Good Morning Grand Rapids!

It’s been hot and the air quality’s been terrible, but The Odyssey and the World Cup have been pretty great, so we’ll call it a wash!

Let’s get into it! 🔥 

📰 This Week’s Grand Stories

🍽️ Watusi Bringing Seasonal Menu to Grand Rapids: A new neighborhood restaurant, Watusi, will open next month in the former Mai's Thai space on College Avenue, serving a rotating menu of fresh, seasonal dishes from co-owners Sarah Andro and Delie Minnema. Read more about Watusi's upcoming opening.

🎨 ArtPrize Tops 1,000 Entries for First Time Since 2018: Organizers have announced that ArtPrize 2026 has surpassed 1,000 registered artists, marking the competition's largest field in nearly a decade ahead of Preview Week beginning September 12.

🎉 Grand Rapids Hispanic Festival Returns August 7–8: The annual Grand Rapids Hispanic Festival is returning to Calder Plaza with two days of food, live entertainment, cultural performances, and family activities. Organizers are currently seeking vendors and artists for this year's celebration.

🚧 $30 Million 28th Street Reconstruction Begins This Fall: Drivers should prepare for lane restrictions, periodic closures, and detours as a major reconstruction project on 28th Street gets underway, bringing significant improvements to one of Grand Rapids' busiest corridors.

🛠️ Grand Rapids' "Jack of All Trades" Honored: WOOD TV highlighted the remarkable life of Charles Belknap, whose decades of craftsmanship, ingenuity, and community involvement have earned him recognition as a true Grand Rapids original.

📆 This Weekend’s Grand Events

Wednesday, July 22

ADA Celebration - 160 68th St. SW - Celebrate the anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act with food, entertainment, performances, games, activities, and community resources in a family-friendly atmosphere. 4:00–7:00 PM / Free

Circus Arts with the Grand Rapids Circus Project - Grand Rapids Public Library – Main Branch - Hands-on circus workshop introducing aerial arts, balancing, teamwork, and creative movement for ages 8–18. 4:00–6:00 PM / Free

Tea 101 with Spice Merchants - Rák Thai - Sample nine different teas while learning about tea origins, production, brewing, and global traditions, paired with appetizers from Rák Thai. 4:30–6:00 PM / $40

Sunkissed Flowers - Spruced Studio - Design a bright summer floral arrangement with guidance from Leaflet Floral and take your finished bouquet home. 6:30–7:45 PM / $90

Fifth Third Bank Summer Concerts: Kaleo - Frederik Meijer Gardens Amphitheater - Icelandic rock band Kaleo performs as part of the Meijer Gardens Summer Concert Series. 6:30 PM / $80 members, $85 non-members

The Black Crowes & Whiskey Myers - Acrisure Amphitheater - Southern Hospitality Tour featuring The Black Crowes, Whiskey Myers, and special guest Southall. 6:30 PM / Prices vary

Johnny Mullenax - The Stache at The Intersection - Country artist Johnny Mullenax performs with support to be announced. Doors 7:00 PM / Show 8:00 PM / Prices vary

The Girls Choral Academy Studio Series: Broadway and Beyond Summer Intensive - Girls Choral Academy - Free one-day music bootcamp for girls in grades 6–12 featuring songwriting, movement, stage skills, and a showcase performance. 9:00 AM–6:30 PM / Free

Thursday, July 23

Wood Flower Arrangement Workshop - Spruced Studio - Create a custom wood flower arrangement while enjoying a complimentary glass of wine during evening classes. 6:00–7:30 PM / $40–55

Big E's Live Music Featuring Ray Townsend - Big E's Sports Grill - Enjoy live music from Ray Townsend alongside food and drinks. 6:00–8:00 PM / Free

Friday, July 24

Crushed Glass Suncatchers - Spruced Studio - Craft a colorful faux stained-glass suncatcher using crushed glass and resin. 6:00–8:00 PM / $65

Tibetan Sound - So Hum Yoga Studio - Immerse yourself in a restorative sound healing experience featuring Tibetan singing bowls, gongs, and meditative vibrations. 6:00–7:30 PM / $55

Locked Zoo: Jumbled Jungles - John Ball Zoo - Adults-only escape room adventure combining puzzles and wildlife-themed mysteries throughout the zoo. 6:00–9:00 PM / $35 (members receive 20% off)

