Xanadu dance class

MAGIC MOVES Sadly, the new Xanadu dance class at Crunch gym (38 E Grand Ave, 312-828-9777) does not involve roller skates. That’s probably a good thing, though, considering I can barely dance. But that doesn’t stop me from having a good time at the first session of this weekly class (ongoing through the end of March). Led by instructor Rebecca, who’s clad in 1980s-inspired blue leg warmers, participants (mostly ladies; I was the lone male) learn choreography inspired by the campy 1980 film and the Broadway musical currently on stage at the Drury Lane Theatre. Rebecca starts us with simple warm-up moves (a side step, cha-cha and a little bit of a salsa) that are incorporated into a sequence we put together in the second half of the 60-minute class (this week, choreographed to Olivia Newton-John’s “Magic”). It’s not an intense workout, but it takes concentration to get the moves down, and once I master a teeny little portion of the sequence, my sense of accomplishment is akin to the feeling I get after running four miles. Just like with Crunch’s class based on Dirty Dancing when that show was in town, Rebecca promises Xanadu cast members will occasionally drop in to co-teach and give away tickets. Thursdays at 6:45pm. Free to Crunch members; day passes for nonmembers are $16.