Disco Fever
Friday, August 2, 2024
5:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.
2023 info appears below. 2024 info coming soon!
About
August First Fridays will have a totally rad, "Totally 80s" theme! We will be putting a roller rink in the middle of the 100 block of S. Michigan St. for a Totally 80s Roller Skating Party with the South Bend Roller Derby! Plus enjoy 80s karaoke at South Bend Brew Werks, an 80s Latin Dance, Totally 80s Weekend at The Drop Comedy Club, 80s clothing sale, and more! Wear your most outrageous 80s attire and come downtown for a totally tubular time!
Summer Restaurant Weeks will also be taking place, with value-priced menu at 25 downtown restaurants. Plus the return of the South Bend Bike Garage Bike Valet, Michigan Street Block Party, 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!
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.
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ROAD CLOSURES
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Michigan Street between Washington and Jefferson: 1:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m.
Entertainment and Activities
August 4
2022 info appears below
2023 info coming soon!
August First Fridays will have a totally rad, "Totally 80's" theme! We will be putting a roller rink in the middle of the 200 block of S. Michigan St. for a Totally 80's Roller Skating Party! Plus enjoy 80's karaoke at South Bend Brew Werks, Totally 80's Weekend at The Drop Comedy Club, 80's contests at the 1st Source Bank Lounge, an 80's Latin Dance, 80's Scavenger Hunt Bingo, 80's clothing sale, and more! Wear your most outrageous 80's attire and come downtown for a totally tubular time!
Summer Restaurant Weeks will also be taking place, with value-priced menu at 22 downtown restaurants. Plus the return of the South Bend Bike Garage Bike Valet, Meet Me on the Island with Darryl Buchanan, Food Truck Philanthropy, Michigan Street Block Party, Architectural Walking tours, free rides on the Boilermaker Special, and much more!
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Check out all the details below!
FREE PARKING
​
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.
​
ROAD CLOSURES
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Michigan Street between Jefferson and Wayne: 1:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m.
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100 Block of S. Michigan St.
5:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.
We will be putting a roller rink in the middle of Michigan Street once again, with DJ JP from SoundFX DJs spinning your favorite 80s tunes for this Totally 80s Roller Skating Party! Come wearing your most outrageous 80s costume and hairstyle.
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Members of the South Bend Roller Derby will be joining us this time around to show off their moves, sell some merch, and recruit!
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Tickets to this unique experience are available for just $5 person, including skate rental, and will be sold beginning at 4:30 pmat the DTSB tent by the roller rink, in the 100 block of S. Michigan St.
A limited number of 40 tickets will be available for eight 30-minute time slots from 5:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m., and guests are allowed to purchase multiple time slots for extended skating. (Note: the last three minutes of each time slot will include transition from one skate group to the next.)
This event is recommended for ages 5 and up. Skates will be available in adult sizes, plus kids sizes 11-13 and youth sizes 1- 3. Ticketed guests may also choose to bring their own roller skates or roller blades, so long as they don't have black wheels or black stoppers.
The Gridiron
4:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.
We are bringing back theGridiron Garage Sale! This event is free to attend and open to the public.
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Gridiron Garage Sale booth spaces are currently available for just $30 per 10x10 booth. Click here to register for a booth, then select July First Fridays and Gridiron Garage Sale. Payment can be made online in advance or at the start of the event.
The Gridiron
5:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
We welcome our newest First Fridays sponsor - Fetch! Pet Care! Visit the Fetch! Pet Care tent at the Gridiron to pick up some free pet swag and talk with their highly-trained and certified sitters. And while you're there, take your dog through their doggy obstacle course.
Fetch! Pet Care of Michiana is a locally-owned full-service pet care provider for all your furry, feathered, and scaled friends. Their goal is to make it as easy as possible for you to schedule and receive pet care.
They offer a variety of services, all tailored to fit your needs. From in-home pet sitting to dog walking, overnight care, medication administration, and pet taxi services, they have you covered. They understand that each pet is unique and requires special attention, so they take the time to get to know each pet and build a relationship with them and you.
First Fridays Block Party
100 Block of S. Michigan St.
5:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.
DTSB will be bringing back the Michigan Street First Fridays Block Party for a 4th year, and closing down the 100 block of S. Michigan Street (between Washington & Jefferson) for vendors, entertainment, outdoor dining, and more! These First Fridays block parties take place May through October 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 beer from Chicory, vendors, and free entertainment.
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For the August First Fridays, the entertainment will be 80s music with DJ JP of Sound FX DJs.
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Howard Park
7:00 pm. to 9:00 p.m.
