Good Afternoon Grand Rapids!

Just a week left before CHRIST-mas! And, if you didn’t procrastinate on your shopping list then there are a lot of fun activities for the kids, and parents alike. 🙂 

Without further ado… Let’s get into it! 🎅 

📰 This Week’s Grand Stories

🥋Blackbelt Benefits: Grand Rapids Police Department are seeing fewer accidents or safety incidents since completing Jiu Jitsu training.

🌉THAT was quick! A Mediterranean restaurant on Grand Rapids’ west side has closed only four months after opening.

🎅USPS Advises Holiday Readiness: The United States Postal Service is encouraging people to do some extra preparation to ensure their packages will show up on time for the holidays.

✋LaGrand Gets Sworn In: Mayor elect David LaGrand has announced he will be sworn in at city hall this month.

🏈Johnson Up For NFL Draft: Michigan Wolverine Will Johnson has announced he’s in the running for the NFL draft.

🥇Dantonio Gets His Flowers: Longtime Michigan State coach Mark Dantonio was inducted into the Football Hall of Fame last Tuesday night.

🏘️More Affordable Housing! A local Grand Rapids non-profit has been given the green light to provide more affordable housing for low-income families.

🎵 Shows & Concerts -

🕯️ Candlelight: Tribute to Adele: Candlelight performances are a staple of the holiday season. Nothing says they have to be Christmas music. On December 19, you’ll have a chance to experience the magic of Adele’s music by candlelight at the Wealthy Theatre. 8:45 - 10 PM. $21

🤣 Jeff Arcuri: The Full Beans Fall Tour: Get ready to laugh your beans off when Jeff Arcuri comes to GLC Live on December 21.

⏺️ RARE Invites: EvilGroove Showcase with Lindsey Herbert & Pleasures: Don’t let the name fool you, it’s going to be pure pleasure when Pleasures takes over The Mint at the Intersection along with Lindsey Herbert on December 21.

🍹 Straight No Chaser: Straight No Chaser’s Top Shelf tour is coming to DeVos Performance Hall on December 23.

🎯Sports and Hobbies

👯 “Pasos Sueltos” Series: Here’s a chance to explore the thrills of dancing in an authentic, fun, casual way, with the Pasos Sueltos series coming to Armentality Movement Arts Center to teach Bachata, Kizomba, and Salsa on December 19.

🐧 Paint Day - Poppy the Penguin: On December 21, come to Brush Studio to learn how to paint a super cute penguin! 11 AM, $30

🎄 I’m Dreaming Of A Bright Christmas

The LMCU Christmas Lights Display features over 2 million LED lights.

🎄 Holiday Cheer

🍪 Classic Christmas Cookie Class: On December 19, you’ll have a chance to expand your recipe box with an evening of baking classic Christmas cookies at Alma Mia.

🕯️ Candlelight: Christmas Special ft "The Nutcracker": The only thing more magical than experiencing The Nutcracker at Christmas time is hearing it by candle light. Wealthy Theatre, December 20. 5:45 PM.

🧱 Winter Funderland Kidz Night Out: Bricks and Minifigs are hosting a kids night on December 20 in case you need to get some last minute shopping done.

🎁 Wrap It Up- Festive Fridays: Looking to unwrap your inner mall elf? Or maybe just some moral support while you get your gifts wrapped. You’ll find both, and much more besides, at Eastern Floral on December 20 from 9 AM - 6:30 PM. 5:30 - 7 PM, $65

🔮 Amaze & Amuse: A Modern Day Magic Show Christmas Spectacular: Experience a different kind of Christmas magic when then this comedy/magic/variety show returns to the Wealthy Theatre on December 21.

🍪 A Cookie Tree Centerpiece Workshop: Your tree will be extra sweet this year when you come to Alma Mia on December 21 for this tree decorating workshop.

🎄 Christmas Tree Charcuterie Workshop: Looking for something a little classier than Bugles and dip this year? Learn how to make your own charcuterie board shaped like a Christmas tree at Spruced Studios on December 22.

🏔️ Edelweiss Annual Christmas Concert: Grand Rapids is going to be alive with the sound of Christmas music when the Edelweiss Annual Christmas Concert descends on St. Mary’s Catholic Church on December 22.

🎺 Tuba Christmas: Here’s a Christmas brass concert you don’t see all that often. On December 22, the Grand Rapids Public Museum will feature a performance of beloved Christmas classics on tuba, euphonium, baritone horns, and sousaphones.

❄️White Christmas: Here’s a chance to see one of the most cherished, charming Christmas movies ever made when White Christmas, starring Bing Crosby and Rosemary Clooney, comes to the Wealthy Theatre on December 22.

🍬 “Kid-Cuterie” Christmas Charcuterie Workshop + Hot Cocoa Bar!: Looking to make a charcuterie with your cutie? On December 23, you’ll have a chance to make a kid-friendly charcuterie board at Spruced Studio.

😎 Ongoing Stuff That’s Pretty Cool

• On Fridays, Rebounderz Park is hosting their Parents Night series, where parents can enjoy a night on the town with a night of fun and affordable childcare.

🎵 Music

• Pyramid Scheme, as usual, has a show every night this upcoming week. Tickets are typically $10 and many of the shows are for all ages.

• Speciation Cellars hosts a free show every Friday!

• There’s jazz at Noto’s every Saturday.

• Greyline Free Music Series is running from September 10 through the New Year at Greyline Brewing Co.

• Live Music at Rendezvous will be taking place from September 13 - December 28.

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👨‍💼 Highlighting New Businesses

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.