
Good morning, Grand Rapids!
In case you missed it, Jenny is away on a camping trip, so Iβll be handling our newsletters this week like old times.
Letβs see if I still got it. ;)
~LeQwane L.
Branding Based in Grand Rapids
Together with: One Mohr Time
To stand out in a growing city like Grand Rapids, local businesses need branding thatβs straightforward and consistent, and maybe a little bold.
That might mean refining an existing logo or creating a full brand system thatβs easier to use day-to-day. If you work, own, or know a local restaurant, large organizations, or even an up-and-coming business:
One Mohr Time - the creative agency trusted by The City of Grand Rapids, ArtPrize, Calder News, and dozens of other local businesses.
The Digest
A briefing of local news that matters
Arts
ArtPrize Extends Event With βPreview Weekβ
The largest art competition in the USA has gotten an update for this year. On Monday, ArtPrize announced it is bringing back βPreview Weekβ, essentially a week-long experience thatβll help locals get a chance to see most of the art installations around town before the crowds and voting start. Preview week will run Sept. 12th - 17th. While the official event launches Sept. 18th. | Review the schedule here
Community
GRPS Finally Sells Former Schools
The Grand Rapids Board of Education has approved the sale of the former Alexander and Stocking Elementary buildings. Alexander School on the SE side is set to become a mixed-use community space with space for non-profits, residential housing, and childcare programming. While Stocking will become multi-family housing, community space, and a health center. Either building sold for $1M. | Learn more here
Transit
S-Curve Gets New Lighting
A $9M project to improve the lighting on the northbound and southbound lanes on US-131 on the S-Curve between Wealthy and Pearl is now underway. The project will occur in multiple parts between June and October, so expect regular single-lane closures on the highway and periodic ramp closures. | Learn more
Have news to report? Click here.
Civil News
Interested in chatting with leaders in our city's local government?
Next Tuesday, the city is hosting its second Commission Night Out at the Grand Rapids Public Museum. While the event has a fun βA Night at the Museumβ theme, itβll be a serious opportunity for anyone interested in local government.
The purpose of the event is to get Commissioners and decision makers out of the office and into the community. Giving you a chance to learn how and why decisions are made, what resources are available, and of course, a chance to speak with city leaders.
If you have time, this is one of the more impactful events to check out this month!
π
June 16th @ 6 PM
π Grand Rapids Public Museum
Note: Thereβs on-site parking thatβll be free (with validation).
Talk Of The Town
πͺ Gold Medals for The Grand Rapids Gold
The Grand Rapids Gold received a personal message from NBA Commissioner Adam Silver after winning the award of NBA G League Franchise of the Year, along with the teamβs presidentβs βExecutive of the Yearβ award.
βΎ Pro Helps Whitecaps
Over the weekend, MLB Pro Tarik Skubal from the Detroit Tigers had his first minor league rehab appearance with the Whitecaps (just a month after an elbow surgery). Skubal struck out 6 and only allowed two hits, with 44/54 pitches being strikes. There are clearly levels!
Business News
β New
HOMEBODY, a new womenβs clothing & accessories shop boutique with new & βpre-lovedβ clothing has opened its doors in Uptown.
A new Uptown Cheapskate location is opening on Alpine near Kohl's and Office Max.
The long vacant building at 1801 and 1803 Plainfield (the building next to Frosty Boy) in the Creston neighborhood is getting a new life as a native-owned coffee shop - Abo Coffee Company.
The YMCA has opened its new childcare center at the Rapidβs Center Station. The $9M facility features 12k sqft, classrooms, and multiple playgrounds.
β Updates
Blue Dog Tavern is looking for cute doggos to display at its bar. Have a photo you want to share with fellow dog lovers? Check out their post.
Whatβs Happening?
Tuesday, June 9th
Ada's Farmers' Market | 9 AM - 2 PM | Free
Comedy Magic with Cameron Zvara | GRPL Yankee Clipper Branch | 2 PM | Free
Storytime in the Park | Garfield/ Lincoln Park | 6:30 PM | Free
Swing Dancing | Rosa Park Circle | 7 PM | Free (donation suggested)
Comedy Night | Garage Bar | 7 PM | Free
The Outsiders | DeVos Performance Hall | 7:30 PM | $70
Wednesday, June 10th
Legally Blonde (Musical) | GR Civic Theatre | (6/10 - 6/28) Various times $31+
Block Party | Cascace CRC | 6 PM | Free
Creator Con | Bamboo GR | 6 PM | Free
Kellen Erksin | Dr. Grinβs | 8 PM | $22
Thursday, June 11th
World Cup Opening Game Watch Party | Studio Park | 2 PM | Free
Roosevelt Park Farmers Market | 5 PM | Free
Sunset on the Terrace | GRAM | 5 PM - 9 PM | Free
Friday, June 12th
Grand Rapids Asian-Pacific Festival | Calder Plaza | (Fri - Sat) 11 AM - 11 PM | Free
Summer Market Fest | HoM Flats | 5 PM | Free
4th Annual Summer Kick-off Fiesta | Whistlestop Park | 5:30 PM | Free
RendeZoo (Adults Only) | John Ball Zoo | 7 PM | $125
LaughMasters | 2RST | 8 PM | $17
Live Music
Tuesday, June 9th
Chris Cranick + Phabies | Meijer Gardens | 7 PM | GA
Wednesday, June 10th
Phantom Planet | Elevation | 7 PM | $41
The Westside + Julie's Bones + The Mannequins + Fuzzbuster | Pyramid Scheme | 7:30 PM | $17
The Beths | The Big Room | 8 PM | $38
Augustana | Intersection | 8 PM | $95
Thursday, June 11th
Fountain Fest 2026 | Fountain St. Church | (Thu - Sun) 1:30 PM - 12 AM | Pay what you can
Remnose | Rosa Park Circle | 12 PM - 1:30 PM | Free
Kyle Jennings | Grandville Community Commons | 4 PM | Free
The Mix Drift | Horrocks Market | 5 PM | Free
Blues Jam | Chicago Beef Joint | 6 PM | Free
Live on The Lawn: Sam Wesley | 3181 Bradford St NE | 6:30 PM | Free
Warchild ft. Scott Pryor | The Stache | 7 PM | $15
Tyler Hilton & Kate Voegele | Midtown | 7 PM | $35+
Westside Soul Surfers | Kentwood City Lawn | 7 PM | Free
Friday, June 12th
Big Daddy Fox | Horrocks Market | 5 PM | Free
Melophobix | Ada Legacy Park | 6 PM | Free
Michael Riley, The Merry Men, The Benjamin Tate Band | The Stray | 7 PM | Free
Brian Vander Ark | Midtown | 7 PM | $30
Dolly Dagger | Rapid River Stillhouse | 9 PM | $5
North By North wsg Inaudible Darling and King Ink | Tip Top | 9 PM | $12
Mark LavengoodMark Lavengood | Speciation Cellars | 9 PM | Free
Hattrick | Firebird Bar | 9:30 PM | Free
*Shows are subject to change, but thatβs show biz.
Thatβs All For Todayβ¦
β If you enjoyed todayβs newsletter, copy the link to the post and share it with a friend. Every new reader that joins our email helps.
π§ Get your business in an upcoming issue of Calder News. Letβs talk about how we can put your business in front of thousands of GR locals.

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