THE FIPS GUIDE TO THE BEST BROOKLYN CLASSES

You know how sometimes every night you end up coming home, sitting your ass on the couch, eating an entire bag of Funyons, and watching 11 episodes of Dance Moms? Just me? 

Right. So, it's pretty obvious that one of your/(our) New Year's resolutions should be to get the hell out there in the world, learn something new, and take a class!

Luckily, there are some killer/fab classes right here in Brooklyn, so you probably don't even have to haul your ass onto the subway (WIN!).Here are a few of my fave BK class picks starting up in the new year: 

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Knife Skills At Cut Brooklyn

Joel Bukiewicz handcrafts knives right here in Gowanus that would probably give Dexter a pretty major boner. As owner of Cut Brooklyn, Bukiewicz uses the finest materials available, and personally creates each knife in his workshop one-by-one. These puppies will run you $200 to $650, but what the hell...you deserve it. Also, they're guaranteed for life, so like if your nanny accidentally uses it to slice through some soda cans to use for Bailey's science fair project, you can head on back to the studio and have Joel spiff it up for you.

But if you REALLY wanna learn how to use a knife, you should sign-up for Cut Brooklyn's knife skills class!

In our Knife Skills Class we'll go over mechanics, knife care, and all the classic cuts. Students are encouraged to bring their own knives, which I sharpen gratis before class. The course is full-participation and students learn by prepping for several dishes (most recently, pineapple-basil salsa, chilled cucumber-avocado soup, and a veggie stir-fry). And then we end the class with some cooking, some eating and, once the knives are put away, some good beer. 

The class runs $90, lasts 3 hours, and is run by Chef Richard Krause who wrote the original menu for Wolfgang Puck's Chinois in LA. There are no dates listed yet for January, but these puppies have been happening about once-a-month, so if you get in touch and start bugging the folks at Cut, I'm sure they can give you some more details.

Cut Brooklyn
461 3rd Avenue 
646-247-9955
classes@cutbrooklyn.com
Cut Brooklyn on Twitter
**And if you wanna buy a knife, make sure to show up during open workshop hours: Wednesdays, 3-7pm and Saturdays, 12-5pm. 

images via Cut Brooklyn
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Coffee: Comparative Brewing Methods at Brooklyn Brainery

If you're as obsessed with coffee as I am with Diet Coke, then this class at the Brooklyn Brainery may be up your alley: 

Coffee has been elevated, by those in the forefront, to a level equal to that of wine or any other culinary experience. Which is to say, its become snobish, romantic, scientific, and intimidating.

Jump into the deep-end and learn how to brew and why you like it that way during a great introduction to 3 brew methods that you’re likely see at your best neighborhood cafe.

It's scheduled for Weds, January 11th, lasts 1.5 hours, and only costs $15 smackers.

And even if you could care less about coffee you should still go check out the rest of the classes at the Brainery, as they really do have an amazing selection of classes on just about everything: Beekeeping 101, Lower East Side Street Art or How to Play Chess are also on the upcoming schedule. Best of all, everything is crowdsourced over there...so if you don't see something you like, you can suggest a course here. Or if you fancy yourself a smartyplants, you can even offer to teach a class here. 

Brooklyn Brainery
515 Court Street
Carroll Gardens 
info@brooklynbrainery.com
Brooklyn Brainery on Facebook
Brooklyn Brainery on Twitter 
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Print Your Own Converse Sneakers at Gowanus Print Lab

photo via Gowanus Print Lab

Remember all of those really cool kids in High School who would draw all over their sneakers? And even though they were usually high, and pretty stupid, and often threatened to beat you up, their converse sneaks always still looked really hot? Well, Gowanus Print Lab remembers those kids too, and they'd like to save you a shitload of money in therapy by teaching you how to make your Converse look hot too...and not with a sharpie either. 

In this print your own converse class, you can send in your artwork ahead of time and GPL will prepare the files and the screens for you. And you don't even need any screenprinting experience--they walk you through the whole damn thing. 

