Good morning, Grand Rapids. I’m LeQwane and this is Calder News.
As I wrote this, it came to my attention that this issue would be published just one day before April fools.
What a shame.
I would have loved to make a wonderful joke for you guys today, but instead, I’m just opening the issue by dreaming.
I hope you’re off to an amazing week so far. Let’s get into the newwwwsss.
~LeQwane L.
The Digest
A briefing of local news that matters
Leisure
Get Out Into Nature This Month
Blandford Nature Center is offering free admission for April thanks to a sponsorship from LMCU. And this one is just in time for the stroke of nice weather we’re set to get over the next couple of weeks! | Check out what you can do at Blandford
Community
Record Tourism
The numbers are in — Experience Grand Rapids reported record hotel performance last year with 2.36M rooms booked and ~$290M in revenue from event tourists. Marking another year of positive growth of about 3.2% YoY from destinations around town. | Learn what’s driving the growth
Development
Apartments Coming to Downtown Grandville
A long-empty lot in downtown Grandville is set to become Timber Flats, a new mixed-use development with 28 apartments and commercial space. Construction could begin any day, with most of the work happening this spring and summer. Leasing is expected to start next year. | Read more
Enviornment
East GR Expands Compost Pickup
East Grand Rapids is launching a new curbside composting program on April 6th, letting residents put food scraps out with yard waste for pickup. The new service builds on the city’s 2022 drop-off pilot and will run alongside the 24/7 food scrap drop-off site at the Public Works complex on Reeds Lake. | Learn more
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New Name For Expanding District
The Downtown business district, Monroe North, has a new name → River North.
Why the change?
The district needed a new name to reflect the change and growth happening there, and to feel more lively than its production and manufacturing roots.
The district is set to have an official event later this year to promote the new name.
Ps. In case you didn’t know (I didn’t), River North is the area immediately north of Downtown, on the east side of the Grand River.
Talk Of The Town
🏠 Tour Heritage Hill
The 58th Annual Heritage Hill Tour of Homes is set to return on May 15th. The tour will walk you through the neighborhood’s architecture, inside its preserved homes, and stories that make the area what it is.
📲 Calling All Vendors
Division of the Arts Festival is looking to fill 80 spots for artists, authors, makers, crafters, and more
Christkindl Markt has opened its 2026 vendor application. The Markt is looking to fill its space with outdoor vendor booths who are ready to showcase their artisan foods, decor, clothing, textiles, ornaments, jewelry, and more
Featured Event
📍 The Big Room | Silva
⌛ Doors open @ 5 PM
Join hundreds of college basketball fans to gather in The Big Room at SILVA to watch both Men’s Final Four games on what we think is the biggest TV in Grand Rapids
Click for more details
What’s Happening?
Thursday, April 2nd
SOJOURNER: Modern Easter Drama/ Musical | 6727 Kuttshill Dr NE (Rockford) | (Thu - Sat) Various times | $5+
High Score Comedy | Pyramid Scheme | 8 PM | Free
Friday, April 3rd
Open House | Makerspace | 4 PM | Free
Grand Rapids Rise vs. Dallas Pulse | Van Andel Arena | 7 PM | $19+
Live Music
Tuesday, March 31st
Black Rose Duo | JT’s Pizza | 7:30 PM | Free
Wednesday, April 1st
Midnight Til Morning | Elevation | 7 PM | $36
Fools for a Cause! | Pyramid Scheme | 7 PM - 11 PM | $20
Hot Girls + Redbelly + THV + Epcya | Pyramid Scheme | 7:30 PM | $21
Midnight Til Morning | Intersection | 8 PM | $46
Thursday, April 2nd
The Moonrays | Horrocks Market | 5 PM | Free
The Left Handed Rollers | Chicago Beef Joint | 6 PM | Free
The Devil Wears Prada | Intersection | 6 PM | $41
Dirtwire | Elevation | 7 PM | $35
Bob Dylan | DeVos Performance Hall | 8 PM | $83
Trash Pandas wsg Inaudible Darling | Tip Top | 8 PM | $12
Friday, April 3rd
The John Shea Trio | Horrocks Market | 5 PM | Free
The Black Dahlia Murder | Intersection | 6 PM | $45
Disembodied Tyrant | Intersection | 6 PM | $45
Andrew Sleighter | The BOB | 7 PM | $12
Wyatt Flores | GLC Live | 7 PM | $54+
Dear Maryanne + Equipment + Arcadia Grey + OK Cool | Pyramid Scheme | 7:30 PM | $27
Bad Suns | Elevation | 8 PM | $35
Sebastien Bordeaux with Kitten & The Tonics and Sweet Dee & The Wild Honeys | Tip Top | 8 PM | $12
The Bootstrap Boys | Speciation Artisan Ales | 9 PM | Free
Hattrick | Firebird Bar | 9 PM | $5
Klay N' The Mud | The BOB | 9 PM | Free
*Shows are subject to change, but that’s show biz.
That’s All For Today…
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