In this shaky economy, it’s hard to commit to anything. A new car? That fancy vacation? Hmmm, maybe next year. For some, a gym membership or even a series of classes can be too much of a financial outlay. Never fear. You can still stay fit, have fun and learn new stuff while taking it all one day at a time. Chicago is full of drop-in activities — events that require no membership and little preparation. Some are even free. Leave the plans to the planners. With our list of drop-in activities, you can be bold, spontaneous and full of unpredictable fun.
Be impulsive
— Monica Eng
Champagne tastings
Details: 5:30-7 p.m. Wednesdays at Rebar, Trump International Hotel & Tower (401 N. Wabash Ave.; 312-588-8034).
Cost: $20
What it’s like: Sommelier Steven Lee hosts weekly after-work champagne tastings, including hors d’oeuvres, in the Rebar lounge’s VIP area. You’ll learn about various vintages and vineyards while enjoying a wide selection of sparklers (which change monthly), to say nothing of the munchies and the Chicago River view. No reservations necessary.
Even more: Duke’s Alehouse (110 N. Main St., Crystal Lake; 815-356-9980, thedukeabides.com) offers Beer School at 7 p.m. the second Tuesday of the month for folks to learn about and sample lagers, ales, pilsners, lambics and more with appropriate nibbles for $25. You can reserve, but drop-ins are welcome.
— Phil Vettel
Improv classes
Details: 6-8 p.m. Sundays at Second City Training Center (1616 N. Wells St., 4th floor; 312-664-3959, secondcity.com).
Cost: $10 per class.
What it’s like: If you’re looking to induce heart palpitations, you could down three Big Macs in as many minutes; and for a sweaty brow, you could engage in minor theft. But who needs the headache when standing in front of strangers with no script offers all of the heart murmurs with none of the jail time? Having no improv experience myself, I glanced with dismay at the class roster: 12 students, 9 with experience. Our teacher, Kevin, an encouraging sort with a generous laugh, gave me the sense that improv is like baseball — fundamentals always need honing, no matter your depth. This class begins with greeting lessons — basically, you learn everyone’s name. From there, you move to quick responses; and from there, you mime activities. I froze up; standing before the class, I had to solicit a scenario. “A gas station,” someone shouted. Turning down suggestions is not an option, so I began awkwardly miming a person pumping gas. Flustered, I looked at my partner. She grabbed my hands. “It’ll be all right,” she said. That got a small laugh. Incidentally, as Kevin explained, it’s often better not to go for a laugh. But what you quickly learn here is that an honest, easy response is often a funny response. So, in short, frightening and exhilarating, and super fun, a cheap way to grasp the basics without committing $275 and eight weeks. But one quick tip: Do go alone. The fewer people who know you, the less self-conscious you’ll feel.
— Christopher Borrelli
Screenprinting class
Details: 6:30-9:30 p.m. Wednesdays through April 29; 1-4 p.m. Saturdays, May 2-30, at Fill in the Blank Gallery (5038 N. Lincoln Ave.; fillintheblankgallery.com).
Cost: $30 (cash and checks accepted in person)
What it’s like: This is the perfect sampler for anyone unable to commit to a typical five-week course but with a creative itch to scratch or a small, one-off project to tackle. Looking to produce a few personalized T-shirts for your bowling team or a neat little stack of thank-you notes? Artist-instructor Mary Richards provides the know-how and the crafting materials. She suggests you come equipped with a few “vector” or silhouette images that you’d like to print, plus anything you’d like to print on, such as T-shirts, tote bags and note cards. Richards also warns to make sure any fabric you bring is pre-washed and unwrinkled.
— Fauzia Arain
Live band karaoke
Details: Every Thursday at 10 p.m. at Excalibur (632 N. Dearborn St.; 312-266-1944, excaliburchicago.com).
Cost: Free
What it’s like: I’ve spent many a night belting out classics from the Beatles, Bryan Adams and, dare I say, the Bangles, backed by a live band that loves nothing more than rocking out. It’s tremendous fun, a bit of rock-star fantasy between drinks with your buddies. But before you make a request, be sure to check the song list. LBK in Chicago consists of three bands — The Hootenanners, The Karaoke Dokies and Liquid Courage — and no two song lists are the same. It also helps to know the song a little bit, even though the band supplies lyric sheets. But most of all, when it’s your turn to grab the mic, make sure you ham it up. After all, it’s still karaoke.
Even more: Also catch live band karaoke 11 p.m. Saturdays at Piece (1927 W. North Ave.; 773-772-4422, piecechicago.com), 9 p.m. Sundays at Duffy’s (420 1/2 W. Diversey Pkwy.; 773-549-9090), 10 p.m. Thursdays at Durty Nellie’s (180 N. Smith St., Palatine; durtynellies.com) and 10:30 p.m. Sundays at Stanley’s Kitchen & Tap (1970 N. Lincoln Ave.; 312-642-0007, stanleyskitchenandtap.com).
