Good afternoon, Grand Rapids. I’m LeQwane and this is Calder News — and while today’s sunshine is giving main character energy, don’t get too comfy…

Tomorrow’s forecast is straight-up disrespectful.

Today’s newsletter will be short and sweet. I’ll cover some events happening around town and a quick hit of important news.

I hope you are having a great start to your week! 🙂

~LeQwane L.

The Digest

A briefing of local news that matters

Development

Heinz Factory to Become Entrepreneur Hub

A long-vacant Heinz factory on Madison is being turned into a $20M hub for small businesses and nonprofits. Led by the Grand Rapids Center for Community Transformation, the project will feature a coworking space, a restaurant, business classes, and support for local entrepreneurs. Construction is set to begin this fall. And plans to use local and minority-owned contractors. A future crowdfunding campaign aims to make the space 51% community-owned, giving Southtown residents a real stake in the growth happening around them. | Read more about the project

Fun

Fee Ban Could Make Local Events Cheaper

Stepping outside GR for a sec… A new FTC rule banning hidden fees on live event tickets and short-term stays goes into effect today. What does that mean? Buying event/ concert tickets in Grand Rapids or booking a weekend trip you’ll see the full price upfront before checkout. While taxes and add-ons can still pop up at the end, this move could help make grabbing tickets a little less frustrating—and a tad cheaper. | Learn more about the fee ban

Community

Say Happy Birthday To GR

Grand Rapids is turning 175 this summer and the city wants you to help celebrate. Locals are invited to submit short video clips wishing the city a happy birthday. The best ones will be featured in a community video released in June. My tip: keep it short, shoot vertically, and make sure your lighting and audio are clear. Submissions are due by Friday, May 23, at 5 PM. Props, creativity, and different languages are encouraged, so make it fun if you do submit one! | Link to submit your video

Have news to report? Click here.

Ask Grand Rapids 🤔 

What’s Happening?

Preview: Events —> Live Music

Monday, May 12th

• Herb Containers and Herb Butter | Koersiers | 6 PM - 8 PM | $72 tickets | Create your own container herb garden with your favorite herbs

• Comedy Night | Garage Bar | 7 PM | Free to attend

• Karao-KiKi | The Apartment Lounge | 8 PM - 11 PM | Free to attend

• Trivia

  • Rapid River Stillhouse | 7 PM - 9 PM | Free to attend

  • Mammoth | 7 PM - 9 PM | Free to attend

Tuesday, May 13th

• ommunity Day | GRAM | 12 PM - 5 PM | Free admission

• Poetry Workshop | Scorpion Hearts Club | 5:30 PM - 7 PM | Free to attend

• Open Mic Night | Founders Brewing | 6 PM - 8:30 PM | Free to attend

• Night Swing | Rosa Park Circle | 7 PM - 9:30 PM | Free to attend ($7 donation suggested)

• Comedy Night | Tip Top | 9 PM | Free to attend

• Trivia

  • The Knickerbocker | 7 PM - 9 PM | Free to attend

  • Fulton Street | 8 PM | Free to attend

Wednesday, May 14th

• Gallery for Kids | AllArtWorks | 4 PM - 6 PM | Free to attend | Free art activities for kids

• Touch A Truck | Chick Fil A Standale | 5 PM - 7 PM | Kids eat free with adult meal | Police, fire, construction, and tow trucks are taking over the Chick-Fil-A parking lot in Standale

• Zoo At the Studio | 1539 Taylor Ave N, Suite 6 | 6:30 PM - 8:30 PM | $80 | Make a set of 4 snack plates using animal-inspired designs

• Open Mic Comedy | River City Saloon | 9 PM | Free to attend

• Trivia

  • Stella's Lounge | 6:30 PM | Free to attend

  • Ed Dunneback & Girl's Farm Market | 7 PM - 8 PM | Free to attend

  • Harmony Brewing Company | 7 PM - 9 PM | Free to attend

  • Brickyard Tavern | 7 PM - 9 PM | Free to attend

  • Speciation Cellars | 7 PM - 9 PM | Free to attend

Events you can attend anytime this week…

• Various family/ individual events | Free | Check out what recurring or one-off events are being hosted at your local public library this week

• Cider Week GR | Various locations | Various times | Celebrates the local cider scene with nine days of events and activities

• Outdoor Fitness Classes | Various parks | Various times | Free to attend

• 22nd Annual Spring Forum | Fish Ladder Park | Free to attend | Educational walks along the Grand River

Live Music

Tuesday, May 13th

• Napalm Death & Melvins | The Intersection | 6:30 PM | $48

• Moon Walker | The Pyramid Scheme | 7 PM | $28.25

Wednesday, May 14th

• Heartsick + Rip VanRipper + Death Pose + Glassfield | The Pyramid Scheme | 7 PM | Starting at $22

• Hippie Sabotage | GLC Live | 7 PM - 11 PM | Starting at $48

*Shows are subject to change, but that’s show biz.

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That’s All For Today…

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