Hot stuff on a cold night

The local salsa scene is alive and thriving, as I discovered Sunday night at Hot Salsa Kitchen's party at Buzz, in River North.

Red-hot Latin music ranging from Afro-house to samba kept the floor pulsating with skilled and not-so skilled dancers for hours. And the most beautiful thing of all?! Those dancers came in all shapes and sizes and ages and ethnicities.

You can hit up a salsa party almost every night of the week, including tonight for Hot Salsa Kitchen's crazy popular dance event at Alhambra. Deejays Luis "Rollins" Rivera and Dwight Burr spin, and if you arrive early you can work on your moves during a complimentary dance lesson. 9pm-2am. $10.

If you're looking for something more chilled out, NoMI continues Cellar Notes, with this week's tasting: Blend Your Own Wine. Advanced sommelier Fernando Beteta will be on hand to guide guests through a tasting of different wines. It's also an opportunity to learn how to taste and evaluate wines based on the subtle nuances in flavor, acidity, clarity and color of each selection. 5:30-7:30pm. $30.

And Rockit Live! at Rockit Bar & Grill is the place to be if you're looking for karaoke. A live band will back you up if you dare to hit center stage. 8pm-2am. No cover.