— Glenn Jeffers
Pole dancing classes
Details: 6:30 p.m. Wednesdays; 6, 7, 8 p.m. Fridays and 1, 6, 7 p.m. Saturdays at Flirty Girl Fitness (1325 W. Randolph St.; 312-666-2266, flirtygirlfitness.com).
Cost: $25 per hour
What it’s like: I was wary that the class would be more about objectification than exercise, but I was wrong. This engaging class offers a tough workout, and only females are allowed in the building. That said, you won’t feel much pain as you become absorbed in learning basic spinning moves and stringing them together for a mini pole dance routine at the end of class. This is a great way to jolt you out of your daily routine while working your arms until they feel like noodles.
— M.E.
Bikram Yoga
Details: Seven days a week, a class usually every two hours between 10 a.m. and 6 p.m. (check online for details) at Bikram Yoga Chicago (1344 N. Milwaukee Ave., 773-395-9150 or 2736-A N. Clark St., 773-348-9642, 105f.com).
Cost: $15 for a single class but packages also available
What it’s like: Ninety minutes of beginner’s yoga in a 105 degree Fahrenheit room. I did it without having much yoga experience, and I loved this combination of intense physical focus, extreme heat and group suffering. Bring your own mat, towel and water unless you want to buy/rent them there. Feel free to pause and rest on your mat at any time. Show up 20 minutes in advance to register, pay, change and get a good spot in the classroom. Be ready to sweat.
Even more: Also try Bikram Yoga in the City (219 W. Chicago Ave., 6th floor; 312-255-YOGA, bikramcitychicago.com).
— Monica Eng
Family art
Details: 10:30-11:30 a.m. Saturdays at Lillstreet Art Center (4401 N. Ravenswood Ave.; 773-769-4226, lillstreet.com).
Cost: $10 per child and $10 per adult.
What it’s like: A teacher guides you and your young ones as you make artwork out of clay. Various carving tools and paints are provided, but the creating is left completely to you. Wanna make an ashtray? Fine. A dinosaur riding a motorcycle? Your call! After class, Lillstreet will fire your creation in a kiln and save it for you to pick up a week or so later. Kids 2 and up are invited, and reservations are encouraged, but not required.
Even more: Bead Heaven on Main (5150 N. Main St., Downers Grove; 630-795-1986, beadheavenonmain.com) often offers free drop-in workshops on the first Saturday of the month.
— Heidi Stevens
Drop-in outdoor basketball
Details: Mornings till 11 p.m., when the park closes, but games usually end between 9 and 10 p.m. weekends, at Wrightwood Park (2534 N. Greenview Ave.; 312-742-7816, chicagoparkdistrict.com).
Cost: Free
What it’s like: Weekends during the NBA playoffs, things really pick up here. The competition varies but is mostly good, with talent ranging from high school studs to thirtysomething glory-seekers. It has a reputation as a good girl-watching spot, especially weekend afternoons, but I’m sure my editors will take this out.
Even more: Men over 30 can drop in Tuesdays at Low School (1530 S Highland Ave., Arlington Heights; 847-593-4382) and Thursdays at Pioneer Park Community Center (500 S. Fernandez Ave., Arlington Heights; 847-577-3035) for some serious pickup hoops that are free for residents or $5 for non-residents.
— Eric Gwinn
Blacksmithing demonstrations
Details: 1:30-3:30 p.m. first Saturdays of every month at Kline Creek Farm (1N600 County Farm Rd., West Chicago; 630-876-5900, dupageforest.com).
Cost: Free.
What it’s like: A blacksmith shows how people used to use a hammer and anvil to repair metal tools. Kline Creek Farm is a drop-in time machine, a restored farmstead where demonstrators in period costumes show how a DuPage County farm worked in the 1890s. Watch your kids’ jaws drop when they learn about 19th Century farm chores.
Even more: There are tours of the restored farmhouse, on the hour from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., with talks on baking, canning and quilting. You can also see cute recently born calves. And April 18-19, there will be demonstrations of sheep shearing and border collies doing their shepherding thing, 10 a.m.-4 p.m.
— Barbara Brotman
Forest preserve and park district workdays
Details: There are several each weekend. See Web sites for schedules and locations: Cook County Forest Preserves (fpdccvolunteers.org, click on the workday calendar); Chicago Park District (chicagoparkdistrict.com, follow information for volunteers, and click on Nature Area Volunteer Stewardship Days); Lake County Forest Preserves (lcfpd.org/restoration); and DuPage County Forest Preserves (dupageforest.com, click on Calendar of Events).
What they are like: Show up, roll up your sleeves and join the other volunteers helping to restore nature areas. You may remove invasive plant species, cut brush or collect or redistribute wildflower seeds You will be welcomed — and possibly fed — and you will also discover new nature spots, get some wholesome exercise and even make new friends.
— B.B.
