Happy Thanksgiving Grand Rapids!

I’m down in sunny Charlotte, NC for the Turkey holiday, but wanted to make sure I sent out a few events for those of you stuck in GR 🙂 

But seriously, I’m super thankful for having you all as subscribers this year, and looking forward to making this publication even better in 2025!

📰 This Week’s Grand Stories

🏃Turkey Trot: Every thanksgiving my family heads downtown in the freezing cold while its still dark to go jog/walk with all the other dressed-up, crazy Grand Rapidians! If you’ve never done it - give it a shot! (makes you feel better about eating endlessly)

👩‍🎤Grand Rapids Loses Its Voice: Grand Rapids’ opera lost one of its clearest, most distinctive voices with the passing of Opera Grand Rapids co-founder Joan Collett on November 20 at the age of 96.

🍷Bottoms Up! The International Wine, Beer, and Food Festival returned to Grand Rapids for its 17th Year last week.

💻️Bridging the Digital Divide: Dozens of students at Algers Middle School received free laptops in an effort to empower lower income students.

🎄Rejuvenating Sense of Place: The State of Michigan has made $75 million to communities in West Michigan for developing parks, riverfronts, and public spaces.

📚️Bridge Street Bookstore: Cellar Bird Books has opened at 415 Bridge St. near US-131, with the goal of becoming a new community center.

🎵 Shows & Concerts -

🍺 Free Beer & Hot Wings Morning Show: Okay, so there won’t be actual free beer and hot wings. There will be one of Grand Rapids’ most hilarious radio programs in person. The Intersection, November 27.

🌙 The Moonrays: The Moonrays are returning to Speciation Cellars for a special free show on November 29.

🎸 Calvin Stanley: Calvin Stanley’s bringing his sleek, precise techno to The Mint at The Intersection on November 29. Doors 8 PM, Show 9 PM. $20 ADV / $25 DOS

😂 Michael Ian Black: Here’s your chance to spend an evening with an honest-to-goodness Renaissance man when playwright, podcaster, and comedian Michael Ian Black comes to The Midtown on November 30. Doors 5 PM, Show 6 PM, $25 - $35.

🏀 Sports & Hobbies-

🦃 Friendsgiving Game Night: Pre-game Turkey Day with a night of trivia and music bingo at The Score Restaurant & Sports Bar on November 27.

🌽 Harvest Market at Fulton Street Market: Elevate this year’s Thanksgiving with a farmer’s market full of fresh, delicious ingredients for your holiday meal. Fulton Street Farmer's Market, November 27, 10 AM - 1 PM.

💃 Fifth Friday Ballroom Social: Dance the night away with an evening of ballroom, Latin, rhythm, country, and swing dancing at Social Dance Studio on November 29. 6 PM - 11 PM, $15

🦃 🎄 Holiday Cheer

🥧 Feliz Dia de Accion de Gracias at MDRD: Augment your traditional Thanksgiving dinner with a 5-course dinner of delectable Thanksgiving cuisine with a unique Spanish flair at MDRD on November 28. 11 AM - 2:30 PM, $99/per person + tax and gratuity.

😋 Thanksgiving Buffet at Cork Wine & Grille: Want to enjoy Thanksgiving without the hassle and stress? Come to Cork Wine & Grille on November 28 from 11 AM - 4 PM. Adults: $39, Children 5 - 12: $16, Children 4 & under: Free with adult purchase (Tax, 20% gratuity & beverages not included)

🔔 The Founding's "A Celtic Christmas": Give your midwinter some special Celtic magic when The Founding bring their Celtic Christmas celebration to The Midtown on November 29.

🎄 Holiday Tree Lighting Ceremony 2024: Ignite your holiday spirit in high style with Gaslight Village’s annual tree lighting ceremony on November 29.

🎁 Holiday Pop Up Market: Get everybody on your list something unique, artful, and personal at the Holiday Pop Up Market on November 30 at DreamPirate Gallery.

🧦 Holiday Stocking Class: Want to stuff something classy this year? Tandy Leather is holding a class for creating your own custom-made stocking on November 30. 11 AM, FREE

🎪 Cirque Dreams Holidaze: Elevate your sense of wonder, magic, and holiday cheer when Cirque Dreams Holidaze returns to DeVos Performance Hall on December 3. 7:30 PM.

🍵 Holiday Signs & Hot Cocoa Bar: Be careful not to overload on holiday cheer when you come to Spruced Studio on December 3 to make your own super cute holiday signs while sipping from the hot cocoa bar. 10 AM - 12 PM, $48

🎄 Holiday Wreath Design Class: Make your own wreath to go with your custom stockings and holiday signs at Orchard House Books & Cafe on December 3. 6 PM - 8 PM, $80

😎 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.

Woodchuck.ai, an innovative AI-driven platform for eliminating wood waste, is opening their first physical headquarters in Grand Rapids.

People are already calling Roti Indian Kitchen the best Indian food in the area.

Thai Table’s new location is officially open and according to Yelp, is yet to receive anything less than 5 stars!

The Main Event family amusement center recently opened over at the Woodland mall. With bowling, laser tag, a full bar and restaurant, and more - it’s definitely a place to check out!

The nostalgic Rocket Fizz candy store just opened a new location over at the Tanger Outlets. Go give them some love and make your kiddos happy.