Good Morning Grand Rapids!

We’re closing out February with a little bit of everything — signs of renewal, stories of neighbors stepping up for one another, and a weekend calendar that refuses to let winter win. From solar-powered second chances and first responders doing what they do best, to fish fry traditions and a packed slate of music, art, and culture across the city, there’s plenty to feel good about in West Michigan right now.

Let’s get into it! 🎲 

📰 This Week’s Grand Stories

🛠️ Grand Rapids to Turn Former Landfill into Solar Energy Hub: A major transformation is underway as the city plans to install a 2 MW solar array at the once-toxic Butterworth Landfill, turning it into a renewable energy source for municipal buildings and infrastructure. This project represents environmental renewal and community benefit. Grand Rapids Turns Former Landfill Into Solar Energy Hub (Grand Rapids)

🔥 Firefighters Rescue Trapped Driver: Grand Rapids firefighters were celebrated for their skill and quick response in rescuing a driver who became trapped in a vehicle after a collision. Their efforts highlight the dedication of local first responders to community safety.

📚 New Online Peer Groups Tackle Student Loneliness: A new program called Link Up Groups at Great Lakes Learning Academy is connecting online students facing loneliness, anxiety, or depression with peer support groups. Teachers and parents report positive feedback as the program helps students build social skills and feel less isolated.

🍟 West Michigan Fish Fry Guide Launches: With Lent approaching, a guide to local fish fry spots across the Grand Rapids area has been released, celebrating a cherished community tradition and encouraging residents to support neighborhood eateries.

🏀 East Grand Rapids High School Basketball Success: East Grand Rapids High School’s varsity boys basketball team notched a win this week, giving local sports fans something to cheer about as the season continues.

📆 This Weekend’s Grand Events

Thursday, February 26

Emmet Cohen Presents: Miles and Coltrane at 100 – St. Cecilia Music Center – Jazz pianist Emmet Cohen celebrates the centennial of John Coltrane and Miles Davis with an all-star quintet. 7:30 PM–9:00 PM / $35–$65

Guided Shinrin-Yoku: Winter After Dark – Blandford Nature Center – Guided winter forest bathing experience with tea and community time. 6:00 PM–7:45 PM / $25.60–$32

Ole 60: Smokestack Town Tour – GLC Live at 20 Monroe – Country-rock band Ole 60 live on their Smokestack Town Tour. Doors 7:00 PM / Show 8:00 PM / $70–$245

Friday, February 27

American Advertising Awards (Addys) 2026 – JW Marriott Grand Rapids – AAF West Michigan celebrates the region’s top advertising work with Old Hollywood flair. 6:00 PM–11:00 PM / $150

An Evening with Jim O'Heir – Wealthy Theatre – Live conversation with the Parks and Recreation star and comedian Virginia Anzengruber. 6:00 PM–9:00 PM / $30–$45

Artikal Sound System – The Stache at The Intersection – Reggae-rock performance with support from Sensamotion and Toby Raps (All Ages). Doors 7:00 PM / Show 8:00 PM / $20+

Bonsai + Brews – Vivant Brewery + Spirits – Tropical bonsai workshop with drink and take-home tree. 6:00 PM–8:00 PM / $80

Chanticleer in Concert – First Park Congregational Church – GRAMMY® award-winning male chorus performs as part of Great American Voices series. 7:30 PM / $15–$30

Heavyweights Round 1 – Elevation – High-energy Battle of the Bands preliminary round. Doors 6:30 PM / Show 7:00 PM / $10

Jessica Audiffred – The Intersection – Electronic bass music performance (18+). Doors 8:00 PM / Show 9:00 PM / Prices Vary

Just Lips: Celebrity Lip Sync 2026 – Wealthy Theatre – Grand Rapids legal community lip sync fundraiser for the Justice Foundation of West Michigan. Doors 6:00 PM / Event 7:00 PM / Prices Vary

Nothing More w/ Catch Your Breath, Archers and Doobie – GLC Live at 20 Monroe – Hard rock show featuring Nothing More and special guests. Doors 5:30 PM / Show 6:30 PM / $52.50+

