses, and an honest look at what ai can and can't do for human connection. she'll plug in a little vibe coding along the way, so you leave knowing it's more within reach than you think. no cs degree required. then comes the part that makes last call lectures different. we break into small groups for a guided discussion across umama's prompts, so you're not just listening, you're talking it through with the people around you. that's where the real connection happens. whether you've shipped ten apps or have never written a line of code, you'll walk out inspired, connected, and thinking differently about what's possible. how the night goes 6:30 pm. doors grab a drink, find a seat, settle in. 7:00 pm. welcome quick intro from the ldft team. 7:10 pm. the lecture umama takes the floor for a 45-minute talk. 8:00 pm. guided discussion 60 minutes in small groups, working through umama's 4 prompts. 9:00 pm. audience q&a 15 minutes to ask umama anything. save your questions for here. 9:15 pm. wrap & social drinks, mingling, keep the conversation going. 9:30 pm. event ends this is what irl is for.

adult prom
chez wedding venue
chicago, il
your second chance at the best night of high school, but make it 21+ and masked. corsages, choreography, and the cringey photo you've never shown anyone. masquerade : a mask waiting at the door, or bring your own live band + dj : cover band at 8:30, dj takes over at 10 prom court + superlatives : crowned at midnight, voted live the punch bowl : 2000s recipes by hand, open bar add-on the entrance wall : your worst high school photo, printed large late night bites : sliders, vegan tacos, a midnight drop got a cringey high school photo? upload it for the entrance wall → sat june 27, 8pm to 2am at chez wedding venue. mask and pro photos in every ticket.

last call lectures
Chicago
Chicago, IL, USA
last call lectures is our recurring series where we bring in someone who knows a lot about something interesting (a professor, a researcher, a practitioner, an obsessive) and let them give the talk they've always wanted to give. the kind of lecture you'd actually want to stay awake for. each night follows the same rhythm: arrive, grab a drink, settle in. one expert takes the floor for about 45 minutes on a topic worth your evening. then 4 discussion questions, each being given 15 minutes, with a final q and a with the professor at the end. it's part lecture, part bar night, part "wait, i didn't know i cared about this." you leave smarter than you came, with a few new people in your phone. speaker and location coming soon

let's learn bachata advanced (3 part series)
We The People Fitness Studio
1229 N North Branch St #3/F, Chicago, IL 60642, USA
Overview 3 part bachata workshop for people who are serious about learning how to dance to get in: type in: suite 306 code: 476981 Bachata Workshop Series — PLEASE READ 💃 Your ticket includes: • All 3 parts of our progressive bachata workshop •3 weeks 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 july 7th july 14th july 28th includes salsa before sunset social july 23rd we the people fitness studio 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 built-in community. People make real friends in these workshops. • It’s an insane value. Three classes + 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 bachata • Anyone who can keep a beat and wants structure + real progress • Dancers who want confidence for Bachata 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 salsa (3 part series)
We The People Fitness Studio
1229 N North Branch St #3/F, Chicago, IL 60642, USA
Overview 3 part salsa workshop (+ a 4th event that's a dance social) for people who are serious about learning how to dance the event starts at 10:15am on the last saturday ( July 25th ) salsa Workshop Series — PLEASE READ 💃 Your ticket includes: • All 3 parts of our progressive salsa workshop • 1 social dance night at castaways ( salas before sunset) • 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!) 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 salsa before susnet 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

last call lectures: mystery of the female orgasm
The Scout Waterhouse + Kitchen
1419 N Wells St, Chicago, IL 60610, USA
last call lectures is our recurring series where we bring in someone who knows a lot about something interesting (a professor, a researcher, a practitioner, an obsessive) and let them give the talk they've always wanted to give. the kind of lecture you'd actually want to stay awake for. each night follows the same rhythm: arrive, grab a drink, settle in. one expert takes the floor for about 45 minutes on a topic worth your evening. then 4 discussion questions, each being given 15 minutes, with a final q and a with the professor at the end. it's part lecture, part bar night, part "wait, i didn't know i cared about this." you leave smarter than you came, with a few new people in your phone. speaker and location coming soon

