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 Beacon Health & Fitness FREE Fitness Fest Friday, saying "yes" to helping out those in need by donating to the Salvation Army at their Red Kettle Kick-off at the Gridiron, saying "yes" trying something new like holistic offerings at Healing Oasis, a new downtown restaurant, new entertainment offerings like a stand-up comedy show at The Drop, Pretty Woman the Musical at the Morris, a live jazz show at Merrimans' Playhouse, or live music at various other downtown businesses like Ironhand, Chicory, and Fiddler's Hearth!
Say "yes" to karaoke at South Bend Brew Werks, cuddling with cute cats at the Cat Lady Cafe, 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.
9:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.
Say "yes" to moving and getting healthy, by attending the Fitness Fest Friday at Beacon Health & Fitness. This free event is a great chance for you to check out this downtown fitness facility, and to try out some of their classes! (Must be 13+ years old to participate.)
The public is invited to attend the following scheduled classes for Friday, November 3:
9:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m.- BODYPUMP™
10:30 a.m. to 11:15 a.m.- Cardio Drumming
11:30 a.m. to 12:15 p.m. - Barre Strength
As well as these extra classes added especially for this First Fridays event:
5:00 p.m. to 5: 45 p.m. - Cycling
6:00 p.m. to 6:45 p.m. - Easy Line Dancing
7:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. - BODYPUMP™
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Plus, stick around for a drawing at 8:00 p.m. where you could win some awesome prizes. (Must be present to win.)
Coloring Contest at
South Bend Chocolate Cafe
122 S. Michigan St.
5:30 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.
The South Bend Chocolate Cafe and DTSB will jointly host a coloring contest from 5:30 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. All supplies will be provided and can be found at both the DTSB booth on the Gridiron or inside the middle room at the South Bend Chocolate Cafe.. Participants can color an entry at either location.The entries will be displayed in the Chocolate Cafe hallway throughout November for public voting, and the winner will get the chance to help Santa light the Christmas Tree at the Tree Lighting Ceremony on December 1.
217 S. Michigan St.
5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
Come celebrate with The Pigeon (Diana) & The Hen (Amy) this First Fridays as they commemorate the 10-Year Anniversary of their business. They will have cake, drinks, and other fun treats, plus 10% off all pottery and upgrades. Check out their Facebook and Instagram for special giveaways and prizes leading up to this special celebration.
439 S. Michigan St.
5:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m.
Highland Studio & Gallery - a downtown art gallery hosting monthly exhibitions, showcasing local and national artists - will be hosting an opening reception for "New Works" by ceramic artist Justin Rothshank this First Fridays. Join in for an evening of snacks, beverages, and pots.
305 E. Colfax Ave.
5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
Fire Arts will host the Opening Reception for their Annual Resident Artist Holiday Show and Sale. Starting November 3 until the closing of the show, all purchases will receive a 10% discount by simply saying “Happy Holidays” before checking out.
401 E. Colfax Ave., Suite 135
7:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.
The Shelly Cowling Quintet is recognized for their incandescent sound featuring soothing vocals, whimsical percussion, and rhythmic bass & horns on jazz standards & light pop tunes. Tickets are $10 ($5 for students) and can be purchased at this link.
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 an Evening in the Gallery, featuring the Opening Reception for "Audacious Narratives" in the Wiekamp Gallery. Admission is free.
Gridiron
5:00 p.m to 8:00 p.m.
Say "yes" to helping out those in need by donating to the Salvation Army at their Red Kettle Kick-off at the Gridiron this First Fridays. Many different corps will be represented including our own St Joseph County.
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Kettles will be set up if you're ready to help families in our community by donating. They will have the "World's Biggest" kettle thanks to The Salvation Army of Goshen. Come take your picture with it! They will also have hot cocoa, cookies, and a sticker station.
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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 anniversary open house. They offer yoga classes, energy reading, crystals, retail and other services.
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 Jarrell Scott Barnes, featuring Brooke Barsell. DTSB will be featuring a contest on their Facebook page for a pair of free tickets to the Friday night show.
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 November 4. 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 sold donated to their featured charity of the month. This month's featured nonprofit is DTSB! Help support us by ordering the Merry Berry DTSB Mule, a refreshing, festive bubbly beverage that can be also be ordered as a mocktail!
Also take advantage of their First Fridays special - buy 1 flatbread pizza and get a 2nd flatbread pizza at 1/2 off.
321 S. Main St.
8:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m.
Bring out your inner diva at South Bend Brew Werks with karaoke this First Fridays (and every Friday!)
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, pumpkins, 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 Matthys Farm Market for helping supply the fall items!
211 N. Michigan St.
5:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.
Pretty Woman: The Musical comes to the Morris Performing Arts Center November 3-5. Based on one of Hollywood’s most beloved romantic stories of all time, this show springs to life with a powerhouse creative team led by two-time Tony Award®-winning director and choreographer Jerry Mitchell, an original score by Grammy® winner Bryan Adams and Jim Vallance , and a book by the movie’s legendary director Garry Marshall and screenwriter J. F. Lawton.
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.
50% off November Specialty Drinks at St. Joe Coffee Co.
333 S. Michigan St.
8:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
The St. Joe Coffee Company – located in the St. Joseph County Public Library’s Main Branch (the entrance at Wayne and Michigan) – will be featuring 50% off their November specialty drinks this First Fridays: the "Tiramisu Latte" - dark chocolate sauce and an extra shot of espresso topped with sweet cream foam and cocoa powder; and the "Holiday Punch" - cranberry syrup, pineapple syrup, lemonade, ginger ale, and dried orange slices.
November First Fridays Food Vendors
Gridiron
5:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.
AngLes on Wheels
El llanito #2
Ko-s port-a-pit
105 E. Jefferson Blvd.
3:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.
Chicory Cafe will be offering FREE Beignets with purchase this First Fridays!
401 E. Colfax Ave. Suite 104
6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
The Cat Lady Cafe will be featuring $6 Walk-in visits this First Fridays from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., and will also have a booth in front of The Pigeon & The Hen Pottery.
121 S. Niles Ave.
4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
Perry Vine, located inside the Emporium Building, will be doing tastings of their cider and mead 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
SPONSORS
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