Good morning, Grand Rapids.

I hope you’re feeling hungry. Physically or figuratively!

In the next few weeks, Grand Rapids will have something for everyone’s appetite, from Poutine and Neil deGrasse Tyson’s talk on movie science fact or fiction to ArtPrize and neighborhood celebrations.

Let us know what you’re most excited for in the poll.

~ Sara B.

Vendors Takeover Downtown

Together with: Merchants and Makers

Click the image for details

Every Saturday during ArtPrize, Merchants and Makers is set to take over Downtown with offers from vendors, makers, live music, delicious food, and of course, awesome art installations.

But it also offers a once in a year kinda of location - from Rosa Park Circle to the intersection of Monroe Center and Ottawa Ave.

This is Merchants and Makers’ 4th year hosting the event in collaboration with ArtPrize.

So if you’re looking for quality goods made by real (local) people. Shop custom jewelry, toys, art of all kinds, skin care, home decor items, food, clothing and more.

Save The Date

Interested in sharing your event or business message with 41,000+ Grand Rapids locals? Let me know why we should partner with you!

Business News

✅ New

As Dubai Eats’ opening day on Alpine approaches, an announcement says they’ll give away 104 free meals, along with other prizes.

Riverside Market, a new multi-vendor indoor “micro retail” space, is set to open its doors at 1533 Wealthy St. SE on Friday.

A new bakery called Paris Baguette is set to open 3 (confirmed) locations in GR, with the first opening at the former Rite Aid near Breton Village at 1838 Breton Rd SE.

❗ Updates

Local yarn shop Unwind GR is closing its current doors on September 20 to move the business down the street to 1144 Wealthy St. E and reopen on October 1. They have a storewide sale until September 19 to prep for the move.

Talk Of The Town

🏳️‍🌈 Church Hosts Community Celebration

En Vivo Church partners with Creston Neighborhood Association (CNA) to host Creston Pride on Sunday, September 20. Featuring local performers, vendors, and more, this event welcomes family-friendly audiences who want to celebrate pride year-round.

🔬 Protons at The DeVos Hall

Science household name Neil deGrasse Tyson is coming to DeVos Performance Hall for the An Astrophysics Goes to the Movies Part II show. Want to know if your favorite flick got their facts right? This is your chance!

🍴 Pop Out for Poutine

Michigan Street Poutine Week returns for its sixth year, running September 16-27. Visit all 16 restaurants across the 12-day event for your chance to find the best cheesy culinary combination.

Eastown Ignited!

This Saturday, Eastown Community Association and Eastown will host the Eastown Street Fair, featuring over 100 local artists.

For 12 hours, from 9 AM to 9 PM, neighborhood residents and community members can enjoy craft beer and cocktails, live music, and more.

This is a celebration of one of our most vibrant neighborhoods. And it has a little something for everyone.

Learn more on Eastown’s Instagram.

What’s Happening?

Tuesday, September 15th

Wednesday, September 16th

Thursday, September 17th

Friday, September 18th


Submit Your Event

Live Music

Tuesday, September 15th

  • Chasing Denver @The Knickerbocker | New Holland - The Knickerbocker | 6 PM | Free

