Good Morning Grand Rapids!

And now the fun begins! Art lovers are in for a special treat, as ArtPrize are hosting a special preview week before the fest opens on Sept. 18.

Let’s get into it! ☀️ 

📰 This Week’s Grand Stories

✨ Grand Rapids Gears Up for ArtPrize: ArtPrize is getting ready to begin, bringing artists, installations, and events to downtown Grand Rapids.

🎨 ArtPrize Events: WOOD TV8 has put together a list of events happening during ArtPrize in downtown Grand Rapids.

🏙️ River North’s Growth: River North has transformed from an industrial district of factories and warehouses into one of Grand Rapids’ major hubs for new development.

🧬 Functional Medicine Startup Opens Headquarters: A functional medicine startup has opened its headquarters in Grand Rapids.

🍛 Rasa Indian Cuisine Opens: Rasa Indian Cuisine has opened at 2222 44th St. SE, bringing new management and an emphasis on authentic Indian cuisine after Curry Leaf closed.

📆 This Week’s Grand Events

Wednesday, September 9

Sundance Film Festival 2026 Short Film Tour (Presented by GRFS, FMA, & ArtPrize) - Wealthy Theatre - The 2026 Sundance Film Festival Short Film Tour features six standout short films from this year's Festival, including three Festival Award–winning titles, in a 99-minute program highlighting bold perspectives and next-generation storytellers. A discussion about Michigan's film industry and the future of film festivals begins at 7:15 PM, followed by the screenings at 8:00 PM. 6:30 PM doors / 7:15 PM discussion / 8:00 PM screening / $8.64–$10.80

Southside Creekways Project Summit - MLK Park Community Center - A free community summit where residents, businesses, and neighborhood groups can learn about the Southside Creekways project and help shape its future, focusing on trails, greenways, recreation, transportation, neighborhood connections, and economic opportunities in southeast Grand Rapids. 12:00–8:00 PM / Free

Thursday, September 10

Eastern Floral Annual Tent Sale - Flamingo Lounge - Eastern Floral clears out inventory with its biggest tent sale yet, including wedding décor rentals and other items at special prices. 9:00 AM–5:30 PM / Free

Books & Brews Trivia Night - Speciation Cellars - A relaxed evening of multi-round, multi-topic trivia hosted by GRPL, with alcoholic and nonalcoholic drinks available and outside food welcome. 6:30–8:30 PM / Free

Open Mic and Book Launch for Lamont Arrington and GF Korreck - Fountain Street Church - Grand River Poetry Collective hosts an open mic followed by featured readings and book launches from poets Lamont Arrington and GF Korreck. 5:30–7:30 PM / Free

Friday, September 11

Behind The Bottle - A Greek Olive Oil Tasting and Harvest Experience - Grand Rapids Downtown Market - Join Old World Olive Co. for an evening of Greek extra virgin olive oil tasting, stories and traditions from a fifth-generation olive oil family, and information about a potential olive harvest experience in Greece. Doors open at 5:30 PM, with the presentation beginning at 6:00 PM. 6:00–8:00 PM / Free

Chasing Denver - New Holland - The Knickerbocker - Married duo Matt and Victoria Kemp bring their acoustic country sound to The Knickerbocker, performing originals and covers from artists including Waylon Jennings, Riley Green, Faith Hill, and Miranda Lambert. Seating is first come, first serve. 6:00–9:00 PM / Free

House Party: A Sweaty Love-Letter To The 2010s Rager - Elevation - A high-energy 18+ dance party celebrating the music and excess of the 2010s. Doors 9:00 PM / Show 9:30 PM / $22.15–$35.40

Once (In Memory of Glen Hansard) - Wealthy Theatre - A street musician and a Czech immigrant singer-songwriter form an unexpected musical partnership, creating songs that begin to tell the story of their blossoming relationship. Doors 7:00 PM / Movie 8:00 PM / $10

Billy Idol - Acrisure Amphitheater - Billy Idol brings his “It’s a Nice Day To...Tour Again!” to Grand Rapids with special guest Susanna Hoffs for a night of punk-inflected rock and some of Idol’s biggest hits. 7:30 PM / $35–$1,844

Fork Fest - Vivant Brewery + Spirits - A celebration of Grand Rapids’ local food economy featuring food trucks, restaurants, bakers, culinary creators, and community organizations. 4:00–7:00 PM / Free

