Good afternoon, Grand Rapids. I’m LeQwane and this is Calder News — and happy Friday!
I read this last night when I was doomscrolling, but on this day in 1960, Americans tuned in for the very first televised presidential debate between John F. Kennedy and Richard Nixon.
Now, let’s head into the weekend a little smarter and a lot more ready for what’s happening around town.
~LeQwane L.
The Digest
A briefing of local news that matters
Housing
3 Projects Add 248 Homes to GR
The Brownfield Redevelopment Authority has approved $59.5M in tax incentives for 3 housing projects totaling 248 new homes. 168 apartments at the former Family Fare on Breton, 44 riverfront apartments at 280 Ann St, and 36 units in the Ledyard Building downtown. | Read more
Public Safety
Kent County’s Camera Sharing
A new program called “Connect Kent County” will let schools, businesses, and homeowners share security video with police departments to help solve crimes and respond to emergencies. Schools can provide live access during active threats, businesses can allow footage use for investigations, and homeowners can register to share clips when needed. The program is expected before the end of the year. | Read more
Education
Davenport Raises Funds to Expand
Davenport University has raised $35.4M, beating its multi-year $35M goal to raise funds to expand scholarships, wellness services, bilingual education, and first-generation student support while adding new programs and faculty. 5,000+ donors contributed to support Davenport’s Vision 2025 plan that initially rolled out in 2020. | Read more
Sports
Grand Rapids Soccer Team Name Reveal
The new MLS Next Pro team coming in 2027 will unveil its name at Calder Plaza on Saturday. The event is open to everyone. with activities, food trucks, and team merchandise. | Get more details
Most Popular Stories From This Week
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Donate Snacks → Get Free Sports Tickets
Courtesy of Kids Food Basket
Kids’ Food Basket and Comerica Bank are teaming up with the GR Griffins for a food drive.
And if you donate five items like fruit cups, pudding, meat sticks, pretzels, crackers, or cereal, you’ll get a voucher to an upcoming game at Van Andel Arena.
Drop-offs are open now at 11 Comerica Bank branches around GR.
Talk Of The Town
🧑🎨 Get Your Student’s Art on A Billboard
To celebrate 75 years in business, Swift Printing is hosting a contest for young artists. The contest includes cash prizes, a billboard feature, and a piece showcase at their in-shop gallery. Learn how to participate
🌿 Blandford’s New CEO
Yesterday, Blandford Nature Center announced Stacy Stout as its new President and CEO.
🔍 See Sherlock With Your Family (Free?)
GR Ballet is hosting two family showings of its live performance “Sherlock” on a pay as you’re able basis (which can be free). The show is nearly sold out, but if you’re quick, you can secure tickets here.
Closing:
🎵 Skelletones - The local favorite music venue, Skelletones, shared that it will be closing on New Year’s Eve, but this may not be the end of the road.
Event Of The Day
Wealthy Street Block Party
📅 Saturday, Sept. 27th
📍Eastown
⌛12 PM - 6 PM
Enjoy a free family-friendly block party with music, food, art, and community in Uptown GR.
Click the image for details
What’s Happening?
Preview: Events —> Live Music
Friday, September 26th
GRMoMs Semi-Annual Sale | Woodhaven Reformed | 9 AM | Free
Neighborwoods | River City Scholars Charter Academy | (Fri, Sat) 1 PM, 4 PM | Free
ArtPrize HalfTime Show | Sixth St. Park | 6 PM | Free
Oktoberfest
Thornapple Brewing Co. | 11:30 AM | Free
Riverside Park | (Fri, Sat) 3 PM | Free
Saturday, September 27th
Teddy Bear Health Fair | Garfield Park | 9 AM | Free
Eastown History Walking Tour | New Yorker Menswear | 10 AM - 11:30 AM | Free
ArtPrize Merchant and Makers Market | Downtown | 10 AM | Free
Chili CookOff at the Ballpark | Sullivan Field - Fans of Valley Field | 11 AM - 7 PM | Free
Heart Prize | Pekich Park | (Sat, Sun) 12 PM | Free
Brewers on the Calder | Calder Plaza | 2 PM | Free
Live Tie-Dye Demo | Harmonic Egg & Wellness | 2 PM
TransFuse | Fulton St. Market | 5 PM | Free
Arabian Nights | JW Marriott | 6 PM | $150+
Brickworld GR | DeVos Place | (Sat, Sun) 10 AM - 5 PM | $18+
2000s Party | GLC LIve | 8 PM | $2
Sunday, September 28th
Vintage and Handmade Market | Downtown Market | 10 AM | Free
Matcha and Mediation (+ Sound Bath) | GR Yoga Company | 10 AM | $30
Fall Rummage Sale | Fulton St. Market | 11 AM | Free
House of Villians Drag Show | General Wood Shop | 6:30 PM | $10
Upcoming Events
Downtown Grandville Fall Fest | Oct. 3rd
Adam Sandler | Van Andel Arena | Oct. 3rd
Zoo Goes Boo | John Ball Zoo| Oct. 11th
Live Music
Friday, September 26th
Various shows | The Score | Multiple Times | Free
Scott Miller Wsg Michael Robertson | Tip Top | 4 PM | $23
Gabriel Estrada III, Mariachi Singer | Horrocks Market | 6 PM | Free
Jon Hayes & Abbie Thomas | The Stray | 7 PM | $11
Jedi Mindi Trip | The BOB | 9 PM | Free
Rebel Line | Twisted Bull | 9:30 PM | Free
Saturday, September 27th
Americana Sunday Jam | ArtRat Gallery | 3 PM | Free
Gabriel Estrada III, Mariachi Singer | Horrock’s Market | 6 PM | Free
The Steepwater | Midtown GR | 6 PM | $20+
Full Cord, The FUZZrites and The Mystery Boys | Tip Top | 6 PM | $17+
Mustard Plug + Planet Smashers + The Kilograms + The Write-Ups | Pyramid Scheme | 7 PM | $23
Lainey Wilson | Van Andel | 7 PM | $80+
Eric Engblade & Justin Avdek | The Stray | 7 PM | $12+
GR Symphony: The French Masters | DeVos Performance Hall | 7:30 PM | ?
Tropidelic w/ Artikal Sound System & Grieves | The Intersection | 7:30 PM | $35
Splifford | Speciation Cellars | 8 PM | Free
Union Guns | Back Forty Saloon | 9 PM | Free
Sunday, September 28th
Starcrawler + Pink Pout + Kat Karnage | Pyramid Scheme | 7 PM | $17+
*Shows are subject to change, but that’s show biz.
Outside The Plaza
Quick hits of news from cities around Grand Rapids
That’s All For Today…
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