  • The Browning - Burn This World | Elevation | 6 PM | $25+

  • Innuendo | The Score | 6 PM | Free

  • Deadlands - NY | The Intersection | 6 PM | $23+

  • Rebekkah Rhys | The Score | 12 PM | Free

  • The Moonrays (cosmic surf rock) | Speciation Cellars | 7 PM | Free

  • Vespa | Horrocks Market | 5 PM - 8 PM | Free

  • The Claudettes | Tip Top Deluxe Bar & Grill | 8 PM | $12

  • House Party | The Intersection | 9 PM - 11:59 PM | $22

  • Midwest Skies | Mulligan's Pub | 9 PM - 11:30 PM | Free

  • Mariachi Herencia de MĂŠxico | Calder Plaza | 7 PM | Free

  • The Burdens | Pux Cider Taphouse | 7 PM - 10 PM | Free

  • Houseplant | The Philmore South | 7:30 PM | $15+

  • Billy Idol | Acrisure Amphitheater | 7:30 PM | $30+

  • Uncle Klunk | Twisted Bull | (9/11 - 9/12) 9:30 PM | Free

Wednesday, September 16th

  • Coconut Riot | The Score | 12 PM | Free

  • Trapped on Mars | The Score | 6 PM - 11 PM | Free

  • LIVE at CBJ: Jake Stevens | Chicago Beef Joint | 6 PM - 9 PM | Free

  • Alabama Live In Concert | Van Andel Arena | 7 PM | $35+

  • Loren J. Clarke & Brawny Lad | The Stray | 7 PM | $10+

  • Backyard Bash Funkadelic Food Truck Lineup // Comstock Park | Perrin Brewing | 4 PM - 10 PM | Free

  • Dirk Riki Music | Horrocks Market | 5 PM - 8 PM | Free

  • Sweet Diezel Jenkins | The BOB | 9 PM | Free

  • Erin Monroe wsg Joe Dillilo | Tip Top Deluxe Bar & Grille | 8 PM | $17+

  • FETISH- a Burlesque experience | Billy's Lounge | 8 PM | $23

  • Double Wide Ride | Twisted Bull | (9/12 - 9/13) 9:30 PM | Free

  • All Points Bulletin/ Counterfeit Goods/ Misplaced Memories | Mulligan's Pub | (9/12 - 9/13) 10 PM | Free

Thursday, September 17th

  • Grand Rapids African American Art & Music Festival 2026 | MLK Park Community Center | 12 PM - 8 PM | Free

  • Sunday Soul Line Dance Classes | Rosa Parks Circle | 4 PM - 6 PM | Free

  • Get Wild: Celebrating the Music of Prince | Martin Luther King Jr Park | 6:30 PM - 8 PM | Free

  • Stephen Stanley | The Intersection | 7 PM | $35

  • Vinyl Swap // Grand Rapids | The Pyramid Scheme | 4 PM - 8 PM | Free

  • Jazz Jam Session with Tommy Pancy | Speciation Cellars | 5 PM - 8 PM | Free

  • Gable Price and Friends at The Stache | Elevation | 7 PM | $25 ADV / $30 DOS

  • Chris Karl | The Score | 12 PM - 4 PM | Free

  • Sounds of the Himalayas | So Hum Yoga | 2 PM - 4 PM | $35+

Friday, September 18th

  • LIVE at CBJ: Everett Domeier | Chicago Beef Joint | 6 PM - 9 PM | Free

  • MOXIE | The Score | 6 PM | Free

  • Kevin Reeves Live At RÁK | Grand Rapids Downtown Market | 6 PM - 9 PM | Free

  • Rigometrics & Lee Cleaveland & The Lefthand Band | The Philmore South | 7 PM - 11 PM | $16

  • the Baker's Basement | The Stray | 7 PM | ?

  • Shakey Graves | Frederik Meijer Gardens Amphitheater | 7 PM | ?

  • Salooniverse! | Wealthy Theatre | 7 PM - 8 PM | $28

  • Bowling for Soup | The Intersection | 7:30 PM | $39.50 ADV / $45 DOS

  • Noah Rinker | The Intersection | 7:30 PM | $20 ADV / $25 DOS

  • Elvis Costello & The Imposters | Frauenthal Center | 7:30 PM | ?

  • Peter Antoniou | Frauenthal Center | 7:30 PM | ?

  • Artillery + Celestial Wizard + Sod The Earth | The Pyramid Scheme | 7:30 PM - 11 PM | ?

  • Pink Venom: A K-Pop Inspired Dance Night at The Mint | Elevation | 8 PM | $12 TIER1 / $15 TIER2 / $18 DOS

  • Hammered Hulls | Tip Top Deluxe Bar & Grille | 8 PM | $17

  • GRAM After Dark | Grand Rapids Art Museum | 8 PM - 11:59 PM | $25

  • Starfarm | Billy's Lounge | 9:15 PM - 10:36 PM | $10

  • Six String Revival | Twisted Bull | (9/18 - 9/19) 9:30 PM | Free

  • Jessica Audiffred at Elevation | Elevation | 6:30 PM | $53

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

Calder Catch Up

A briefing of local news that matters

Have news to report? Click here.

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