Celebrate 100 years of the performing arts center at Morris 100 Fest. Here's what to know
The Morris Performing Arts Center celebrates its 100-year anniversary with a two-day block party full of music, food trucks and carnival fun.
Morris 100 Fest, the upcoming celebration of South Bend's iconic theater, will feature three stages with extensive lineups of local and regional musicians and entertainers performing free of charge all festival long.
Festivities will conclude with a ticketed, indoor concert by Barenaked Ladies with opener The Bergamot, an indie-rock duo made up of South Bend natives and Marian High School graduates Nathaniel Hoff and Jillian Speece.
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"We wanted an act that spanned multiple genres and styles," South Bend Venues, Parks and Arts Executive Director Aaron Perri says. "(The Barenaked Ladies) have broad appeal and appeal to various age groups and demographics. … It was also neat to be able to partner with a band from the area, The Bergamot, who are nationally-touring artists, so we think it'll be a really, really nice show."
Festival-goers can also enjoy a Ferris wheel, a silent disco, pyromusical fireworks and more.
Here's what you need to know about Morris 100 Fest.
When is Morris 100 Fest?
Morris 100 Fest takes place from 5 p.m. to 11 p.m. Friday, Sept. 30, and from 9:30 a.m. to 11 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 1.
Where is Morris 100 Fest?
The festival takes place outside the Morris Performing Arts Center, located at 211 N. Michigan St., South Bend. Activities, stages and food trucks will be lined up along Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd. and East Colfax Avenue.
How much does admission cost?
Admission to Morris 100 Fest is free, as are all performances on the Boomer, Fountain and Main stages.
Food, beverages and other items will be available for purchase at the event.
Tickets to the Barenaked Ladies and Bergamot concert must be purchased online. Information on purchasing these tickets can be found at morris100.org/festival.
What is the Morris Fest 100 lineup?
Friday, Sept. 30
Main Stage
6 to 8:15 p.m.: The Why Store
8:30 to 10:30 p.m.: BLAMMO
Fountain Stage
5 to 7 p.m.: DJ Big Perm: Live Remote
7:45 to 8:15 p.m.: ART4 presents scenes from "Little Shop of Horrors"
Boomer Stage
6 to 7 p.m.: Live painting with Jay Thomas
7 to 8 p.m.: Magician
8:15 to 9:15 p.m.: Fire Hoops
Saturday, Oct. 1
Main Stage
noon to 1 p.m.: Southold Dance Theater
1:30 to 2:30 p.m.: South Bend Symphony Orchestra Quintet
3:30 to 5:15 p.m.: Lalo Cura
5:45 to 7:45 p.m.: The 1985
8:15 to 10:30 p.m.: Smash Kings
Fountain Stage
11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.: IUSB Raclin School of Fine Arts
1 to 2 p.m.: The Music Village
2:30 to 3:30 p.m.: South Bend Community School Corporation
5 to 6 p.m.: Heyzeus ft. Live painting by Jay Thomas
7 to 8:30 p.m.: Silent Disco Session One: "Today's Pop"
9 to 10:30 p.m.: Silent Disco Session Two: "Hip Hop and R&B"
Boomer Stage
10 to 11 a.m.: Yoga and mimosas
11:15 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.: Dance party with Chuck Fry
12:45 to 1:45 p.m.: Magician
2 to 3 p.m.: Hula hoops
3:30 to 4 p.m.: Instrument building with Deep Fried Pickle Project
4 to 5 p.m.: Deep Fried Pickle Project performance
5:15 to 6:15 p.m.: Magician
6:30 to 7:30 p.m.: L.E.D. hula hoops
Artist bios can be found online at morris100.org/festival.
What are some other entertainment highlights?
Festival-goers can walk through "Submergence," a large, immersive light installation that will be on the festival grounds for the duration of Morris 100 Fest. The interactive sculpture will be especially fun at night, Perri says.
From 7 to 10:30 p.m. Oct. 1, attendees can take part in a silent disco dance party at the Fountain Stage. Dancers will receive wireless headphones that will allow them to listen to the same music as those around them and switch between three "radio stations" featuring live DJs Austin Gammage, DJ Mac Mane and DJ Kid Mix.
Coming home: The Bergamot opens for Barenaked Ladies at Morris 100 Fest
There will be two silent disco sessions. Session One from 7 to 8:30 p.m. will feature current pop hits and Session Two from 9 to 10:30 p.m. will feature hip hop and R&B music. Participation in each session is $15, and advanced registration online at morris100.org/festival is recommended.
At the end of the night on Oct. 1, all can enjoy a pyromusical fireworks display, starting at 10:30 p.m.
This history:100-year timeline of Morris Performing Arts Center's history
"The pyromusical is something really special. We've never had one of those here in our region," Perri says. "You've perhaps seen fireworks go to music before, but these are synchronized precision to the music. It's going to be (synchronized to) 'The Greatest Showman.'"
What is there to eat?
More than 20 food trucks and vendors will be lined up along MLK Jr. Blvd., including Cinco5, Rico Suave, Kona Ice, Churro Loco, King of the Kettle Popcorn, Dope Lemonades, Ruilli’s Pizza, Fatbird/Oak + Ash, That Guy’s Gourmet Ribs, Vegan Bites by Jas, Tonka’s BBQ, Fancy Delights and Bonnie Doon.
How do I ride the Ferris wheel?
Riding the Ferris wheel is free, but if you want to skip the line, you can reserve free tickets in advance online at morris100.org/festival.
Perri said the 72-foot Ferris wheel is, to his knowledge, the biggest to ever come to South Bend.
Where can I park and enter the festival?
Free parking will be available at three public parking garages: the garage on the corner of Main Street and Colfax Avenue, the Leighton Center complex on Jefferson Boulevard, and the Wayne Street Garage.
Festival-goers also can park at the DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel complex and along the streets within walking distance of the Morris.
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The only entrance to the festival will be at the corner of Michigan Street and Colfax Avenue.
When and where will roads be closed due to the festival?
Portions of MLK Jr. Blvd. and Colfax Avenue near the Morris Performing Arts Center will be closed from Thursday, Sept. 29, until Monday, Oct. 3, for the setup, run and clean-up of Morris 100 Fest.
The Colfax bridge will be closed all day on Saturday, Oct. 1 for the fireworks show.
Email Claire Reid at cereid@gannett.com.
This article originally appeared on South Bend Tribune: What to know about South Bend's Morris 100 Fest lineup, ticket prices