This workshop lasts 3 hours and costs $80 bucks if you want to bring your own Chucks, or $130 if you'd like them to provide the shoes for you. They have a class coming up on Wednesday, January 18th and Saturday, February 25th. 

And if screenprinting baby pandas on your sneakers ain't your thang, they have a pretty rad list of additional classes that might tickle your fancy. I'm kind of dying to take the Needlepoint Screenprinting Class, but the Designing & Publishing ebooks for the iPad class also looks super fab. 

Gowanus Print Lab
54 2nd Avenue
718.788.3980
info@gowanusprintlab.com
Gowanus Print Lab on Facebook
Gowanus Print Lab on Twitter 

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Terrarium Making Workshop at Twig 

When plants see me, they commit suicide. For real. I think they find that it's easier, and less painful than attempting to survive in my apartment. But for some reason, I really feel like I could handle a terrarium...and I think I mostly feel this way because all of the terrariums on Twig's website are so damn cute. 

Started by two friends, all Twig terrariums feature special scenes using miniature figurines, "from idyllic pastoral scenes with cows and horses to angry punk rockers and Central Park muggings." Each terrarium is created in cool antique, vintage, and new glass containers and they can be shipped nationwide. 

Lucky for us, these ladies are happy to teach us how to make our own cutsie terrariums too: 

Learn to create a Twig Terrarium with the Twig chicks at our Open Studio!

Join Twig for hands-on guidance and learn tips and tricks to miniscape your own little green world!  We provide all the ingredients, including happy moss and happy little people.

They have a workshop coming up on January 19th, from 7-8pm. And the whole shebang only costs $45, including supplies. 

Twig Terrariums
274 3rd Avenue (at President Street)
info@twigterrariums.com
Twig Terrariums on Facebook

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Italian Language Class at Collina Italiana

Have I mentioned to you ppl before that I'm completely obsessed with Italy? Yeah, well I am (the above pic was taken on my honeymoon in Positano).

I kinda wanna move there one day, but right now all I know how to say is "grazia" and "buona sera." Needless to say, this shit ain't gonna fly when I'm chillin' in my sick apartmento in Firenze, so I need to learn some Italian. And what do you know: you can take Italiano right here in Park Slope at Collina Italiana!

There are a ton of classes offered at their NYC location, but I'm far too lazy for that, so all I care about are the Brooklyn classes. Here in the BK, they offer Basic Grammar & Conversazione classes for Level 1 on Friday nights from 6:30-8:30pm and Level 2 on Thursdays from 7-9pm. Winter session lasts from January 23rd through March 16th, and their are 8 classes included in each package. I'm not exactly sure how much it costs as their 10 pack class costs $450, but I would assume that 8 classes would be cheaper. Also, since it's so close to my apartment, I could probably even walk over in my pajamas? Or not. 

Collina Italiana Park Slope
120 Garfield Place (btwn 5th and 6th Aves)
info@collinaitaliana.com
Collina Italiana on Facebook

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How To Not Kill Yourself at New York Skateboard Academy

Ok, so they don't technically have a class called "how not to kill yourself," but that is most certainly the class I would be asking for if I wasn't way too big of a pussy to ever, ever, ever get on a skateboard.

BUT! I'm guessing you all are way the hell cooler than I am, and so skateboarding classes are probably right up your alley. And if that's true, then you should head over to the New York Skateboard Academy where you can get private lessons, drop your kids off for the after-school program, or even throw a birthday party. 

Skate your faces off, mofos. Just remember to be safe, have fun, and don't die!

New York Skate Academy
615 Degraw Street
718.596.6615
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Intro to Acrylic Painting: Still life at Brooklyn Artist's Gym

For those of you who are looking to go on full-on artsy/creative, you might dig the Brooklyn Artist's Gym. There are a number of cool classes available, but Intro to Acrylic Painting might be a good place to start:  

Students will go through the steps of composing a drawing from a still life and painting it on a canvas using acrylic paint. Instruction will include tips on drawing and composing on paper, transferring onto canvas as well as basic color theory and demonstration of various acrylic media and techniques. By the end of the class, you will have completed a finished painting.

