Good Morning Grand Rapids!

Good morning Grand Rapids! There’s a lot to get into this coming week, with a metric ton of comedy shows, with something hilarious happening nearly every day of the week. There’s also food to explore and art to experience, of course. You can even celebrate the wonder and magic of the world’s oceans at John Ball Zoo for World Ocean Day.

Let’s get into it! ☀️ 

**For our #cashstash followers - here’s your hint: Pay attention to our most recent reel - the restaurants with the highest votes will be PAID a visit soon! Also, if you like gluten free foods, you may be in a for treat!

📰 This Week’s Grand Stories

Breton Village is Changing: The shopping center at Breton village has been purchased by a Massachusetts developer. So, the upscale village might be getting a bit more upscale!

The Ring Bike Park Re-opens: A cicyling hotspot before Covid struck, is reopening for a series of Saturday events this summer. With food trucks, graffiti artists and fun for the whole family - it’s a unique way to spend an afternoon in Burton Heights!

Grand Rapids Taco, Tequila and Margarita Fest: Start preparing your taste buds. Over 10 food vendors will be pairing their wares with over 165 different kinds of tequila, margaritas, beer, or cider at RiverSide Park.

Rico’s Deli Brings The Chill: Rico’s Deli have opened their doors to help Grand Rapids’ homeless beat the summer heat.

Bike Helmets And Books: The Kent District Public Library gave away 100 free bike helmets as part of their 17th Annual Lids at the Library event. Another event will take place this coming Wednesday, where another 100 bike helmets will be given away.

I Hope This Finds Your Well: A user on the /r/GrandRapids subreddit named /u/thematteveritt is looking for a deep stone well for a short film in the Fall.

Hot Event Alert: Jim Gaffigan is coming to Van Andel on July 17th

Hot Event Alert:  Hamilton Broadway is coming to DeVos Hall on July 23rd

📆 This Week’s Grand Events

Thursday, June 26

Live Music Night at Big E's with Ray Townsend: Come out to Big E’s Sports Grill for an evening of good food, tasty drinks, and live music with Ray Townsend. 6 - 8 PM. Free.

Moet & Chandon Tastemaker Dinner: Prepare for an evening of elevated taste and glamor when Ruth's Chris Steak House regales you with an evening of chef-crafted dishes paired with Moet & Chandon champagne. 6 PM. $155.

Sazerac Bourbon Dinner: The only thing tastier than an evening of top shelf bourbon is four bourbons paired with five unforgettable dishes. Gravity Taphouse Grille. 6 - 9 PM. $100 (+20% gratuity and tax.)

Friday, June 27

Grand Rapid SC vs Midwest United FC: Top-Level Men's Soccer Game: Grand Rapids’ SC are taking on Midwest United FC at Mehney Field. $10/Online, $15/Gate.

SDS Summer Beach Party: It’s the best of all worlds when Social Dance Studio combines their summer beach party and deck grand opening. 6 - 11 PM. $15.

The UnderGRand Comedy Showcase: Some of Grand Rapids’ most talented comedians will strut their stuff at the Joe Elder Community. 8 - 10 PM. $15.

Adults only at Craig’s Cruisers: Buffet access, two drink coupons and unlimited attractions - all for $40. Sounds like my kind of date night!

Saturday, June 28

Carolanne Miljavac Live!: Hilarity will ensue when standup comedian Carolanne Miljavac comes to the Wealthy Theatre. $28/General Admisson, $33.40/Premium, $49.60/VIP

The Dinner Detective Comedy Mystery Dinner Show: America’s largest interactive dinner theater show is coming to the Hilton Garden Inn Grand Rapids East. 6:30 - 9 PM. $69.95.

Downtown Walking Tour: Let Grand Rapids’ Beer Society take you on a guided tour of some of GR’s vibrant craft beer scene. 12 - 3 PM. $50.

Good Treasure Small Business Expo: Here’s a chance to explore Grand Rapids’ vibrant independent businesses at Calder Plaza, with over 50 vendors, food trucks, and live music. 12:30 - 7 PM. Free.

