Good morning, Grand Rapids. I’m LeQwane. This is Calder News.
And if you are a business or marketing leader looking to reach Greater Grand Rapids locals, we have 2 spots open for new partners going into 2026.
Learn why our partners like Keller Williams, GR Ballet, and The YMCA tap our digital properties to amplify their message.
Now that the bat signal is out, let’s get into the news!
~LeQwane L.
Last Chance to See Sherlock
Together with: GR Ballet

Although Grand Rapids Ballet’s premiere of Sherlock is sold out.
Families have one last chance to catch the performance on Saturday or Sunday with a “Pay As You're Able” (Family Matinee) performance.
The price for tickets starts at $0, but allows you to pay a fair market value of $10 a ticket if you’d like. Tickets are close to sold out.
The Digest
A briefing of local news that matters
Development
Businesses Push Back On Wealthy Redesign
Some business owners on Wealthy Street are pushing officials to reconsider a proposed project to narrow the road, add bike lanes, and remove street parking. The complaint is that less parking would hurt businesses and mess with the flow of traffic. The plan is still under review and wouldn’t start until early 2026. | View construction details
Environment
Zoo Finds Partner To Help Protect Turtles
John Ball Zoo and Calvin University are partnering to restore our spotted turtle population. Calvin students will raise and monitor baby turtles, watch their growth, and prepare them for release into the wild next spring. Giving students hands-on research experience in conserving native species while also having a real impact. | Read more
Sports/ Business
$35M Ballpark Upgrade Coming Soon?
After a championship win, the WM Whitecaps are looking for investors to fund a $35M renovation of LMCU Ballpark. The money would go toward new suites, a revamped entrance, and expanded event space. | Learn more
Update
Amway Stadium
Construction on the Amway Stadium reached a major milestone earlier this week with the first steel beam of the Stadium being installed. The ~$175M, 8,500-seat venue will be home to AC Grand Rapids (pro soccer team) when it opens in spring 2027. | View images
Have news to report? Click here.
National Drug Take Back Day (in GR)

