By Mary Bergin
Taking a weekday break can be delicious, energizing, soothing or a combination of all these things. Consider the diverse choices in Waukesha, easily accessible during jaunts that involve Madison or Milwaukee.
Call before you head from home; schedules are subject to change and reservations sometimes are necessary.
Bodway's Live Music Grill
Opening in mid-summer is a casual-yet-upscale combo, Bodway's, where fusion means a smooth blend of culinary and on-stage entertainment. Having an open-concept restaurant means taking a seat with a great view of meal preparation. The buffet of live music, Wednesday through Saturday nights, runs the gamut from blues to oldies. Each show will be recorded and available for purchase, or listen to the notes stream out, via the Internet.
Other places to catch live music on most Thursdays: The Nice Ash, House of Guinness.
The Potter's Shop
Invest an hour or two behind the wheel - the pottery wheel - at The Potter's Shop, a project of the Waukesha Clay Art Guild. Members teach one-session classes upon request. The "Couples at the Wheel" workshop shapes up to be a great date night for up to six people at a time. "The Sampler," also a class in pottery fundamentals, mixes play and clay. A student will leave with up to two pieces of handmade pottery to call their own. Rather have somebody else do the work? No problem; you can simply shop the gallery, too.
Three Sisters' Spirit
Discover the emotional, spiritual and physical benefits of belly dance during weekday classes at Three Sisters' Spirit. The ancient dance moves are excellent exercise, an outlet for self-expression and full of practical benefits, from easing back/joint pain to improving posture and blood circulation. What else? It's purported to be a good way to prepare for childbirth. Other women-friendly gatherings emphasize self-improvement at this health/wellness retail outlet.
Ray's on South
Baby back rib racks are the specialty on Thursdays at Ray's on South. Order before 6 p.m., and you can add a domestic tap for $2. Or consider a Raspberry Delight, the Thursday martini special (it's Cosmopolitans on Mondays, the Purple Haze on Tuesdays and watermelon martinis on Wednesdays).
Main Street Ballroom
Sneak out to rumba or fox trot during small-group or private dance classes at Main Street Ballroom. Group sessions are Tuesdays and Thursdays; expect four sessions to thoroughly learn one type of dance.
Black Trumpet Restaurant
Avoid crowds on weekends by savoring the organic, locally grown fare that Executive Chef Dean Schmitz gathers at the Black Trumpet Restaurant, inside of the boutique Clarke Hotel. Specialties will change with the seasons, but one thing stays the same all year: the 50 private wine lockers, reserved by customers who want to be sure their favorite wines will always be in stock.
Country Springs Hotel
A weekday stay might mean a lower room rate, with indoor water park passes, game arcade tokens and food/beverage vouchers. Face up to the Triple Dog Dare (up to three ride in a 362-foot-long boat slide) and the Cyclone (a twisting and fast body slide). Prices subject to availability and time of year.
Retzer Environmental Learning Center
What a lovely way to start the day ... Bring binoculars for morning bird hikes on Fridays at Retzer Environmental Learning Center.
Mary Bergin, a freelance writer/photographer based in Madison, is the author of "Sidetracked in Wisconsin" and "Hungry for Wisconsin." For the extended travel piece on Waukesha, pick up a copy of the May/June issue of Wisconsin Trails, on sale now.
