It’s finally the time of year when things feel back in action. Bikers are back on the streets, dogs are back on hiking trails, and birds are back to singing in trees. As you welcome in the new energy of spring, why not take the chance to welcome a new hobby into your life, too? Bozeman is rich with opportunities to try out new skills, whether they be athletic, creative, or something in between. To get the ball rolling, here are a few suggestions of hobbies to explore. Click the hot links in our online article to connect to more information on each opportunity!

Cooking
There’s nothing quite like the taste of a home-cooked meal, and there’s nothing quite like the feeling of making something for your friends and family to enjoy. Luckily, there are ample opportunities in Bozeman for anyone to try their hand at cooking. Olivelle offers a variety of cooking classes on specific dishes, including one on sourdough bread, and La Cuisine offers demonstrations and classes through partnerships with other Bozeman businesses and restaurants. Bridger Kulinary Centre also hosts a weekly cooking class, which in the past has featured dishes like sushi and wild game, and the Bozeman Public Library’s Kitchen Table cooking lab regularly hosts events. If you want to get your little ones involved, you can also check out one of OrdersUp!’s junior cooking and baking classes!

Dance
For some fun, community, and exercise, give dancing a try. Bozeman has several studios and community organizations that work to make dancing accessible for all experience levels and interests. Tanya’s Dance Company has adult classes in hip-hop, and Bozeman Dance Academy offers classes for adults in several genres. There are even more opportunities to get on the floor at events and classes organized by groups like Starlite Community Dance. Starlite has three programs: country dance, vintage swing dance, and oula, all with weekly classes and programs. On Wednesdays, head to The Jump for Western Swing Wednesdays, where your favorite instructors will be leading Swing lessons on their huge dance floor, accompanied by country music from Bozeman’s Choice 2023 DJ, DJ Habes. Also on Wednesdays, The Westerner offers lessons from Starlite’s Western Roots Country Dance instructors. Stop by the Gallatin County Fairgrounds for their monthly lesson on April 24 from 8-11 PM for a night full of honky-tonking and swing dancing. Downbeat Vintage Swing Society hosts a free dance lesson and social dance at La Brasserie every Thursday night, in addition to holding a monthly lesson series for dancers to elevate their skill and technique. Ballroom Dance Bozeman hosts dances throughout the year that include workshops and a variety of genres of dance, from salsa to waltz.

Pottery
For another fun hobby that might even yield some practical creations, try pottery. The Pottery Den offers one-time classes in addition to week-long courses on things like wheel throwing and hand-building. They also offer 24/7 access memberships for those looking to work independently in the studio. Similarly, Bozeman Community Kiln offers classes for beginning and intermediate potters, and passes that give access to open studio time and drop-in classes. They also host monthly crafting parties for those looking to experiment and meet new people! The Emerson also offers semester-long pottery classes for various skill levels, and Gangbusters Pottery hosts classes for groups of 6-12 people. You can also check out 406 Pottery Lessons to schedule a private class with an instructor, good for both kids and adults!

Fly Fishing and Tying
With the abundance of rivers and lakes around Bozeman, it’s no surprise that fishing is a popular pastime for both visitors and residents of the valley. Luckily, that means there are also plenty of opportunities for beginners to try fishing under the instruction of experts before heading off on their own. Many fly shops around Bozeman offer guided fishing trips, including The River’s Edge Fly Shop and Montana Troutfitters. Montana Troutfitters also has a webpage full of fly-tying videos that anyone can follow at home. Throughout the winter, Bozeman Fly Supply hosts fly tying nights on Thursdays; stop by to meet fellow fishers! Plus, there are a plethora of fishing charters and guide companies around Bozeman. Some include Montana Angling Co., Gallatin River Guides, and Trout on the Fly.

Painting and Drawing
You just need a piece of paper and a pencil to start trying your hand at drawing, but if you’re looking for more instruction, there are many drawing and painting classes to choose from in the Gallatin Valley. For example, Kenyon House offers drop-in drawing classes every week, and The Emerson has semester-long drawing and painting classes, including portraiture, acrylic painting and watercolor. Second Nature Montana also hosts weekly drawing club workshops with different themes each month, and the Bozeman Art Museum occasionally hosts classes on different drawing and painting techniques. For something a little more casual, you can also find paint and sip events throughout the year. Check out LeeAnn Ramey Art and Ain’t a Better Way to Paint for good options.

Aerial Arts
For something more physical (and maybe a little more attention-grabbing), Bozeman has several studios that offer lessons in aerial performance and acrobatics. Mountain Air Dance, Bozeman Aerial Fitness, and Aerial Arts of Bozeman all offer lessons in aerial arts, including aerial fabric and hoops, for both kids and adults. 406Cirque has classes in circus arts and aerial fundamentals in addition to adult open gym hours. If you prefer staying on the ground, or at least closer to it, Bozeman Aerial Fitness also offers classes in Pole Dance, as does Starlite Pole Studio.

Woodworking
If you want to add a personal touch to your home, try making your own furniture or decorations by woodworking. While it might seem intimidating at first, there are easy ways to get started. Dolese Woodworks hosts woodworking classes on things like chairs, chests, and picture frames, with no prior experience needed. Plus, you’ll walk away with a unique, hand-made piece. If you’d prefer to work individually, Dolese also offers private classes. For smaller-scale projects, you can also check out Pinspiration Bozeman. This craft store sells small projects you can make in its studio, including fairy houses, message boards, and pedestal stands. If you’d prefer to experiment on your own, head over to Bozeman Makerspace. This community workshop has tools like saws, drills, and sanders that are available anytime to members. Those interested in joining can stop by on Thursday evenings during Open Build hours to check out the facility.

Acting and Theater
Are the bright lights of the stage calling your acting class. Last Best Comedy offers classes on stand-up and improv, and Wild Mind Improv regularly hosts workshops in Bozeman. For acting training, look to The Collective, but if you want something more applicable to everyday life, Stage Confidence has classes designed to help build confidence in public speaking of all kinds. Once you’re ready to hit the stage, check out Open Door Theatre. This community theater has space for anyone looking to get involved in theater, whether as an actor or crew member.

Gear Maintenance
If biking is your thing, learning how to maintain and fix your own gear is a great way to get to know your bike. Owenhouse Cycling offers free beginner bike clinics for those just learning about their wheels, and an advanced clinic for experienced riders. REI also hosts a variety of biking classes, like a trailside bike repair workshop, a flat tire repair workshop, and a workshop on bike chains. You can put the skills you learn to the test at Bozeman Bike Kitchen, which refurbishes old bikes with the help of volunteers. They also have evening open shop hours, so you can tinker with your own bike in your free time.

Sewing
Whether you need new clothes or some help repairing old ones, sewing is a great skill to have in your back pocket. Thread Rose offers group and private classes on things like hemming and clothes making, and posts blogs with patterns you can make at home. Silver Thimble also has different “Block of the Month” classes where you can make your own sample quilt. Studio Wheelhouse offers two levels of sewing classes in addition to an embroidery class, and you can learn how to make your own quilt at Main Street Quilting Company. It also hosts soup and sew days, where anyone is welcome to stop by the shop and get help on projects they’re working on.