Rangeela 2026: A Tapestry – Calvin University Covenant Fine Arts Center – Annual cultural showcase celebrating global dance and music traditions. 7:30 PM–9:30 PM / $12

Saturday, February 28

African Drum Circle: Leah Ivory + 100 African Drums – Trinity Lutheran Church – Interactive drumming circle led by world music educator Leah Ivory. 10:30 AM–12:00 PM / Free (Donations Welcome)

Buffalo Traffic Jam – Take Me Home Tour – The Stache – Montana folk duo live in concert. Doors 7:00 PM / Show 8:00 PM / $250

Butterfly Ballet: From Wiggles to Wings – Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park – Family-friendly ballet performance inspired by the Butterflies Are Blooming exhibition. 10:00 AM / $7–$12

Gathered Botanicals DIY Terrarium Class – Gathered Botanicals – Build your own open-air terrarium with plants and decorative elements. 10:30 AM–12:00 PM / $45

GRAM FAM Art in Motion – Grand Rapids Art Museum – Family fundraiser celebrating movement through art and creativity. 5:00 PM–8:00 PM / $40–$75

Great Lakes Snow Snake Competition – Sixth Street Bridge Park – Traditional Native American winter game competition. 11:00 AM–5:00 PM / Free

INFEKT – Elevation – Bass-heavy electronic show featuring INFEKT (18+). Doors 8:30 PM / Show 9:00 PM / Prices Vary

Krafts & Karaoke – SILVA – Craft workshop and karaoke night with cocktails and creative fun. 7:00 PM / $11

Preservation of Black Music and History – Della Soul Records – Educational talk on Black-owned record stores and music history. 2:00 PM–4:00 PM / Free

Priscilla Block – The Intersection – Country artist on the Things You Didn’t See Tour (All Ages). Doors 6:30 PM / Show 8:00 PM / Prices Vary

Return to Self: A Self-Love Sound Bath – So Hum Yoga Studio Grand Rapids – Guided sound bath focused on self-love and mindfulness. 1:00 PM–2:30 PM / $50

The Insiders: A Traveling Wilburys Tribute – Midtown at Studio Park – Tribute concert featuring music of The Traveling Wilburys and Tom Petty. Doors 6:00 PM / Show 7:00 PM / $30–$40

West Michigan Antique Bottle Club 35th Show – 2327 Wilson SW – Annual antique bottle show and sale with free appraisals. 9:30 AM–2:00 PM / Free

Sunday, March 1

Elevation Nights 2026 – Van Andel Arena – Elevation Worship & Steven Furtick headline a night of contemporary worship music. 7:00 PM / Prices Vary

Noodle Fest at World of Winter – Calder Plaza – West Michigan noodle showdown featuring $6 bowls, spicy challenge, and live cultural performances. 11:00 AM–6:00 PM / $6 per bowl

The Blues Brothers Experience – Wealthy Theatre – Transit Brothers bring a high-energy Blues Brothers tribute with a 12-piece horn-driven band. 7:00 PM / $30–$60+

🎂 Fish FryDays!

Did you know that fish fries started being a thing in Grand Rapids in the late 1800s?

📅 Add to Your Calendar

Winter Beer Festival – February 28 @ LMCU Ballpark – Outdoor beer tasting event with hundreds of Michigan craft beers, local entertainment, ice carvings, and fire pits. – Various times / Prices vary

Great Lakes Snow Snake Competition – February 28 @ Sixth Street Park – Traditional snow snake sport competition with competitors sliding handcrafted “snakes” down icy tracks. – Various times / Free/Prices vary

Noodle Fest – March 1 @ Calder Plaza – Part of the World of Winter festivities featuring noodle dishes from local restaurants where attendees vote for their favorites. – 11:00 AM–6:00 PM / Free (food prices vary)

🏃 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.

Riverside parkrun on February 21, 2026

Time to Paddy 5K/10K & Lucky 13.1 on March 1, 2026

Grand Rapids Road Mile on March 26

Grand Rapids Road Mile on March 26, 2026

Amway River Bank Run on May 9, 2026

Walk MS: Grand Rapids on May 30, 2026