This intro class is offered on Tues, January 10th, from 6:30-9:30pm. Cost = $60.

There are also Figure Drawing Classes, bookbinding classes, Intro to watercolors...you name it. 

And for artists who are looking for inexpensive studio space, BAG also offers some great options. Here's a great video that talks a bit more about what those folks are trying to do over there. 

Yay art!

Brooklyn Artists Gym
168 7th Street, 3rd Floor
718.858.9069
info@brooklynartistsgym.com
Brooklyn Artists Gym on Facebook
Brooklyn Artists Gym on Twitter 

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Super Bowl Sunday: Yuppie Style at Ger-Nis Culinary & Herb Center

image via timesunion.com

I guess that whole Super Bowl thingy is coming up soon, and for those of you that don't hate football with the fire of a thousand hot burning suns like I do, perhaps you want to host yourself up a rockin' Super Bowl party?

If you're looking to make a masterpiece like the the snacktacular item pictured above, you probably don't need a class. But for those of you who want to elevate your shit a bit, you might want to head on over to the Ger-Nis Culinary & Herb Center: 

Learn easy and simple appetizers to classics done with- a-twist, all of which are crowd-pleasers. Recipes include: Jalapeno poppers with Fresh Salsa and Guacamole; Jalapeno Dried Cherry Chicken Wings; Cilantro-Cumin Dusted Sweet Potato Fries; Mango BBQ Pulled Pork Sandwiches; Chipotle Sloppy Joes; Sweet & Spicy Cole Slaw; Compost Cookie Ice Cream Sandwiches.

This is a hands-on cooking class, ppl so be prepared to dive in. Best of all, when you're done cooking up all this football-y stuff, you get to eat it up and enjoy it all with your fellow classmates. This three hour class is held on January 29th (a week or so before the actual Super Bowl), and costs $65. 

And for those of you who don't give a rat's ass about football, there are a bunch of other classes that might get your juices flowin: Pretzels, Mustard, Beer & Brats is going down on February 2nd; Sweet Intervention: The Macaron is on February 5th; and Dumplings, World Edition! is on March 5th...and there are wayyy more where those came from. 

Just in case you're wondering how many times my oven has been turned on since we moved into our apartment three years ago, the final answer is: TWO (and one time was to strongly encourage a mouse who had somehow gotten his ass in there to get the eff out).

Ger-Nis Culinary & Herb Center
540 President Street, Suite 2E
347.422.0337
info@ger-nis.com
Ger-Nis on Facebook
Ger-Nis on Twitter 

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Ode to Orchids at Little Flower School

Back in the day, I actually wanted to be a floral designer. I took a bunch of classes at Parsons and I was pretty damn good at floral arranging-- this was gonna be my thing. I came up with this idea that I wanted to open up a combo bakery/flower shop called Flour. Cute, right? Anyway, then I realized that I'd have to wake up at 4am every morn, never get a weekend off, and worst of all: deal with brides all day long. No thanks. BUT, my love of floral design has never gone away, and thankfully, The Little Flower School is at the ready with lots of great classes to keep me (and you if you dig it!) interested. 

You have to act fast with them, as classes are small and sell out lickety-split, but this upcoming class Ode to Orchids caught my eye: 

In recent years, the orchid has been relegated to tight, rather restricting styles of arrangements. In this class we'll focus on using them to build more natural, textural and unstructured centerpieces. This is a basics class, open to all skill levels. Students will create lavish centerpieces, and take home their own orchid plants to care for.

The class meets on Saturday, February 11th and lasts for 3 hours. It costs $295, but remember: you're learning AND coming home with a killer arrangement. Win/win. 

