Good morning, Grand Rapids.
As the colors change, I'm finding my cozy fall plans.
Robinette's has their Dolly Parton maze, Ed Dunneback & Girls Farm is in full swing, and East Grand Rapids is hosting their annual Harvest Fest this weekend... what's on your calendar?
(So far, my favorite fall treat has been the Dulce Apple Chai Latte at Midnight Express on Fulton. Big win for non-coffee-lovers!)
~Sara B.
Another Record Broken
On Saturday, GR made history.
The Amphitheater, finishing its inaugural season, hosted a record-breaking fashion show as part of the ArtPrize awards ceremony.
Held in collaboration with local designer RC Caylan, the show featured local models and brought together over 3,600 attendees. Sailing past the previous record held by a fashion show in India.
Whether you were there or not, it's safe to say it's one of our city’s biggest achievements as (allegedly) Art City USA.
Check out our POV of the record-breaking moment.
Business News
✅ New
Locally owned 24/7 Golf is OFFICIALLY open in Standale as of this weekend, offering an all-hours practice space for those who can't wait to get back on the green.
This Saturday (Oct. 10), The Stray is celebrating 5 years in business with deals, drinks, and music! They’re even selling their top five drinks and tickets to their rock show that night at a serious discount.
Any caniacs reading? Raising Cane's new location near Rivertown Crossings Mall will hold its grand opening on Thursday, Oct. 22.
Pop-up decor and vintage shop Design Culture GR have announced their first event at their new brick-and-mortar space off of Plainfield will take place on Oct. 24th.
❌ Closing
In January, a fire took out First Wok on 28th Street. Now, nine months later, their grand reopening is set for Oct. 7th.
❗ Updates
Furry favorite Fido & Stitch will close the doors of its original location downtown on Oct. 28. But fear not: their Rockford location will remain open.
Talk Of The Town
🎬 From Campus to Cinema
A GVSU senior named Brooke VerBeek has received a major movie deal for her not-yet-released horror-romance novel, "Cold Honey."
🍎 Happy Harvest Days
Saturday, Oct. 10th, East Grand Rapids will host the annual Harvest Festival, welcoming local vendors, breweries, and live music in Gaslight Village from noon to p.m.
🏆 Winner Takes It All
This year, 20 artists were awarded after Saturday's closing ceremony. Learn more about what pieces earned the prize.
CIVIC NEWS
Fun fact for ya - there are two public City Commission meetings every month. One at the beginning of the month. And another at the end of the month.
But here's the thing...
The first one is usually absent of the public because it happens at 2 PM on a Tuesday.
Just thought that was funny personally.
Here are a few topics worth knowing about from today’s meeting:
Noise rules in play: commissioners are taking the first step toward changing the city's noise ordinance. Things like what "uses, activities, and sounds" are exempt from noise limits. Why now? Amphitheater noise complaints.
Drinks at the stadium: a resort liquor license to serve food and alcohol at the new Amway Stadium downtown.
Tax breaks for fixer-uppers: three older properties get redevelopment incentives, on Plainfield Ave NE, MLK Jr. St SE, and Eastern Ave SE.
911, renewed: a three-year deal with Kent County to run the area's emergency lines.
Greener city: $210K in outside funding to hire a full-time sustainability staffer, at no cost to the city.
You can watch the live meeting online today as well.
One more thing: two candidates are running to fill the open 1st Ward commission seat this November. You can learn about them here.
Featured Events
Click the flyer to get more details!
Click the flyer to get more details!
What’s Happening?
Tuesday, October 6th
Tuesday Swing at the Museum | Grand Rapids Public Museum | 7 PM - 9:30 PM | $10
The Circus is Coming to GRCM | Grand Rapids Children's Museum | 2 PM - 4 PM | GA
Creepy Critters of Michigan | Roselle Park | 6 PM - 7 PM | $15 per household
GR Bug Club! | Speciation Cellars | 6 PM - 7:30 PM | Free
Wednesday, October 7th
12th Annual Chef’s Specialty | Goei Center | 5:30 PM - 8:30 PM | $150
Thursday, October 8th
Books & Brews Trivia Night | Speciation Cellars | 6:30 PM - 8:30 PM | Free
Community Block Party | Independent Bank (Downtown) | 1 PM - 4 PM | Free
Wine Tasting | Art of the Table | 4 PM - 8 PM | Free
Friday, October 9th
Grand Rapids Griffins at Van Andel | Grand Rapids Griffins | (10/9 - 3/26) | ?