Morlock Records Summertime Madness - The Stache at The Intersection - All-ages showcase featuring Double Homicide, NBK, Epidemic, Mikey Beaver, The Michigan Misfits, and more. Doors 6:00 PM / Show 6:30 PM / $22

Indiana Jones and the Raiders of the Lost Ark - Wealthy Theatre - Screening of Spielberg's adventure classic on the big screen. Doors 6:30 PM / Movie 7:30 PM / $10 ($8 members)

After Dark: Smooth Jazz Sessions - Midtown - Contemporary smooth jazz performance featuring Grand Rapids saxophonist Isaac Norris. 7:30–10:00 PM / $50

Saturday, July 25

Summer Saturdays: A Celebration of Music and Dance - Grand Rapids Public Museum - Live music, dance demonstrations, crafts, and interactive cultural activities throughout the museum. 11:00 AM–3:00 PM / General admission

Wildlife Care Apprentices (Ages 10–15) - Blandford Nature Center - Young animal lovers help care for wildlife ambassadors and explore Blandford's trails. 12:00–3:00 PM / $60 members, $75 non-members

Lil Wayne - Acrisure Amphitheater - Lil Wayne brings his 20+ Years of Carter Classics tour with special guest 2 Chainz. 7:00 PM / Prices vary

Candlelight: Coldplay & Imagine Dragons - Wealthy Theatre - Candlelit string quartet tribute featuring the music of Coldplay and Imagine Dragons. 8:45–10:00 PM / From $19

Gasolina Reggaetón Party - GLC Live at 20 Monroe - Dance all night to nonstop reggaetón hits. 9:00 PM / $20

Pretty Kool - Rapid River Stillhouse - High-energy cover band performing hits from the '70s through today. 9:00 PM / $5 cover

Sunny Rave: Grand Rapids - Elevation - It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia-inspired rave featuring DJ Pressed, costumes, and dance music. Doors 9:00 PM / Show 9:00 PM / $22.15–35.40

We're All In This Together: Disney Channel Throwback Party (21+) - The Stache at The Intersection - Throwback dance party celebrating Disney Channel favorites. Doors 9:00 PM / Show 9:00 PM / $22.15

[girl edm] (21+) - The Stache at The Intersection - Hyperpop, garage, trance, and electronic dance party spotlighting today's biggest women in EDM. Doors 9:00 PM / Show 9:00 PM / $22

Sunday, July 26

Beat the Heat Pickleball Tournament - Pickle & Pin - Indoor summer pickleball tournament welcoming competitive and recreational players. 10:00 AM / $55

Summer Rummage Sale - Fulton Street Market - Browse vintage clothing, furniture, records, books, and more from local vendors with food trucks on site. 11:00 AM–4:00 PM / Free

St. Vincent with Grand Rapids Symphony - Frederik Meijer Gardens Amphitheater - St. Vincent performs with the Grand Rapids Symphony as part of the Summer Concert Series. 7:00 PM / $97 members, $102 non-members

The Format: Boycott Heaven Tour '26 – Unplugged! - Elevation - Indie favorites The Format perform an intimate unplugged concert. Doors 7:00 PM / Show 8:00 PM / $43.40

🎸 Welcome St. Vincent!

Did you know that St. Vincent’s real name is Annie Clark?

📅 Add to Your Calendar

Upheaval Festival 2026 – Belknap Park – Multi-day rock and metal festival featuring national touring acts, local performers, and immersive festival experiences in one of Grand Rapids’ largest summer music events. – July dates vary / Multi-day / Ticketed

Breakaway Music Festival Michigan 2026 – Grand Rapids Area – Touring EDM and hip-hop festival bringing nationally known DJs and live acts, large-scale stage production, and nightlife-oriented programming to West Michigan. – Summer 2026 / Dates & pricing 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.

Gospel Feet Fun Run 2026 on July 24, 2026

myTEAM TRIUMPH West MI - Tri Millennium Sprint -- Captain & Angel Registration on July 25, 2026

WMAAA Banh Mi 5K Run & Walk on July 28, 2026

Sigue la Tormenta – Follow the Storm 5K/10K + 1 Mile Fun Run on August 2, 2026