Scene Selections: On Campus
How do you do, fellow kids? Welcome to your new home. We’re Scene, your go-to for commentary on trending arts and culture topics — stay tuned for a review of Taylor Swift’s “folklore” — and general campus happenings. To get you started, we’ve laid out a little guide on how to get involved in the campus arts scene, all depending on what you’re into. Although things will look pretty different this year compared to those past, there are always opportunities for creative expression and artistic engagement, especially in the pages of Scene! Get involved and and join us by emailing scene@ndsmcobserver.If you’re into music…
Start a band: There are more than a few student musicians and bands at Notre Dame who have found their place in the campus music scene. Ask around and you'll certainly find other budding musicians willing to start a band and indulge in some creative collaboration. If you need help finding bandmates, email us! We know a few people. If you don’t know how to play an instrument, that doesn’t matter. Play anyways.
Acousticafe: Notre Dame’s Student Union Board (SUB) puts on a weekly live show known as Acousticafe. Every Thursday from 10 p.m. - 11 p.m., four student artists perform music, poetry or dramatic readings in a relaxed, no-judgement atmosphere. For more information on how to sign up, check out their site.
WVFI: Notre Dame’s only student-run radio station, WVFI or the Voice of the Fighting Irish, lets you talk into a microphone and play your favorite tunes for anywhere between five and 12 listeners — maybe 20 if you’re popular. The station streams live 24/7 at wvfi.nd.edu, and anyone interested can check them out at the fall activities night or email wvfi@nd.edu.
If you’re into movies and TV…
SUB movie nights and DPAC Programming: To catch the latest blockbuster hit, head to the local South Bend movie theater, but when aiming for something a little closer, Notre Dame’s Student Union Board and DeBartolo Performing Arts Center (DPAC) have you covered. Count on SUB to show last season’s most buzzed about flick and DPAC to introduce you to the next standout indie film.
NDtv: Behind the camera or in front of it, the student-run Notre Dame Television station is the place for aspiring performers, comedians, news anchors, field reporters, sports commentators, camera operators, editors and just about anything in between. Watch their stuff on the station’s Youtube channel and check out their site to get involved.
If you’re into art…
Snite Museum of Art: Tucked in between busy campus buildings, the Snite Museum offers refuge from the hustle and bustle of classes and daily life. The Snite boasts over 25,000 pieces of art, with a special collection this semester on the history of photography at Notre Dame, making it the perfect place to spend a spare hour and reset your mind.
Mindset (WVFI): Print isn’t dead and we can attest to that, but so can WVFI’s Mindset. The student-run radio station’s zine preserves the DIY, creative spirit of zine culture which has diminished since the dawn of the world wide web. Anyone hoping to get their drawings, paintings, collages or mixed-media works into circulation should find the right mindset and join Mindset.
If you’re into performance…
PEMCo: The Pasquerilla East Music Company is Notre Dame’s home for musical theatre. To put on two shows and a revue every year, like the timely “Being Alive” virtual revue last semester, the company is always looking for more members.
Not So Royal Shakespeare: Where art thou first years? Outside O’Shag with your nose buried in the Bard of Avon’s famous prose? Bring his words to life by joining the Not-So-Royal Shakespeare Company’s ranks.
The Humor Artists:The Humor Artists, Notre Dame’s student improv group, often go by the acronym “HA.” Get it? Hahahaha. If you think you’ve got better jokes than that, try out for the Humor Artists.
Scene Selections: Off Campus
For better or worse, the Notre Dame bubble does in fact exist — and yes, it includes Eddy Street. Getting out of the bubble is easier than you might think, the South Bend Transpo bus has a stop at the Hesburgh Library Circle and offers free rides for students. So get out there, explore the city and meet your neighbors.South Bend at a glance:
First inhabitants: Potawatomi
Incorporated: 1865
Population: about 102,000
Mayor: James Mueller
Colleges: Saint Mary’s College, Bethel College, Holy Cross College, Indiana University South Bend, University of Notre Dame
Where to eat:
Taqueria Chicago: The quest to find the best tacos in South Bend isn’t complete without a stop at Taqueria Chicago — despite the name, not located in Chicago.
Bantam Chicken and Seafood: Formerly sharing a space with the hip L Street Kitchen, Bantam recently moved into its own place on S Bend Ave, making it a convenient, close-to-campus option for delicious comfort food.
The General Deli: Located in South Bend’s buzzing Howard Park neighborhood — named after the lovely and expansive waterfront Howard Park — the General Deli and Cafe offers a laid back spot for a cup of coffee or a quick lunch. Bring your computer and get some work done inside, or bring a book to pretend to read while you sit outside and people watch.
Yellow Cat Cafe: You’re going to hear the names of a lot of different breakfast places during your time at Notre Dame. American Pancake House is a great place to take your parents. PEGGS is the downtown spot. Nick’s Patio is prime for late-night eats. But the often overlooked Yellow Cat Cafe has it all: comfortable, homey vibe, great food — try the breakfast burrito if you’re really hungry — and endless coffee. Just look for the yellow building on Colfax and you’ll know you’re there.
Crooked Ewe: Located on the banks of the St. Joesph River, the Crooked Ewe Brewery and Ale House is the perfect place to enjoy a nice cold beverage while looking out at the water or indulge in a delicious meal of any variety. The Crooked Ewe has a versatile menu, with plenty of phenomenal vegetarian options and all the classic brewery staples.
Fiddler’s Hearth: Get in touch with the true spirit of the Fighting Irish by heading to Fiddler’s Heart, an old-school Irish pub with “proper pints and premium scotches” for those over 21 and traditional pub fare for everyone else.
What to do:
East Bank Trail: Akin to Chicago’s 606 trail or New York City’s High Line, the East Bank trail is a four-mile-long pathway running alongside the mighty St. Joseph River and offering lovely views of the city. If running around the lakes for the fifth time in a week gets a little monotonous, take the East Bank trail instead, which picks up just off campus near the corner of Michigan St. and Angela Blvd.
Farmer’s Market: The South Bend Farmer’s Market is the move to start your Saturday morning. Operating from 7 a.m.-3 p.m. on Tuesdays, Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays, vendors of all kinds flock to the market located on East Sample Street and Beyer Avenue. You can find anything from fresh flowers and produce to hats and stones and woven goods! There is also a finer café at the heart of the building that serves classic breakfast dishes as well as specials, and they are always cooking up some kind of competition, be it grilled cheese, burger or taco wars! Stepping off campus will do you wonders, and the Farmer’s Market is one of the best ways to do that.
East Race Waterway: The mighty St. Joseph River is so mighty in fact that a portion of the river is utilized as a whitewater rafting course. That’s right, thrill-seekers and nature lovers don’t even need to leave the city to get their fill. The class two race — some rough water and small drops — hosted the kayaking Olympic trials back in 2008, and, thanks to this year’s early start, there’s still time to float down the course; the race is open Saturdays and Sundays through August and the first two Sundays in September.
Potawatomi Zoo: Scene doesn’t support the caging of animals, but we do support the vital role that zoos play in the conservation and preservation of endangered species — it’s a tough line to walk. The Potawatomi Zoo is Indiana’s oldest zoo and a solid place to take a day trip when you’re sick of campus wildlife — ie. squirrels.
Diane Park | The Observer
Diane Park
