Game On!
Friday, April 5, 2024
5:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.
About
Downtown South Bend is celebrating sports and games this First Fridays with a "Game On!" theme. Enjoy free Behind the Scenes Tours at Four Winds Field in advance of their April 9 opening day, Pickleball beginner lessons and open play on Michigan Street, drop-in games on the Gridiron like badminton, cornhole, and more, plus drop-in board games at The Music Village and Chicory!
Our First Fridays block parties will be returning for the season in April, with live music, food and retail vendors plus Studebaker cars. And, as always, enjoy live music, art exhibits, dining specials, and much more.
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And, as always, enjoy live music, art exhibits, dining specials, and much more. Check out all the details below!
FIRST FRIDAYS ROAD CLOSURES
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The 100 & 200 Blocks of S. Michigan St. (from Washington to Wayne) will be closed from Friday from 1:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m. for pickleball and the First Fridays Block Party.
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FREE PARKING
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Parking (on-street and in City-managed garages) is always free in downtown South Bend nights and weekends. For full details on downtown parking options, click here.
Entertainment and Activities
501 W. South St.
5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.
Opening Day for the South Bend Cubs is April 9th, and we have a special treat for this First Fridays - free behind the scenes tours at Four Winds Field! From 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. you will be able to take a tour which includes both the home and visiting locker rooms, the 1st Source Bank Performance Center, the Team Store, and the United Federal Credit Union Rooftop deck.
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Tour participants will need to enter through the double-glass doors on the home plate side of the stadium. That will bring them in the lobby and where South Bend Cubs staff will meet them. No reservations are required.
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Drop-in Games on the Gridiron
The Gridiron
5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
First Fridays Block Party
200 Block of St. Michigan St.
5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
DTSB will be bringing back the Michigan Street First Fridays Block Party for a 5th year, and closing down the 200 block of S. Michigan Street (between Jefferson & Wayne) for vendors, entertainment, outdoor dining, and more! These First Fridays block parties will take place through the rest of the year and are open to visitors of all ages.
Grab some takeout from your favorite downtown eatery or grab something from one of our food vendors and head to the block party where we will have a seating area in the street with live music by Brian Mach, beer from Chicory, food vendors, and many other vendors for you to check out!
Studebaker Car Show
200 Block of St. Michigan St.
5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
The Studebaker Drivers Club will have their cars on display this First Fridays on the 200 Block of S. Michigan Street (between Jefferson & Wayne, just south of the First Fridays Block Party) from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Admission is free.
120 S. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., Blvd.
5:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
Visit the South Bend Museum of Art on First Fridays for extended hours and free admission! This month they will be featuring a book signing and musical performance by Jake Webster and his friend Fred. Jake will be signing books from 5:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. and then will be singing and reading poetry through the rest of the evening. Also the 2024 Scholastics Art Show is still on display!
714 E. Jefferson Blvd.
5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
A Healing Oasis invites you to attend their First Fridays Open House, which is all about you coming to find out what their practitioners have to offer. Healers share their "magic" by offering mini sessions. You will also have a chance to check out their retail space, group events, and what services are at A Healing Oasis.
111 N. Main St.
9:00 p.m.
In case you didn't hear The Drop Comedy Club relocated to the Aloft Hotel and features amazing comedy shows every Friday and Saturday night! This First Fridays they will have headliner Joe Fernandez featuring Kristin Carnes.
DTSB will be giving DTSB will be featuring a contest on their Facebook page for a pair of free tickets to the Friday night show.
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115 W. Colfax Ave.
8:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m.
Enjoy live music at LaSalle Kitchen & Tavern by the Whateverly Brothers this First Fridays.
Pickleball Intro Clinic and Drop-in Games
100 Block of S. Michigan St.
5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
We will playing pickleball in the streets this First Fridays, with FREE Intro to pickleball clinics and drop-in games. We will have six pickleball courts set up on the 100 Block of S. Michigan Street.
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Free 1-hour Intro to Pickleball Clinics will take place from 5 to 8 pm provided by TMPR Sports. Paddles will be provided by them as well. Click Here to register for your spot!
We will also be partnering with the Michiana Pickleball Club for drop-in play during the evening, so you're welcome to put the skills you learn in the intro clinic to immediate use! If you already know how to play, bring your paddle and join in the fun! Paddles will be provided by TMPR Sports for those who need to borrow them.
Please wear comfortable clothing and shoes to the event. All participants will need to sign a waiver.
