Good evening, Grand Rapids. I’m LeQwane and this is Calder News — coming with your Monday issue of happenings around GR.

In today’s issue, you’ll read about a new business incubator, a groundbreaking celebration, good deeds, and more.

I appreciate you taking the time to open today’s email after a long day work (or of relaxing).

Now let’s dive in.

~LeQwane L.

The Digest

A briefing of local news that matters

Retail

New Incubator Program To Fill Downtown Storefronts

A new $175K retail incubator program is launching to help local soft goods businesses go from pop-ups at the Arts Marketplace to a brick and mortar. Backed by the Downtown Development Authority, the program will guide ~20 entrepreneurs through financial literacy, marketing, and operations training to give them real-world experience selling in a downtown setting. The goal? Prep small brands to succeed in brick-and-mortar and bring more soft goods (think clothing, homewares, books) to downtown GR. | Read about the first cohort launch later this year

Education

Free Pre-K Spots Available

The state’s free preschool program, Great Start Readiness Program (GSRP is expanding. And thousands of open spots are still available for the upcoming school year. Open to all 4-year-olds (regardless of income) GSRP helps families build their kid’s early reading, writing, and social skills before kindergarten. If you have or know a family with a child turning 4 by Dec. 1… | Learn how to apply

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Good Deed Of The Week

Over the weekend, Bridge Street Bar on the West Side handed out 200 free meals on Easter morning to those experiencing homelessness.

Owner Rob Wahl and his team prepped boxed dinners—ham, mashed potatoes, corn, and bread—and served them through the bar’s walk-up window to GR locals.

Wahl, who opened the bar less than two months ago, says he sees the need in the neighborhood daily and wanted to offer support on a holiday that often gets overlooked.

The team hopes to make this a tradition for Easter, Thanksgiving, and Christmas moving forward.

Click here to learn how you can support Bridge Street Bar’s future good deeds.

Talk Of The Town

Interesting happenings around town

🏞️ Canal Park Groundbreaking

Next Wednesday from 4 PM - 5:30 PM GR Parks and Rec and DGRI are celebrating a preview and groundbreaking of its new Grand River project. The development includes a new playscape, accessible surfacing, a plaza, pavilion, paved trail and more.

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Ask Grand Rapids 🤔 

I’ll include the results of this poll in Wednesday’s newsletter

What’s Happening?

Preview: Events —> Live Music

Monday, April 21st

• Blacklight Paint Party | Stella’s Lounge | 6:30 PM - 9 PM | $20 | A black light paint party where you’ll decorate a black zippered pouch using bold fluorescent paints — perfect for stashing your "essentials”

Tuesday, April 22nd

• Free Tuesdays | GRAM | 12 PM - 6 PM | Free

• JBZ 5k 2025 | John Ball Zoo | 4 PM - 10 PM | Starting at $45 (adults) | 5K tickets include a custom 2025 Wild Strides finisher medal, t-shirt, and ticket to attend the Grand Rapids Lantern Festival this year

• Open Mic Night | Founders | 6 PM - 8:30 PM | Free

• Comedy Night | Garage Bar | 7 PM | Free

• Movie Trivia | Rapid River Stillhouse | 7 PM - 9 PM | Free

• Trivia | New Holland - The Knickerbocker | 7 PM - 9 PM | Free

Wednesday, April 23rd

• Homeschool Wednesdays | Bricks & Minifigs | 1 PM -3 PM | Free | Supplement your curriculum and hang with other homeschool families at our free event in our party room

• Geeks Who Drink trivia | Speciation Cellars | 7 PM - 9 PM | Free

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

Events you can attend anytime this week…

• Various family/ individual events | Free | Check out what recurring or one-off events are being hosted at your local public library this week

• General Admission | Blandford Nature Center | Free | all day

Live Music

Monday, April 21st

• Joywave | Elevation | 7 PM | $35

Tuesday, April 22nd

• Penny and Sparrow | The Elevation | 7 PM | $27

• Christian McBride & Ursa Major Concert | St. Cecilia | 7:30 PM - 9 PM | $40

Wednesday, April 23rd

• Bullet for My Valentine & Trivium | GLC Live | 5:30 PM | Starting at $75

• The Martin Sexton | Wealthy Theatre | 6 PM | $35

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

That’s All For Today…

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