Good morning, Grand Rapids. I’m LeQwane, and this is Calder News — the newsletter for busy GR locals interested in staying updated on what’s happening around them.

I hope you’re staying warm and healthy this week, as we’ve had some interesting weather around town lately.

In today’s newsletter, you’ll see a local community leader getting recognized, the airport’s new milestone, and things to do around down up until Friday.

I can’t lie it’s been a slow week for news, but hey — that’s ok!

Have a great rest of the week friend, you deserve it.

~LeQwane L.

The Digest

A briefing of local news that matters

Community

GR NAACP President Gets Honored

The 10-year President of the Grand Rapids NAACP, CLE Jackson was recognized as 2025’s GIANT Among Giants award this weekend. The NAACP gives out the award and goes out to people who make meaningful contributions to their communities. | Read more

Travel

Gerald R. Ford Airport Reaches New Heights

Gerald R. Ford International Airport hit a new milestone. After years of increased traffic and improvements, the airport has surpassed previous years’ heights, reaching 4.1 million travelers in 2024. To celebrate, the airport hosted live events and community yoga yesterday. | Read more

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Talk Of The Town

Interesting happenings around town

☀️ GR gets more sunshine

Grand Rapids has gained just over an hour of daylight since the winter solstice. Throughout February, there will be an additional 73 minutes of sunlight — with sunrise starting at ~7:20 AM and sunset happening around 6:30 PM by the 28th.

🎭 15 years in the making

A new “dinner-tainment” concept is now open in Grand Rapids. Located at 975 Ottawa NW, Silva features a kitchen, bar, pool, darts, bocce, and fun live events that help people step away from the digital world.

Want to have your business featured here? Contact me.

What’s Happening?

Preview: Events —> Live Music

Wednesday, February 5th

• Guided Walking Tour: Art Installations | Rosa Parks Circle | 6 PM - 7 PM | Free

• GR Bluegrass Jam | Chicago Beef Joint | 6 PM - 9 PM | Free | Join a community jam session with drinks food and awesome music

• Open mic night | Creston Brewery | 7 PM - 9 PM | Free | Share your talent or listen to others whether its music, poetry, or comedy

• Comedy night | River City Saloon | 9 PM | Free

Thursday, February 6th

• WM Golf Show | DeVos Place | Thurs - Fri | $12 tickets for adult and $5 children

• Office of Special Events day | GRPD building | 7:30 AM - 6 PM | Free | Calling all event organizers — get help organizing your event that’ll be hosted on public property | RSVP a time to get support

• Disney On Ice | Van Andel Arena | (Fri - Sun) 12 PM | Prices vary

• Grow Blk Tech (RSVP required) | GRNoir Wine & Jazz | 5 PM - 7 PM | Free | A social collab focused on strengthening tech education and opportunities for underserved communities in GR

• Pups & Purrs Adoption Event | The Intersection | 5:30 PM | Free

• Dance Workshop: Sexy Valentine's Edition | Armentality Movement Arts Center | 6 PM | $32 | This event is 21+

• Boombox Music Bingo | Turnstiles | 6 PM | Free

• Rob Little (Comedy) | (Thurs - Fri) Dr. Grins Comedy Club | 7 PM | $10 tickets

• February Luminaria | Huff Park Trail | 6 PM - 8 PM | Free | Stroll luminaries at Huff Park with friends, just make sure to dress for the weather

• All Black & Excellent: Soul in the City | 1530 Madison SE | 6:30 PM - 10 PM | An immersive live performance of tap dance, black history, arts, and community

Friday, February 7th

• Cupid’s Valenight Market | Garfield Park | 4 PM - 8 PM | Free | Find all your Valentine theme items, get them gifts ready for your special someone

• First Friday = Art + Downtown | Cocoon Art Space | 6 PM - 8 PM | Free | Learn about contemporary art and meet local artists

• Galentine's Candle Making Class | 806 Bridge St | 6 PM - 8 PM | $45

• Ice Piano Performance | Canal St. Park | 6:30 PM - 8:30 PM | Free

Live Music

Thursday, February 6th

• Potionseller and FinalBossFight | Skelletones | 6 PM | $10 tickets

• Eggy | The Intersection | 7 PM | $20 tickets

• TX2 + tiLLie + Flat Out | The Pyramid Scheme | 8 PM - 12 AM | $20 tickets

Friday, February 7th

• Domestic Problems | The Intersection | 7 PM | $15 tickets

• Shayfer James + Katacombs | The Pyramid Scheme | 7 PM | $20 tickets

• BareNaked 90's | Gippers Bar | 8 PM | Free

• Deerfield Run and Silver Creek Revival | Tip Top | 8 PM | $10 tickets

• Deer & Elk | Speciation Cellars | 9 PM | Free

• Embers Rise, Visitor, The Fiction We Create | Mulligan’s Pub | 10 PM | Free

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

Outside The Plaza

quick hit of news from around Grand Rapids

Muskegon: The Muskegon Museum of Art has finished its $15M expansion, and it is ready to open it to the public

That’s All For Today…

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