Cleaning up shop!
Local hospitals, pharmacies, and police departments are hosting collection sites tomorrow (10/25) for National Prescription Drug Take Back Day.
If you want, you can safely drop off expired or unused medications between 10 AM and 2 PM at any of the following locations:
Corewell Health Grand Rapids Hospitals Care Center | 80 68th Street, Grand Rapids
Kent County Health Department | 700 Fuller Ave. NE, Grand Rapids
Kentwood Police Dept. | 4742 Walma Ave. SE, Kentwood
Priority Health | 3111 Leonard Street NE, Grand Rapids
In addition to all Meijer, CVS, and Walgreens locations
The purpose of this “take back” is to help prevent misuse and keep drugs out of the community and environment.
Note: Most sites won’t accept needles or inhalers.
Read full details about this event here.
Talk Of The Town
🎭 Circle Theatre Announces New Season
On Tuesday, the Circle Theatre announced its 2026 season. There are 11 live productions in the lineup.
🦸 GR Comic Con Returns
Comic Con is making its return to Grand Rapids on November 14th at DeVos Place. If you enjoy pop culture, comics, and costumes, this is the place for you.
🤣 King Of Comedy
The Kingpin of Comedy series has entered its finale. After featuring nearly 100 comedians through the summer, this free comedy show is down to just 8 comedians. You can watch Sunday’s show here.
Opening:
🍕 Two Sons Pizza → Traverse City New York Style Pizza spot “Two Sons Pizza: is bringing its talents to downtown soon.
💐 JBA Creations → From markets to brick and mortar, JBA Creations, a custom clothing and gift maker, is celebrating its grand opening at Rivertown this weekend.
Featured Event
📍 Villa Bar & Banquet
📅 Friday Oct 31st, 2025
⏳ 6 PM - 12 AM
💰 $79
Get ready for a spooky night of costumes, dancing, and a Murder Mystery dinner at our Halloween Party!
Other Events
Friday, October 24th
Tattoo Fest | DeVos Place | (Fri - Sun) Various times | $30+
HallowGlow | TreeRunner Parks | (Fri - Sun) Various times | $36+
Pumpkin Prowl | Ada Village | 5 PM - 8 PM | Free
Soar n Bounce Halloween Bash | Rivertown Area | 5 PM - 9 PM | ?
Halloween Dance Party | FIKA | 5:30 PM - 10 PM | $1
Silent Disco | Blue Bridge | 6 PM - 10 PM | $6
Halloween Sketch Comedy Show | Comedy Project | (Fri - Sat) 7 PM | $17
Tunnel of Terror | Tommy’s Car Wash | 7 PM - 10 PM | $25
Haunted Hike | Convenant Park | 7 PM | $5
Survival Swans Who SLAY! Comedy Show | Zeal Aerial Fitness | 7:30 PM | $25
Slash Bash | Bier Distillery | 9 PM | Free
Funk Night | Billy’s Lounge | 9 PM | $10+
Trunk or Treat
Godfrey-Lee | 5 PM
St. Robert of Newminster Catholic Church | 5:30 PM - 7:30 PM
1205 Cesar E. Chavez Ave SW | 6 PM - 7:30 PM
Sports
Griffins Vs. Manitoba Moose | Van Andel Arena | 7 PM | $29+
Saturday, October 25th
Fall Fest | Rivertown Crossing | 10 AM | Free
Halloweeen 5k | Alger Heights | 10 AM | $30+
Sumo Wrestling | 3125 28th St. | 11 AM | $10
Halloween NoogieFest | Gilda’s Club | 1 PM - 3:15 PM | Free
House Divided Open Skate | Patterson Ice Center | 1 PM - 3 PM | $10
Howl-O-Ween Pawty! | Broad Leaf Underground | 1 PM - 5 PM | $10
Oddities on Ottawa | Garage Bar and Grill | 2 PM - 11 PM | $28+
Good Neighbors Taco Crawl | Alger Heights | 4 PM - 7 PM | Free
Univ of MI vs MI State Tail Gate Party | Hero's & SHero's Corner | 5 PM
Ghostly Gala | Giggles and Gourmet | 5 PM - 7:30PM | Free
Zombie Dash 5K | Sixth St. Bridge Park | 6:45 PM | $45+
Late Night Street Food BBQ & Booze | The Sovengard | 10 PM | Free
Trunk or Treat
Whistlestop Park | 12 PM
Elks Lodge No.48 | 3 PM
Church of the Nazarene | 3 PM
Sunday, October 26th
Merchants of the Macabre Oddities Market | Downtown Market | 10 AM - 7 PM | Free
MI Drag Brunch: BRUNCHMARE | SILVA | 11 AM | $45
Family Halloween Bash | Craig’s Cruisers | 12 PM - 9 PM | $29+
Macrame Plant Hanger Class | Speciation Cellars | 1 PM | $28
Miss Moscatos Halloween Bash | General Wood Shop | 6:30 PM | $10
i'Luminate | Forest Hills Fine Art Center | 7 PM | $25+
Comedy: Anjelah Johnson-Reyes | GLC Live | 6 PM | $48
Trunk or Treat
Sixth Street Park | 10:30 AM
Plaza Mexico | 2 PM
Habor Life Church | 4 PM
Central Reformed Church | 5 PM
Live Music
Friday, October 24th
A Haunted Evening of Halloween Classics | Wealthy Theatre | 6:45 PM | $25+
Daisybox, Understings, Lost Magic | The Stray | 7 PM | Free
Michael Blaustein | GLC Live | 7:30 PM | $40+
Chmura + Duffrey | The Intersection | 8 PM | $22+
Jared Petteys & The Headliners With The Venturis | Tip Top | 8 PM | $12
Dylan Raymond | Rapid River Stillhouse | 8 PM | Free
Rach with Tchaik Rocking Rachmaninoff with Tchaikovsky | 24 Ranson Ave. NE | 8 PM | $10 - $16
Vespa (Indie/Rock) | Speciation Cellars | 9 PM | Free
Saturday, October 25th
Deadflower | The Stache | 7 PM | $25
The Four Horsemen | The Intersection | 7 PM | $19+
Cheap Emotion with Harper Kill & Joe | The Stray | 7 PM | $11
Distinct Motive | Elevation | 8 PM | $25
Duke Tumatoe & The Power Trio | Tip Top | 8 PM | $10+
Samhain - A Celtic Telling in Music & Myth w/ Selkie | Speciation Cellars | 8 PM | Free
15 Going on 15 with Oracle and Friends | Founders | 8 PM | Free
Borrowed Time | Rapid River Stillhouse | 8 PM | Free
Sunday, October 26th
MANIA: The ABBA Tribute | DeVos Performance Hall | 6:30 PM | $29+
*Shows are subject to change, but that’s show biz.
Outside The Plaza
Quick hits of news from cities around Grand Rapids
That’s All For Today…
⭐ If you enjoyed today’s newsletter, copy the link to the post and share it with a friend. Every new reader that joins our email helps.
📧 Get your business in an upcoming issue of Calder News. Let’s talk about how we can put your business in front of thousands of GR locals.

Connect: Linkedin
Made with ❤ in Grand Rapids


