Good morning, Grand Rapids. I’m Jenny and this is Calder News.
This weekend, we were all watching the air quality, The Odyssey, and The World Cup Finals.
Nothing else seemed to be happening outside of those three things, so we’ve got a slow news day for you. But hey, sometimes no news is good news.
Check out the few happenings around town in today’s newsletter.
~Jenny F.
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The Digest
A briefing of local news that matters
Community
Over 1,000 Entries Registered For ArtPrize
ArtPrize starts in less than two months, and it’s already promising to be a good show. For the first time since 2018, over 1,000 artists have registered to participate in this city-wide art competition. Preview week starts September 12th, and voting begins September 18th. See more details.
Have news to report? Click here.
CIVIC NEWS
Here’s what’s happening in today’s Commission Meeting:
Amphitheater noise boils over: 26 residents wrote in about noise.
Big money: up to $45M in bonds for a project at 1500 Scribner Ave NW and the Fire Training Center, plus ~$21M for water system upgrades.
On residents' minds (public comments, not votes this week): the Cesar E. Chavez vs. Grandville Ave name question, Flock license-plate-reader cameras, and a Shawmut Hills petition against townhouses at 2450 7th St NW.
A First Ward seat is still vacant — the City Clerk reports on filling it.
The meeting is open to the public. You can go in person to City Commission Chambers at City Hall, 300 Monroe Ave NW.
Also… Grand Rapids’ Traffic and Safety Department (Mobile GR) will be joining the Creston Neighborhood Association’s Community Room today at 6 PM to have an informal Q&A about traffic safety.
You can get the details on the event here.
Talk Of The Town
📽 Celebration North Extends Odyssey Showings
Christopher Nolan’s The Odyssey opened last weekend with a whopping $30 million in ticket sales. As Celebration North is one of the few places in America where you can see the movie as intended—on 70MM IMAX—it’s a hot ticket to get. To keep up with demand, Celebration North is showing the movie nearly around the clock, with earliest showings at 6:45 am and last showings at 1:55 am.
🍩 Meet the New GRPD Chief
Meet the new Grand Rapids Police Department Chief Joe Trigg while grabbing some coffee and donuts at Silva’s Chief Chat, July 23rd from 8–9 am.
Hispanic Festival Takes Over Calder Plaza
Photo courtesy of The Hispanic Center of West Michigan
It’s almost time for one of Grand Rapids’ favorite festivals: The Hispanic Festival.
This year’s event takes place August 7th and 8th at Calder Plaza. As always, you can expect delicious food, top-notch entertainment, cultural dances, and more.
The schedule is still being set, and they are looking for vendors and artists, so Hispanic-owned small businesses should reach out and be a part of this epic event.
Business News
✅ New
Oro, a salon and boutique, is launching their soft opening on August 8th at their Leonard location.
What’s Happening?
Featured Event
Click image for details
SILVA Silent Disco | The Big Room | 975 Ottawa Ave NW | 7:30pm | $22
Tuesday, July 21st
Broadway GR: The Great Gatsby | DeVos Performance Hall | (Tue - Sun) Various times | $49+
Community Conversation: Food Access and Nutrition | 341 Hall St. | 5:30 PM | Free
Swing Dancing | Rosa Park Circle | 7 PM | Free
American Pie (w/ Screenwriter Adam Herz! | Wealthy Theater | 7:30 PM | $12+
Wednesday, July 22nd
Native Amercian Dancers: Reg Pettibone & Family | Walker Branch KDL | 10 AM Free
ADA Celebration | 160 68th St. | 4 PM | Free
Circus Arts with the Grand Rapids Circus Project | GRPL | 4 PM - 6 PM | Free
Accessible Birding | Millennium Park | 5:30 PM | Free +
Patio Plant Swap | 433 Bridge St. | 7 PM | Free
Thursday, July 23rd
Seven Gillespie | Dr. Grins | (Thu - Sat ) Various times | $10+
Grove | Bamboo | 9 AM - 5 PM | $99+
Silent Disco | Rosa Park Circle | 6 PM | $10
Friday, July 24th
West Michigan Italian Festival | Tanger Outlet | (Fri - Sat) | $3
Wahlfield Dog Park Opening | 11 AM - 1 PM | Free
Christmas In July | Downtown Market | (Fri - Sat) 11 AM - 8 PM | Free
Last Call Comedy | Tellers Lounge | 9 PM | $20
Adults Only After Hours Event | Craig’s Cruisers | 10 PM - 1 AM | $40
Live Music
*Shows are subject to change, but that’s show biz.
That’s All…
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