Good morning, Grand Rapids. I’m LeQwane and this is Calder News — the free and easy way to stay in the loop with what’s happening around Grand Rapids.

~LeQwane L.

In today’s news:

• ⚽️ Grand Rapids cleats up

• 🎁 Free food for the holidays

• And a few more treats 👀 

What’s Happening

A briefing of local news that matters

Sports:  Grand Rapids cleats up

Grand Rapids is getting a professional soccer team. Adding to our basketball, hockey, and baseball teams the “West Michigan Soccer” (official name pending) is expected to start in 2027. The team is set to join the MLS Next Pro League — the third-highest pro league in the U.S. and Canada. The team will call Amway Soccer Stadium home. Did you see that one coming?

Community:  Free food for the holidays

Speaking of sports… Grand Rapids Griffin’s announcer Eric Zane is hosting a drive-through food giveaway. Hosted at Ervine’s Auto Repair in Wyoming on Friday at 3 PM, the giveaway is expected to feed 150 families in need — while also providing feminine hygiene products no questions asked. Share this with someone who might need it!

Prediction:  as prices may spike soon

Have some driving to do this holiday season? Well, you may want to fill up your car while gas is cheap... A WZZM13 interview with GasBuddy revealed prices are expected to drop this week and spike close to Christmas. You can read the full interview here.

Have news to report? Click here.

Outdoors

I share indoor events happening around town 3x a week. As I wrote this email last night, I thought it would be only fair to share some outdoor things to do.

Although our weather isn’t giving winter wonderland vibes — it’s winter. And what do people do in the winter? Slide down big hills real fast.

Lucky for you there’s a handful of local ski, snowboard, and sled areas that are open for business.

Here’s a list of local ski areas to check out this winter:

• Bittersweet in Otsego

• Cannonsburg in Belmont

• Mulligan's Hollow in Grand Haven

• Muskegon Luge in Muskegon

• Swiss Valley in Jones

• Timber Ridge in Gobles

Ps. If you visit any of these spots, tag us in a post on social. I’d love to feature it.

Reach 1,500+ Grand Rapids locals and grow your business or get more awareness for your event. Contact us today.

Events

Preview: Events —> Live Music

Wednesday

• Make Music Together | Byron Center Public Library | 10 AM | Make music, have fun, and dance with your while your kids build early literacy skills (limited space)

• Home Alone in Concert | DeVos Performance Hall | (Wed - Thur) 7:30 PM | Starting at $39

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

• The ELF Musical | (Wed-Sat) Cornerstone University | $20 | A musical based on the beloved holiday film Elf

Thursday

• Go-Karts with Santa | Craig's Cruisers | 5 PM - 8 PM | $29 per person

• Luminaria | Ken-O-Sha Park | 6 PM - 8 PM | Free | Enjoy a stroll through luminaries at Ken-O-Sha park (hot coco and smores included)

Friday

• Grand Rapids Griffins VS Milwaukee Admirals | Van Andel Arena | 7 PM | Starting at $18

• Dirty Holiday Comedy | Sidebar | 9:30 PM - 11 PM | $20 GA

Looking ahead…

Meet reindeer with/ your family for free at the Alpine Public Library Branch on Saturday at 10 AM. The event is completely free to attend. Get more information here.

Live Music

Wednesday

• A Killer’s Confession | The Stache | 6 PM | $17

Thursday

• Armchair Boogie (Bluegrass) | The Stache | 7 PM | $17

• Mark Lavengood Duo (Guitarist) | Rockford Brewing | 7 PM | free

• Charlie Hoats Trio (Jazz) | AC Hotel Lounge | 7 PM - 10 PM | Free

• Harper Kill / Nellie Bly / Lonely August | Mulligan’s Pub | 9 PM - 12 AM | Free

Friday

• Ho Ho Hot Mulligan (Variety) | The Intersection | 5 PM | $50

• How The Djs Stole Christmas | Billy’s Lounge | 8 PM

• BUNKERMAN (Electro-Jazz) | Speciation Cellar | 9 PM - 11 PM | Free

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

Community Feature

To get featured in Calder News - tag us on Instagram or Facebook

That’s All For Today…

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