Good morning, Grand Rapids. I’m LeQwane and this is Calder News, the local newsletter that feels like the morning paper on the kitchen table.
Why are we hitting your inbox on a Tuesday morning?
New year, new schedule. I will be publishing our newsletter twice a week (Tuesday and Friday) instead of the previous three times a week. It’ll take me a while to get used to writing on Monday nights.
But it’s the best move for now.
The new schedule will enable me to hire a writer, cover interesting stories, and improve your experience as a reader of our newsletters as we progress into this new year.
With that, let’s get into the neeewwss.
~LeQwane L.
World Of Winter Returns
Winter around GR is about to get a tad more interesting this week.
The World of Winter Festival is kicking off on Friday and will run through. Turning downtown into an outdoor winter playground. It’s the largest free winter festival in the country, featuring glowing art installations, performances, and hands-on events spread across a walkable downtown.
What to know before you go:
Mostly free events, art, and activities
Light-based art from artists around the world
Family-friendly, date-night friendly, and everything in between
Can’t-miss highlights:
Fire & Ice street party and ice carving demos (Jan. 10)
Silent Disco, Ice Piano, Snowga, and Circus Wonderland
Luminary Bike Ride (Jan. 15)
Human Hungry Hippo Tournament + Noodle Fest to close it out
Perfect excuse to bundle up, get out, and enjoy the downtown in a whole new light.
The Digest
A briefing of local news that matters
Events
Jurassic Quest Brought Dinosaurs to GR
While we were away, Jurassic Park Quest visited the DeVos Place last weekend. The exhibit brought 80+ life-size animatronic dinosaurs, plus fossil digs, dino rides, interactive pieces, and live shows. | Recap
Business
Chipotle Replaces Former Rite Aid
Chipotle is leasing about 2,600 sq. ft. inside the former Rite Aid building at 2410 Burton St. SE, across from Breton Village. The space is part of an 11,000 sq. ft. building being renovated into multiple storefronts, and the Chipotle is expected to open in 2026. | Read more
Health
Free Radon Kits Available at KDL
Kent County Health Department is giving out free radon test kits during January, with pick ups scheduled at KDL branches in Plainfield (Jan. 6), Cascade (Jan. 13), Grandville (Jan. 20), and Kentwood (Jan. 27). You can also grab one at KCHD’s main clinic at 700 Fuller Ave NE while supplies last, and some KDL locations offer radon detectors you can check out with a library card. | Read more
Have news to report? Click here.
Talk Of The Town
🪵 Blandford Needs a Hand
Yesterday, Blandford Nature Center announced that they’re looking to hire a handful of seasonal and year round full time roles. The opportunities cover Farm Production to Camp Management.
🏡 Housing Market Update
Keeping an eye on the real estate market? A local real estate company released a market report that shows how many GR homes have sold, days on market, and median list prices.
🍺 GR Gold Launches A Drink
The Grand Rapids Gold has launched “Liquid Gold”, a new canned cocktail in collaboration with Gypsy Vodka. The drink is available at any Van Andel Arena event.
Local Eats
🦐 Sugah Please → A new Louisiana-inspired brunch spot held its soft opening last week
Talking Shop
🔥 Fire Bird → The Firebird Bar, the new country-rock bar that’s replacing the former Turnstiles on the west side, is looking for bands
What’s Happening?
Tuesday, January 6th
Community Admission | GRAM | 12 PM - 6 PM | Free
Monthly Alger Heights Neighborhood Asso. Meeting | Seymour Church | 6:30 PM | Free
Show & Tell | SILVA | 7 PM | Free
Wednesday, January 7th
Bend and Behold Yoga | Silva | 7 PM | Free
Thursday, January 8th
Comedian: Rosebud Baker | Dr. Grin’s (The Bob) | (Thu - Sat) Various times | $11+
Community Night | GRAM | 5 PM - 8 PM | Free
GR Poerty Collective | The Lit | 5:30 PM - 8 PM | Free
Shake, Sip, & Slay | Fratelli’s | 7 PM | $32
New Year Comedy Night & Fun | Russo’s (Tanger) | 7:30 PM
High Score Comedy | Pyramid Scheme | 8 PM | Free
Friday, January 9th
Remodeling & New Homes Show | DeVos Place | (Fri - Sun) Various times | $12+
World of Winter Kick Off | Various locations | 5 PM - 9 PM | Free
"Junk Drawer" A G.V.S.U Art Show | 106 Gallery | 6 PM - 10 PM | Free
All Week
Holiday Hikes & Hugs | The cream goat barn | $20
Ice Skating | Roas Park Circle | Various times | $3+
Live Music
Wednesday, January 7th
Open Band Night | The Stray | 6:30 PM | Free
Thursday, January 8th
Beer City Blues Band | Horrocks Market | 5 PM | Free
Matt Welch | Rapid River Stillhouse | 6 PM | Free
Grupo Fieero | Kentwood Library | 6:30 PM | Free
DEEE2K | Billy’s Lounge | 9:30 PM | $5
Friday, January 9th
The Big Daddy Fox Duo | Horrocks Market | 5 PM | Free
MORLOCK NIGHT (Rock Showcase) | The Stache | 6:30 PM | $16
Union Guns | Rapid River Stillhouse | 7 PM | $5
Mark Lavengood | Fulton St. Pub | 7 PM - 9 PM | Free
The Bandino Extravanga's w/ Hot Girls | Founders | 7 PM | Free
Boléro! | DeVos Performance Hall | (Fri, Sat) 7:30 PM | $28+
Finding Amelia + First Aid Spray + Smothers | Pyramid Scheme | 8 PM | $21
Erin Monroe | Speciation Cellars | 9 PM | Free
Geech | The BOB | 9 PM | Free
Josh Johnston Band | Twisted Bull | 9:30 PM | ?
The Bloody Pickups / Cherry Drop / Slumlord Radio | Mulligan’s Pub | 10 PM | Free
Sports
Wednesday, January 7th
Grand Rapids Griffins VS Texas Stars | Van Andel Arena | 7 PM | $26+
Thursday, January 8th
Grand Rapids Gold VS College Park Skyhawks | Van Andel Arena | 7 PM | $15+
*Shows are subject to change, but that’s show biz.
Outside The Plaza
Quick hits of news from cities around Grand Rapids
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That’s All For Today…
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