📍 GR wants to fund your creativity

Plus, MLK day in GR, moment of the week, the rapid’s new pricing, and more

Author

LeQwane Lynch
January 17, 2025

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Happy Friday, Grand Rapids. I’m LeQwane and this is Calder News — And I’m getting ready for a weekend!

Once I clock out today, that’s it… I’m turning my brain off until UFC 311 (MMA event) airs tomorrow evening.

My question for ya today is…

Are you watching any sports this weekend?

Login or Subscribe to participate in polls.

~LeQwane L.

In today’s news:

  • 🇦🇸 MLK Day in GR

  • 🎨 Get $10K to fund your community art/ event

  • 🛣️ GR moment of the week

  • Plus a lot more…

MLK Day in Grand Rapids

One thing you should know about me is that I’m terrible at keeping track of holidays.

Luckily, earlier this week, one of our readers recommended I put together a quick guide to MLK Day around Grand Rapids. (p.s that’s next Monday)

So here’s everything you need to know to celebrate and get involved with the community on MLK Day:

Monday 1/20

  • MLK Day Leadership Summit | Hope College | 8:30 AM | Details

  • MLK Day | Holland Museum | Details

  • Martin Luther King Day of Service food drive | The Candied Yam | 11:30 AM - 1 PM | Details

  • Martin Luther King, Jr. Commemoration | Fountain Street Church | 6 PM | Details

Tuesday 1/21

  • Celebration and Silent March | Auditorium at Lettinga Campus | 2 PM | Details

Wednesday 1/22

  • Silent March + Keynote | GVSU Allendale campus | 4 PM | Details

Click here for a complete guide to MLK Day around Grand Rapids.

The Digest

A briefing of local news that matters

Community

$10k to fund your art, event, or activation

Downtown Grand Rapids Inc. is looking for artist/ event organizers to sponsor. To bring more “vibrancy” to the city, the organization is providing grants of up to $10,000 to support community-led activations, artworks, events, murals, and more. Applications are due March 9th. | Click here to learn more

Development

Tunes and residential housing

The Acrisure Amphitheater is not just an event venue — it’s a living space. The company behind Grand Rapid’s Amphitheater has begun to search for builders to help construct a 475-unit residential tower to be built just south of the Amphitheater. | Click here to read the full report

Transportation

The Rapid updates its pricing

Grand Rapids’ public transportation system is updating its pricing. Earlier this week, The Rapid hosted its first public meeting of the year to hear feedback on its proposed price increases. The proposal? Adult fares stay $1.75/ride. However, the daily standard fare cap goes from $3.50 to $5.25, while the monthly fare cap goes from $47 to $60. The Rapid will make its final decision on this on January 29th. | The reason behind the change

Have news to report? Click here.

GR Moment Of The Week

If you know, you know… You can participate in the conversation here.

Talk Of The Town

Interesting happenings around town

🚧 Where to follow all of Grand Rapids’ developments

A week hasn’t gone by that Calder News hasn’t covered some proposed or upcoming development project. Ever wanted to keep track of all of the city upgrades being talked about? Well, a local put together this map of developments around town.

🛍️ World of Winter stimulates the local economy

Business has been good — thanks to World of Winter, local businesses are reporting an uptick in traffic, tabs, and sales. This year’s event is expected to bring over 5,000,000 people to Grand Rapids. And all that activity contributes to our local economy.

Want to have your business featured here? Contact me.

What’s Happening?

Preview: Featured —> Other events —> Live Music

Featured Event

📍 The DAAC
📅 February 2nd
⌚ 12 PM - 4 PM

Learn how to create your own unique Tree Sculpture using copper wire and gemstone chips. Unleash your inner arborist and create a masterpiece that will truly grow on you.

This event is hosted by the local 8+ year artisans/ crafters behind The Rusted Rabbit — if you love crafts, this class is for you.

Friday, January 17th

  • 🏒 Grand Rapids Griffins VS Cleveland Monsters | Van Andel Arena | 7 PM | Starting at $9

  • 👗 Two live Fashion Shows | Gillet Bridge | 7 PM - 7:30 PM, 8 PM - 8:30 PM | Free | WoW exclusive: Watch two unique Winter Fashion Shows at an iconic bridge venue

  • 🎻 Disney in Concert: A Dream is a Wish | DeVos Performance Hall | (Fri-Sat) 7:30 PM | Starting at $19 | Watch cinematic views of Little Mermaid, The Lion King, Beauty and the Beast, Frozen, and more while live music brings the stories to life

  • 🎤 Justin Bieber Night | GLC Live | 8:30 PM | Starting at $18 | This event is 18+ only

  • 🏒 Davenport University vs GVSU | Patterson Ice Center | 8:35 PM | $8 adults, $6 students (5-18), $6 seniors | Watch a live game of ACHA Men’s D1 Hockey

Saturday, January 18th

  • 🐶 Pet Food Distribution | Ballard Christian Chruch | 10:30 AM - 1:30 PM | Free | It’s requested you leave your pets at home

  • 🛼 Superhero Skate | Tarry Hall Roller Skating Rink | 1:30 PM - 4:30 PM | $10 admin and $4 skate rentals | Roller skate with your favorite superhero

  • 🍺 Onesie Bar Crawl | The Tin Can | 4 PM - 1 AM | $15 tickets | Grab your crew and a onesie and prepare for a crawl in comfort

  • 🏒 Grand Rapids Griffins vs. Cleveland Monsters | Van Andel Arena | 7 PM | Starting at $24

  • 🪩 Silent Disco | Calder Plaza | 7 PM - 11 PM | Free

  • ⛸️ Late Night Open Skate | Patterson Ice Center | 10 PM - 12 AM | $10 per skater | Skate the night away as Patterson Ice Center brings late-night Open Skate for the first time in years

Sunday, January 19th

  • 🧘 Snowga | 555 Monroe Ave NW | 9 AM - 10 AM | Free | A unique blend of relaxing yoga and walk or run with hot beverages and a chance to win prizes

  • 🎱 Pool Tournament Sundays | Billy’s Lounge | 3 PM - 10 PM | $5 to enter | 21+ only

  • 🧘 Sound Bath & Meditation | Calder Plaza | 6:30 PM - 7:30 PM | Free | A peaceful outdoor South Bath experience beneath a mesmerizing art installation

Live Music

Friday, January 17th

Saturday, January 18th

Sunday, January 19th

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

That’s All For Today…

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📧 Get your business in an upcoming issue of Calder News. Let’s talk about how we can put your business in front of thousands of GR locals.

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