Good morning, Grand Rapids. Happy first day of fall!
Whether you’re a pumpkin spice latte person, counting down the days until Halloween, or even Spring…
I won’t judge as long as you keep your spooky scary skeletons to yourself.
Today’s newsletter has a little bit of everything, from ArtPrize to Arbor Circle’s open house (happening tonight!) and a new favorite margarita spot for ya.
I hope you enjoy the start of Autumn!!
~ Sara B.
An Open Door
Non-profit highlight
Photo Credit: Arbor Circle.
On September 29th, local nonprofit Arbor Circle is hosting the annual End of Summer Celebration at The Bridge youth shelter.
From 4 to 6 pm, the public will be welcome to visit the center at 1115 Ball Ave. NE, for a once-a-year opportunity to see where the change is happening for youth in our community.
Designed to support youth ages 10-17 with emergency shelter and support services for young adults up to age 24, The Bridge provides temporary stability and support to young people experiencing homelessness or housing instability, with a range of services to help them afterward.
If you’re curious about their impact in the community, or want to see the environment they’ve created, this is your chance to visit and learn how you can support future initiatives.
Learn more here
Business News
✅ New
Azul Agave Mexican Cuisine & Bar is bringing fresh flavor to Forest Hills at 884 Forest Hill Ave SE. This restaurant is #3 for owner Maricela Melendez and promises staples such as street corn, seafood dip, salchipapas, and more.
After the former owner closed its doors, independent bookstore Books & Mortar reopened this month, thanks to a trio of owners passionate about providing community between the shelves.
Talk Of The Town
🎃: Spooky Safaris with Zoo Goes Boo
This October, Zoo Goes Boo at John Ball Zoo returns for three weekends, inviting guests to don their scariest attire and trick-or-treat their way through the zoo.
🎉: Second Year of Street Celebration
Saturday, September 26th, Wealthy Street will be transformed with live music, vendors, face painting, and more for the second annual Wealthy Street Block Party.
Civic News
What’s on the table for City Hall later today…
Helping people on the margins: a $150K deal with Mel Trotter to support a personal-belongings storage program for our unhoused neighbors, plus $198K in federal justice-grant funds via Kent County.
Redevelopment on tap (public hearings): tax-break districts for three older properties eyeing renovation on Plainfield Ave NE, MLK Jr. St SE, and Eastern Ave SE.
Streets & safety: road safety audits for Kalamazoo Ave and Michigan St, plus continued Oxford Trail and River Edges Trail work.
What locals are expected to talk about: the Acrisure Amphitheater again. But this week, with support letters alongside noise complaints, plus complaints about a recent event at Calder Plaza.
You can visit City Hall at 7 PM or watch the conversation streamed on the city’s YouTube or Facebook account.
What’s Happening?
Featured Events
Tuesday, September 22nd
Button Repair How-To | Urban Exchange | 6 PM - 9 PM | $25
Autumn Equinox Botanical Distillation | Gathered Botanicals | 6 PM - 7:30 PM | $45
Tuesday Night Swing at Rosa | Rosa Parks Circle | (9/22 - 10/20) 7 PM | Free
Wednesday, September 23rd
Tea 101 | Grand Rapids Downtown Market | 4:30 PM - 6 PM | $40
American Pachuco: The Legend of Luis Valdez Screening and Discussion | Wealthy Theatre | 6 PM - 9 PM | Free
Thursday, September 24th
Oddities | Garage Bar & Grill | 3 PM - 10 PM | $23.18–$55.2
Roosevelt Park Farmers Market | Roosevelt Park | (9/24 - 10/8) 5 PM
Dress Hemming | Urban Exchange | $6 PM - 9PM | $25+
Intro to Playing the Didgeridoo | Sacred Springs | 7:30 PM - 9 PM | $35
Create Art In Your Community With Maggie Flynn | Gerald R. Ford Presidential Museum | 6 PM - 7 PM | Free
The Art of Wine | The Søvengård | 6:30 PM - 8:30 PM | $40
Elvira: Live On The Big Scream! | Midtown | 7 PM | $20
Friday, September 25th
Oktoberfest GR 2026 | Riverside Park | (9/25 - 9/26) 3 PM | Free
The Haunt Experience Opening | The Haunt | (9/25 - 10/31)| $35
Neighborwoods (September 25-26) | Garfield Park | (9/25 - 9/26) 1 PM | Free
Alpha White Coat Gala | DeVos Place Convention Center | 4 PM - 11:30 PM | $140
Pickleball 102: Beyond the Basics | Dinks & Dingers Social Club | 5:30 PM - 7:30 PM | $20
Make a Wooden Bread Knife | Grand River Makerspace | 6:30 PM - 8:30 PM | $55
Live Music
Tuesday, September 22nd
Arm’s Length & Holding Absence | The Intersection | 6 PM | $41
Moonshot | The Score | 6 PM | Free
Cheerleader Roadkill + Diva Bleach + Yada Yada | The Pyramid Scheme | 7:30 PM - 11 PM | $22
Mumford & Sons | Acrisure Amphitheater | 7:30 PM - 11 PM | $190
Wednesday, September 23rd
The Black Queen | The Pyramid Scheme | 8 PM - 11 PM | ?
