Chicago Ideas Week has over 80 Labs. You read that right: 80 Labs. To help you navigate these exciting, unique behind-the-scenes experiences, we’ve invited Director of Labs Mel Safford to compile a list of her Labs greatest hits.

How to Sell Your Stuff Online with Reverb.com (Thursday, Oct. 15, 1 – 3pm)

David Kalt is a bad-ass entrepreneur and all-around rock star of a dude. His Reverb.com is like Etsy for musicians, and his team of experts is going to show us all how to market our items (and ourselves!) online, as well as give us exclusive, behind-the-scenes access to a wildly successful tech company based in good ol’ Lakeview. Rock on with our bad-selves.

Lotus Care with Dr. Dena Mendes, N.D. (Thursday, Oct. 15, 6 – 8pm)

This is the lab that I mass-text all of my friends to snatch up tickets before it sells out. Dr. Dena is an incredible resource and a “lotus” (vagina) consultant to the stars. In this women’s-only Lab, you’ll have the opportunity to ask any and every question about your lotus and overall health and wellness, all while basking in the spectacular Chuan Spa, one of the most beautiful spaces I’ve ever seen.

Community Cataloging at the Arts Bank with the Rebuild Foundation & The Chicago Community Trust (Wednesday, Oct. 14, 10am – 12pm)

Theaster Gates and his team at Rebuild Foundation continue to transform Chicago. His latest project is the beautifully renovated Stony Island Arts Bank, a 17,000 square-foot former bank on the city’s South Side that opened to the public just last week. This space is a contemporary art gallery, media archive, library and cultural center, one that you will want to frequent many times after CIW. In partnership with The Chicago Community Trust, you will join Rebuild Foundation staff, Art Bank artists and archivists-in-residence for a session of community cataloguing.

Go Back to School with Urban Initiatives (Wednesday, Oct. 14, 12:15 – 1:45pm)

Jim Dower and his Urban Initiatives team are some seriously cool cats. As he says, “the establishment of a more competitive global economy has demanded more rapid innovation worldwide. In order for the US to remain competitive, our education systems are working to prepare students in ways that help them gain the knowledge and critical skills necessary for college and career readiness in the innovation economy.” He was inspired to develop the Play with Potential program, designed to enhance children’s school engagement and connectedness and teach them the communication and leadership roles through an intentional approach to recess. Let’s go back to school and play—with potential, of course.

Reaching a Hispanic Audience with Univision Chicago (Wednesday, Oct. 14, 6 – 8pm)

Live television gets me jazzed. I love the lights-camera-action aspect, and Chicago is a major media hub in the country, especially for Hispanic audiences. This Lab will give you exclusive insight from Univision’s key leadership, let you see all the work, research and production that goes into their media programming and include a viewing their live television broadcast.

Rock ’n’ Roll with the Chicago Music Exchange (Thursday, Oct. 15, 4 – 6pm)

Perhaps you are one of the 15 million views on their 100 Riffs (A Brief History of Rock N’ Roll) viral youtube video or maybe you’ve seen their instruments on stage with Jeff Tweedy, Carlos Santana, Adele or Mumford & Sons. Here is your chance to get the rock star experience. Get the inside scoop from owner David Kalt, who will take you through the history of the guitar, Chicago’s music scene, and prep you with the tools and knowledge for you to pick up a guitar in store and feel equipped to rock the house (or at least fake it until you make it!). Keep your eyes peeled for any familiar faces who may crash the lab.

Sweet Beginnings Start with Bees at the North Lawndale Employment Network (Friday, Oct. 16, 9am – 1pm)

Chicago is truly an incredible city: sprawling beaches, rhinos in the middle of Lincoln Park (free to visit!) and an apiary on the west side with bees collecting pollen and nectar to make “urban honey.” This is not only a total bucket list experience, but the North Lawndale Employment Network provides important transitional job opportunities for area residents who struggle with barriers to employment. Come learn about their mission, harvest honey from a beehive and see what all the buzz is about (pun intended).

Creativity through Choreography with River North Dance Chicago (Friday, Oct. 16, 2:30 – 4pm)

This is a historic year for River North Dance Chicago, with Artistic Director Frank Chaves, retiring after 23 years at the helm. RNDC is known for its incredible athleticism and unshakeable contemporary style which company member and choreographer Hanna Brictson has performed with intense emotion and power for the last decade. For the company to open their doors to our community to go behind the curtain into their creative process, is a truly can’t-miss experience.

InstaCraft with Jason Peterson (Friday, Oct. 16, 2 – 3:30pm)

Jason Peterson is a master of black and white street photography, though he doesn’t consider himself a photographer. Rather, he’s an “art director with an iPhone.” His 600k+ Instagram followers revel in his pristine photographs shot and edited all on mobile. In this exclusive CIW Lab, he will show you how to document the city around you with, capturing incredible light and incredible moments. Seriously stoked about this lab.

Civic Caring & Reflection with Chicago Cares (Saturday, Oct. 17, 9am – 12pm)

Chicago Cares curates incredible volunteer opportunities across the city. In this Lab, you’ll go to the next level and have a thoughtful experience and conversation on civic reflection with seniors. You will have quality, focused access to this community’s wisdom and intention. It will be a collaborative, thought-provoking experience and discussion of the future of our city and our families.