#10: Art Beat

Official commemorative poster

Every city has its annual festival that is not-to-be-missed.  It seems like everyone comes out for it, and you'll run into neighbors, old elementary school friends, and maybe even the mayor. Some may say that Notre Dame football games are the festivals of this sort, but I beg to add Art Beat to this list of community events.

Art Beat has only been around for seven years, but it has grown to hundreds of vendors congregated in downtown South Bend. This daylong event brings together many different types of art: visual, performance, and (my personal favorite) culinary.

On the main drag of booths

These vendors come from across the city and Michiana Saturday.  You may recognize familiar names or faces just as you may encounter a craft you once thought abandoned at the turn of the century.  Not only do artists (eg. Council Oak Woodcarvers Club, Henna art designs, Goofy Moose Productions) set up booths on the street, downtown art galleries and businesses have extended hours as well.

There are also five performance stages scattered around (at the Jon Hunt/Morris Performing Arts Plaza, the College Football Hall of Fame, the SB Museum of Art, the Century Center Island Park (a.k.a. "Amped on the Island", which runs until 10pm), and Key Bank Plaza).  I'm interested to hear live music by the Xochipilli Folkloric Group (12:30, 1:30; Stage 2) and whatever the "Michiana Monologues" (4:00pm, Key Bank Plaza) may be.

What happens when sculpture and food combine

 Also, just as with a Notre Dame football game, come prepared to eat and drink.  A lot.  There is a culinary arts village near the College Football Hall of Fame, where you can find the Bread & Chocolate Conference Center & Catering AND the Round Barn Winery and Brewery.

Enjoying farmfresh quesadillas with tomatillo sauce ($2) and beef bulogi ($4)

Where: Downtown, three blocks of Michigan closed off to traffic
How to get there: Try TRANSPO, biking or walking -- if you need to drive, street parking and the garages at Main & Colfax and Jefferson & Michigan are free
When to go: Saturday, 11am to 6pm
Website: www.artbeatsouthbend.org