As the Pendulum Swings - Division Avenue Arts Collective - Eddie Killowatt opens his first solo Grand Rapids exhibition, combining screen print, collage, watercolor, pencil, shadow boxes, and live ambient music. The exhibit runs through October 2. 6:00–9:00 PM / Free

The Browning - The Stache at The Intersection - The Browning brings its Burn This World [Evolved] show to Grand Rapids with support from Deadlands, The Crimson Armada, and Blind Equation. All ages. Doors 6:00 PM / Show 7:00 PM / $32

Vintage Takeover - Crow's Hold - Crow's Hold teams up with Zabhaz Vintage for a fall vintage shopping takeover featuring a selection of seasonal pieces. 11:00 AM–7:00 PM / Free

Saturday, September 12

Cody Fry with the Grand Rapids Symphony - DeVos Performance Hall - GRAMMY®-nominated singer-songwriter, composer, and arranger Cody Fry joins the Grand Rapids Symphony for an orchestral performance blending cinematic arrangements with modern songwriting. 7:30–10:00 PM / $22–$110

Julian McCullough - The Big Room - Comedian Julian McCullough, host of Nate Bargatze's Big Dumb Eyes tour, brings his own stand-up show to Grand Rapids. 7:00 PM / $38.50 GA, $49 Premium GA

John Mulaney - Acrisure Amphitheater - John Mulaney brings his sharp observational comedy and storytelling to Grand Rapids, with special guests Fred Armisen and others. 7:30 PM / $73+

Alabama Live in Concert - Van Andel Arena - Country legends Alabama return to Grand Rapids with special guest Craig Morgan, bringing their signature blend of country, rock guitars, lights, and classic hits. 7:00 PM / Price varies

Cars & Coffee Artiflex 2026 - ArtiFlex Manufacturing - September's Cars & Coffee stop returns to ArtiFlex, where visitors can tour the facility, check out cars, and enjoy food trucks and coffee. 10:00 AM–1:00 PM / Free

Monarch Day - John Ball Zoo - Celebrate butterflies, monarchs, and other winged creatures with educational activities and appearances by Mirabel, Tinker Bell, Cinderella, and Rapunzel. 9:00 AM–5:00 PM / Adult $19.95; Youth & Senior $14.95; Members Free

Willy Wonka Theme Night - SILVA - Step into a world of pure imagination with colorful chaos, sweet surprises, and a little Wonka-inspired mischief. 4:00–11:00 PM / Free

World’s Longest String Instrument Performance at ArtPrize 2026 - ArtPrize - The Earth Harp, created by William Close and recognized by Guinness World Records as the world’s longest playable stringed instrument, transforms the Pearl Street Bridge into an enormous musical instrument for an immersive performance. Time TBA / Free

John Mulaney - Acrisure Amphitheater - John Mulaney brings his stand-up tour to Grand Rapids for an evening of observational humor, witty storytelling, and signature comedic style. 7:30 PM / $70–$1,499

Sunday, September 13

Therapy Gecko - Wealthy Theatre - An unlicensed lizard psychologist travels the universe talking to strangers about absolutely nothing in this offbeat comedy experience. Doors 7:00 PM / Show 8:00 PM / $34.02–$64.95

Despicable Me (Family Film Series) - Wealthy Theatre - Gru sets out to prove himself as the world's greatest supervillain by stealing the Moon, only to find his plans complicated by the three orphaned girls he adopts. Doors 1:00 PM / Movie 2:00 PM / $10 General Admission; $8 CMC & Wealthy Theatre Members

Gable Price and Friends - The Stache at The Intersection - Gable Price and Friends bring their live show to The Stache, with supporting acts to be announced. All ages. Doors 7:00 PM / Show 8:00 PM / $35.40–$97.15

Sounds of the Himalayas - So Hum Yoga Studio Grand Rapids - ShaamaahS creates an immersive sound journey using Himalayan singing bowls, flutes, overtone chanting, and sacred instruments for an afternoon of relaxation and meditation. 2:00–4:00 PM / $65

Ceramics, Cement & Pottery Pop-up - Grand Rapids Downtown Market - Browse handmade mugs, dishes, vases, planters, wall hangings, and other work from more than 20 pottery vendors before grabbing a bite from the Market Hall. 10:00 AM–6:00 PM / Free

🍁 Celebrating ArtPrize!

Did you know that ArtPrize will give away over $600,000 in prizes in 2026?

📅 Add to Your Calendar

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.

Last Chance BQ.2 - Grand Rapids on September 13.

Healthy Kids Running Series Fall 2026 - Grand Rapids, MI on September 13–October 11.