PLACES TOGO
Whether it’s free dance lessons breathing fresh air on the Grant Park lawn, free salsa lessons on Friday and Saturday nights at Dylan’s Tavern& Grill in the West Loop, or paying club membership dues to take salsa, Zumba or hip- hop classes, Chicago offers a would- be dancer’s paradise. Among the popular spots are:
• Dylan’s Tavern& Grill, 118 S. Clinton, offers lessons starting at about 9: 30 p. m. on Friday and Saturday nights, enabling patrons to learn how to spot turn before taking the floor to a live DJ’s salsa beat.
• The Drake Hotel hosts Salsa night every first and third Wednesday nights. The salsa class, which starts at 6: 30 p. m., has a $ 20 entrance fee that includes two drink tickets.
• East Bank Club is professional dancer Sandra Mandel’s choice to tackle the challenge of Dance Latin Groove classes. Dues- paying club members may also choose from among classes such as Zumba, taught by former Luvabull and professional dancer Aida Johnson- Rapp, or hip- hop taught by pro dancer Labake Oyebanjo.
• Arthur Murray Dance Center Chicago, with locations in the city and suburbs, is still the gold standard, especially for those who yearn to pirouette, spin turn and two- step with the stars.
• SummerDance runs through Sept. 10 in Grant Park, and Sept. 14 at various park districts. Visit cityofchicago.org More can be found at seechicagodance.com/class.