The jocks. The nerds. The “In” crowd. We’re thanking our No. 2 pencils that our back-to-school days are over. Would it be so bad, though, to break out of the 9-to-5 routine and learn a little something new? Claim some quality time with your girlfriends by signing up for a class together. Whether your style is upping your wine IQ or perfecting your hip-shaking moves, it all still qualifies as academic achievement in our book.
COMPETITIVE
Inspired by volleyball duo Misty May-Treanor and Kerri Walsh’s prowess? Sharpen your bump-set-spike skills at volleyball classes by Players Sports Group. Sign up now for Oct. 6 Skills & Drills classes in beginner (6:15-7:30 p.m.) or intermediate (8:45-10 p.m.) levels at Windy City Fieldhouse (2367 W. Logan Blvd.). $89 each.
Register: 773-528-1999 or playerssports.net
Race each other to the top in Rock Climbing for Beginners hosted by Chicago Sport and Social Club. This six-week class at Fitness Formula (1235 N. LaSalle St.) covers knot-tying and the basic climbing techniques you’ll need to get vertical. 7-9 p.m. Tuesdays or Wednesdays, 6:30-8:30 p.m. Fridays, starting Sept. 9. $150.
Register: 312-850-8196 or chicagosportandsocial club.com
NAUGHTY
Burlesque beauty Michelle L’amour christened her own school, Studio L’amour (939 W. Randolph St., Suite 300), earlier this summer, so where else would you go for a class in Basic Burlesque? Tackle the fundamentals of burlesque — that’d be walks, bumps, grinds and shimmies — in four weekly classes. Fall’s first session starts this week; the second starts Sept. 22. 6:15-7:15 p.m. Tuesdays or Wednesdays. $50.
Register: 312-243-6690 or studiolamour.com
G Boutique gears up for back-to-school season with a roster of risque classes — one particular class will have you snickering like schoolgirls within the first five minutes. 7:15 p.m. on Sept. 9 and 23 (at 2131 N. Damen Ave.), plus Sept. 11 and 25 at the store’s Lincoln Park location, G Soiree (1451 W. Fullerton Ave.). $35.
Register: 773-235-1234 or boutiqueg.com
CULINARY
Drinking in class is totally allowed at The Chopping Block in Lincoln Square (4747 N. Lincoln Ave.), where Diana “Wine Goddess” Hamann teaches bi-monthly wine lessons. Study up on food and wine pairing Sept. 10, or learn to conquer that elusive restaurant wine list Sept. 24. $60. 7-8:30 p.m. More class times offered at the school’s Merchandise Mart location.
Register: 773-472-6700 or thechoppingblock.com
Adding a French accent to your cooking repertoire is this easy: Gather your girls, pick a weeknight and call Vincent Columbet, owner of French cafe-store combo Cook Au Vin (2256 N. Elston Ave). After learning to cook a laid-back three-course French dinner, you’ll all sit down to feast on your assignments. Monday through Thursday evenings. $80 per person.
Register: 773-489-3141 or cook-au-vin.com
CRAFTY
If you’ve got fashion flair to spare in your circle, enroll in a screen-printing class at The Needle Shop (2054 W. Charleston St. #BF). You’ll dream up an image, burn it onto a silkscreen and get printing on your own T-shirt. Offered 6-10 p.m. Sept 9 and 2-6 p.m. Sept. 21. $70.
Class sizes are small, so sign up early if you want your whole crew to craft together.
Register: theneedleshop.net
DIY mavens will love the make-your-own-ring class at Wicker Park jewelry shop Beadniks (1937 W. Division St.), where you’ll score the skills to make your own wire-wrapped cocktail ring. 6-8 p.m. Sept. 11. $27-$35. Or bring in that heirloom piece from Grandma to Make Me Over Mondays, a free weekly workshop where staffers demonstrate how to update your baubles with new supplies. 5-9 p.m. Mondays.
Register: 773-276-2323 or beadniks.com
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lmarnett@tribune.com
larnett@metromix.com
