Good morning, Grand Rapids. I’m LeQwane and this is Calder News — and we’re back.
Last week, we took a vacation to the Great Smoky Mountains. And while I had a good time, I’m glad to be back at home with the Calder Crew.
With that, let’s get into the neeeews.
~LeQwane L.
House Hacking In GR
Together with: Treadstone Mortgage
With housing costs on the rise, GR locals are teaming up to buy homes with their friends.
Co-ownership lets them split expenses like down payments and maintenance while building equity instead of paying rent. Plus, multiple incomes can make qualifying easier.
But to do it, you’d need a clear co-ownership agreement that covers how you’ll handle expenses, responsibilities, and exit plans helps make this option both practical and sustainable.
Interested in sharing your business with 17,000+ GR locals? Contact [email protected] via email to learn how to partner with Calder News.
While We Were Away
A briefing of local news that matters
Art
ArtPrize 2025 Wrapped Up
ArtPrize wrapped up last Saturday night at Studio Park, awarding the $100K grand prize to a glass sculpture (Arras) by Mark Lewanski from Portland, MI. And the juried grand prize of $100k went to Scraps by local thrift store Second Vibess. More than 110K votes were cast this year. | See all winners
Development
Gaslight Village Redevelopment Approved
East Grand Rapids has approved the final concept plan for the Gaslight Village redevelopment, moving the long-awaited project into its next phase. The plan includes 147 residential units, 109K sq. ft. of commercial space, and ~500 parking spots, plus a social hub and spaces for small businesses. | Read more
Partner Needed for Riverfront Redevelopment
Grand Rapids is looking for a partner to redevelop the vacant 3.5-acre Naval Reserve property at 1863 Monroe Ave. NW near Riverside Park. The city's goal? To transform the site into a mix of public space, potentially a community center, housing, or commercial space. | Read more
Transit
The Future of Free DASH Shuttle
The free DASH shuttle that loops around downtown could change for good. Ridership has doubled over the past year, but funding could be on the chopping block since the city’s contract with The Rapid ends next August. | Read more
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Talk Of The Town
🦛 JBZ Official Names Baby Hippo
Last week, John Ball Zoo announced the winning name of its new Pygmy Hippo.
⚾ Whitecaps Gets National Recognition
Coming off a historic season, the Whitecaps have been named Organization of the Year by Minor League Baseball.
🎭 Two Festivals Hit GR
On Saturday, the Pyramid Scheme is hosting its second annual “Doomfest”, a single-night celebration of heavy metal in West Michigan. And tomorrow through Sunday, GR’s “Improv (Comedy) Festival” returns for its 11th year.
Opening:
☕ Wildroast Coffee Co. - A Grandville-based coffee company is expanding into GR after scooping up a recently closed building downtown.
🖼️ LaFontsee Galleries and Framing - A gallery that was founded in 1987 is moving to the Creston neighborhood to bring life back into the closed Creston Brewery Taproom
🩸 Octapharma Plasma - There’s a new plasma donation center in Kentwood
What’s Happening?
Wednesday, October 8th
Water For Elephants | Broadway Musical | (Wed - Sun) Various times | $49+
Fall Parade of Homes | Various Locations | (Wed -Sun) 4 PM - 8 PM | $8
Thursday, October 9th
Books & Brews Trivia Night | Speciation Cellars | 6:30 PM | Free
Bricks & Beers | Broad Leaf Brewery Kentwood | 6:30 PM | $30
Grand Rapids Improv Festival | The Comedy Project | 7 PM | $20
Joe Fenti: Comedy | Wealthy Theatre | 8 PM | $27+
Eastown History Trivia Night | Harmony Brewing Company | 7 PM - 9 PM | Free
Do Portugal Circus | RiverTown Crossing | (Thu-Sun) Various times | $20+
Friday, October 10th
Inaugural Black Think | GR African American Museum | 9 AM | $35
Ice Guru Silent Disco | Blue Bridge | 6 PM | $6
Fred Armisen: Comedy For Everyone | Fountain St. Church | 7 PM | $48+
Latin Night At The Grand | Social Dance Studio | 8 PM | $10
Kyle Kinane: Comedy | Dr. Grin’s | 9:45 PM | $85+
Live Music
Wednesday, October 8th
Anella | The Stache | 7 PM | $24
JOHNNYSWIM | GLC Live | 7 PM | $41+
Sqwerv | Philmore South | 8 PM | $10
Thursday, October 9th
Nathan Walton | Rapid River Stillhouse | 6 PM | Free
The Carl Webb Band | Horrock’s Market | 6 PM | Free
David Dyer + Will Green | The Pyramid Scheme | 7 PM | $27
Catherine Russell | St. Cecilia Music Center | 7:30 PM | $35+
Vincent Antone | The Stache | 8 PM | $22
Friday, October 10th
Great Lakes Chorus | The Lit | 5 PM | $50
On The Fly | The Score | 5 PM | Free
Spencer Crandall | The Intersection | 6:30 PM | $25
Flood The Desert | The Sache | 7 PM | $18
Eric Church | Van Andel Arena | 7:30 PM | $80
Erin Monroe wsg Vespa | Tip Top | 8 PM | $10
Matt Welch | Rapid River Stillhouse | 8 PM | Free
Hot Girls & Quincy Jadams | Speciation Cellars | 9 PM | Free
*Shows are subject to change, but that’s show biz.
Outside The Plaza
Quick hits of news from cities around Grand Rapids
That’s All For Today…
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