last call lectures
Chicago
Chicago, IL, USA
last call lectures is our recurring series where we bring in someone who knows a lot about something interesting (a professor, a researcher, a practitioner, an obsessive) and let them give the talk they've always wanted to give. the kind of lecture you'd actually want to stay awake for. each night follows the same rhythm: arrive, grab a drink, settle in. one expert takes the floor for about 45 minutes on a topic worth your evening. then 4 discussion questions, each being given 15 minutes, with a final q and a with the professor at the end. it's part lecture, part bar night, part "wait, i didn't know i cared about this." you leave smarter than you came, with a few new people in your phone. speaker and location coming soon

last call lectures
Chicago
Chicago, IL, USA
last call lectures is our recurring series where we bring in someone who knows a lot about something interesting (a professor, a researcher, a practitioner, an obsessive) and let them give the talk they've always wanted to give. the kind of lecture you'd actually want to stay awake for. each night follows the same rhythm: arrive, grab a drink, settle in. one expert takes the floor for about 45 minutes on a topic worth your evening. then 4 discussion questions, each being given 15 minutes, with a final q and a with the professor at the end. it's part lecture, part bar night, part "wait, i didn't know i cared about this." you leave smarter than you came, with a few new people in your phone. speaker and location coming soon

last call lectures
Chicago
Chicago, IL, USA
last call lectures is our recurring series where we bring in someone who knows a lot about something interesting (a professor, a researcher, a practitioner, an obsessive) and let them give the talk they've always wanted to give. the kind of lecture you'd actually want to stay awake for. each night follows the same rhythm: arrive, grab a drink, settle in. one expert takes the floor for about 45 minutes on a topic worth your evening. then 4 discussion questions, each being given 15 minutes, with a final q and a with the professor at the end. it's part lecture, part bar night, part "wait, i didn't know i cared about this." you leave smarter than you came, with a few new people in your phone. speaker and location coming soon

last call lectures
Chicago
Chicago, IL, USA
last call lectures is our recurring series where we bring in someone who knows a lot about something interesting (a professor, a researcher, a practitioner, an obsessive) and let them give the talk they've always wanted to give. the kind of lecture you'd actually want to stay awake for. each night follows the same rhythm: arrive, grab a drink, settle in. one expert takes the floor for about 45 minutes on a topic worth your evening. then 4 discussion questions, each being given 15 minutes, with a final q and a with the professor at the end. it's part lecture, part bar night, part "wait, i didn't know i cared about this." you leave smarter than you came, with a few new people in your phone. speaker and location coming soon

last call lectures
Chicago
Chicago, IL, USA
last call lectures is our recurring series where we bring in someone who knows a lot about something interesting (a professor, a researcher, a practitioner, an obsessive) and let them give the talk they've always wanted to give. the kind of lecture you'd actually want to stay awake for. each night follows the same rhythm: arrive, grab a drink, settle in. one expert takes the floor for about 45 minutes on a topic worth your evening. then 4 discussion questions, each being given 15 minutes, with a final q and a with the professor at the end. it's part lecture, part bar night, part "wait, i didn't know i cared about this." you leave smarter than you came, with a few new people in your phone. speaker and location coming soon

last call lectures
Chicago
Chicago, IL, USA
last call lectures is our recurring series where we bring in someone who knows a lot about something interesting (a professor, a researcher, a practitioner, an obsessive) and let them give the talk they've always wanted to give. the kind of lecture you'd actually want to stay awake for. each night follows the same rhythm: arrive, grab a drink, settle in. one expert takes the floor for about 45 minutes on a topic worth your evening. then 4 discussion questions, each being given 15 minutes, with a final q and a with the professor at the end. it's part lecture, part bar night, part "wait, i didn't know i cared about this." you leave smarter than you came, with a few new people in your phone. speaker and location coming soon

