Good morning, Grand Rapids. I’m LeQwane and this is Calder News and I hope you’re staying warm!
Last night was a cold one, folks. Whiteouts, 25 MPH winds, and ~5 degree tempetures was no joke.
If you’ve got a commute anytime today, stay safe and warm. ❤️
~LeQwane L.
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The Digest
A briefing of local news that matters
City
Division to Get $4M Upgrade
The city has gotten ~$4.3M in state funding to add more walking space downtown and to create easier connections between Belknap Hill and the river. The work will mainly be around Monroe and includes safer crossings plus repairs like the Fairbanks Street stairs down to Division. | Read more
Local Closures
At the time of writing this issue (around 11 PM last night), there were 200+ closures or delays reported due to the winter. If you’ve got any plans to visit stores or any orgnizations make sure they’re not on the list! | Check for closures
Have news to report? Click here.
GR History: Heritage Hill
In the late 1960s, Heritage Hill was staring down large demolition and redevelopment plans, and neighbors organized fast to protect the homes and streets that define the area today.
The Heritage Hill Association, formed in 1968, helped push for a pause on demolitions in 1969, and the neighborhood made the National Register in 1971 before becoming Grand Rapids’ first local historic district in 1973.
Why cover Heritage Hill in today’s issue? Last Wednesday, one of the key founders, Barbara Roelofs, died at 94.
And I thought the story (albeit brief) was rather interesting. Read more about the History of Heritage Hill here.
Talk Of The Town
🎤 DAAC Relocates from Creston
After 5 years in Creston, the Division Avenue Arts Collective (DAAC) - a music venue, gallery, and creative incubator is moving to the Four Star Theatre on Division.
🎭 Free Comedy Show Returns to GR
Sunday Night Funnies, a 18 year old free weekly live stand-up show, is returning to Grand Rapids with its move from Spectrum Theater to Chicago Beef Joint. The next event is this weekend.
Talking Shop
🍕 Buddy’s Pizza → After being open for 6 years, the Buddy’s Pizza on 28th. St. is closing its doors for good on Friday
🍖 Sweet Racks & Smokin’ Butts BBQ → The former food truck Sweet Racks & Smokin’ Butts BBQ is opening its first physical location on 28th St. on Wednesday (their stuff is great)
🛠️ Align Cabinetry → A new custom cabinet maker + showroom is opening on Fulton (4443 Fulton St E.) on Thursday
🐉 Star Bird Tattoo → Last week, a new tattoo shop located downtown (349 S Division Ave.) opened its doors for business - their artists
What’s Happening?
Tuesday, January 20th
Work From The Greenhouse | Downtown Market | 11 AM | Free
Community Entry | GRAM | 12 PM - 6 PM | Free
Scavenger Hunt | Downtown | (Tues-Wed) 6 PM | Free
Show & Tell Open Mic Night | SILVA | 7 PM | Free
Swing Dancing | GRAM | 7 PM | $10
GR Gold vs. Cleveland Charge | Van Andel Arena | 7 PM | $15+
Wednesday, January 21st
Bend & Behold Yoga | SILVA | 11:30 AM - 12:15 PM | $10+ donation
Sewing 100 | Public Thread | 6 PM | $75
GR Griffins vs Milwaukee Admirals | Van Andel Arena | 7 PM | $25+
Analog Night | Atwater Brewery | 7 PM | Free
Music Bingo | Dinks & Dingers | 7 PM | Free
Ain't Misbehavin’ | Civic Theatre | (Wed - Sun) 7:30 PM | $5+
Thursday, January 22nd
Comedian: John Heffron | Dr. Grins @ The BOB | (Thu - Sat) Various times | $17+
Data Centers: Panel Discussion | Start Garden | 5 PM | Free
Community Entry | GRAM | 5 PM - 9 PM | Free
Friday, January 23rd
Grand Rapids Home Show | Woodland Mall | (Fri - Sun) 11 AM - 8 PM | Free
Jigsaw puzzling league | Giggles and Gourmets Play Cafe | 5 PM - 6:30 PM | $5
World of Winter: Friday Night Food Trucks | 555 Monroe | 6 PM - 9 PM
World of Winter: Ice Piano Performance | Ah-Nab-Awen Park | 6:30 PM - 8 PM | Free
63rd Ann Arbor Film Festival | Wealthy Theatre | 7 PM | Free
The Ultimate Rave Experience | The Intersection | 8 PM | $23
PBR Whisky Velocity Tour (Bull Riding) | Van Andel Arena | 8 PM | $40
Live Music
Wednesday, January 21st
Jazz Night | Lucy’s | 6 PM | Free
Open Band Night | The Stray | 6:30 PM | Free
Travis Dodge + friends | The Pyramid Scheme | 8 PM | Free
Thursday, January 22nd
Michael McIntosh | Downtown Market | 5 PM | Free
EMO Night | Tip Top | 5 PM | Free
Chris Bota Band | Horrocks Market | 6 PM | Free
Nathan Walton | Rapid River Stillhouse | 6 PM | Free
Msvma Jh/ms Honors Choir | DeVos Performance Hall | 6 PM | $12
Mortala / Kitanai OTO & The Dirty Sound / Inkayy | Mulligan’s Pub | 9 PM | Free
Friday, January 23rd
Msboa Band And Orchestra | DeVos Performance Hall | 8 AM | $12
LGJ Jazz | Horrocks Market | 5 PM | Free
Ben Erhart | Garage Bar | 6 PM | Free
George Birge | Elevation | 6:30 PM | $28
Jake vs Jayk | Rapid River Stillhouse | 7 PM | $5
Girl*°•. -> FACTORY, Ethereal, & Empress Eyes | The Stray | 7 PM | Free
The Last Call Band | Tip Top | 7 PM | $6
Ravishing Rachmaninoff: GR Symphony | DeVos Performance Hall | 7:30 PM | $28+
Squatch (album release) + Flood The Desert + Levitator + Phantom | The Pyramid Scheme | 7:30 PM | $17
Tommy B Band | Dirty Shame | 8 PM | Free
Avello | The Stache | 8:30 PM | $25+
Sweet Dee & the Wild Honeys | Speciation Cellars | 9 PM | Free
Brena | The BOB | 9 PM | $5
*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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