Disco Fever
Friday, August 2, 2024
5:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.
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About
August First Fridays will celebrate the 1970s with a "Disco Fever" theme! We will be putting a roller rink in the middle of Michigan St. for a totally electric Roller Skating Party with the South Bend Roller Derby! Plus enjoy "Yeah, Totally!" Vintage Market, Latin Dance, and a micro mini car show! We want to see all those Disco Divas downtown so put on your bedazzled bellbottoms, jumpsuits and caftans and get ready to boogie down to the
beats of DJ JP!
Summer Restaurant Weeks will also be taking place, with value-priced menus at dozens of 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 Wayne:
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 Washington and Wayne: 1:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m.
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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 70s tunes for this Totally Groovy Roller Skating Party! Come wearing your most outrageous 70s 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 pm at the DTSB tent by the roller rink. All skaters are required to sign a waiver before entering the rink,
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.
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 5th 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 food and retail vendors plus free entertainment.
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For the August First Fridays, the entertainment will be the sounds of DJ Chuck Fry nearby playing tunes for the Yeah, Totally Vintage Market on the Gridiron.
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Vendors for this month's First Fridays include:
African Creations
BluEnvy
Crazy in Yarn
Dave Blodgett
HealthLinc
Hooked on Crochet by Nasia
Humbly Changing LLC
Our Vision
Rescue Release Repeat
Salvation Army Kroc Center
SJCPL
South Bend Roller Derby
Tanai Sisters Henna
Temet jewelry
US 12 Vintage Station
Sweet Seduction LLC
T&M FAST CREATIONS
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A list of First Fridays food vendors appears below!
Micro Mini Car Show
200 Block of S. Michigan St.
5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
Meet in the Middle annual car show is coming to South Bend this year! Check out dozens of unique mini and micro vehicles on display this First Fridays on Michigan Street near Studebaker Plaza from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Admission is free.
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 2 band will be DG Visionaries.
211 N. Michigan St.
7:00 p.m.
Movies at the Morris Presents: “Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom” this First Fridays. Tickets are required for this free event.
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The story follows Indiana Jones journeying through India to recover a sacred stone stolen from a small village by a religious cult intending to harness its power.
Disco First Fridays at The Pigoen & The Hen
217 S. Michigan St.
5:00 pm. to 8:00 p.m.
The Pigeon & The Hen Pottery will have a table in front of the roller rink to paint clay cookies, pots, and tons of light-up items. Plus enjoy BOGO Buy 1 at full-price pottery and get a 2nd one at 25% off (lesser value) at the store. Excludes Pottery Wheel, Classes, Camps, Events, & Custom Orders. Open till 8:00 p.m. as long as you arrive before 7:00 p.m. to paint.
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 2 band is High Life.​
200 block of S. 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 Washington Street by the Gridiron from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Admission is free.
Gridiron in Downtown South Bend
7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.
Come shop more than 25 vendors on the Gridiron, with DJ Chuck Fry providing just the right vibes for vintage shopping!
First Fridays Shuttle
Various locations throughout downtown
5:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.
We are excited to partner with First Student, Inc. to bring back a FREE First Fridays shuttle to connect all of the amazing activities happening throughout downtown on First Fridays. CLICK HERE for shuttle map.
Latin Dance Party
Studebaker Plaza
7:30 p.m. to 10:00 p.m.
South Bend Latin Dance is returning to Studebaker Plaza for a First Fridays Latin Dance Party! And in the spirit of Disco Fever, there maybe a few 70s songs thrown in the mix!
This event is open to all ages and skill levels, and includes a half-hour lesson at 7:30 p.m., followed by open dancing until 10:00 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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This is a night to celebrate artists’ accomplishments with discussion and recognition.
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Experience the work of Lora Fosberg through her current exhibition in the Art League, Beyond was all Around Us. Fosberg herself will be in attendance!
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The 2023 cohort of Undergrad residents will be celebrating their hard work in their exhibition, which they helped curate. Undergrad Residency
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The Festival of Banners artists will also be celebrated tonight, the juror Justin Barfield will be awarding the four winners in the categories of Youth, Teen, Adult, and Best Overall. All eighty-nine banners inspired by the theme "Patterns" will be sprawled throughout downtown until September 15th!
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Festival of Banners is a partnership between SBMA and DTSB.
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.
111 N. Main St.
9:00 p.m.
Bryson Kool Kat Charlton is headlining at the Drop Comedy Club this weekend, featuring Cam Cooper.
401 E. Colfax Ave.
7:30 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.
The Keigo Hirakawa Trio is a virtuosic piano trio that explores original compositions and redefines jazz standards to make it their own. Tickets are $12 general admission, $6 for students.
439 S. Michigan St.
5:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m.
Join Highland Gallery in celebrating all new work from artist and gallery owner, Alec Hoogland. They will have snacks and refreshments. In congruence with this opening, the Northern Indiana Clay Alliance will be having their artist gathering. So come enjoy the work, refreshments, and good conversation with other local ceramics artists.
Studebaker Plaza
6:00 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.
Enjoy a free juggling performance by twin brothers Luke and Jake!
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
Friday, August 2 - Sunday, August 16
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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Click here for more information and to view all the menus individually, or all together in an online flipbook!
123 N. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd.
5:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.
We welcome one of our newest First Fridays participants - Baker's, located in the DoubleTree! They will be offering 15% off to any of their guests who mention First Fridays!
First Fridays Food Vendors
Gridiron and Michigan Street
5:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.
The following food vendors will be serving up tasty treats at the August First Fridays:
Almost Vegan
Boricuas hotdog
Burrito Mafia
Dena's Kitchen
Dixon s Specialty Popcorn
El Llanito #2
Fancy Delights
Fitzgerald’s Smokehouse BBQ
Froggies Inflatables
Granny Crib
KATE'S KITCHEN LLC
KO's Portapit
Kona Ice
L’s BBQ
Nectar Nomad
Sprinkle Express
Sweet Sweet Potato Pies
Tazty Treatz & More
Ongoing First Fridays Promotions
714 E. Jefferson Blvd.
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.
127 N. Main St.
Enjoy live music by Kennedy's Kitchen from 8:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. every First Fridays!
333 S. Michigan St.
Enjoy amazing bargains on books, CDs, DVDs, magazines, and more for both kids and adults from 12:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.
1025 Northside Blvd.
Live music by Lucas Miner and 20% off bottles of MI Cabernet Franc​
121 S. Niles Ave.
Perry Vine - located inside the Emporium Building - will be doing tastings this First Fridays. Enjoy three free 1 oz. tastings, and additional for tastings $1.50. In partnership with Island Fusion guests may buy a meal and a glass 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!
218 Sycamore St.
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.
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.