VPA will be hosting free concerts in Howard Park this summer on First Fridays May through September. Attendees are encouraged to bring their own lawn chair or blanket and carryout from a downtown eatery for a picnic in the park set to music! The August 4 band will be The Happy Campers.
435 S. Michigan St.
7:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m.
Rocki Button is back with another First Fridays.
Co Hosting is special Guest Ecso, and he's bringing along some talented producers from around the area. Come listen to sets of production while Dj Shardik fills the dead air with amazing tunes!
439 S. Michigan St.
5:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m.
We welcome our newest First Fridays participant - Highland Studio & Gallery - a downtown art gallery hosting monthly exhibitions, showcasing local and national artists. For their first First Fridays, they will be hosting an opening reception for "Cup Show" juried by Justin Rothshank. The exhibit will be showcasing over a dozen artists from around the country.
Jon Hunt Plaza
11:45 a.m. to 1:15 p.m.
Fridays by Fountain is a free outdoor lunchtime concert series, which takes place between the months of June, July, and August, with a variety of music from local blues, jazz, rock, folk, and country bands. Food vendors are available, offering a variety of lunchtime favorites or you may choose to bring your own. Tables are set in and around the plaza to give concertgoers a space to eat or bring a blanket and relax on the lawn. The August 4 concert will feature The Whistle Pigs
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127 N. Main St.
8:00 pm. to 11:00 p.m.
Enjoy live music by Kennedy's Kitchen this First Fridays!
80s Latin Dance Party
Studebaker Plaza
8:30 p.m. to 10:30 p.m.
South Bend Latin Dance is returning to Studebaker Plaza for the summer for their First Fridays Latin Dance Parties - and this month they will be incorporating the Totally 80s theme! That’s right: the rhythm is gonna get you! Gloria Estefan, Selena, Julio Iglesias, and plenty of new jams along with classics from these artists and more. Big hair and 80s fashion welcome!
This event is open to all ages and skill levels, and includes a half-hour lesson at 8:30 p.m., followed by open dancing until 10:30 p.m. $5 cover.
Bike Valet Provided by SB Bicycle Garage
Key Bank Plaza
5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
The South Bend Bike Garage will be providing a First Fridays Bike Valet which will allow you to ride to the event without having to worry about locking up your bike. They will provide a free, secure, manned area at Key Bank Plaza (by the I Heart SB statue) where your bike will be put on a rack until you return to pick it up. Your helmet can also be stored with your bike.
The South Bend Bike Garage will also offer to clean your bike while you enjoy the festivities. Cleaning will consist of wiping down the bike, cleaning & lubricating the drive train, and making minor adjustments so the bike is clean and ready to roll safely when you pick it up. They will also have maps of local trails and safety information available.
120 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd.
5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
SBMA (the South Bend Museum of Art) invites you to celebrate three different exhibitions this First Fridays including the Festival of Banners! Admission is free.
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Experience Jason Wesaw's exhibition "On the Banks, Above" which focuses on connecting to the land and observing how nature organizes and influences us.
The annual Student/Faculty exhibition is also on display in the Community Gallery. This show highlights the work by the museum's adult and youth students and faculty from the past year. Awards will be given during the reception for Best of Show, Juror's Award, and Youth Award.
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Festival of Banners is a partnership between SBMA and DTSB. This year they asked artists of all ages to create an artwork in response to the theme Heroes and Leaders. 87 artworks were selected to be printed on banners and hung throughout downtown South Bend. An award ceremony will take place during the reception for the Youth, Teen, Adult, and Best Overall awards.
101 N. Michigan St.
6:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.
Enjoy a fun and informative guided walking tour of South Bend landmark buildings, exploring their history and present day use.
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The tours cover over twenty historical buildings and more than a half-dozen city blocks in the heart of downtown South Bend. Tours are $10 per person (cash only) with reservations requested for each tour. Reservations can be made online here or by calling Downtown South Bend at 574-282-1110. Tours start at the American Trust Company clock, located at the corner of Washington St. and Michigan St., in front of Cafe Navarre.
Live @ Aloft with DJ Outlaw
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.
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 Aisha Brown.
DTSB will be giving DTSB will be featuring a contest on their Facebook page for a pair of free tickets to the First Fridays show.
Studebaker Plaza
5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.
The TMV (The Music Village) Jammers will be doing a free performance at Studebaker Plaza from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.
714 E. Jefferson Blvd.
5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
Come on over to check out some of A Healing Oasis's practitioners. They have restorative yoga, energy healing, essential oils, and tarot.
First Fridays Vendors
Gridiron, Studebaker Plaza, Key Bank Plaza, and Michigan Street
5:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.