Grand Rapids Taco, Tequila and Margarita Fest: Start preparing your taste buds. Over 10 food vendors will be pairing their wares with over 165 different kinds of tequila, margaritas, beer, or cider at RiverSide Park. 4 - 8 PM. $29.99 - $59.99.

Josh Blue: Josh Blue’s gonna slay Grand Rapids when his Berserker tour comes to The Intersection. 7 PM. $35.25 - $54.25.

"Mosaic" - Group Exhibition & Live Art Demos: Come to LaFontsee Gallery for the opening of the Mosaic group show and live art demonstration. 11 AM - 3 PM. Free.

Ottawa Hills Garden Tour: Here’s a chance to explore the glory of Ottawa Hills’ garden. 9 AM - 1 PM. Free.

Summer Wine & Charcuterie Workshop: Let Barb Kasper and Spruced Studio teach you how to up your appetizer game by learning how to build your own charcuterie board and summer wine pairings. 6:30 -8 PM. $90.

Sunday, June 29

Ingalls Pictures 10th Anniversary Open House: Here’s a chance to explore 10 years of Hugh Ingalls’ art. Ingalls’ Pictures, 1 - 4 PM. Free.

Slow Down with Wild Herbs - Gathered Botanicals: Let Gathered Botanicals teach you how to move at the speed of nature. 10 - 11:30 AM. $25.

SpongeBob SquarePants-Themed Drag Show at General Wood Shop: Bikini bottoms will be out in full force when the SpongeBob SquarePants drag show takes over General Wood Shop. 6:30 - 10 PM. $10.

Monday, June 30

Americana Sundays: An Afternoon with The Velvet Twins: ArtRat Gallery’s Americana Sundays continues with The Velvet Twins. 3 - 5 PM. $25.

Wild at Heart (Grand Rapids Film Society): Grand Rapids Film Society’s David Lynch series continues with a screening of Wild at Heart starring Nicolas Cage and Laura Dern at The Wealthy Theatre. 8 PM. $10/Members, $12/Non-Members

Tuesday, July 1

Friday at Wealthy Theatre: Even if you’ve got a job or got something to do, you shouldn’t miss Friday at the Wealthy Theatre. 7:30 PM. $6 - 8.

John Ball Zoo Celebrates World Ocean Day

John Ball Zoo had their first World Ocean Day in 2022.

📅 Add to Your Calendar

🍝 Get Ready For West Michigan Italian Festival: Mark your calendars now. West Michigan Italian Festival is coming to the Tanger Outlets for a weekend of fabulous food, delicious drinks, local artisans, and live music on July 25 - 27.

Grand Rapids FitFest Returns: One $20 ticket gets you access to unlimited classes at 30+ studios and gyms all over the city during FitFest week (July 28th-Aug 2nd) and the official Recovery Day on August 2nd!

🏃 Upcoming Runs & Walks!

Last month, one of our readers wrote in asking about running and walking events happening around Grand Rapids. We aim to please! Here are a few running and walking events happening in the next few weeks and months, so you can start warming up now.

Caledonia Kilt Klassic 5k: Proceeds go to Caledonia high school cross country and track teams. On June 28 in Caledonia. Use 15% off code: GRNewsletter

Kentwood 4th of July 5k: On Tuesday, July 4th, there will be a pancake breakfast, parade, carnival, live music, food trucks, and of course a firework display. The race will start and finish next to Kentwood City Hall and Fire Station #1.

Run the Riverwalk in Lowell: On Saturday, July 12th run the Riverwalk in Downtown Lowell in this family friendly event.

🎈Fun For The Family

With school out of session for the summer, there’s no end of fun and interesting things to get into this summer for you and your whole family.

Drums for All with Josh: Unlock your child’s inner drummer when drum instructor Josh brings an afternoon of dancing, singing, and drumming. Grand Rapids Public Library- West Side Branch. June 25. 11 AM - 12:45 PM. Free.

Member's Night: Experience a whole ‘nother side of John Ball Zoo when it opens its gates for an evening of additional entertainment. 6 - 8 PM. Free.

Totally Rad 90s Crafts for Teens: Let your kids’ experience all of the radness of the ‘90s at the Totally Rad craft workshop at the Seymour Branch of the Grand Rapids Public Library on June 26. 1 - 2 PM. Free.

