May the Fourth Be With You and more fun in and near South Bend this weekend

South Bend Tribune
·6 min read

May the Fourth be with you! The Euclid Quartet has a special way to celebrate "Star Wars Day" this year, but you'll need hyperdrive if you don't want to miss it — it happens today, May 4 (obviously). Or take a trip to the "Dark Side of the Moon" when Brit Floyd pays tribute to Pink Floyd at the Morris just past the weekend. There's also First Fridays, an interdimensional adventure and a murder mystery spoof among this week's picks. Don't forget to check out The Tribune's online events calendar for more ideas.

Those aren't lightsabers The Euclid Quartet — violinist Jameson Cooper, left, violist Luis Enrique Vargas, violinist Aviva Hakanoglu and cellist Justin Goldsmith — are holding. But on May 4, 2023, they'll use their bows to perform selections from the soundtracks to "Star Wars" films at “May the Fourth Be With You: A Star Wars Celebration w/ the Euclid Quartet” at Century Center in South Bend.

May the quartet be with you: Euclid Quartet celebrates ‘Star Wars Day’ at Century Center

SOUTH BEND — Juke presents “May the Fourth Be With You: A Star Wars Celebration w/ the Euclid Quartet” at 7 p.m. May 4 at Century Center, 120 S. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd.

Subtitled “Star Wars Music by Candlelight,” the event features the Euclid Quartet performing string quartet arrangements of music from John Williams’ scores for the “Star Wars” movie franchise.

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The set list includes “Star Wars Main Title,” “Imperial March,” “Cantina Band,” “Rey’s Theme” and “Clone Wars/Rebels Survey,” among others.

The quartet will be surrounded by hundreds of candles to set the scene for this journey to a musical galaxy far, far away.

Composed of violinists Jameson Cooper and Aviva Hakanoglu, violist Luis Enrique Vargas and cellist Justin Goldsmith, the Euclid Quartet has been the quartet-in-residence at Indiana University South Bend since 2007.

Euclid’s albums include “Hugo Kauder — String Quartets 1-4,” “Bartok: String Quartets Nos. 2, 4, & 6,” “Bartok: String Quartets Nos 1, 3 & 5” and “American Quartets: Antonín Dvořák & Wynton Marsalis.” The quartet also has an upcoming release featuring the quartets of Debussy and Grieg.

It also has commissioned and premiered contemporary works by numerous notable composers, including Robert Paterson, Armando Bayolo, Jorge Muniz and Dan Welcher.

This year, the Euclid Quartet will premiere a quartet concerto by Anna Clyne, commissioned to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Fischoff National Chamber Music Competition in 2023.

Tickets are $25.

For more information, visit eventbrite.com and search for this event or euclidquartet.com.

‘Pedals & Petals’ celebrated at May First Fridays in downtown South Bend

SOUTH BEND — “Pedals & Petals” serves as the theme for May’s First Fridays event from 5 to 9 p.m. May 5 in downtown South Bend.

With both new and returning activities, May’s First Fridays event celebrates cycling and plants.

Volunteers with South Bend Bicycle Garage work on an attendee's bicycle during a 2022 First Fridays event in downtown South Bend. The Bike Valet service returns with the May 5, 2023, event.
Volunteers with South Bend Bicycle Garage work on an attendee's bicycle during a 2022 First Fridays event in downtown South Bend. The Bike Valet service returns with the May 5, 2023, event.

A number of activities preview Michiana Bike to Work Week, which is May 15 to 21, including Bike Valet service provided by South Bend Bicycle Garage, a first-ever Bicycle Parade at 6:30 p.m. in the 200 block of South Michigan Street, and  Bicycle Games & Safety Demonstrations at 7 p.m. in the 200 block of South Michigan Street.

To celebrate the changing season and the flowers and plants that are blossoming, First Fridays features “Petals” activities, including a plant sale and swap on the Gridiron, a flower craft activity, and flower arranging classes.

The First Fridays Block Party returns from 5 to 9 p.m. in the 200 block of South Michigan Street. It includes vendors, entertainment, outdoor dining and more. It’ll continue First Fridays through October. The entertainment begins at 6 p.m. and includes a performance by the IU South Bend Kickline, the Bicycle Parade and a performance by “American Idol” contestant David Smith with DJ J Daddy.

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Venues Parks and Arts debuts a new summer concert series on First Fridays from May through September in Howard Park. This month, Los Hermanos Bueno performs from 7 to 9 p.m.

​Several venues also feature live music: Kennedy’s Kitchen at 8 p.m. at Fiddler's Hearth, Jose Gobbo Group and the Olivia Van Goor Trio at 7:30 p.m. at Merrimans’ Playhouse, and The Erly at 8 p.m. at LaSalle Kitchen & Tavern.