Enter to Win a TMPR Sports Pickleball Paddle!
various locations
5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
TMPR Sports is partnering with DTSB for this First Fridays and donating five of their pickleball paddles for prizes that you can win!
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Enter to win one or more of these five ways!
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Entering DTSB Social Media Contest
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Registering for Pickleball Intro Clinic
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Playing Pickleball at First Fridays
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Entering Drawing at DTSB Tent
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Entering Drawing at TMPR Tent
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105 E. Jefferson Blvd.
5:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.
Chicory Cafe will have board games out all around the cafe, plus giant Jenga, giant checkers, and more. Plus drinks specials (see Retail & Dining section below) and live music by the Starving Artists from 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.
333 S. Michigan St.
5:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.
This Friday, The Music Village will host its monthly "New Performer" open mic, to be followed by its regular open mic. And in celebration with DTSB's "Game On" theme for April's First Friday, they will be providing tables with board games and card games for the whole family to enjoy.
Musicians who are new to public performance are invited to come get some stage experience in front of a welcoming and encouraging audience. Signup for the open mic begins at 5:30 p.m. with the performance slots beginning at 6:00 p.m. Their featured host, Kevin Joiner, will close out the evening with a short set of originals and interpretive covers.
218 Sycamore St.
6:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.
We welcome one of our newest First Fridays participants - Soma Pole Studio! They are located near Fire Arts and are a minority-owned studio that is seeking to build individual and community power through pole dance. They provide quality pole instruction and a welcoming atmosphere for all of their students.
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They will be featuring an Intro to Pole Class every First Fridays from 6:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. for $22. Registration is required and can be done on their website.
111 N. Main St.
8:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m.
Live @ Aloft in the WXYZ bar will feature DJ Outlaw playing your favorite tunes. Live @ Aloft features local artists, groups or DJs playing music every Friday from 8:00 to 10:00 p.m. in the WXYZ lounge.
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The WXYZ bar also has "Cocktails for a Cause" with $1 from every cocktail for a cause sold donated to their featured charity of the month. Also take advantage of their First Fridays special - buy 1 flatbread pizza and get a 2nd flatbread pizza at 1/2 off.
Online Contest
4:00 p.m. Friday through 11:59 p.m. Sunday
The Broadway Musical "Little Women" comes to the Morris Performing Arts Center April 26-28, and now is your chance to win four tickets to the opening night show!
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Based on Louisa May Alcott’s life, Little Women follows the adventures of sisters Jo, Meg, Beth and Amy March, each determined to live life on her own terms. The powerful score soars with the sounds of personal discovery, heartbreak, hope, and everlasting love – the sounds of a young America finding its voice.
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The contest opens at 5:00 p.m. on Friday and closes at 11:59 p.m. on Sunday evening. Click here to enter! DTSB will contact the winner by April 10.
Retail and Dining Specials
NOTE: First Fridays drink specials are available for anyone 21+ throughout the day on First Fridays, for the operating hours of participating businesses.
127 N. Main St.
5:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.
Fiddler's Hearth- the Pickleball Social Headquarters - will be providing 10% off (excluding alcohol) this First Fridays for all pickleballers!
105 E. Jefferson Blvd.
5:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.
Chicory will be offering free beignets with purchase from 3:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. plus $5 Hurricanes, $5 Blue Raspberry Long Islands, and $7 Hot Adult Coffee Drinks all day!
121 S. Niles Ave.
4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
Perry Vine - located inside the Emporium Building - will be doing tastings this First Fridays, with one free tasting per customer. Additional tastings are $1.50. If you plan to buy a glass you’re welcomed to BYOM (bring your own meal) and dine in the atrium area adjacent to our store — please note seats are limited. They will also have bottles for sale! Bring back your clean bottles and receive 10% off your next purchase!
Ongoing First Fridays Promotions
127 N. Main St.
Enjoy live music by Kennedy's Kitchen from 8:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. every First Fridays!
WXYZ Bar at Aloft
111 N. Main St.
Buy 1 flatbread pizza and get a 2nd flatbread pizza at 1/2 off; plus monthly Cocktail for a Cause, with $1 from every cocktail sold donated to their featured charity of the month.
Plus Live @ Aloft with DJ Outlaw playing your favorite tunes. Live @ Aloft features local artists, groups or DJs playing music every Friday from 8:00 to 10:00 p.m. in the WXYZ lounge.
SPONSORS
