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February 18, 2015
Schools of know-howGo away for a relaxing weekend and come home with a new skill.
In this part of the country, the do-it-yourself movement is alive and well. Two new folk schools in Minnesota are thriving, with dozens of workshops offered. In canoe country, you can learn winter photography this weekend at the Ely Folk School and animal tracking next weekend. In bluff country near Lanesboro, take a class at the Eagle Bluff Skills School on cheese-making or Amish bread-baking. At the Driftless Folk School in the coulees of Wisconsin, learn how to make rag rugs from old T-shirts and baskets from pine needles. It's a two-fer: Acquire a life skill and a fun getaway in a beautiful place. Best bets for the weekendSleep in Van Gogh's bedroom or try bed racing.
Don't be misled a fleeting wave of warmth — winter isn't over. Still, it's good weather for standing around watching things: bald eagles, especially on the stretch of Illinois' Hennepin Canal State Trail near the Quad Cities, and odd competitions: bikini ice fishing in Walker, bed racing in Cedarburg, outhouse racing in Sault Ste. Marie. Many of the world's best skiers will be in Hayward for the "Greatest Show on Snow." If you're wondering what exactly a Birkebeiner is, this action-packed Norwegian movie, getting its North American premiere Saturday, will show you. Snow might be a little mushy, but fat-bikers don't care. They'll be racing on Lake Minnetonka west of Minneapolis, and novices can try out bikes there and at the Northern Fat Bike Summit in Marquette. In Duluth, bomb down the bike trails at Spirit Mountain on Sundays, then get a lift back up. If you help pack the trails with snowshoes, you get to ride back free. If you bike like a maniac, you get to eat like a glutton, and Restaurant Weeks are starting in Traverse City, Minneapolis, Kenosha, St. Charles and Grand Haven. In Dubuque, Milwaukee and Michigan City, Ind., you can go to beer festivals. Earlier this month, we wrote about overnights in museums, and now the Art Institute of Chicago is offering the ultimate: a night in Van Gogh's bedroom for $10. Here's the whole story. One of our other favorite places, the Chicago Cultural Center, is offering a chance at a free overnight March 18-19 for families with children ages 6-12, who get to design and build their own Strandbeest Dream Machines, inspired by the current exhibit. Register today between noon and 8 p.m. Meanwhile, 10,000 orchids are blooming at the Chicago Botanic Garden. They call it "the best eye candy ever.'' Next weekendSee skaters careen around curves, or hoist a blonde.
Ice Cross Downhill World Championship in St. Paul. Crashed Ice is returning with the extreme sport of ice cross downhill, or high-speed skating on a downhill course from the Cathedral of St. Paul. Feb. 26-27. Bockfest at Capital Brewery in Middleton, Wis. This Madison-area brewery celebrates with the Running of the Blondes 1K race, a fish throw, music, costumes and, of course, beer. Feb. 27. Art Shanty Projects in White Bear Lake, Minn. Frozen White Bear Lake in this northern St. Paul suburb hosts two dozen artist-designed ice houses and lots of fun art antics. Feb. 27-28. Grumpy Old Men Festival in Wabasha, Minn. There's always good eagle-viewing in this Mississippi River town, plus an ice-fishing contest, polar plunge and minnow races. Feb. 27. For more events, see our Events Calendar.
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