Good morning, Grand Rapids. I’m Jenny and this is Calder News.
It’s National Educator Appreciation Week, so I want to shout out to all the teachers out there. Thank you for all you do!
Want to treat a teacher in your life? Check out all the Grand Rapids restaurants and businesses we’re highlighting in this week’s newsletter.
~Jenny F.
The Digest
A briefing of local news that matters
Transit
Downtown DASH Bus Updates Route
The DASH bus, a free ride around Grand Rapids’ downtown area, launched its condensed route on Monday. Instead of coming every 15 minutes, it now comes every 8 minutes and stops at Devos Place, Van Andel, and the new Acrisure Amphitheater. See more details.
Community
Violence-Prevention Program Available for Teens
The City of Grand Rapids plans to offer programs this summer to keep teens busy during summer evenings. Kids aged 12 to 17 can attend events happening at three different locations across the city and enjoy music, sports, games, and more. Read more here.
Business
Support Local During Small Business Week
It’s National Small Business week, and Uptown Grand Rapids is encouraging people to celebrate. Buy your latte at a locally-owned cafe, try out a new restaurant or shop, or vote for your favorite spots in this year’s BEST OF THE WEST competition, happening now. See the list.
Have news to report? Click here.
GRPS Celebrates Educator Appreciation Week
For National Educator Appreciation Week, Grand Rapids Public Schools recognizes its excellent teachers and staff with a variety of discounts and experiences around town.
The Grand Rapids Public Schools Foundation and the Grand Rapids Board of Education banded together with the support of local businesses to offer perks at restaurants like Brewery Vivant and City Built, or at businesses like Celebration Cinema and Art of the Table. To redeem these offers, staff just have to show their GRPS badges.
Educator Appreciation Week runs from May 4th to May 8th. Find more details here.
Business News
New: Grand Rapids City Leaders Have Big Plans
Last month, several new business projects were approved by Grand Rapids-area planners: a 7-Eleven in Wyoming, an indoor golf range in Walker, a triangle-shaped office and residential building in Ada, a gas station in Kentwood, and an expansion of Zeytin Turkish Restaurant in Ada. See more details.
New: Eastown Retail Market Looking For Vendors
Riverside Market, a multi-vendor micro retail market, is coming to Eastown sometime this summer. They are still accepting applications from interested vendors.
Closed: Rainbow Grill In Grandville Shuts Its Doors
Rainbow Grill, which suffered destructive flooding recently, has decided not to reopen. They are currently considering other locations or redeveloping the existing site.
New: Foxtail Coffee Replaces Starbucks in Hotel
The Amway Grand Plaza replaced its Starbucks with a company that has Grand Rapids ties. Foxtail Coffee, owned by Cheri DeVos, daughter of Amway co-founder Rich DeVos, is now open for hotel guests and locals alike.
Talk Of The Town
🥕 Godwin Mercado Offers Sunday Farmers Market
On Sunday, Godwin Mercado, a project of Wyoming’s Parks and Recreation Department, held its first farmers market of the season. You can catch a variety of local vendors there every weekend through October.
🎨 Chihuly Glass On Display At Meijer Gardens
American artist Dave Chihuly’s vibrant glass sculptures have taken over at Meijer Gardens. Exhibits both inside and throughout the gardens are available for visitors to enjoy from now until November.
🍗 Hancock Hosts Hot Chicken Challenge
Hancock, a Nashville Hot Chicken restaurant on Wealthy, is challenging all spice lovers to a hot chicken challenge on May 18. Brave souls can register here.
🐶 Get Pets Vaccinated and Microchipped For Free
Pleasant Hearts Pet Food Pantry will offer three clinics this summer where pet owners can get their cats and dogs microchipped and vaccinated for free. The first clinic is on May 17.
What’s Happening?
Tuesday, May 5th (Cinco De Mayo)
Cinco De Mayo Events
Donkey Taqueria | 11 AM | Free
Downtown Sparta | 4 PM - 7 PM | Free
Momentum Marketing | High Five | 10 AM | $55
Kitchen Cabinet Trim | Kent County Repair Services | 6 PM | Free
Family Fun Event | 2800 Leelanau Dr. | 6 PM | Free
Swing Dancing | Rosa Park Circle | 7 PM | Free
Wednesday, May 6th
Patio Grand Opening | Bamboo | 4 PM | $10
West Michigan Whitecaps vs. Dayton Dragons | LMCU Ballpark | 6 PM | $14+
Sci-Fi Book Club | GRPL Main | 7 PM | Free
Sober Stand Up Comedy | Scorpion Hearts Club | 7 PM | $7
Thursday, May 7th
Grandville Night Market | 5 PM | Free
Cheers, Queers! | Vivant Brewery | 6 PM | Free
Silent Disco | Studio Park | 6 PM | $10
May the Laugh be With You | Russo’s | 7:30 PM | Free
Friday, May 8th
Changing Thymes Pickers Market | Changing Thymes | 9 AM - 4 PM | Free
Live Music
Tuesday, May 5th
Heart Attack Man & Phoneboy & PONY & Slow Joy | Pyramid Scheme | 6 PM | $34
Wednesday, May 6th
Zalokar | Testa Rossa | 5:30 PM | Free
Michael McIntosh Solo | Beer City Bread Co. | 6 PM | Free
Clark Beckham | Tip Top | 7 PM | $23
Thursday, May 7th
Clarke, Reed, and Meadows | Rosa Park Circle | 12 PM | Free
Friday, May 8th
JP & the Energy | The Score | 6 PM | Free
DAYSEEKER | GLC Live | 6 PM | $110
Twopercent | The Intersection | 7 PM | ?
Ed Dupas, Michael Crittenden, Josh Rose | The Stray | 7 PM | Free
Crazy Hearse | Pux Cider | 7:30 PM | $10
Michigan Mandolin Orchestra Spring Concert | The Lit | 7:30 PM | $12+
Marcelo Lehninger - Orchestral Fireworks | DeVos Hall | (Fri, Sat) 7:30 PM | $50+
The Moonrays and Vespa | Tip Top | 8 PM | $12
Acoustic Reserve | Dirty Shame (Ada) | 8 PM | Free
Forged in Blue band | Firebird Bar | 9 PM | Free
Wilson Ave & Jack Beidler | Speciation Cellars | 9 PM | Free
*Shows are subject to change, but that’s show biz.
That’s All For Today…
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