last call lectures
Chicago
Chicago, IL, USA
last call lectures is our recurring series where we bring in someone who knows a lot about something interesting (a professor, a researcher, a practitioner, an obsessive) and let them give the talk they've always wanted to give. the kind of lecture you'd actually want to stay awake for. each night follows the same rhythm: arrive, grab a drink, settle in. one expert takes the floor for about 45 minutes on a topic worth your evening. then 4 discussion questions, each being given 15 minutes, with a final q and a with the professor at the end. it's part lecture, part bar night, part "wait, i didn't know i cared about this." you leave smarter than you came, with a few new people in your phone. speaker and location coming soon

last call lectures
Chicago
Chicago, IL, USA
last call lectures is our recurring series where we bring in someone who knows a lot about something interesting (a professor, a researcher, a practitioner, an obsessive) and let them give the talk they've always wanted to give. the kind of lecture you'd actually want to stay awake for. each night follows the same rhythm: arrive, grab a drink, settle in. one expert takes the floor for about 45 minutes on a topic worth your evening. then 4 discussion questions, each being given 15 minutes, with a final q and a with the professor at the end. it's part lecture, part bar night, part "wait, i didn't know i cared about this." you leave smarter than you came, with a few new people in your phone. speaker and location coming soon

last call lectures
Chicago
Chicago, IL, USA
last call lectures is our recurring series where we bring in someone who knows a lot about something interesting (a professor, a researcher, a practitioner, an obsessive) and let them give the talk they've always wanted to give. the kind of lecture you'd actually want to stay awake for. each night follows the same rhythm: arrive, grab a drink, settle in. one expert takes the floor for about 45 minutes on a topic worth your evening. then 4 discussion questions, each being given 15 minutes, with a final q and a with the professor at the end. it's part lecture, part bar night, part "wait, i didn't know i cared about this." you leave smarter than you came, with a few new people in your phone. speaker and location coming soon

last call lectures
Chicago
Chicago, IL, USA
last call lectures is our recurring series where we bring in someone who knows a lot about something interesting (a professor, a researcher, a practitioner, an obsessive) and let them give the talk they've always wanted to give. the kind of lecture you'd actually want to stay awake for. each night follows the same rhythm: arrive, grab a drink, settle in. one expert takes the floor for about 45 minutes on a topic worth your evening. then 4 discussion questions, each being given 15 minutes, with a final q and a with the professor at the end. it's part lecture, part bar night, part "wait, i didn't know i cared about this." you leave smarter than you came, with a few new people in your phone. speaker and location coming soon

last call lectures
Chicago
Chicago, IL, USA
last call lectures is our recurring series where we bring in someone who knows a lot about something interesting (a professor, a researcher, a practitioner, an obsessive) and let them give the talk they've always wanted to give. the kind of lecture you'd actually want to stay awake for. each night follows the same rhythm: arrive, grab a drink, settle in. one expert takes the floor for about 45 minutes on a topic worth your evening. then 4 discussion questions, each being given 15 minutes, with a final q and a with the professor at the end. it's part lecture, part bar night, part "wait, i didn't know i cared about this." you leave smarter than you came, with a few new people in your phone. speaker and location coming soon

last call lectures
Chicago
Chicago, IL, USA
last call lectures is our recurring series where we bring in someone who knows a lot about something interesting (a professor, a researcher, a practitioner, an obsessive) and let them give the talk they've always wanted to give. the kind of lecture you'd actually want to stay awake for. each night follows the same rhythm: arrive, grab a drink, settle in. one expert takes the floor for about 45 minutes on a topic worth your evening. then 4 discussion questions, each being given 15 minutes, with a final q and a with the professor at the end. it's part lecture, part bar night, part "wait, i didn't know i cared about this." you leave smarter than you came, with a few new people in your phone. speaker and location coming soon
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.