Good Morning Grand Rapids!

It’s the last week of summer break, so let’s make the most of it! Luckily, there’s a lot of fun stuff to explore, including the Return to the River Festival this weekend.

Let’s get into it! ☀️ 

📰 This Week’s Grand Stories

Dubai Bites Mediterranean Grill Coming to Alpine: A new Mediterranean restaurant, Dubai Bites Mediterranean Grill, is opening soon on Alpine Avenue, bringing another option for Mediterranean fare to the area.

🎶 Jonas Brothers Coming to Grand Rapids: The Jonas Brothers are heading to Grand Rapids for a concert, adding another major touring act to the city's upcoming live-music calendar. The Jonas Brothers’ Grand Rapids announcement has the details.

🐶 Dogs & Donuts Fest Returns This Fall: The dog-friendly Dogs & Donuts Fest is returning to the Grand Rapids area this fall, bringing together dogs, their humans, donuts, and plenty of fall fun.

🎲 GR-Area Studio Making The Hobbit-Themed Board Game: A Grand Rapids-area studio is working on a new The Hobbit-themed board game, giving fans of Tolkien's Middle-earth another way to venture into the Shire.

🍻 Grand Rapids Bar and Music Venue Up for Sale: A Grand Rapids bar and music venue is on the market, potentially opening the door for a new owner to take over a piece of the city's live-music and nightlife scene.

📆 Tonight In Grand Rapids!

Music fans, you won’t want to miss blues legend Bonnie Raitt at DeVos Performance Hall. Come out and hear for yourself what 13 Grammy’s sounds like!

Horror fans, if you’re looking to get a jump on spooky season, there’s a rare and special screening of The Texas Chainsaw Massacre 2 at Wealthy Theatre.

📆 This Weekend’s Grand Events

Wednesday, August 19

The Texas Chainsaw Massacre 2 at Wealthy Theatre - Wealthy Theatre - Tobe Hooper's 1986 cult horror-comedy sequel follows a radio DJ who becomes entangled with the infamous cannibalistic Sawyer family while a former Texas Ranger sets out to stop them. Doors 6:30 PM / Movie 7:30 PM / $10 general admission, $8 CMC & Wealthy Theatre members

Bonnie Raitt - DeVos Performance Hall - Thirteen-time GRAMMY winner Bonnie Raitt brings her blend of blues, R&B, rock, and pop to Grand Rapids. 7:30 PM / $85+

Dubstep Pilates - The Stache at The Intersection - A high-energy workout combining mindful mat Pilates with the beats of dubstep, open to all fitness levels. Doors 6:00 PM / Show 6:30 PM / $39.95

Open Projector Night: Music Video Edition (in partnership with WYCE) - Wealthy Theatre - Wealthy Theatre and WYCE present a curated selection of music videos connected to Michigan and local filmmakers, celebrating creativity, film, and the Grand Rapids arts community. Doors 6:00 PM / Show 7:00 PM / $10 general admission, $8 CMC & Wealthy Theatre members

Farm Care Apprentices at The Blandford Farm - Blandford Nature Center - A hands-on program for children to learn how to care for Blandford Farm's chickens, goat, and sheep, including feeding, watering, and enrichment. 9:00–11:00 AM / $60 non-members, $48 members

Thursday, August 20

Jimmy Pardo - Dr. Grins Comedy Club - Veteran comedian Jimmy Pardo brings his trademark crowd work and stories from his long career in comedy clubs, late-night television, and podcasting. 7:15 PM / $28

Sweet Immunity Herb Walk - Blandford Nature Center - Herbalist Camilla Voelker leads a walk through Blandford's trails and ecosystems focused on identifying plants commonly used in Western Herbalism. 6:00–7:30 PM / $30 non-members, $24 members

Regional Dinner Series: An Evening in Basque Country - MDRD - A four-course tasting menu inspired by the Basque Country and paired with exceptional regional wines. 6:30–8:30 PM / $120

American History Trivia Night - Gerald R. Ford Presidential Museum - Test your knowledge of American history with multiple rounds of fun and quirky questions; teams can include up to four players or be joined on the spot. 6:30–7:30 PM / Free

Gary Owen – No Hard Feelings Tour - DeVos Performance Hall - Nationally known comedian Gary Owen brings his stand-up show to Grand Rapids. 8:00 PM / $55–$219+