We will have a variety of vendors and sponsors at the August First Fridays! See the section below for our food vendors.
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A B Life and Enterprise LLC
Amy Feil
Aquaworld
B. Rich Customs
BluEnvy
Boilermaker Special/Purdue Club
City of South Bend
Dave Blodgett
Denson Specialties
Dragon Dreams
Eden’s Edge
Fancy Schmancy
Fonts and Knots
Groovy Bee Boutique
Heavenly Sent Sea Moss
Homes for Tracy, INC
IU South Bend Office of Admissions
Joe's Cookies LLC
KidsPeace
Kolours Designed For Divas, LLC
Library Book Sale
Liliana Parra Boutique
Mixxture Company
MJ's Unica Bracelets
Notre Dame College of Science
NS Cosmetics
Raclin Murphy Museum of Art
Salon Nouveau
Senior Resource Network
SJCPL
South Bend Community School Corporation
South Bend Roller Derby
St. Joseph County Clerk's office
St. Joseph County Special Olympics
Sweet Seduction LLC
Tasty Peach INC
TeJe Flowers and Gifts
The Pigeon & The Hen Pottery
U93
US 12 Vintage Station
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.
Various locations
July 24 - August 6
Explore the fine food, signature dishes, and outstanding original preparations offered during Summer Restaurant Weeks at downtown South Bend’s locally-owned restaurants. Loads of tasty food and beverage specials await. Start making your reservations today!
Also, approximately 10% of the proceeds from every meal purchased at Restaurant Weeks will be donated to Beacon Children’s Hospital!
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Bishop & Bae’s
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CJ’s Pub
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Café Navarre
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Chicory Café
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Chocolate Café
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Cinco 5
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Fiddler’s Hearth
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Howard Park Public House
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Ironhand
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L Street Kitchen
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LaSalle Grill
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LaSalle Kitchen & Tavern
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Linden Grill
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PEGGS
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Roselily
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South Bend Brew Werks
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Spirited
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Studebaker Brewing Company
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Sunny Italy Café
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The Cellar
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The Early Bird Eatery
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The Exchange
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Tippecanoe Place Restaurant
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WXYZ Bar at the Aloft
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Woochi
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Click here for more information and to view all the menus individually, or all together in an online flipbook!
121 S. Niles Ave.
5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.
We welcome one of our newest First Fridays participants - Scrappy's Lemon Twist! They recently opened inside the Emporium Building and will be offering 10% off their lemonades this First Fridays. They will also have special extended hours until 7:00 p.m. !
121 S. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., Blvd.
5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
We welcome one of our newest First Fridays participants - the Courtyard by Marriott! They will be offering 15% off of bistro bills to guests in 80s attire this First Fridays. This discount will apply to the full bill for food and drinks. They will also be featuring an 80s themed drink.
First Fridays Food Vendors
Gridiron and Michigan Street
5:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.
Ammie's Ice Cream
AngLes on Wheels
Dena’s Kitchen & Catering LLC
Guibla' guava'
Jetta's Sweet and Salty Kettle Corn
Ko-s port-a-pit
Kona Ice
Southern Aroma
Sprinkle Express
Whistlestop
Dinner Hours at Dainty Maid Co. Food Hall
231 S. Michigan St.
5:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.
Welcome to one of our newest First Fridays participants - Dainty Maid Co. Food Hall! They will have special extended hours for dinner on weekend nights including First Fridays, with dining options from Oak + Ash, The Beard & The Boss, Smashed, Propaganda Pizza, Hall Pass, and a Roaster Called Revenant.
321 S. Main St.
5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
Welcome to one of our newest First Fridays participant - Salon Nouveau - located in side the Hibberd Building across from the library in downtown. They will be offering special discounts this First Fridays at their booth on the Gridiron.
Gridiron
5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
U.S. 12 Vintage Station and Groovy Bee Boutique will have booths on the Gridiron this First Fridays, selling vintage clothing from the 80s and other decades!
401 E Colfax Ave Suite 104
5:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.
It's 80s night this First Fridays and the Cat Lady Cafe will be open late for 1/2 hour lounge visits, glow sticks, and electric lemonades!
105 E. Jefferson Blvd
4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.
Chicory Cafe will be having another one of its famous Shrimp Boils this First Fridays! Each $21 order will receive gulf shrimp (boiled right in front of you), potatoes, corn on the cob, andouille sausage, and garlic butter. Enjoy it there or take it to go! While supplies last. THey will also have outdoor activities for kids such as giant bubbles and sidewalk chalk.
Ongoing First Fridays Promotions
SPONSORS
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