No matter how long youve been out of matriculation mode, September still comes with an undercurrent of back-to-school dread. Lucky for you, youre all grown up and fall affords an opportunity to embrace higher education on your terms to keep you busy when the weather turns. Let go of pre-pubescent trauma and teenaged taunting and get your learn on.
INTRO TO EATING
So, youve joined the local food revolution and now your community-garden plot runneth over. What to do? The Dirty Apron Cooking School offers an array of classes to help you turn local bounty into sophisticated fare for urban-chic eaters. Brought to you by the folks behind Chambar and Medina, Dirty Aprons fall curriculum offers classes by celebrated chef Vikram Vij and mouthwatering courses such as Chocolate Appreciation, Meat Eaters Unite and My Thai. DirtyApron.com
BASIC MAKE-IT
So what if you failed Home Ec? Its never too late to learn to rock a sewing machine at Spool of Thread Sewing Lounge. Start with the Sleepyhead Pillow Case class and work your way up to more ambitious offerings like the No Fray Duvet, Vintage Inspired Blouse or Mens Tie courses. Bonus: once you master the machines, Spool of Thread has open studio space where you can come in and craft on your own time. SpoolOfThread.com
PLAY 101
If the memory of being a middle-school band geek still lingers (tuba, anyone?), its time to move on. The ukulele is only four strings, fits easily in your bag and, oh yeah, hasnt been this hip since the Tiki lounges took over North America the first time. (No joke, suppliers in Hawaii reportedly cant keep up with the current demand.) Pick it up on the fly at the Vancouver Ukulele Circle, held the third Tuesday of the month at Our Town Cafe (245 E. Broadway) or take an easy intro workshop or 10-week course from Rubys Ukes. VCN.BC.CA/VanUkes; RubysUkes.VPWEB.ca If bands like Beirut are any indication, accordion is the next geek-chic instrument to go mainstream...ish. Check out the Vancouver Squeezebox Circle the first Thursday of the month at Spartacus Books (684 E. Hastings) from 8pm-10pm. Find the goods on lessons and leads on how to pick up your very own instrument at SqueezeBoxCircle.org.
HIGH FLYING PHYS-ED
Forget timed laps and rope climbs. Fitness in the real world should be about fun. Get a boost with Antigravity Yoga offered exclusively in Vancouver at the Steve Nash Sports Centre. Just when you thought there was nothing new in the world of Namaste, Antigravity Yoga uses fabric slings to ease you into positions like the Hanging Monkey and the Spiderman for a combination workout thats a throwback to the days of monkey-bar joy. SteveNashFitnessClubs.com
SOCIAL STUDIES
Just because youve got a job doesnt mean you cant stick it to the man after hours. Pull Focus Film School allows you to explore your inner activist while learning the technical aspect of documentary filmmaking, digital photography, editing and storytelling, all on an evening and weekend schedule that lets you keep your buttoned-down 9-5. PullFocus.org
