Good morning, Grand Rapids. I’m LeQwane and this is Calder News — we have an action-packed weekend ahead, so let’s get right to it.
Ps - thanks you so much for being here. Hope you enjoy today’s issue!
~LeQwane L.
The Digest
A briefing of local news that matters
Sports
Whitecaps Get A New Name
The West Michigan Whitecaps are switching it up this season. For one night, the team is changing its name to the Michigan Snowbirds. They’ll have new uniforms, tropical-themed food and drinks, extra in-game entertainment, and merch up for grabs. | Read the post
Leisure
Streets of Old Grand Rapids
The Grand Rapids Public Museum is expanding its Streets of Old Grand Rapids exhibit with a new second-floor opening in May. The update adds two new spaces, including one focused on the museum’s earliest roots, and comes as the museum also refreshes its Anishinaabek exhibit for a fall reopening. | Read more
Events
ArtPrize Names New Executive Director
ArtPrize has new leadership. Tyler Loftis, a West Michigan native, artist, and founder of AllArtWorks (space and gallery for emerging artists), is taking over as executive director after the departure of Catlin Whitington, who had led the event for the last 3 years. | Read more
Label
GRPS Leader Goes On Leave
The district’s deputy superintendent for GRPS Dr. Brandy Lovelady Mitchell, was placed on leave yesterday. There aren’t many details available about the departure; it's unclear whether she’ll be returning to the position. | Read the initial email
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Ask Grand Rapids 🤔
Are you attending any St. Patrick's day events this year?
Talk Of The Town
🍗 Hot Chicken Challenge
Like chicken? How about hot chicken? On Wednesday, March 25th, Hancock is hosting a hot chicken challenge where you can eat 12 tenders, ranging from hot to “holy hancock,” within 6 minutes to win a gift card, bragging rights, and a t-shirt.
Business:
Schnitz Deli → Following this week’s flash floods, Schnitz Deli is set to be closed for a couple of weeks with an estimated ~$80k - $120k worth of pending repairs
Raven’s Antiques → A new collectible antiques store that’ll house around 60 vendors is opening on 1750 Clyde Park Ave on April 25th
LaFontsee Galleries → The new gallery taking over the former Creston Brewing space on Plainfield has set a grand opening date for April 18th
Want to share good news with 7,500+ other GR locals?
What’s Happening?
Friday, March 13th
Blacksmith Shop Open | Blandford Nature Center | 10 AM - 3 PM | $5
Movement March | GRCM | 12 PM | $1.75+
Intro to Pickleball | Dinks and Dingers | 6:30 PM | $20
Wizard of Oz Ballet | Peter Wege Martin Theatre | 7 PM | $28
12th Annual St. Patrick’s Day Party | Garage Bar | 8 PM | Free
Saturday, March 14th
Irish Jig 5K | Lake Dr. | 8:30 AM
Book Market | Godwin Mercado | 9 AM | Free
Drums for all | Gilda’s LaughFest | 9 AM | Free
Sugarbush Festival | Blandford Nature Center | 10 AM | $14
Shamrock on Stocking | 804 5th Street Northwest | 10 AM - 10 PM | $10
Irish Off Ionia | Calder Plaza | 11 AM | $21
Coffee Tasting | Ferris Coffee | 11 AM | $15
St. Pat's Celebration | Rapid River Stillhouse | 11 AM | $5
St. Patrick's Day Parade | Calder Plaza | 11 AM | Free
Women & Girls Wellness Conversation | 1534 Kalamazoo SE | 12 PM - 3 PM
THE IRISH REMEDY | Monroe Business District | 2 PM - 8 PM | Free
Introduction to Leatherwork: Basic Beltmaking | Grand River Makerspace | 3 PM - 6 PM | ?
St. Patrick's Day Bar Crawl | Kusterer | 4 PM | $35
Hardcore & Comedy | Morning Ritual Coffee | 7 PM | ?
Eastern Hall St. Patty’s Bash | Midtown | 7 PM | $5
Grand Rapids Griffins VS Milwaukee Admirals | Van Andel Arena | 7 PM | $29
Sunday, March 15th
Original Reptile Expo | 10 AM - 3 PM | $5
GR Gold vs. Oklahoma City Blue | Van Andel Arena | 3 PM | $15
Monday, March 16th
Women in Law Enforcement Conference | DeVos Place | Mon - Tue
The Price is Right | DeVos Performance Hall | 7:30 PM | $50
All Week
LaughFest 2026 | Various locations | Various times | Starting at free | Various family friend, adult only, and comedy events
Butterflies Are Blooming | Frederik Meijer Gardens | 9 AM - 5 PM | GA
& Juliet | Broadway GR | (Tue - Sun) Various times | $40
Live Music
Friday, March 13th
Cat Daddy | Horrocks Market | 5 PM | Free
Funkle Jesse | Lost Art Brewhouse | 5 PM | Free
An Evening with Duo | DeVos Performance Hall | 7:30 PM | $28
Tarotopia ft. ✦kenji✦ + Headband Henny + Squatch + Deep October | Pyramid Scheme | 7:30 PM | $10
The Floozies + Too Many Zooz | The Intersection | 8 PM | $41
BMcC Jamboree with Spilifford | Tip Top | 8 PM | $12
Innuendo | Firebird Bar | 9 PM | Free
Toby May | Twisted Bull | 9:30 PM | Free
Snapcat Bandits, Abaddon's End, Renegade Train | Mulligan’s Pub | 10 PM | Free
Saturday, March 14th
Ten Penny Bit | Horrocks Market | 5 PM | Free
The Pice Project + Hand of Giants + John Merchant and the Desolation | Pyramid Scheme | 5:30 PM | $21
The Mannequins MI | The Stray | 6:30 PM | $11
Blookah & Inzo & Know Good & OkayJake | The Intersection | 7 PM | $35
INZO | Intersection | 8 PM | $35
R&B ONLY LIVE| GLC Live | 8 PM | $57+
Psychoblab Showcase 11 with NED, Warhand, Furniture City Saints | Tip Top | 8 PM | $12
Stolen Horses | Firebird | 9:30 PM | $5
Momz Attic | Twisted Bull | 9:30 PM | Free
Wilson Ave, New Troy, & The Westside Saturday | Mulligan’s Pub | 10 PM | Free
Sunday, March 15th
Concertato Michigan | Fountain St. | 4 PM | $20
Toby Bresnahan | Kusterer Brauhaus | 4 PM | Free
Full Cord | Testa Rossa Italian Ristorante | 6 PM | Free
Monday, March 16th
Taylor Taylor | DeVos Place | 6 PM | ?
Nathan Walton | City Built Brewing | 7 PM | Free
*Shows are subject to change, but that’s show biz.
That’s All For Today…
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