Between Worlds: Where Memory Lives | DeVos Place | All day | ?
MiVetCon 2026 | DeVos Place | All day | ?
Wildlife Photography | Blandford Nature Center | 10 AM - 12 PM | $40
Live Music
Tuesday, October 6th
Boots & Bows Night // Grandville | The Ayo Place | 7 PM - 10 PM | $10
Taste of Chaos | GLC Live at 20 Monroe | 4 PM | $70+
Amélie Farren + Lilith Max + Rabbitology - The Three Wishes Tour | The Pyramid Scheme | 8 PM - 11 PM | $45
Wednesday, October 7th
The Jack Wharff Band: The High Road Tour at The Stache | Elevation | 6:30 PM - 10:30 PM | $20 ADV / $25 DOS
Open Band Night At The Stray | The Stray | 6:30 PM - 9 PM | Free
Jack Droppers & The Best Intentions | SpeakEZ Lounge | 7:30 PM | $6
Karaoke Night with Double E // Wednesdays | Mulligan's Pub | 9 PM - 11:59 PM | Free
Mark Lavengood and friends + The Travelures (album release) | The Pyramid Scheme | 8 PM - 11 PM | $21
Bluegrass Jam hosted by Brian Oberlin | Chicago Beef Joint | 6 PM - 9 PM | Free
Thursday, October 8th
The Carl Webb Band | Horrocks Market | 5 PM - 8 PM | Free
Brandon Ward | Michigan Moonshine Distillery | 6 PM - 9 PM | Free
Motionless In White | Van Andel Arena | 6 PM - 11:30 PM | 7 PM
Black Widows wsg The Moonrays | Tip Top Deluxe Bar & Grille | 7 PM | $14
The Plot In You | Van Andel Arena | 5 PM - 11 PM | $120+
Bring Me The Horizon | Van Andel Arena | 7 PM - 9:50 PM | $120+
Kenny Barron Trio Concert | St. Cecilia Music Center | 7:30 PM - 9 PM | $80+
Friday, October 9th
Blue Jam City | Horrocks Market | 5 PM - 8 PM | Free
The Moonrays (cosmic surf rock) | Speciation Cellars | 7 PM | Free
Chokesetter | Mulligan's Pub | 7 PM | Free
Thompson Dawson | The Stray | 7 PM | Free
An Evening with John Cusack | GLC Live at 20 Monroe | 7 PM - 8:50 PM | $50+
The Fat Animals (Jam/Psych/Rock) | Speciation Cellars | 9 PM - 11 PM | Free
Grand Rapids Symphony: America at 250 | DeVos Performance Hall | (Fri - Sat) 7:30 PM | $22+
Left Lane Cruiser | Tip Top Deluxe Bar & Grille | 8 PM | $12
Tyler Gitchel | Rapid River Stillhouse | 9 PM | $5
Corey B | Wealthy Theatre | 8 PM | $38
Los Gamma | Agave Sports Lounge | 9 PM | Free
*Shows are subject to change, but that’s show biz.
Calder Catch Up
A quick digest of local news that matters
✍️ Task Force Takes Opinions: Have an idea on how to make GR a bit safer? The Safe Alliances for Everyone (SAFE) Task Force is asking the public for pitches for violence-reduction programs in the area, with a chance to win up to $10,000 at its Pitch and Highlight Night at the end of this month.
🏢 $10M Hispanic Chamber: Yesterday (Oct. 5th), the West Michigan Hispanic Chamber of Commerce opened the doors to its new $10 million building off of Hall Street, featuring a cafe, courtyard, event hall, and meeting rooms.
Have news to report? Click here.
That’s All…
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