Thursday, September 24th
Bandstand | East Grand Rapids Performing Arts Center | (9/24 - 9/26) Various times | $18
Relax at Rosa | Rosa Parks Circle | 12 PM - 1:30 PM | Free
Klay N' The Mud | The Mitten Brewing Company | 5:30 PM - 8 PM | Free
GT Trio | Horrocks Market | 6 PM - 9 PM | Free
Travis Atkinson | Eastern Kille Distillery | 6 PM | Free
SOLO SHOW | Blue Water Grill | 6 PM - 9 PM | Free
Tonya Martini and the Bluetones | Chicago Beef Joint | 6 PM - 9 PM | Free
Marshall Werner Music | Carolina Lowcountry Kitchen | 6 PM - 9 PM | Free
Decades | The Score | 6 PM | Free
Grace Theisen Music | Horrocks Market | 6 PM | Free
Dave Matthews Tribute Band | The Intersection | 7 PM | $20 ADV / $25 DOS
Candlelight: Tribute to Michael Jackson | Wealthy Theatre | 8:45 PM - 10 PM | $18+
616 All Stars- Antholo G and DJ Grey Sky | Mulligan's Pub | 9 PM | Free
Friday, September 25th
Dave Burel | The Score | 12 PM | Free
LGJ Jazz Quartet | Horrocks Market | 5 PM - 8 PM | Free
Michael J Howe Jr. | Chicago Beef Joint | 6 PM - 9 PM | Free
Public Opinion | Morning Ritual Coffee Bar | 6 PM | Free
Sophia McIntosh | Downtown Market | 6 PM - 9 PM | Free
Brooks & Dunn Premiums: Party Decks, 4Tops, Lounge | Acrisure Amphitheatre | 7 PM - 11 PM | $75+
Snorkeler | The Philmore South | 7 PM | $16
Class of '98 at The Stache | Elevation | 7 PM | $15 ADV / $20 DOS
Grand Rapids Symphony: Simon Trpčeski Plays Prokofiev (September 25-27) | DeVos Performance Hall | 7:30 PM | $22+
Music in the Heights - Eric O'Daly and The Folias Duo | Alger Park Church | 7:30 PM - 9:30 PM | Free
Kitten and The Tonics and The Palatinos | Tip Top Deluxe Bar & Grille | 8 PM | ?
Jungle Juice with Mobee Thicc | The Mint | 8 PM | $15 ADV/DOS
Free Show Friday: The Moonrays (cosmic surf rock) | Speciation Cellars | 8 PM - 11 PM | Free
The Whiskey Charmers | Firebird Bar GR | 9 PM | Free
Never Enough + Halfway to Yesterday + Lilac Debris + Mammal Teeth | Mulligan's Pub | (9/25 - 9/26) 10 PM | Free
*Shows are subject to change, but that’s show biz.
The Digest
A briefing of local news that matters
📚 New Chapter: Walker location of the Kent District Library is ready to reopen on October 19th after major renovations.
💰 Frosty Financials: Local Wendy’s and Bojangles franchise owner Meritage Hospitality Group Inc. has filed for bankruptcy after a landmark drop in its portfolio: a total of 314 Wendy’s restaurants
🎨 Artist First: After opening weekend, ArtPrize addressed community concerns about the use of AI allowed within competition guidelines.
🏆 Amphitheatre Awards: As of August 21, Acrisure Amphitheater has been nominated for Amphitheater of the Year just three months after opening.
Have news to report? Click here.
That’s All…
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