YESvember
November 1, 2023
2023 info appears below. 2024 info coming soon!
Downtown South Bend encourages you to say "yes" to new experiences at YESvember!
About
November? More like YESvember!
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This month's First Fridays theme is "YESvember" and we we are encouraging people to say “yes” to something new!
We have created a menu of experiences and opportunities for you to say "yes" to, including saying "yes" to fitness at the downtown South Bend YMCA FREE Fitness Fest Friday, saying "yes" trying something new like holistic offerings at Healing Oasis, saying "yes" to joining a new club at the mini JoinUp South Bend Club Fair on the Gridiron, saying "yes" to trying a new downtown restaurant, new entertainment offerings like a stand-up comedy show at The Drop, or live music at various other downtown businesses like Ironhand, Chicory, and Fiddler's Hearth!
Say "yes" to karaoke at South Bend Brew Werks or on the Gridiron, say "yes" to learning a new fun skill like how to juggle or make a balloon animal, or say "yes" to checking out art at one of three opening receptions taking place this Friday, or trying out mead or cider at Perry Vine.
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There is so much to say yes to! Check out all the details below!
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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
111 W. Jefferson Blvd.
6:00 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.
Say "yes" to moving and getting healthy, by attending the Fitness Fest Friday at Downtown South Bend YMCA. This free event is a great chance for you to check out this downtown fitness facility, and to try out some of their classes!
The public is invited to attend the following scheduled classes for Friday, November 7:
6:00 a.m. to 6:45 a.m. - Full Body Strength
9:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. - BODYPUMP™
9:30 a.m. to 10:15 a.m. - Aqua Cardio Mix
10:30 a.m. to 11:15 a.m. - Cardio Drumming
12:00 p.m. to 12:45 p.m. – Tabata
1:15 p.m. to 2:15 p.m. – Enhance®Fitness
Please check out their website for class descriptions and feel free to drop in to as many classes as you'd like November 7!
120 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd.
5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
Visit the South Bend Museum of Art this First Fridays for a reception and artist talk celebrating the opening of Allison Baker’s For A Dollar and A Dream. Free and open to all.
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Can a monument be a form for resistance? Can it celebrate ordinary people rather than state power? Hear artist Allison Baker discuss her new series of monumental concrete sculptures that explore the complexities of class, labor, and public art in America today. Conversation with the curator and audience to follow.
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Enjoy open galleries and refreshments from 5 to 8 p.m. Also on view:
Biennial 33: Tensile (through December 28)
Manny Orozco: Some flux (through December 28)
Hear Our Voices: Recent Work from the Indiana Women's Caucus for Art (through November 16).
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Reception and Artist Talk generously sponsored by The Art League.
Try it Friday Pottery Wheel Class at The Pigeon & The Hen Pottery
217 S. Michigan St.
5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
Say "yes" to making your own clay ornaments! The Pigeon & The Hen Pottery will provide everything you need — a slab of clay, Christmas cookie cutters, and tools — to create as many ornaments as you can on a 13x13 slab.
Your ornaments will be ready for pickup in about 2 weeks, complete with acrylic paints and brushes so you can decorate them at home.
Perfect for families, friends, or anyone who loves a handmade holiday touch!
Registration is required. Spots are limited. Click here to register!
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439 S. Michigan St.
5:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.
Highland Studio & Gallery - a downtown art gallery hosting monthly exhibitions, showcasing local and national artists - will be hosting an opening reception for "Tea Invitational"
714 E. Jefferson Blvd.
5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
Say "yes" to natural healing and wellness opportunities, by checking out all that A Healing Oasis has to offer at their Third Anniversary Open House. Immerse yourself in rejuvenating holistic experiences including Reiki, chair massages, tarot readings, tea healing sessions, and palm readings.
Fantasy Faire at the Morris
211 N. Michigan St.
11:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.
Say "yes" to the South Bend Indoor Fantasy Faire hosted by The Morris Performing Arts Center and The Enchanted Kingdom Ball .
Experience all the magic of a renaissance faire and the adventure of a book convention together in one epic event!
Check out:
• Dozens of incredible authors & merchants
• Book signings
• Workshops & panels
• Character meet & greets
• Food trucks
• Raffles
• A magical quest … and so much more!
The Fantasy Faire is taking place November 7 and 8 with an Enchanted Kingdom Ball on November 8. Click here for more info and to purchase tickets.
Keith Hall Trio at Merrimans'
401 E. Colfax Ave.
7:30 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.
Say "yes" to an evening of Brazilian Jazz at Merrimans'! Drummer Keith Hall presents a night of Brazilian sambas and classic bossa novas. Featuring keyboardist Matthew Fries and electric bassist Carlo De Rosa, the trio will perform music by Sérgio Mendes, Djavan, João Bosco, and Antônio Carlos Jobim.
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Tickets are $20 General; $10 Student. Click here to purchase.
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Also check out Culture Cafe, which will be offering a 10% First Fridays discount off any order. They are open 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. and then again 6:30 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. during the concert. You're welcome to stop by the cafe even if you're not attending the concert!
DTSB Fall Photo Op
217 S. Michigan St.
5:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.
DTSB has set up a Fall Photo Op with a mum wall and hay bales, right outside their offices at 217 S. Michigan. The photo area will remain up through mid November. Take some fun photos and post them using #DTSBFallFun. Special thanks to Ambassador Dan for his artistic vision and providing the finishing touches!
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.
November First Fridays Food Vendors
Gridiron
5:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.
Almost Vegan
Burrito Mafia
Dena's Kitchen
El llanito #2
Froggies Concession and Inflatables
Kate's Kitchen
Ko-s port-a-pit
L's BBQ
Mummy Lue African Foods
105 E. Jefferson Blvd.
4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.
Chicory Cafe will be having a Crab and Shrimp Feast for Two available for pickup this First Fridays. PREORDERS REQUIRED by 10:00 a.m. November 1.
The meals will include 1 lb. of snow crab, gulf shrimp, andouille sausage, corn on the cob, seasoned potatoes, garlic butter, and a crab shell cracker tool for just $59.99. Preorder at this link or by calling 574-234-1141. Delivery is also available through Dine IN Delivery at this link.
Chicory will also be having their normal First Fridays specials - live music, FREE Beignets with purchase, and 16 oz. Hurricanes and Blue Raspberry Long Islands for $5​
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.
SPONSORS