Wildlife Exploration Day | World Ocean Day: Help your little ones fall in love with the magic of Earth’s oceans at John Ball Zoo on June 26 in honor of World Ocean Day. 9 AM - 6 PM. Free - $21.95.

Humane Society Celebration: Celebrate all of Grand Rapids’ furry friends and family with a special Humane Society Celebration at the Humane Society of Western Michigan on June 28. 12 - 3 PM. Youth (3 - 17): $10. Adults/$20.

🏷️ GRrrrrrrreat Discounts for Subscribers!

Harmonic Egg - BOGO!
The Harmonic Egg in GR is now open & is offering a special BOGO discount when you and a friend visit for the first time! Experience the healing power of sacred geometry, light, color and sound.
Just text “GRNEWS” to 616-970-9186 to claim and make your appt!

Hydrowash Solutions - 50% OFF
Your home looking a little dirty or green this spring? Get 50% off your home's first pressure wash (up to 1500 sq ft). Only $300 for GR Newsletter subscribers.
Text "Wash" to 616-730-3949 get on the calendar. (First 10 homes only)

Let The Good Times Roll - $150 OFF
Need a bartender for your special day? Whether it's a wedding, backyard bbq, or any other special occassion - I am your certified and insured bartender and food handler. $150 off any event for GR News subscribers!
Text "Bartender" to 847-924-2447 to claim your discount!

JDPotter Lawn Care - First Grass Mowing is FREE!
I’m a bit biased, as Jackson has been cutting my lawn for several years. He’s a great young man with a thriving business. He’ll cut up to two acres for free, for first-time customers. And, you’ll love it so much, he’ll be your lawn guy for life.
Text “Free Mow” to 616-818-8805 to get scheduled. (First 15 lawns only)

Miss Clean It All - 40% OFF
Get your first cleaning job on the books at 40% off! Two hours of deep cleaning for only $40! Servicing residential & commercial customers.
Text "First Cleaning" to 616-433-5497 to get scheduled.

Cookie Cutters - 50% OFF a “Kids Cut” for First Time Customers
Voted #1 for 4 years in a row for the best place for kids' haircuts in Grand Rapids by GRkids.com families! All three of our GR locations feature amazing stylists, an indoor play set, fun fantasy cars, and personal TVs, in our kid-centric salons! Click here to book your appointment and mention the GR Newsletter when you visit.

👨‍💼 Highlighting New Businesses

Gimmes Par and Grill is new and open to some well-deserved fan fare. With 4.8 Stars and over 100 Reviews on Google… the food is great, the golf simulators are above par and the drinks are always swingin.

Playa Bowls just opened on East Beltline offering acai bowls, juices and smoothies.

Fika, a gluten-free, plant-based restaurant, has opened a new location at 1359 Plainfield Ave. NE.

Silva, a new restaurant and event space, opened in NW Grand Rapids earlier this month.

Zeal Aerial Fitness just opened a brand new home location.

Cellar Bird Books has opened at 415 Bridge St. near US-131.

Big Mini Putt Club just opened their first Grand Rapids location.

The Main Event, a family event center with everything from billiards to bowling alleys, has opened at Woodland Mall in Kentwood.

We Rock The Spectrum, a sensory-friendly gym for kids on the spectrum, had their grand opening recently.

 🎶 Plan Ahead for Big Concerts & Shows!

Quite a few readers have said they’d like a little more advance notice on upcoming concerts and shows - so here ya go! Whilst this isn’t everything - it’s a lot of the big names coming to town!

Jim Gaffigan is coming to Van Andel on July 17th

Hamilton Broadway Production is coming to DeVos Hall on July 23rd

Dude Perfect is coming to Van Andel on July 30th

Louis CK is coming to DeVos Hall on Aug 26th and 27th

Jason Aldean is coming to Van Andel on Sept 4th

John Crist is coming to DeVos Hall on Sept 19th

The Lumineers are coming to Van Andel on Oct 1st 

Brandon Lake is coming to Van Andel on Oct 11th 

Matt Rife is coming to Van Andel on Nov 9th

Bert Kreischer is coming to Van Andel on Nov 20th