From the outside, Langlab looks unpromising: an old brick warehouse that seems abandoned. Inside, it's a delight. The main room is a multi-purpose space where live music--from rock to classical, theater, poetry readings, and even local opera happens. It's a unstuffy space for all kinds of art, high and low. The stage is no more than a wooden platform raised about 8 inches off the ground along one wall of the building. Seating is folding chairs arranged any way you want. But you don't need grand spaces for great art. At another end of the building is the Zen Cafe, which roasts its own delicious organic, fair trade coffee and attracts a slightly hipster but very congenial crowd. LangLab is a rare thing in South Bend: a no frills, fun space that fills itself with always interesting events.

Lang Lab is the best place in the South Bend area for Latin dancing lessons. It has a $5 cover for the entire evening including a 30 minute class but the area's best, enthusiastic Latin dance instructors. Guest instructors are common and they do a wonderful job of promoting upcoming area Latin dancing events. They have classes on Wednesday nights at 7 pm followed by free dance for a few hours. The attached bar has great Sangria. It is also family friendly as people of all ages come to have fun and learn Salsa, Bachata, Meringue, Cumbia dance.