Intro: The Heart of the Hood Ravenswood, the community that unites two north-side "community areas." By Ed Zotti

History: Celery, Ceramics, and Conrad Sulzer The story—or stories—of Lincoln Square and North Center By Ann Keating

Politics: The Grand Old Party's Last Stand Before Daley's minions moved in, a Republican reformer called the shots in Lincoln Square and North Center. By Ben Joravsky

Lincoln Square & North Center Listings: Bars, education & recreation, galleries, GLBTQ, lit, movies, music, parks, performing arts, restaurants, shopping, volunteering

More Neighborhood Guides Ukrainian Village/East Village South Loop Logan Square Uptown Rogers Park & West Ridge

Education & Recreation

ARTango Maria Alferov and Burak Ozkosem cofounded Tango Eclectique, which offers instruction for all levels, including lessons for same-sex partners. A tango festival July 1-6 features six duos of Argentine masters, “electro-tango” DJs, and an orchestra. 4011 N. Ravenswood, 312-823-4859, tangoshusheta.com, $15 drop-in classes, $75 for six weeks. —Nick Teddy

Bloom Yoga Drop-in classes including prenatal and postpartum yoga as well as multiweek workshops covering runner’s yoga, back health, and “itsy bitsy yoga” (for tots up to age four). The studio also offers massage in 30- to 90-minute sessions. An attached store sells yoga gear.  4663 N. Rockwell, 773-463-9642, bloomyogastudio.com, $16 per class, $150 per month for unlimited classes. —Keith Griffith

Brahma Kumaris Part of the “Brahma Kumaris World Spiritual Organization,” this center offers courses on meditation, positive thinking, and stress-free living. Classes are free and open to people of any religious background. 3206 N. Oakley, 773-698-6339, bkwsu.org. —KG

Chicago Mosaic School This nonprofit mosaic arts school offers classes and workshops taught by regular faculty and visiting artists, ranging from mosaic basics to “Color Theory and Application.” There’s an open studio every Sunday from 9 AM-3 PM ($15). See also Galleries. a 1800 W. Cuyler, 773-975-8966, chicagomosaicschool.com, $75-$295.

The Chopping Block This tidy, well-stocked kitchen supply store hosts demonstrations and hands-on classes covering subjects that include sushi, grilling, pies and tarts, beer and wine tasting, and knife skills.  4747 N. Lincoln, Mon-Sat 10 AM-7 PM, Sun 10 AM-5:30 PM, 773-472-6700, thechoppingblock.net, most classes $40-$75. —KG

Dance Center Chicago Classes cover everything from ballroom and Latin dance to “first dance instruction,” which teaches soon-to-be newlyweds how to dance at their wedding reception. Weekly group classes and private lessons are available. 3868 N. Lincoln, 2nd floor, 773-880-5044, dancecenterchicago.com, $12 per group class, $65/hour for private lessons up to four people, discounts for multiple classes. —NT

DANK Haus Courses in German for adults and children offered September through June. Registration required. See also Galleries, Music, Movies, and Volunteering. 4740 N. Western, 773-561-9181, dankhaus.com/school.php, tuition $220 annually under age 4, $475 annually 4 to 18, $290 per 18-week term for adults. —KG

Degerberg Academy of Martial Arts A mixed-martial-arts studio offering instruction for kids and adults in the “Degerberg Blend,” a combination of English, French, American, Thai, and Filipino fighting styles, with light- and full-contact training options. 4717 N. Lincoln, 773-728-5300, degerberg.com, $149-$179 per month (two to three classes per week). —KG

Design Dance Classes for all ages in a range of styles; summer courses for adults include go-go, belly dance, and “Ms. Bea Haven’s Art of Burlesque.” 4710 N. Damen, 312-361-0864, designdancechicago.blogspot.com, $16 per drop-in class, $84 for six weeks. —KG

(Fill in the Blank) Gallery This new storefront gallery also offers classes in screen printing, figure drawing, and painting. There are drop-in figure drawing classes Tuesdays from 6 to 9 PM starting July 14 ($15, 18+) and printmaking classes Saturdays from 1 to 4 PM starting July 18 ($45). See also Galleries. a 5038 N. Lincoln, 773-878-1750, fillintheblankgallery.com, $140-$250 for sessions ranging from 5 to 12 weeks.

Flamenco Arts Center In addition to flamenco for kids and adults, classes include 60s-style go-go (wear tennis shoes, not boots), hula dance, and west African drumming. 3755 N. Western, 773-868-4130, flamencoartscenter.com, $12-$18 per class, discounts for multiple classes. —NT

Inside Out Art Studio Classes for all ages in mask making and drawing and painting, as well as summer art camps for kids. See also Galleries. a 2005 W. Montrose, 773-697-5012, insideoutarts.us, most 8-week classes $200, summer camp $40 per day, $155 per week.

Lillstreet Art Center Ten-week sessions of art classes (eight weeks in the summer) in categories including metalsmithing, printmaking, textiles, glass, and ceramics; five-week beginner courses in each category (four weeks in summer) offer newcomers to the medium a chance to experiment. Other offerings include workshops and kids’ classes and summer camps. See also Galleries. 4401 N. Ravenswood, 773-769-4226, lillstreet.com, courses $100-$350, workshops $25-$100. —KG

Lincoln Square Lanes This 12-lane bowling alley over a hardware store has been operating since 1918, which it claims makes it the oldest bowling joint in the city (it still doesn’t have electronic scoring). League bowling may limit lane availability from September to May, and the lanes are closed Mon-Wed in the summer. Reservations are recommended for large groups. 4874 N. Lincoln, 773-561-8191, $5 per game, Fri-Sat $40 per hour after 6 PM, $3.50 shoe rental. —KG

Lincoln Square Pottery Studio Offers classes in both wheel-throwing and hand-building techniques for kids and adults; use of the studio through an independent study session is an option for more advanced potters. The studio also hosts field trips to the suburbs, where pyrotechnic firing techniques like raku can be practiced with impunity. 4150 N. Lincoln, 773-248-4430, comeplaywithclay.com, eight-week sessions $280 for adults, $145 independent study, $125 for children. —KG

Old Town School of Folk Music Eight-week classes cover not only instruments from the dobro to the dulcimer (the ukulele category alone lists nine different courses), but also voice, songwriting, dance, and theater for all ages. Private lessons, workshops, and kids’ summer camps are also available. See also Music, Volunteering.  4544 N. Lincoln, 773-728-6000, oldtownschool.org, most adult courses $160, children’s courses start at $120. —KG

Skyline Gymnastics Dianne Durham, a former member of the U.S. National Gymnastics Team, runs this gymnastics center. There are classes for adults and eight-week sessions for kids 18 months and up, an open gym for members, and a summer camp. Summer hours: 9:30 AM-7 PM daily, 4121 N. Ravenswood, 773-755-6920, skylinegymnasticschicago.com, $130 per session ages 3-6, $190 per session ages 7-18, adult classes $15 per class or $65 for ten. —NT

Waveland Bowl A 40-lane bowling alley with all the bells and whistles, making it a good choice for those who eschew hand scoring and don’t mind sharing the lanes with young parties of bumpered birthday bowlers. Fog machines and blacklights go into full swing for “cozmic” bowling on several weekday evenings and weekend afternoons each week.  3700 N. Western, 773-472-5900, wavelandbowl.com, lanes $10-$35 per hour, shoe rental $3. —KG

Previous Neighborhood Guides

Ukrainian Village/East Village | South Loop | Logan Square | Uptown Rogers Park & West Ridge

Send a letter to the editor.

From the Reader blogs