Summer is a time that people take advantage of by watching the

latest blockbusters, lying out in the sun or visiting the beach.

But why not make a change of pace by dipping your feet into

something other than the pool and discovering your inner Beastie Boy or

Sydney Bristow in some of the most unique classes found in Los Angeles

this summer.

Have you ever been to parties where it sounded like the disc jockeys

didn’t know what they were doing? Now you can start your own party by

enrolling in Scratch DJ Academy, where you learn your way around the

ones and twos in six to 10 week classes. Since one of the school’s

founders is the late legendary DJ of Run DMC Jam Master Jay, students

are guaranteed a worthwhile experience. The featured classes instruct

hopeful hip-hoppers how to DJ, from mixing and blending, to scratching

and beat juggling. In addition to the basic skills, students will learn

the philosophy and business know-how they will need to get established

in a new career.

Scratch DJ Academy, 2324 Cotner Ave., Los Angeles (between Pico and

Olympic Blvd.) 310-312-6599 or www.scratch.com/la

Ever since Maverick dominated the skies in ‘?Top Gun’ and Howard

Hughes took Katharine Hepburn for a moonlit ride in ‘?The Aviator,’ the

sport of flying has never looked so exciting and sexy at the same time.

Thrill seekers can take their adventurous spirits to new heights with

Hollywood Aviators, a sleek, modern flight school located at the

historic Van Nuys Airport. The $49 Discovery Flight package allows you

to fly over a scenic route at an altitude low enough to spot your own

house. Beginners will be at the controls of the plane with an

instructor sitting right-seat guiding you from takeoff to landing.

Hollywood Aviators, 7535 Valjean Ave., #2, Van Nuys 818-994-2004 or

www.hollywoodaviators.com

So you think you’re good at Texas Hold Em? You can read the player’s

face like a dictionary. You keep track of the betting style of your

opponents. So how come you lost to your kid brother in last Saturday’s

game? Maybe you’re not as good as you think, and maybe you should

enlist in the two-day World Poker Tour Boot Camp, a program aimed for

any poker player at the beginner to advanced skill level. The course

includes lectures, videos and interactive card playing taught by

professionals. Although the boot camp scheduled for July is already

sold out, there is still time to reserve a seat in the October class at

the Commerce Casino in California or the November class at the Mirage

Hotel in Las Vegas.

World Poker Tour Boot Camp,’ ‘ 866-WPT-BOOT or

www.wptbootcamp.com

Your mission should you choose to accept it: Spy School, an

exercise-adventure camp that will teach you everything a secret agent

should know, while giving you a James Bond-worthy body and butt-kicking

attitude. The two-month program takes place in a facility without a

single weight or piece of cardio equipment in sight. Trained

instructors can turn fearful rookies into daring ‘?assassins’ with

espionage essentials like taking out an assailant, scaling a building,

rappelling off a 30-foot cliff, sharpshooting, and even changing your

appearance with wigs and makeup. Searching for a workout that includes

excitement and mystery? Mission accomplished.

Spy School at Absolution, 8535 Santa Monica Blvd. (at La Cienega

Blvd.) 310-657-7878 or www.absolution-la.com