Good morning, Grand Rapids. I’m LeQwane and this is Calder News, your go-to spot to see what’s happening around town every Monday, hump day, and Friday.
And as always, I appreciate you taking the time out of your day to check in.
I hope you enjoy today’s issue. 🫡
~LeQwane L.
The Digest
A briefing of local news that matters
Transit
City CarShare Program Update
The DART EV CarShare program just celebrated its first anniversary. If you haven’t seen one of these cars around town yet, they’re a part of a $5-per-hour car share service. And according to GR on The Go, 200 active users logged over 143,000 miles so far using them. Given the success of the program (so far), it’s expected the available fleet will expand over the next couple of years. | Read more
Development
New Housing On the SE Side
A local nonprofit, Seeds of Promise, is building 14 new affordable homes across vacant lots on the SE side of town. The $3.8M development will feature one through three-bedroom single-family homes priced between $159K and $259K with most homes being reserved for income-qualified buyers. Construction is set to start next winter. | Read full brief
Weather
First Snow of the Season
Bundle up, folks. Apparently, we’ll be seeing the first snowfall this weekend. A cold blast Sunday night through Tuesday could bring light lake-effect snow to the lakeshore and possibly carry through Kent County. | View the forecast
Roads
Closures Near Wealthy Street
If you’re headed to the SE side of town anytime soon, Eastern Avenue SE between Cherry and Wealthy will be closed through Monday for concrete repairs. Detours send traffic along Diamond. | View detour map
Have news to report? Click here.
We Asked Grand Rapids
On Wednesday, we asked, “What is the largest road race in town?” and you guys crushed it.
91% of our readers picked the correct answer → The Riverbank Run. Last year the event saw over 10,000 runners participate.
Shop Hop Returns
One of GR’s favorite holiday traditions is back.
The 28th annual Uptown Shop Hop is taking over Eastown, East Hills, Wealthy Street, and East Fulton on Thursday, Dec. 5th.
Expect 200+ local shops, food trucks, pop-up vendors, and festive fun across all four districts. Highlights include:
Free rides on the Jolly Trolleys
A holiday tree lighting at Harmony Brewing Co.
Photos with Santa & a community elf scavenger hunt
The Maker’s Market at Fulton Street Farmers Market
It’s the ultimate night to shop local, eat festive, and kick off the holidays in Uptown.
Talk Of The Town
🏐 GR Rise Makes An Announcement
Earlier this week, the Grand Rapids Rise women’s professional volleyball team announced its official 2026 game schedule.
🦐 Restaurant of The Year Goes to…
The GR Magazine announced its “Best Restaurant in Grand Rapids,” and Sovengard (located on the west side)
🎉 ArtPrize Back Already?
Just one month after concluding, ArtPrize has announced that they’re returning to Grand Rapids next year. The event is scheduled to take place Sept. 17th to October 3rd, 2026.
Civil:
Yesterday was election day. And the unofficial (official) results are in for Kent County city mayors, commissioners, millage proposals, bonds, and more. → View Results
Opening:
📼 Backwards Compatible → An “underground media culture store” focused on vintage vinyls, rare equipment, and unique imports is open on Eastern
Featured Event
📍 The Venue @ The Candied Yam
📅 Friday, Nov. 7th
⏰ 7 PM - 11 PM
Get funky for a cause! The Mosaic Film Experience hosts its Purple Dance Party to support creative opportunities for underrepresented youth through storytelling.
Click for event details
What’s Happening?
Wednesday, November 5th
Mercantile Bank: Financial Empowerment Workshop | Baxter Community Center | 10 AM - 12 PM | Free
Bend & Behold | SILVA | 11:30 AM - 12:30 PM | Donation recommended
Full Moon Sound Bath | Wilcox Park | 6 PM | $20
Mobile Food Pantry | Oswego St. NW | 6 PM - 7 PM | Free
Top Shelf Comedy | The Nightwatch Lounge | 7:30 PM | $15
Thursday, November 6th
Comedy: Marina Franklin | Dr. Grins Comedy Club | (Thu - Sat) Various times | $17+
NovemberFest | GR Auto Gallery | 6 PM | Free
Cheers, Queers! Meet & Greet | Vivant Brewery | 6 PM - 9 PM | Free
Dracula: A Comedy of Terrors | Spectrum Theater | 7:30 PM | $5+
The Found Footage Festival | Wealthy Theatre | 7:30 PM | $20
Friday, November 7th
First Friday Art Walk Downtown | ArtRat Gallery | 12 PM - 9 PM | Free
Beyond Food Rules: A New Path to Nourishment | Holistic Health Collective | 5 PM - 7 PM | ?
Celebration of Service - Veteran's Day (Drone Show) | 555 Monroe North Lot | (Fri, Sat) 5 PM - 9 PM | Free
Holiday Tree Lighting | Tanger Outlet Mall | 5:30 PM - 7:30 PM | Free
Blizzard Bash | The BOB | 6 PM | $17+
Opening Reception of Looking Back | Avenue for the Arts | 6 PM - 9 PM | $0
Ice Guru Silent Disco | Blue Bridge | 6 PM - 10 PM | $6
Live Music
Thursday, November 6th
Symphony of Giving | Aquinas College | 5:30 PM | $55
Vended | The Stache | 6 PM | $25
Chiodos | GLC Live | 6 PM | $52+
Caitlin Cusack Trio | Horrocks Market | 6 PM | Free
Kody Bryant | Rapid River Stillhouse | 6 PM | Free
Riley Green | Van Andel Arena | 6:45 PM | $53+
The Ollam + Max Lockwood | The Pyramid Scheme | 8 PM | $35
Friday, November 7th
Janiah Skye & Milt Klingensmith | ArtRat Gallery | 5 PM | Free
Steve Hilger Blues Trio | Horrocks Market | 6 PM | Free
Jon McLaughlin & Eric Hutchinson | Wealthy Theatre | 6:30 PM | $48
Dogs In A Pile | Elevation | 7 PM | $35
Timothy Monger, Abe Abraham, Benjamin James Childs | The Stray | 7 PM | Free
Amarillo Sky Live | Rapid River Stillhouse | 8 PM | $5
Moxie Band | Dirty Shame Bar | 8 PM | Free
Crankdat | The Intersection | 8 PM | ?
Armchair Boogie wsg Sweet Dee & The Wild Honeys | Tip Top | 9 PM | $17+
Treetop Reggae ft. FaDa Wayne | The Philmore | 11:30 PM | $10
*Shows are subject to change, but that’s show biz.
Outside The Plaza
Quick hits of news from cities around Grand Rapids
That’s All For Today…
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