Sample gourmet food at the Metropolis

Looking for a way to escape cabin fever? How about making good on those New Year's resolutions - you know, to be more active, meet new people, and just get out there?

Folks at the Metropolis Performing Arts Centre in Arlington Heights, have just the ticket: their annual Metropolis Meltdown, which takes place at 7 p.m., Friday, Jan. 16 at the Metropolis Ballroom.

The evening opens with a wine and cheese tasting, when guests can visit sample gourmet pairings, and learn about the different varieties from the staff members of Vintages --- A Fine Wine Merchant, in Arlington Heights.

Metropolis officials have dubbed this year's meltdown, "California Dreamin," to reflect the Hahn Estates wines being featured, which are located in the foothills of the Santa Lucia Highlands, along California's Monterey Coast.

Vintages representatives will be offering samples from the label's full line, including its meritage, cabernet, cabernet Franc, cabernet sauvignon, syrah, rose, merlot and pinot noir.

"They're all fruit forward, but not too over the top," says Sylvia Banov of Vintages. "And they're available at reasonable prices."

Wine tasting starts out the evening, warming the room for its main act: an evening of open dancing.

Unlike other years, when Metropolis officials offered dance instruction before opening the dance floor, this year they are keeping it simple.

"Feedback we were getting was that the dance instruction was kind of slowing the evening down a little," says Laurie Mitchell, Metropolis special events coordinator. "This year, we're turning the room over to open dancing."

A disc jockey will spinning pop tunes, from the 1970s, '80s, and '90s, designed to reflect the California Dreamin' theme, and get people out on the floor.

The lack of formal dance instruction also does away with the need for formal partners, Mitchell adds, and it opens up the event to accommodate more people.

"We're finding that it brings in a mix of people," Mitchell says, "from our Metropolis supporters and subscribers, to singles groups and people who just like to dance."

Tickets are $40 per person, and includes the wine and cheese. However, a cash bar takes over once the dance floor opens. For tickets, call (847) 577-2121 or visitmetropolisarts.com.