Good Morning Grand Rapids!

There’s a bunch of sweet news in the headlines this week, a chic new circus-themed restaurant, several fascinating movies to get lost in, and multiple chances to see Peter Pan at the ballet.

Let’s get into it!

📰 This Week’s Grand Stories

🍦 Better Than Groundhog’s Day: Everyone in Grand Rapids knows the true beginning of Spring isn’t March 20, it’s when the Dairy Queen opens. This year, you’re going to be able to get your favorite DQ treats by the end of this month.

🥧 More Sweet News! If that’s not enough sweetness for you, Ryke’s Bakery is opening their first Grand Rapids’ location off of East Beltline.

🐘 SILVA Is Circus Chic: SILVA, a new restaurant venue and event space that opened earlier this month, has described their decor as “circus chic.”

🏫 Grand Rapids Public School’s Future Is Looking Bright: GRPS reported an increase in enrollment and graduation rates for the first time since 2016.

🏫 Historic Building Gets New Lease On Life: The former home of The Dominican Sisters of Grand Rapids is about to enjoy a second life as a Senior Living facility!

🎵 Shows & Concerts -

🎤 Cécile McLorin Salvant Concert: Cécile McLorin Salvant has been described as “a unique voice supported by an intelligence and full-fledged musicality, which light up every note she sings.” You’ll have a chance to hear for yourself when she comes to the St. Cecilia Music Center on Thursday, February 20. 6:30 PM/Doors, 7:30 PM, $30 - 60.

👻 It Doesn’t Get Any Better Than This: Grand Rapids is getting a chance to experience the delightfully creepy It Doesn’t Get Any Better Than This, an indie horror film that can only be seen live an on film. 8 PM, February 20, Wealthy Theatre. $8/Members, $10/Non-Members.

🩰 Peter Pan: Grand Rapids Ballet are bringing three chances to see the timeless fancy of Peter Pan this weekend at DeVos Performance Hall. February 21 - 23, February 21: 7:30 PM, February 22 - 23, 2 PM.

⛷️ Après Ski at IDC: Elevate your afterglow to a whole new level with a skiing afterparty like you’ve never seen! There will be DJs, dancing, and specialty coffee drinks to match the chic outfits and ice luge. February 22, 4 PM, I Don’t Care, $10.

📚️ Black History Live with Culture Queen: Culture Queen will bring Grand Rapids’ vibrant African-American history and culture to life with an engaging performance of interactive music, movement, and storytelling designed to help kids embrace their history and love themselves. February 22, 11 AM - 12 PM, Grand Rapids Public Library- Main Branch. Free.

🕯️ Candlelight: Tribute to Adele: Adele’s music sounds twice as magical, moving, and lovely by the soft glow of candlelight. February 22, 8:45 - 10 PM, Wealthy Theatre. $42.80 Zone B/$50.80 Zone A.

🎸 Free Show: Mark Lavengood (Bluegrass): Speciation Cellars’ Free Shows continue this Saturday, February 22, when bluegrass musician Mark Lavengood comes to Grand Rapids. 9 PM, Free

🍺 Taller in Winterland Party: There will be $2 cans of Taller from 2 - 2:59 PM, and $3 cans all day, and Twisted Taller cocktails at The Knickerbocker this Saturday, February 22. 12 PM - 11 PM. Free.

🤠 Hoe Down Throw Down Country Drag Show: Anyone looking for a southern-fried take on the drag show is in luck, as General Wood Shop are bringing honky-tonk queens and rhinestone cowboys this Sunday, February 23. 6:30 - 9 PM, $10.

🎸 Josh Rose and the Founding Fathers: Grand Rapids’ Josh Rose has been compared to a Lake Michigan onshore breeze, refreshing and invigorating long into the evening. Anyone looking for some energy or refreshment will have their chance on Sunday, February 23. 3 - 5 PM, Wealthy Theatre, $15/Members, $20/Non-Members.

📽️ Mulholland Drive: The David Lynch retrospective continues with the delightfully demented glamor of Mulholland Drive on Monday, February 24. 7 PM, $8/Members, $10/Non-Members.

🤣 Richard Pryor: Live In Concert: Don’t miss this opportunity to catch a special screening of Richard Pryor’s legendary live comedy special Richard Pryor: Live In Concert on February 25 at Wealthy Theatre. 7:30 PM, $6.

🎯Sports and Hobbies

🖼️ AllArtWorks Gallery Show For Kids: On February 19, kids will have an opportunity to make a piece of art and see it displayed at AllArtWorks. 4 - 6 PM. Free.

🌲 Nature Trivia w/ Feral! (Nature Night): Did you know that a single porcupine can have up to 30,000 quills? If you did, you’ll want to make your way to Speciation Cellars this Thursday, February 20 for Nature Trivia night. 7 - 9 PM, Free.

🪡 Crafting Basic Class: How to Hand-Stitch Leather: Anyone looking to get into sewing leather will have a chance to learn the basics for free at Tandy Leather this Friday, February 21. 9 - 10 AM.

👒 Hat Burning Workshop + Hat Bar: This weekend, you’ll have a chance to learn to make your own hat with this hat branding/bedazzling workshop at Spruced Studio. 10 AM - 1 PM, February 22, $59 - $95.

🏃‍♀️ Women's Sports & Health Expo: Women, sports, and fitness enthusiasts will be congregating at DeVos Place Convention Center on February 22 for a full day of talks, workshops, lectures, demonstrations, and networking. 10 AM - 6 PM. $16.

🕯️ Custom Candlemaking Workshop: There are still numerous opportunities to schedule a custom candlemaking workshop from February 23 - 25. $24/minimum.

🎶 Take Me To The River

Did you know that soul singer Al Green grew up in Grand Rapids?

😎 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.

• Turnstiles hosts an open mic every Thursday except the last.

• They also have bans on Fridays and Saturdays

• Fulton Street Pub hosts karaoke every Thursday, Friday, and Saturday

• They also have shows every Sunday and Wednesday

• Speciation Cellars hosts a free show every Friday!

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

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👨‍💼 Highlighting New Businesses

Silva, a new restaurant and event space, opened in NW Grand Rapids earlier this month.

Zeal Aerial Fitness just opened a brand new home location.

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.