Good morning, Grand Rapids.
I’m back in town, so it’s time to catch you up on the latest news today!
From generous strangers to a taste of India on Wealthy Street.
The leaves are starting to change on the highways, so that means pumpkin patches and carving are soon to be all the rage.
What’s your favorite part of fall? Reply to this email or let me know in the feedback section of today’s issue.
~Sara B.
WORK WEEK FUN
Together with: Bamboo
Bamboo | 2 Fulton St W
We’re always covering family-friendly events and weekend fun.
So I thought - why not share something you can do during the week with other professionals? Bamboo is the place to find events that could benefit your work/business life.
Here are a 3 events that they’re putting on next month for local professionals and business owners:
Color Out Screening Event | October 1, 5:30 PM — 7:30 PM
Join WGVU for a screening of ‘Isle Royale for All’, a documentary following Alice Jasper, creator and host of Color Out Here, an organization dedicated to removing barriers for marginalized communities to visit one of the least known national parks: Isle Royale.
Founders First Fridays | October 2, 10:00 AM — 11:00 AM
Spend an hour connecting with other founders behind high-growth startups, soon-to-be scaling companies, and experienced founders. Build relationships, share experience, and discuss challenges with those just like you.
Hosted Agents in Microsoft Foundry | October 13, 4:30 PM—6:00 pm
Hosted by West Michigan Azure User Group, this meetup highlights the offerings and capabilities of AI agents, using the Microsoft Agent Framework to provide a developer-friendly approach to take advantage of these tools.
There are a ton of other events you can participate in as well…
Business News
✅ New
Jyoti’s Kitchen is bringing new Indian flavor to East Grand Rapids with its restaurant at 2230 Wealthy St SE.
From MooZoo Slime Shop and Sweet Kisses Bakery to sweet smells at Addiour Perfume and Ventrora Perfume, RiverTown Crossings is looking forward to its newest additions.
❌ Closing
38 local Wendy’s franchises are at risk of closing following CGR Meritage Bankruptcy. The specific locations are unknown at this moment, but as the process progresses, more information should come out!
Talk Of The Town
🧑🎨Countdown after HalfTime
After HalfTime passed, ArtPrize’s top 30 exhibits have been announced. The list of 30 is broken down into categories of 2D, 3D, installations, time-based art, design, and new media. Did any of your favorites make the list?
🎭Homecoming for Art-Loving Hearts
Over the weekend, the Civic Theatre celebrated 100 years with a free community block party that immediately followed the closing of “Come From Away.” If you missed the first show, there are tons of great plays left to check out.
If you didn’t know, every person on stage at the Civic Theater is a local volunteer from our community.
📚 GRCC’s First (Permanent) Woman President
GRCC has made (GR) history by making Kathryn Rogalski its first permanent female president. Rogalski was previously a VP at a technical college in Wisconsin and holds 25 years of experience in higher ed.
Featured Events
Click the flyer for details!
Click the flyer for details!
Tuesday, September 29th
Poetry Open Mic Night | Scorpion Hearts Club | 5:30 PM - 7 PM | Free
Improv Jam-a-lama-ding-dong | The Comedy Project | (9/29 - 1/26) 7 PM | Free
Tuesday Night Swing at Rosa | Rosa Parks Circle | (9/29 - 10/20) 7 PM | Free
Wednesday, September 30th
Knitflix | Wealthy Theatre | 5:30 PM - 8:30 PM | $15
Wild Food Foraging with I.Y.E Wellness | Blandford Nature Center | 6 PM - 8 PM | $32
Beer Pairing Dinner | The Heritage Restaurant | 6 PM - 9:52 PM | $65
Thursday, October 1st
Good Grief Collage & Tea | Global Infusion | 7 PM - 8:30 PM | ?
Fall Fest & Corn Maze at Ed Dunneback & Girl's | Ed Dunneback & Girl's Farm Market | (10/1 - 10/31) | ?
Book Club | Black Dog Books & Records | 7 PM | ?
Evening Hike with the Animals | Blandford Nature Center | 6 PM - 7:15 PM | $16.00
Embroidery for Beginners | Spruced Studio | 6 PM - 8:30 PM | ?
