By: CHRISTINA CLARK
Staff Writer
clark66@umail.iu.edu
Classes are quickly coming to a close, and soon finals will be wrapped up as well. What will you do with all of the free time afforded to you between work and family (chosen or otherwise)? South Bend, Mishawaka, Goshen, Elkhart, and the surrounding areas have plenty of options to enjoy in the area, as well as traditions on campus at the end of the semester. Here’s a sampling of things to do in the area while you’re on break:
DTSB First Friday, including the 29th Annual Tree Lighting Ceremony Dec. 1, 5 p.m. at “The Gridiron” in South Bend.
Entertainment in the heart of downtown South Bend on the Gridiron by the South Bend Chocolate Café will begin at 5 p.m. There will be live music featuring The Valleyaires, craft activities and characters on hand including Rudolph and the Grinch. There will be real live reindeer. Santa will arrive at 6:30 p.m. to light the tree, and there will be fireworks after. There will be free cookie decorating at the Double Tree atrium from 5-9 p.m.
IUSB German Club visiting Chicago’s Christkindlmarket Dec. 2, Chicago, Ill.
The IU South Bend German Club will visit the German Christmas Market, Christkindlemarket, on Dec. 2. They have fully funded 20 train tickets for students. Those interested in joining the club on the trip, as it is open to all IU South Bend students, may contact Kevin Schascheck II at kschach@iu.edu.
City of Elkhart – WinterFest Light Parade and Tree Lighting, Dec. 2, NIBCO Water and Ice Park, Elkhart, Ind.
A full day of events for those of all ages is slated at the NIBCO Water and Ice Park in downtown Elkhart. The day will start with a Breakfast with Santa from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. at the Central Fire Station. The breakfast is free with a canned food donation per child, and $2 per adult. There will be Ice Skating at NIBCO Ice and Water Park from 12:30 to 6 p.m., with the Ralph Hartnagel Memorial Skate from 7:30 to 10 p.m. The admission is free, and skate rental is $3. An Ugly Sweater Run and Stroll will take place, with more information to regist at http://www.OneCityOneMission.org/events. The Irish Figure Skating Club Exhibition will take place at 12 p.m. and 7 p.m. The WinterFest Parade and Tree Lighting will take place Main Street between Lexington and Franklin, starting at 6 p.m.
Teddy Bear Concert, Dec. 8, 7 p.m., IU South Bend Performance Hall
The annual Teddy Bear Concert featuring the IU South Bend Dance Company, Symphonic Choir of South Bend and IU South Bend Choral Union will take place on Dec. 8 at 7 p.m. in the Campus Auditorium. This year’s event will feature a “Disney Dazzle” number, in lieu of the traditional “12 Days of Christmas” and “The Night Before Christmas.” The IU South Ben Kick Line, African Dancers and Jazz Ensemble will be staples for the evening as well. As well as a visit from Bearemy, the Build-A-Bear Workshop’s mascot.
The concert is $13-$15, but free of admission with the donation of a new teddy bear. This year’s teddy bears will be donated to the Center for the Homeless and Beacon Children’s Hospital.
DTSB Grown Up Movie Night: “Christmas Vacation,” Dec. 15, 8 p.m., Four Winds Field, South Bend, Ind.
Four Winds Field will be showing the classic holiday disaster comedy “National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation” on the video board. Seating and viewing will be in the Pepsi Stadium Club.
Admission will be $10, and tickets must be purchased in advance.
“It’s A Wonderful Life” screening at The Goshen Theater, Dec. 22, 8 p.m., The Goshen Theater, Goshen, Ind.
The Goshen News and Goshen Rotary are hosing a free screening of the holiday classic “It’s a Wonderful Life” at The Goshen Theater. Admission is free, and concessions will be available for purchase.
