I have volunteered at Gerber/Hart for the last five years, and I encourage anyone interested in…read moreLGBTQ history to check it out! Gerber/Hart has a circulating library, exhibits, and an incredible archives. The book sales (usually 1-2 per year) are always great, and I've stocked my library with incredible finds each year! Stop by and learn more about Chicago's LGBTQ history! This space is fantastic!

This gem of an institution has amazing LGBTQ rotating exhibits. Always worth a weekend or week…read morenight visit. They also have archives and special collections open for research. Glad to see this established anchor in the north gayborhood.

The Dank Haus is such a staple in the Lincoln Square community. If you haven't been here yet,…read morefollow their socials and get on their newsletter to find an event that interests you. On our latest visit, during the annual Open House Chicago architecture event throughout the city, we came in to appreciate the beauty of this big building. We popped up to the second floor bar to enjoy some beer and enjoyed watching the indoor shooting (not as scary as it sounds). The volunteers, regulars, and fellow patrons are always a good group to hang out with. If you're lucky enough to attend an event on the sixth floor, be sure to take photos out on the patio as the views are pretty nice! As far as transportation, it's right off the Western CTA Brown Line stop. There's paid parking on the closest streets (or lots). If you're willing to walk a few minutes, almost everything west of Western is free neighborhood parking.

They really make the space count!…read more I decided to become a member ($50 a year for an individual) since I'm currently taking one of the virtual adult German classes. The membership gave me a discount on the class and so much more! I highly recommend the classes. My instructor is good about making everyone feel comfortable and included and has creative but fun ways to ensure everyone enjoys even the most challenging of topics, like grammar! Yes, I truly mean that German grammar can be fun! In addition to german classes, Dank Haus has so many different, affordable activities that you can sign up for. I've done the bilingual yoga classes - the meditation is all in English and the yoga part is all in German. Don't let the yoga all in German scare you off though! If you don't understand, you can just watch the instructor and mimic her. She's really good. The wild part is...the yoga classes only cost $5 each! Crazy! They were outside in the summer (on the terrace with a gorgeous view!) and soon to start up again this fall indoors. The cooking classes are also loads of fun. I've only been to one so far, but everyone was so kind and welcoming considering I went to it solo. I came out of the class happy I made some friends! Not to mention, each cooking class includes a drink in the price (choice of alcoholic or non-alcoholic) so they're a great deal! If you're interested in touring the place, they offer guided tours and self guided tours by appt. You can do it via their website. I did a self-guided tour where I picked up a paper in the lobby of the highlights of what to see on each floor. I was surprised at how much history was crammed into even the hallways! There's definitely more than you think there is... I also requested to visit their library of books in German, since the public library is kinda lacking in that department. Their selection is excellent. They have everything from books to learn German to easy readers (short stories that aren't super wordy) to full fledged adult fiction to cookbooks. Id argue Dank Haus is a great place whether you know German, want to learn German, or know German. I wish I had learned about all the affordable activities they had sooner! All I know is I'll definitely keep on taking advantage of them

Croatians are extremely good at drinking, and the Cultural Center serves us lushes cheaply, quickly…read moreand happily. Expect to see loads of Croatian men singing homeland anthems off-key and swaying back and forth... this you'll see at the beginning. If you make it to the end, you might witness two belligerents duking it out in the parking lot. I haven't been back since the smoking ban went into effect-- eau de Marlboro Red was the only drawback, really. I'll be back for the Velika Gospa after-party. God, help me :)

Not too bad for a concert venue. I came here for the first time to see Prljavo Kazaliste and while…read moreI am still not sure if it was worth the $55, or even would have been worth $45 for the whole experience, I had a decent time, yummy drinks, was able to get up to the front of the crowd and found parking. I couldn't ask for much more than that. Considering how many people they could host, the parking lot is small. It's one of the drawbacks. But since most people don't show up until the scheduled start time, you'll be able to snag a spot if you show up about an hour early. Don't fret - they have a full bar to pass the time. The bar was a big disappointment. How can the CROATIAN cultural center not have a single CROATIAN imported beer? Someone thought they might have a single case of Karlovacko, but the bartenders said I couldn't have it, because "If [I] have it then everyone else will want it." Well, yea, because CROATIAN beer is awesome! So I was forced to go with cranberry vodka, which was served in a dinky cup the first time and then a huge one the second round. Both were $5. Still can't figure that one out... The banquet hall seems great for a wedding or large party. It's elegant, but all of the historical/locational pictures are a bit kitsch. You'll understand if you're Eastern European. They are nice, but overwhelming. And that is the reason I love it. We felt like we were at prom.