Petals, Paper, and Pints | Trail Point Brewing Company | 6 PM | $38
Museum Adventure: After Dark | Grand Rapids Public Museum | 7 PM - 10 PM | $55
Jonathan Turley presents: The Unfinished Story of the American Revolution | Gerald R. Ford Presidential Museum | 6:30 PM - 7:30 PM | Free
Friday, October 2nd
TreeRunner HallowGlow 2026 | Grand Rapids | (10/2 - 10/31) Various times | $36+
ArtPrize: Themed Weekend – Fashion | Downtown Grand Rapids | (10/2 - 10/3) All day | Free
Femtronica Pop-Up | Mulligans Pub | 10 PM - 1 AM | Free
2026 Fall Parade of Homes (October 2-10) | Grand Rapids, MI | (10/2 - 10/10) | $10
Live Music
Tuesday, September 29th
Traction Mastermind with Special Guest Jon LoDuca from Playbook Builder | Grand Rapids Chamber | 9 AM - 11 AM | Free
Mr. Smith & The Jones | The Score | 6 PM | Free
Jay Buchanan – Weapons of Beauty Storyteller US Tour 2026 | The Stache | 8 PM | $25 ADV / $30 DOS
WITCH | The Pyramid Scheme | 8 PM - 11 PM | $33
Wednesday, September 30th
Open Mic Night at Rák | Downtown Market | 5 PM - 8 PM | Free
Taking Back Sunday + Thrice | GLC Live at 20 Monroe | 7 PM - 11 PM | $59.50
Sophia McIntosh & The Sages | SpeakEZ Lounge | 7:30 PM - 10 PM | Free
Thursday, October 1st
Pulaski Days (Oct 1-4) | Grand Rapids | (10/1 - 10/2) 12 AM | $3,500
Silent Disco | Rosa Parks Circle | 6 PM - 10 PM | First 25 free
Taking Back Sunday | Michigan Moonshine Distillery | 6 PM - 9 PM | Free
65 North Pickers | The Philmore | 8 PM | $20
Tony Rock at The Intersection | The Intersection | 6:30 PM | $35+
Candlelight: The Best of Hans Zimmer | Wealthy Theatre | 6:30 PM - 7:45 PM | $17+
Octave Cat + Future Joy | The Pyramid Scheme | 8 PM - 11 PM | $24
Chris Higgins | Dr. Grins Comedy Club at The B.O.B. | (10/1 - 10/2) 8 PM | $17+
Friday, October 2nd
East Hills Wine Mile & Harvest Party | Chateau Grand Rapids | 5 PM - 8 PM | SALE ENDED
El Ten Eleven | The Pyramid Scheme | 8 PM - 11 PM | ?
San Holo | The Intersection | 8 PM | $35 ADV / $40 DOS
Electric Flower Company | The Score | 6 PM - 10 PM | Free
Tall Tall Trees | The Pyramid Scheme | 7 PM | $27
Modest Mouse WSG Caroline Rose | GLC Live at 20 Monroe | 7 PM - 11 PM | $66.50
Dan + Shay: The Young Tour | Acrisure Amphitheatre | 7 PM - 11 PM | $36
Grand Rapids Symphony: The Music of Star Trek | DeVos Performance Hall | 7:30 PM - 8:30 PM | $20+
Jennifer Knapp | Tip Top Deluxe Bar & Grille | 8 PM | $28
MOODS (Jazz/Psych) | Speciation Cellars | 9 PM - 11 PM | Free
*Shows are subject to change, but that’s show biz.
Calder Catch Up
A quick digest of local news that matters
Free Recreational Fun. Starting September 30, Cascade Township Park will offer several free programs, from euchre to cornhole, for community members looking for new fun activities this fall.
Money Well Spent. The Other Way food pantry benefits 2,500 neighbors, and now, a donor is matching gifts dollar-for-dollar up to $25,000. Learn more about their mission and the ongoing donations here.
Restaurant Week’s Recruiting! Restaurant Week GR has returned, with a new ask for local restaurants and a lack of restrictions to make it easier than ever to participate.
Have news to report? Click here.
That’s All…
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