Friday, August 21

Helmet - Elevation - SectionLive and Live Nation present Helmet with support from Spirit In The Room and a local act TBA. Doors 7:00 PM / Show 8:00 PM / $40

Lindsey Stirling - Acrisure Amphitheater - Lindsey Stirling brings her Duality Untamed 2026 Tour to Grand Rapids with special guest Pvris. 8:00 PM / Prices vary

Little Black Dress - JW Marriott Grand Rapids - A night of runway glamour, music, and high-energy entertainment returns to the JW Marriott Grand Rapids. 8:00 PM–12:00 AM / $12

Punchis! Punchis!: Banda Rave Experience - The Intersection - A high-energy fusion of música regional and banda with EDM, blending live brass, tuba, and tambora with electronic beats. Doors 9:00 PM / Show 10:00 PM / $22.15–$48.15

Free Show Friday: Space Bar (Jazz Fusion) - Speciation Cellars - Jazz, blues, Afro-beat, rock, folk, bluegrass, and classical influences converge in Space Bar's original avant-fusion compositions. 8:00–10:30 PM / Free

Nathan Walton and the Remedy Live at The Rapid River Stillhouse - Rapid River Stillhouse - Nathan Walton & The Remedy bring soulful vocals, blues-rock energy, originals, covers, and Michigan-made rock and soul to the Stillhouse stage. 9:00 PM / $5 cover

Bronco - DeVos Performance Hall - Bronco brings its signature Latin music and powerful live performance, featuring classic hits and distinctive regional Mexican sounds. 8:00 PM / Prices vary

Steve Iott - Dr. Grins Comedy Club - Veteran comic Steve Iott brings his improvisational comedy and bizarre tales of ridiculous life experiences to the stage. 7:15 PM & 8:00 PM / $17–$20

Saturday, August 22

Trillium Irish at 28th Street Metro Cruise PIT STOP - Cascade Friendship Park - Enjoy classic cars, summer sunshine, and live Irish music at the 28th Street Metro Cruise PIT STOP. 12:00–2:00 PM / Free

Summer Music Series: Block Party with Ten Peso Version & False Harbor - Vander Mill - Grand Rapids - A family-friendly summer block party with live music from False Harbor and Ten Peso Version, face painting, yard games, barbecue, burgers, and drink specials. 4:00–10:00 PM / Free

Summer Sounds Under the Shed - Grand Rapids Downtown Market - Enjoy live music under the Market Shed alongside outdoor dining, yard games, and drinks from the Market bar. 5:00–8:00 PM / Free

GRFS Presents: Apocalypse Now (1979 Roadshow Version) - Wealthy Theatre - American Zoetrope's new restoration of the original 1979 Roadshow version of Francis Ford Coppola's Vietnam War epic. Doors 6:30 PM / Movie 7:30 PM / $14.04–$16.20

Twilight at Sunset Cinema - Studio Park - An outdoor screening of Twilight as part of Studio Park's summer movie series; bring lawn chairs or blankets for an evening community movie experience. 8:00 PM / Usually free or low-cost

Build a Leather Mail Pocket for Office and Home - Tandy Leather Grand Rapids - Learn cutting, gluing, sewing, edge finishing, and hardware setting while creating a finished leather wall pocket for mail or files. 11:00 AM–3:00 PM / $45

Thomas Rhett - Acrisure Amphitheater - Thomas Rhett brings his Soundtrack to Life Tour to Grand Rapids with special guests Conner Smith and Emily Ann Roberts. 7:30 PM / Prices vary

Rhythm & Soul at IDC - IDC - DJ Seventh spins Motown classics, disco favorites, and funky beats for a night of dancing and soul. 8:00 PM / $10

Steve Iott - Dr. Grins Comedy Club - Veteran comic Steve Iott brings his improvisational comedy and bizarre tales of ridiculous life experiences to the stage. 7:15 PM & 8:00 PM / $17–$20

Return to the River Festival 2026 - Downtown Grand Rapids, Inc. - A two-day festival featuring art, music, performances, themed stages, and other activations along the Grand River. 1:00 PM / Free

Sunday, August 23

A Taste of Blossom Cafe - Blossom Cafe - An evening of connection and community featuring self-care vendors, signature mocktails, and a first taste of the Blossom experience. 2:00–5:00 PM / Free

Brandi Carlile - Acrisure Amphitheater - Brandi Carlile brings The Human Tour to Grand Rapids with special guest I'm With Her for an evening of folk, Americana, and singer-songwriter music. 7:00 PM / Prices vary

