Things to do around South Bend: From Phantoms to hiking, mariachi to 'Football Fridays'

Post-Halloween, the weekend has plenty of treats left — from quadruple Phantoms to a hike along a Michigan river. Check out Joseph Dits' extra outdoor suggestions, too, and The Tribune's online events calendar for more suggestions.

Ahead of Notre Dame-Clemson game, ‘Football Fridays’ the theme for DTSB’s November First Fridays

SOUTH BEND — “Football Fridays” serves as the theme for November’s First Fridays event from 5 to 9 p.m. Nov. 4 in downtown South Bend.

A family-friendly tailgate party held on the Gridiron from 5 to 9 p.m. the Friday before select University of Notre Dame home football games, this “Football Fridays” features live music by The Erly from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m., a cash bar, food vendors, yard games and a seating area to enjoy downtown carryout.

Notre Dame plays Clemson University at 7:30 p.m. Nov. 5 at Notre Dame Stadium.

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Other highlights include the following:

• Coloring Contest at the South Bend Chocolate Café, 122 S. Michigan St. from 6 to 7 p.m.: All supplies will be provided. The entries will be displayed in the hallway throughout November for public voting, and the winner will get the chance to help Santa Claus light the Christmas Tree at the Tree Lighting Ceremony on Dec. 2.

• Friends of the Library Book Sale, 333 S. Michigan St., from noon to 8 p.m.: Books, CDs, DVDs, magazines and other materials will be available for purchase.

• Keith Hall Trio at Merrimans’ Playhouse, 401 E. Colfax Ave., Suite 135, at 7:30 p.m.: Led by drummer Keith Hall and featuring saxophonist Andrew Rathbun and bassist Robert Hurst III, will be celebrating the record release of “Made in Kalamazoo — Duos and Trios.” Tickets are $10-$5; 574-310-9977 or merrimansplayhouse.org.

• Comedian Kristen Toomey headlines at The Drop Comedy Club, 111 N. Main St., at 9 p.m.: Jackie Linn opens, and the two perform again at 8 and 10 p.m. Nov. 5. Tickets are $15; 574-222-2639 or thedropcomedyclub.com.

• DTSB Fall Photo Op, 217 S. Michigan St., from 5 to 9 p.m.: DTSB has set up a Fall Photo Op with hay bales, mums, pumpkins and corn stalks outside its offices. Take photos and post them using #DTSBFallFun.

Most events are free, except as noted.

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

Music Village launches three-week ‘Cultural Music Series’ in downtown South Bend

SOUTH BEND — The Music Village begins a three-week concert series Nov. 5 at 333 S. Michigan St.

Titled “The Cultural Music Series: Exploring Cultural Identity Through Music,” the series features the following acts:

• Nov. 5: Pokagon Band of Potawatomi

• Nov. 12: UZIMA! West African Dance Troupe

• Nov. 19: Kennedy's Kitchen Irish Academy

The Pokagon Band will share their history and creation story, the significance of their sacred dance and regalia, and provide a drum demonstration.

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UZIMA! was founded locally in South Bend by Kelly Burgèt in 2012. The word “UZIMA!” was chosen from the Swahili language as a mantra for the organization, meaning a celebration of wholeness, health and life. The troupe performs traditional West African dance, Afro-contemporary song and spoken word.

Kennedy’s Kitchen performs Irish pub songs and sing-a-longs, stories and recitation, and dance tunes, both traditional and original in composition.

All performances take place from 10 a.m. to noon.

Tickets are $15-$13; free for ages 2 and younger.

For more information, call 574-245-7664 or visit themusicvillage.org.

American Theatre Guild presents ‘The Four Phantoms’

SOUTH BEND — American Theatre Guild presents “The Four Phantoms in Concert” at 2 p.m. Nov. 5 at the Morris Performing Arts Center, 211 N. Michigan St.

The show features four performers — Brent Barrett, John Cudia, Franc D’Ambrosio, and Ciarán Sheehan — who have all played the Phantom in “The Phantom of the Opera,” on Broadway and elsewhere.

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Kaley Ann Voorhees, the youngest soprano to play Christine on Broadway at the start of her run at the age of 20, joins them, too.

The program includes music from Broadway and elsewhere.

Tickets are $65-$35.

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

Mariachi singer Aida Cuevas performs at Goshen College

GOSHEN — Mariachi singer Aida Cuevas performs at 7:30 p.m. Nov. 5 at Goshen College’s Music Center.

Cuevas will be joined by Mariachi Aztlán, along with other special guests.

Titled “45th Anniversary — Yo Creo Que Es Tiempo,” the concert celebrates Cuevas’ 46-year-long career, which includes 41 albums, Grammy and Latin Grammy awards, and performances for Gerald Ford, Bill Clinton, George W. Bush, the Shah of Iran, Pierre Trudeau, the Kings of Spain and every president of Mexico from 1975 to the present day.

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Cuevas began singing in amateur competitions at the age of 11 and was singing nationally on a weekly live radio show called “El Taller XEW” in 1975 at the age of 12. A year later she was singing in Europe.

Tickets are $40-$30.

For more information, call 574-535-7566 or visit goshen.edu/tickets.

Take a fall hike in Galien River County Park

NEW BUFFALO — Harbor Country Hikers makes the third of the group’s annual fall visits to Berrien County parks with a hike at 2 p.m. Nov. 5 at Galien River County Park, 17424 Red Arrow Hwy.

Berrien County Parks Chief Naturalist Derek Pelc will lead the group on a slow, 1-mile hike that should take about 1½ hours.

Galien River County Park is known for its canopy-level observation platform and its marsh-level boardwalk. It includes a mix of upland and wetland habitats along the Galien River.

The area is a home and popular rest stop for many protected birds, including bald eagles and Sandhill cranes.

Physical difficulty of this hike is rated moderate.

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Harbor Country Hikers recommends participants dress in layers for the weather, wear long pants (preferably tucked in), a warm hat and sturdy shoes or boots, and bring plenty of water.

An all-terrain rollator — a wheeled walker with oversized tires for uneven and unpaved surfaces — is available on a first-come, first-served basis, by emailing harborcountryhikers@gmail.com.

Membership is preferred, but all are welcome at this event.

For more information, visit harborcountryhikers.com or Harbor Country Hikers on Facebook.

This article originally appeared on South Bend Tribune: South Bend area concerts, football, hiking, mariachi and more on tap