From home brewing to graffiti, it’s never too late to learn something new
We’re now a few weeks into January - that gloomy time when New Year resolutions have gone down the drain, as has the weather, and there can feel little to look forward to. But besides from jumping on the next plane to some sun-soaked island, there is a more immediate (and cheaper) way to get feeling inspired: learning something new.
Upskilling, meeting people, general wellbeing…the benefits are many. And, fortunately, so are the classes you’ll find in Liverpool. Here are some of our favourites…
ACTING AT LIVERPOOL NETWORK THEATRE
The Liverpool Network Theatre (main image) is an amateur production company based in various locations around the city. Their whole deal is theatre as a radical and political force - conveyed through high-quality performances of everything from Shakespeare to modern classics to local writing - and they run standalone acting workshops every Tuesday. Open to all, classes run from 7-9pm and cost just £3 (or £1.50 if you're unwaged). Something pleasantly affordable this way comes.
Find out more - Fifth Floor, Tempest Building 12 Tithebarn Street L2 EBW
GRAFFITI AT ZAP
The clue’s in the name - Zap Graffiti’s classes are based around the fascinating and oft-misunderstood art of graffiti. Over the course of their two-hour class, you'll learn the basic skills behind graffiti painting and create your own artwork on a 3x3ft poster based on your own ideas (which you get to keep at the end, naturally). All materials and gear is included and anyone from the age of six can get involved. Classes usually cost £40 per person, but they're on offer at £25 right now - far more affordable than the £2,500 fine you’ll get served if you go out and do it on the side of your local Asda.
Find out more - 9 Oldham Place, Liverpool L1 2SU
FINANCES TO FERMENTATION AT LOVE BREWING
Fancy something a little boozier? Love Brewing's home brew training courses are intimate, 90-minute workshops that will imbue you with all the skills you need to begin brewing your own great beers, wines, liqueurs and spirits. Everything from finances to fermentation to bottling and storage are covered, so it’s a comprehensive intro too. Classes run at £29 per person, or £45 for two people.
Find out more - 591 West Derby Road, Liverpool L13 8AE
ART GALORE AT DOT
Independent art gallery dot-art runs a wide array of creative courses all around Liverpool: venues include the Bluecoat, Baltic Creative CIC, METAL, Make, the North Docks and even the Williamson Tunnels. Subjects include life drawing, beginner acrylic painting, digital photography, felt making, woodcarving, portrait drawing, sketching, monoprinting and more. If you’re after something a little nicher (think brush lettering and ‘painting with feelings’), then check out Cass Art.
Find out more - Various
MIXOLOGY AT MOJO
If you've ever dreamed of becoming a bit like Tom Cruise in Cocktail (and who hasn't?) then MOJO's mixology masterclasses are just the ticket, and you get to taste-test everything you make... Choose from the Classic Masterclass - which includes Amaretto Sour, Tom Collins, Cosmopolitan and Mojito - or MOJO Masterclass; focusing on Sloe Gin Fizz, Strawberry Daiquiri, Hurricane and Long Island Iced Tea.
Find out more - The Stables, Back Berry St, Liverpool L1 4LG
SAMBA TO STREET AT LIVERPOOL DANCE CENTRE
No prizes for guessing what you can learn at the Liverpool Dance Centre, but you might be surprised at the sheer extent of their range of courses. Open to all Liverpool residents, all but burlesque operates on a drop-in basis. For just a few quid spent on each class, you can learn (deep breath): samba, contemporary dance, ballet, jazz dance, flamenco, street dance, pole dancing, tap dance, salsa, burlesque, capoeira and tango. We suggest learning all of them. At once.
Find out more - 77 Renshaw Street, Liverpool L1 2SJ / 42 Devon Street, Liverpool L3 8HA
BOOKS AND BLOCKBUSTERS AT LIVERPOOL PUBLIC LIBRARY
Surprise surprise - if you want to get learning about books, there really is nowhere better than your local public library. Clubs include: After Dinner Books, an evening discussion group on contemporary fiction, classics, nonfiction and short stories (which, impressively, has taken place every month since 1990); the monthly Thursday Morning Book Klatch; and the Bestsellers to Blockbusters Club, a literature and film group that compares books to their movie adaptations (books come first, naturally).
Find out more - William Brown St, Liverpool L3 8EW
THAI COOKING AT CHAOPHRAYA
Liverpool has so many cooking classes it can be hard to choose, but Chaophraya is a good bet. After enjoying a fruit punch on arrival, students get an introduction to the ins and outs of Thai cooking and all the ingredients involved, before watching a short demo by one of the restaurant’s chefs and getting on the pans themselves. Beats a takeaway right?
Find out more - Liverpool One, 5-6 Kenyons Steps, Liverpool L1 3DF