Bags on Ionia 2026 Cornhole Party - Peppino's Grand Rapids - A community cornhole tournament featuring food, drinks, friendly competition, and players of all skill levels. 12:00 PM / Admission varies by registration

North by Northwest - Wealthy Theatre - Alfred Hitchcock's classic thriller follows an advertising man mistaken for a spy and thrown into a deadly cross-country chase. Doors 6:30 PM / Movie 7:30 PM / $8.64–$10.80

Pressed Flower Card Bar - The Honeysuckle Co. - Design personalized greeting cards using hand-picked and pressed Michigan foliage, craft papers, ribbons, stickers, and other embellishments. 6:30–8:00 PM / $30

🎤 Celebrating The Return To The River Festival

Did you know that the Return to the River Festival first started in 2022?

📅 Add to Your Calendar

Thomas Rhett: The Soundtrack to Life Tour – Acrisure Amphitheater – Diamond-certified country superstar Thomas Rhett brings his Soundtrack to Life Tour to Grand Rapids with special guests Conner Smith and Emily Ann Roberts. – August 22, 2026 / 7:30 PM / Prices vary

TLC & Salt-N-Pepa: It's Iconic The Tour – Acrisure Amphitheater – Two of the biggest groups in hip-hop and R&B history join forces for their first co-headlining tour, with special guest En Vogue. – September 3, 2026 / 7:30 PM / Prices vary

Pitbull: I'm Back Tour – Acrisure Amphitheater – Global superstar Pitbull brings his high-energy I'm Back Tour to Grand Rapids with special guest Lil Jon. – September 10, 2026 / 8:00 PM / Prices vary

Billy Idol: It's a Nice Day To... Tour Again – Acrisure Amphitheater – Rock icon Billy Idol brings his signature hits and energetic live show to Grand Rapids with special guest Susanna Hoffs. – September 11, 2026 / 7:30 PM / Prices vary

John Mulaney – Acrisure Amphitheater – Acclaimed comedian John Mulaney brings his live stand-up show to Grand Rapids with Fred Armisen, Mike Birbiglia, and Nick Kroll. – September 12, 2026 / 7:30 PM / Prices vary

The B-52s & Devo: Cosmic De-Evolution Tour – Acrisure Amphitheater – Two hugely influential new-wave bands join forces for a major co-headlining tour, with DJ Cummerbund. – September 19, 2026 / 7:00 PM / Prices vary

Mumford & Sons: PRIZEFIGHTER Tour – Acrisure Amphitheater – Grammy-winning British folk-rock band Mumford & Sons brings its PRIZEFIGHTER Tour to Grand Rapids with special guest The Marcus King Band. – September 22, 2026 / 7:30 PM / Prices vary

Brooks & Dunn: Neon Moon Tour – Acrisure Amphitheater – Country Music Hall of Famers Brooks & Dunn bring their Neon Moon Tour to Grand Rapids with David Lee Murphy and Willow Avalon. – September 25, 2026 / 7:00 PM / Prices vary

Dan + Shay: The Young Tour – Acrisure Amphitheater – Grammy-winning country duo Dan + Shay bring The Young Tour to Grand Rapids with Tyler Hubbard and Josh Ross. – October 2, 2026 / 7:00 PM / Prices vary

Neil deGrasse Tyson: An Astrophysicist Goes to the Movies Part II – DeVos Performance Hall – Astrophysicist and science communicator Neil deGrasse Tyson explores the science that movies got right and wrong, from The Wizard of Oz and Mary Poppins to Harry Potter and A Bug's Life. – October 5, 2026 / 7:30 PM / Prices vary

Gabriel Iglesias: The 1976 Tour – Van Andel Arena – One of America's most popular stand-up comedians brings his large-scale touring show to Grand Rapids. – November 13, 2026 / 8:00 PM / Prices vary

ArtPrize 2026 – Grand Rapids – International art competition and citywide cultural festival transforming Grand Rapids into a massive exhibition featuring thousands of artists and works throughout the city. – September 17–October 3, 2026 / Free to view

🏃 Upcoming Runs & Walks!

Last year, 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.

Gettin' Salty 5k Margarita Run, sponsored by Soaring Eagle Casino & Resort on August 22.

West Michigan Latino Health 5K Walk/Run on August 22.