Good morning, Grand Rapids. I’m LeQwane and this is the last Calder News from our current HQ.
Today’s issue is quick on news and heavy on events as i’ve been working on preparing for the new Calder News HQ.
We’ll be back to normal on Monday!
Folks, this is why I’ll be opening applications for a staff writer soon… 😉
~LeQwane L.
We Asked Grand Rapids 🤔
In Monday’s newsletter, we asked…
Is the city doing a good job clearing the roads this winter?
Here are the results of the poll:
We received around 50 messages along with the poll responses. And funny enough, 9/10 times the same sentiment was shared…
The city is doing great on the main roads, but on the sidewalks, and side streets… Not so much.
Talk Of The Town
🌶️ Spicy Saturday’s Return
Enjoy spicy foods? Downtown Market has brought back Spicy Saturdays this month. The special brings at least 1 special (spicy) menu item to each restaurant or merchant in the market every Saturday.
🖌️ ArtPrize By The Numbers
ArtPrize crushed it in 2025. According to reports released yesterday, the event brought 900,000 visitors to Grand Rapids - ~100,000 more people than last year. Review more numbers here.
🥒 Pickle Festival Announced
In case you want to get weird, Grand Rapids is getting its first Pickle Festival with Pickle Palooza this spring. The event brings dozens of pickle-inspired meals, vendors, samples, and brews to LMCU Ball Park on May 2nd. Tickets go on sale February 19th.
🌿 GR to Support Community Garden Plots
Downtown GR Inc is looking for locals interested in community gardens for their neighborhoods. The program will fund development and maintenance; anyone can apply, but priority goes to multi-unit buildings.
Talking Shop
HotWorx → HOTWORX is offering free sessions to first-time guests at their studio with hot yoga, pilates, barre, core, cycling, rowing, and more. On February 7th, the studio is hosting its "official" opening.
Fountain Street Church → FSC has elected its 12th minister, Rev. Nathan Dannison. The church is one of the oldest in Grand Rapids, with over 100 years of operations.
Denny’s → The Denny’s restaurant located at 3127 Plainfield (near I-96) in Grand Rapids has officially closed for good.
John Ball Zoo → John Ball Zoo is hosting its seasonal hiring party on Saturday. A range of seasonal and full-time roles are up for grabs.
Want to share good news with 5,600+ other GR locals?
Contribute To The Crew
Calder News is 100% free to read, independently owned, and locally operated (outside of our video editor, it’s just me).
Your contributions go toward keeping the Crew going so I can have more fun, build more community, and create a team. I appreciate any and all support my friends! - LeQwane
What’s Happening?
Friday, February 6th
Mini Chefs | GR Children’s Museum | 1 PM | GA
Galentine's Day Sip 'N Shop | CityFlatsHotel | 5 PM | $15
Sculptural works of ceramicist Robyn Smith | Cocoon Art Space | 6 PM | Free
Chili Cookoff | New City Church | 6 PM | Free
World of Winter: Brett Bolton Projection Drumming | Van Andel Arena Alley | 6 PM - 9 PM | Free
Friday Night Food Trucks | 555 Monroe North Lot | 6 PM - 9 PM
Blacklight Yoga | 9175 Cherry SE (Caledonia) 6:30 PM | $0+
Olympics Opening Ceremony Watch Party | Downtown GR Inc. | 8 PM - 10:30 PM | Free
Olympics Opening Ceremony Watch Party | Studio Park | 8 PM | Free
Heated Rivalry Dance Party | Elevation | 9 PM | $22
Saturday, February 7th
Community Comic Con | Byron Township recreation | 10 AM - 3 PM | Free
Valentines Craft & Vendor Market | Tanger Outlet | (Sat, Sun) 10 AM - 4 PM | Free
Spicy Saturdays | Downtown Market | 10 AM - 8 PM | Free
Valentine’s Pop up market | Giggles & Gourmets | 1 PM - 5 PM | Free
Galentine’s Day Party Sip & Shop | Sandbar Esthetics & Spa | 2 PM | ?
Mud & Mocha: Textured Art Class | 24 Garland St. SE | 6 PM | $40
Sunday, February 8th
Snowga | 555 Monroe | 9 AM | Free
Original Goddess: Reiki Henna & Readings | 12th House GR | 2 PM | ?
Transforming Pain with Hypnotherapy and Take-Home Tools | Beyond The Couch Counseling | 2:30 PM - 5:30 PM | $75
Super Bowl Watch Parties
City Built Brewing | 12 PM | Free
Hard Times | 5 PM | Free
Agave | 5 PM | Free
The Holiday | 5:30 PM | $33
Sticks Lounge (Cork Wine & Grille) | 6 PM | $60
Rapid River Stillhouse | 6 PM | Free
Log Cabin Cocktail Lounge | 6:30 PM | Free
Monday, February 9th
Poets Parlor: The Essential Neruda | Cellar Bird Books | 7 PM | Free
Back Door Comedy | Hard Times | 9 PM | Free
Live Music
Friday, February 6th
Jazz Night | CitySen Lounge | 7 PM | Free
Space Bar | The Stray | 7 PM | $10
Celebrate America | DeVos Performance Hall | (Thu - Fri) 7:30 PM | $28
Date Night String Quartet | Fountain St. Church | 7:30 PM | $20+
Music For The Masses | The Stache | 7:30 PM | $20
Visser Brothers | Tip Top | 8 PM | $12
Slitely Modified | Dirty Shame Bar | 8 PM | Free
Ben Bailey | Speciation Cellars | 9 PM | Free
KYNDRED | Back Forty Saloon | 9 PM | Free
Ryan Sadorus, Marcus Harris, Adam Ortiz, The DJ Bob Marino | Billy’s Lounge | 9 PM | $10
Dubs and Diapers (Diaper Drive for Baxter community Market) | Garage Bar | 9 PM | Free
Punk Night | Mulligan’s Pub | 10 PM | Free
Saturday, February 7th
Jazz Brunch | Frederik Meijer Gardens | 11 AM - 1 PM | GA
Monrroe & Buunshin at Somnius | Monrroe & Buunshin at Somnius | 6 PM | Free
The 6 Pak | Horrocks Market | 6 PM | Free
Myron Elkins | The Stache | 7 PM | $22
Quinlan Mauer with Lava Rock | The Philmore | 7 PM | $10
The Blue Pines | The Stray | 7 PM | $10
The DJ Bob Marino + M.O. + Drivingmisshazy + DJ Whitney Who | Pyramid Scheme | 7 PM | $13
Kompany | Elevation | 8 PM | $31
The Incantatations with Vespa | Tip Top | 8 PM | $12
Red Thyme | Chicago Beef Joint | 8 PM | $12
Tribute to Queen and The Beatles | St. Cecilia | 8:45 PM | $46
Kyndred | Rapid River Stillhouse | 9 PM | $5
Bob Marley Birthday Bash | Billy’s Lounge | 9 PM | $10
Ascension / Strange Skin / Bayley Gottfried | Mulligan’s Pub | 10 PM | Free
Sunday, February 8th
Drew Nelson (Americana) | ArtRat Gallery | 3 PM | $25
Monday, February 9th
Grand Valley Piano Chamber Series | GVSU Performing Arts Center | 7:30 PM | Free
*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…
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