Kevin James is coming to South Bend—no Segway required!

Happy Thursday! This newsletter is for the newbies, the lifers, the townies, and the domers.

In today’s digest:

• Kevin James x South Bend

• Notre Dame’s Women’s Basketball

• Tulip Fest

• MLK Center Opening Soon

This issue is 904 words, a 3.5-minute read.

The Digest

Kevin James is coming to the Bend!

Comedy fans, get ready!

Kevin James is bringing his hilarious stand-up tour to South Bend!

Best known for Hitch, Paul Blart: Mall Cop, Grown Ups, and his Netflix specials, James delivers sharp, relatable comedy with his signature charm. Don’t miss your chance to see him live for a night full of laughs!

Tickets? Click here.

Notre Dame Women’s Basketball is in the Sweet 16

If you’re from South Bend, you’re following the story of Notre Dame’s Women’s Basketball team — and they’re (spoilers if you didn’t watch the first two rounds) headed to the Sweet 16 (third round) of the NCAA tournament!

Since this could very well be Olivia Miles's (no.5) last college game if they fall to TCU, you have one last chance to say you were a fan before she goes on to the WNBA this spring (most likely as a top 5 pick).

Game time: 3/29, 1 pm
Broadcast: ESPN

In the meantime, if you want to learn just how tough Olivia Miles and the rest of the ND WBB team is, check out the stories below:

• South Bend Tribune

• New York Post

• Sports Illustrated

• Indy Star

Potawatomi Zoo: Opening Saturday!

The Zoo is opening its doors for the summer season.

Through May 31, the zoo will close at 5 pm daily and kick off its summer hours (10 am - 8 pm) beginning June 1.

Mark your calendars for some of their annual events:

• Zoo Rendevous

• Brew at the Zoo

• Zoo Boo

• Gift of Light

Poll of the day

This Forbes article ranks South Bend as the #4 more affordable city in the US (with a population of more than 100,000).

This stuff is so subjective. So let’s get your input. Do YOU think South Bend deserves that rank? Why/why not?

The Happenings

Curated picks 📆 

🤠 Country Night at The Garage

The Garage Arcade and Bar is hosting COUNTRY NIGHT!

The details:
🗓️ Saturday, March 29th
📌 Garage Arcade Bar | 503 East Colfax, South Bend, IN
🐂 $10 Cover = Includes One Bull Ride Ticket

From the venue: “Y'all ready for a wild night? We're bringing hours of country hits, a special themed menu, and a mechanical bull for you to test your cowboy (or cowgirl) skills!”

👕 Yeah Totally! Vintage Market

If you’ve never been to one of Ryan Blaske’s “Yeah Totally!” Markets, then this Saturday is your first chance for the 2025 season!

With vendors from all across the region, you’ll surely find something you love! Details

Parking Details: Vested interest parking is off of Tutt St. You can access Tutt st via sample or Michigan.

More events

A mix of things happening this weekend and into next week!

🎤 Thursday Karaoke at Madison Oyster bar: Need an opportunity to belt one out? Well now is your chance TONIGHT at Madison’s! Details

🚙 South Bend Auto Show: Car fan? Then this is the place to be on March 29th. $10 cover. Details

🎟️ IUSB Career Fair: Open to students, community members, and alumni! Looking for a new opportunity? Check this out on Wednesday, April 2nd. Details

🎭 Remember Flat Stanley? Well, now your kids can enjoy him too at the South Bend Civic Theatre musical on March 28, 29, April 4, and 5. Tickets

👢 Line Dancing at Louie: Practice your line dancing moves on Friday! Details

✨Coming soon✨

If you’re like me and love planning ahead, mark your calendar for these events after March 12th!

🌷 Tulip Fest!: Just 15 minutes West of downtown in New Carlisle, this field to vase farm is hosting their annual Tulip Fest. Details

🏀 March Madness Finale Watch Party: Join the South Bend Girls Group at the Lauber on April 6th, 2:30 - 5 pm! Details

🤘 Rocki Button Shows: Punk rock bands are coming to the Bend on 4/4! Details

🎸 An Evening with Tommy Prine: Nashville singer-songwriter is returning to Stockroom East in South Bend! Tickets

Rapid Fire Hits

Quick headlines and things to know from all around 🌐

🏀 What’s the best town in Indiana? Follow along with the Small Town Showdown Bracket and vote daily to determine which Indiana town wins! (Get Indiana)

March to the MLK Dream Center Grand Opening: The grand opening of the MLK Dream Center on the West Side will start with a march on the 57th anniversary of MLK’s assassination. The march will go .7 miles starting at the Civil Rights Heritage Center and ending at the MLK Dream Center. (Details)

Yard Waste Pickup begins April 1: If you have already started loading up your yard waste… don’t pull a me and accidentally put it out to the curb for pick up before April 1! (Details)

Temporary Lane Restrictions at Ireland and Ironwood: Construction season is in full swing as restrictions are coming to the corner of Ireland and Ironwood (don’t as me which one goes N/S and which one is E/W — I can never remember). Check out the details at the link to learn how it might affect your commute! (Details)

Happy Thursday! See you around the Bend!

Congrats! You made it to the end of the newsletter! I don’t have a prize I can hand out, but! Send me an email telling me about your favorite event this week!

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