The Little Flower School
Classes are held at several locations

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Origami Folding at Taro's Origami Studio

I might not have noticed this adorable new origami studio if it wasn't across from the entrance to Seven Nails. But I did! And it's so friggin cute!

Of course Taro's Origami offers kids classes in paper folding, but much to my surprise, they all have some action for the adults too. Starting this month, they have 2 ongoing adult sessions: Tuesday & Thursday from 1-2pm and Wednesday & Friday from 12-1pm. Yes, I might suggest that Taro gets some shit going during the evenings for those of who work full-time, but they also do have open studio time for those of you who just want to drop on by. Kids classes run 3:30-4:15pm on Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday. Monthly sessions run $95

Also, not that I know wtf I'm talking about in this arena, but this seems like a pretty rad place to do a kids bday party?

Taro's Origami Studio
95 7th Ave, 2nd Floor
718.360.5435
parkslope@tarosorigami.com
Taro Origami on Facebook

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Getting Started in Furniture Making at Makeville

If you're ready to get REALLY serious about making shit...like, really, really, then why not make some goddamned furniture!? That's right! I MADE A FUCKING TABLE, BITCH! How ya like me now!?

Apparently you can actually learn how to do this stuff at Makeville Studio. There too, classes sell out fast, but if you are interested in wood working, furniture making, turning bowls on the lathe and all that sort of stuff, hightail it on over to their studio in Gowanus. There is still room in their Getting Started in Furniture Making class which kicks off in March: 

This 6-session workshop takes you step by step through the typical furniture-making process: design, layout, cutting, joinery, assembly, glue-up and finishing. Working with machine and hand tools, you will build a solid hardwood bench with mortise and tenon joinery.

The class starts on Tuesday 2/28 from 7-10pm and runs every Tuesday night thereafter until 4/3. It costs $595 for the class, as well as $120 for a materials fee...so $715 total. And in case you're worried about killing trees, Makeville says that as much as possible they try to use reclaimed, recycled and found materials. 

If you're curious about all of the other cool shit people have made who are way more talented than you me, you can also visit their gallery to see some of the finished work. 

They also have a bunch of great after-school kids classes. 

Makeville Studio
119 8th Street, Unit 208
917.873.5542
hello@makeville.com
Makeville on Facebook

Still looking for more? 

• There are a bunch of great photography classes at Creative Brooklyn. And they're even offering this new Dollar Fridays thing where you can pay only a buck for some of their courses. 
• I don't like to go to Williamsburg unless I absolutely have to...but it's worth it for 3rd Ward. They have over 100 classes on a shitload of interesting topics from  Intro to Upholstery, craft education (in conjunction with Etsy), bike repair, guitar refurbishment, filmmaking and way more. 
• Our own Brooklyn Museum offers a number of interesting classes: there are art classes, as well as lectures and tours for kids, teens and adults. In fact, there is a drawing with paint class coming up that looks pretty cool. 
• Skillshare is a new community marketplace that allows you to learn anything from anyone. There are literally classes on e-v-e-r-y-t-h-i-n-g. And if you think you've got the skillz to pay the bills too, you can even teach one your damn self. It's in Manhattan, but this Shopping for Art the Smart Way class caught my eye. 
• Coffee worshippers should check out the classes at Cafe Grumpy. Milk Steaming & Latte Art on January 9th looks like a winner. Plus maybe you'll learn how to draw a pic of a penis with steamed milk?
• Urban Glass has a number of great workshops: Stained Glass, Glass Beadmaking and Fusing to name just a few. 
• Healthy comfort food? Apparently it does exist. Table Health is teaching a class on January 12.
• If you've got a green thumb, don't forget about the Brooklyn Botanical Gardens. They offer a rich schedule of classes such as urban garden design, composting and Ikebana, to name just a few. 
• There are all sorts of killer music classes for kids, teens and adults at the Brooklyn Conservatory of Music. 
• Attn geeky dudes-n-chicks...NYC Resistor is calling your name. A self described "hacker collective," they offer classes with titles like: Fire the Lazzzzzzor!.