I went to the Japanese Cultural Center to take free trial class from Grupo Capoeira Brazil. Not…read moreknowing what to expect, they quickly welcomed me to the group and got me working up a sweat almost instantly. I came into the class with some martial arts experience, which really helped when it came down to footwork, kicking, and coordination; however, I began to learn techniques that helped me understand my body's capabilities that I couldn't really have developed in other forms of martial arts. Who knew that I would thank my younger self for taking the time to learn how to cartwheel! And even if you're one of those individuals who hasn't taken a day of Capoeira class in their life, I highly recommend you come in for a class just to try it out. The dojo is always filled with friendly faces that will take care of you and provide you with a safe learning environment. There are two floors padded with floor mats to practice martial arts so there's plenty of room. Just don't forget to take off your shoes before you enter. :-) Formanda Colibri is the instructor over there and you can just tell that she is just so passionate about all aspects of Capoeira. She works very well with beginners, and you will never feel left out of the class for being a novice. She is also constantly challenging her students to become better at Capoeira during every class, and you will never forget how amazing she is when you first see her play Capoeira. Class sizes range from a personable size where the instructor can work with you and the other students one on one to a room packed with capoeiristas filling the center with crazy energy! Capoeira is a great form of exercise that will make you leave the class feeling relieved and thankful that you got up, took a chance, and spent an hour and a half working practically every muscle in your body. One of the best things about Capoeira is that you don't need to bring anything to class! (well, maybe a water bottle because you need to stay hydrated!) They provide the music and floor mats. All you have to do is show up, have an open mind, and willingness to learn.

I had taken the beginner introduction class. I can say it was a great excercise workout with…read morestretching all of the leg and back muscles. The instructor was great, professional, and encouraging. She definitely is dedicated to this martial art form. I enjoyed watching the advance students jump and do cartwheels all over the gym. I just wish I can do it. The class size is small with great opportunity for special attention on your needs. Pricing is inexpensive and affordable. You can pay as you go per class which is $25.00 or you can pay all the classes per month or week.

This is part of the American Indian Center, and I love the community events they put on,…read moreparticularly their annual t-shirt art festival that features anti-racist art, screen prints galore, and lots of interesting local artists. They don't bat an eye when this White guy walks in, and I've walked out happy with t-shirts and screen prints in my hands, delicious, greasy fry bread in my mouth, and a great beat in my head from their traditional drummers.

I love archery so when I saw a Living Social deal I jumped all over it!…read moreI scheduled my appointment with Al as he was very flexible on the timing. Once I showed up he had someone inside shooting and he was able to work with the both of us, but spending more time with me as she was a frequent visitor of the place. Al worked with me on techniques and aim in addition to showing me how awesome the compound bow is. He told me if I wanted to bring a group that it was more than welcome in which I may do in the near future. Equipment is all up to date and the people that come here seem to enjoy themselves...grea hobby to pick up!

NATIVE HISTORY The…read moreAmerican Indian Center is rich in history and culture. What I love about this center is that they open their doors to everyone and they help everyone in the neighborhood in need. I volunteer with the charity Fight2Feed and we use their kitchen to cook for the center and for street missions. I was lucky enough to get to run the kitchen on Valentines Day (2015) when we made chicken soup. It was a cold day and everyone loves a warm bowl of chicken soup. I had a great time leading the crew as we prepped and cooked. Recently my family was invited as guests to enjoy a traditional Indian PowWow and a "giving thanks" dinner the weekend before Thanksgiving. How could we pass up an invitation to share a meal with native Americans. If it wasn't for their hospitality with the Pilgrims then they would have never survived the harsh winter. It also snowed on this day too making the dinner even more special. The meal was incredible and our favorite part was the fresh squash. The squash was a 5th generation plant from a seed that was carbon dated from 850 years ago. Archeologists digging in Northern Wisconsin found a sealed Native American vase that contained the squash seed. It was so special for us to share this squash with everyone at the center. I will tell you that the flavor was incredible. It was an honor to share this squash. I also loved that the seed was not tainted by big corporate America. The PowWow also had two drum crews that took turns playing traditional music with singing. There was also traditional dancing and my little one could not contain herself. She jumped right in and had a great time. This was one of the best nights we've had in a long time. We also came back here on Thangsgiving Day and cooked meals for 400 people with Fight2Feed. Fellow friend & Yelper Kyle H even asked me if he could join in and help. He did an amazing job making the largest batch of stuffing I've ever seen. I love stuffing and I must say it tasted perfect. I'm giving Kyle H a perfect "5 Stars" on his dish. This center offers so much for the community by offering support and food for those in need. I have met so many great people and I am glad to be able to come here and volunteer. I also love eating and writing about food but I really love making food and sharing it with those who are hungry. Food is the one universal bond we all have and I am glad to have found this place 10 months ago and I look forward to many more experiences here.