Headliner JP McAllister and host Jay Hunter also perform at 9 p.m. at the comedy club The Drop in Aloft Hotel.

Returning and ongoing events include First Fridays Architectural Walking Tours, the Studebaker Car Show, and open houses at the South Bend Museum of Art and Fire Arts Inc.

For more information, call 574-282-1110 or visit downtownsouthbend.com.

The Paramount School of Excellence charter school presents a free outdoor screening of "Coco" on its campus at the former Tarkington Traditional School on Hepler Street in South Bend.
The Paramount School of Excellence charter school presents a free outdoor screening of "Coco" on its campus at the former Tarkington Traditional School on Hepler Street in South Bend.

Paramount Schools presents free screening of ‘Coco’

SOUTH BEND — Paramount Schools of Excellence South Bend presents Family Movie Night with an outdoor screening of “Coco” at 6:30 p.m. May 5 at 3414 Hepler St.

Inspired by the Mexican Dia de los Muertos holiday, the 2017 animated film follows 12-year-old Miguel, an aspiring musician whose family has banned music. When he accidentally enters the Land of the Dead, the charming trickster Hector becomes an unexpected friend who helps Miguel uncover the mysteries behind his family’s stories and traditions — and return him to the Land of the Living.

Attendees can bring blankets to sit in the grass or their cars and watch like at the drive-in theater.

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Food from Mimmo’s Pizza and Paleteria y Neveria La Rosita Ice Cream, as well as activities from South Bend Venues Parks & Arts, will be available.

Other vendors include Purdue Polytech High School and SAFY.

RSVP is to ensure enough supplies and food are ordered.

Admission is free.

For more information, call 574-274-4785 or visit south-bend.paramountindy.org.

To register, visit eventbrite.com and search for Paramount Schools.

Standing, Josh Green, left, and Rick Henderson and, seated, Amy Johnson-Sobek, left, and Kaelie Winebrenner rehearse a scene for Footlight Players Theatre's production of "Murdered to Death" that opens May 5 and continues through May 14, 2023, at the community theater in Michigan City.
Standing, Josh Green, left, and Rick Henderson and, seated, Amy Johnson-Sobek, left, and Kaelie Winebrenner rehearse a scene for Footlight Players Theatre's production of "Murdered to Death" that opens May 5 and continues through May 14, 2023, at the community theater in Michigan City.

‘Murdered to Death’ opens at Michigan City’s Footlight Players

MICHIGAN CITY — “Murdered to Death” opens May 5 and continues through May 14 at Footlight Players Theatre, 1705 Franklin St.

In this whodunnit spoof by Peter Gordon the inept and bungling Inspector Pratt battles against the odds and his own incompetence to solve the murder of the house’s owner. But it soon becomes clear that the murderer isn’t finished yet.

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Performances are at 7:30 p.m. CDT May 5-6 and 11-13 and at 2 p.m. CDT May 7 and 14.

Tickets are $17-$12.

In addition, Footlight will hold auditions for the musical “The Dastardly Doctor Devereaux” at 6 p.m. May 7 and 8 at the theater.

For more information, call 219-874-4035 or visit footlightplayers.org.

Brit Floyd performs its “50 Years of Dark Side” show May 8, 2023, at the Morris Performing Arts Center in South Bend.
Brit Floyd performs its “50 Years of Dark Side” show May 8, 2023, at the Morris Performing Arts Center in South Bend.

Brit Floyd celebrates ‘50 Years of Dark Side’ at the Morris

SOUTH BEND — Brit Floyd performs its “50 Years of Dark Side” show at 8 p.m. May 8 at the Morris Performing Arts Center, 211 N. Michigan St.

“50 Years of Dark Side” celebrates the 50th anniversary of Pink Floyd’s album masterpiece “The Dark Side of the Moon.” The show features classic tracks from the album, including “Time,” “Money,” “Us and Them,” and “The Great Gig in the Sky.”

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This year’s world tour features more than 2½ hours of Pink Floyd music encompassing the band’s iconic career set to state-of-the-art visuals (lights, lasers and animation).

Tickets are $161-$51.

For more information, call 574-235-9190 or visit morriscenter.org.

The Pink Floyd tribute act Brit Floyd attempts to re-create the original band’s music as heard on its albums and the feel of Pink Floyd’s concerts with Brit Floyd’s light show. (Photo provided)
The Pink Floyd tribute act Brit Floyd attempts to re-create the original band’s music as heard on its albums and the feel of Pink Floyd’s concerts with Brit Floyd’s light show. (Photo provided)

This article originally appeared on South Bend Tribune: Euclid Quartet plays Star Wars music, Coco screened, Brit Floyd plays