GR, are you ready for Mother’s Day? 👩‍🦰

It’s another beautiful week here in Grand Rapids, with another full weekend. The biggest news, of course, is Mother’s Day. That means there’s tea and brunches galore, including one at the legendary Wolfgang Puck’s!

And, of course Tulip Time continues with far too many events to even list.

That’s just the beginning, though. It’s also the beginning of Cider Week. And, there’s hockey playoffs, the biggest race of the year, and a metric butt-ton of shows and concerts to attend. 😀 

Whether you are a mom or have a mom, a metalhead or a country line dancer, you’re going to want to get out and explore this coming week!

 📰 GR News -

🌪️ Twisters Trapped FedEx Employees: Sadly, we’re not talking about this summer’s upcoming Twister sequel. Tornadoes touched down throughout SW Michigan this week.

Otter Pop at the GR Zoo Passes Away: Goodbye Lucius.

Dogs and Cats Get A New Home: In more uplifting news, dogs and cats are getting a new 96,000 square facility off of I-96.

👏 Congratulations Griffins! The Griffins got their first playoff series win in 7 years over the Rockford Icehogs.

🦄 Interesting Find

🏀 Sports -

Whitecaps vs Fort Wayne TinCaps: Whitecaps are playing Fort Wayne TinCaps all weekend long at LMCU Ballpark.

Next Round: The next Griffin’s hockey playoff game will be on Friday, May 10 at Van Andel Arena.

Amway River Bank Run 2024: Run, run for the hills, along with 25,000 friends, on May 11. If you’re going downtown in the morning on Saturday, be aware, they’ll be lots of closed roads and a whole mess of people!

Michigan Adventure Race: If you’re already in shape and don’t sit and write newsletters all day like me. There’s still time to sign up for the Michigan adventure race at Cannonsburg.

Free Sports Camp for Kids: Got lil ones that need to get off of electronics this summer? The City of GR has free summer day camps - register here. 

🎵 Shows & Concerts -

Katt Williams at Van Andel Arena: If laughter is the best medicine, you’ll be healthy as a horse when Katt Williams comes to the Van Andel Arena on May 11.

Sticky Rat/Koro/Tomorrow’s Problem at Mulligan’s Pub: Come out for a night of free alternative metal, hardcore, and indie rock on Friday May 9 at Mulligan’s Pub. No cover!

DJ Night at Steel Cat Bar: Steel Cat Bar, you spin me right ‘round, baby, right round with two consecutive DJ nights on May 14 and May 15.

Relax to some free jazz music on Sunday at SpeakEZ Lounge - 6-9pm

Get funky with Friday Funk at Turnstiles - $5 Cover and Doors @8pm

Staind at Van Andel Arena: You’re going to party like it’s 1999 when Staind come to Van Andel Arena on Friday, May 9.

Tickets are still available for Tim McGraw at Van Andel on June 1st

Honky Tonk at JW Marriott Grand Rapids: You’ll hear both kinds of music - Country and Western - when you go honky tonkin’ at the JW Marriott Grand Rapids on May 10.

Midtown GR is hosting a FREE open stage event on Friday night 

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

Best of Grand Rapids Party: Put on your cocktail attire and kick off the summer with the literal best of the best, as chosen by Grand Rapids Magazine, with the inaugural Best of Grand Rapids Party on May 10!

🍎 Fun Fact

Did you know Grand Rapids was the first town in the USA to flouridate their water?

👨‍👩‍👧 Family-Friendly Stuff -

Brick by Brick: The Creative Art of LEGO®: Build a sense of wonder with the Brick by Brick exhibit at the Grand Rapids Art Museum from May 10 to May 19.

Baby Goat Cuddles; Baby goat cuddles all weekend long, May 10 - May 12.

Youth/Parent Blacksmith 101: Forge family bonds that can never be broken on May 11.

Mother's Day Artist Market: Treat Mom to a fun day of shopping from local artisans on Saturday, May 11.

Mother's Day at The Kitchen by Wolfgang Puck: Show Mom how much she means to you with a dinner at Wolfgang Puck’s legendary eatery on May 12.

Mother’s Day!

Need some last minute plans for that special lady who brought you into the world?

May 11th

• Take Mom shopping on Wealthy Street for the Mother’s Day Mini-Hop

• Mother’s Day Luncheon at Coopersville Farm Museum

• Check out the Springtime Gift Fair at the Grand Rapids Market

• Go have some tea and do some shopping at the Honeysuckle Company

May 12th

• Show some serious love by reserving a brunch spot at The Kitchen by Wolfgang

• Get momma a big fat steak for brunch at Ruth’s Chris Steak House

• Check out my personal favorite spot for brunch at FireRock grille down in Caledonia

😎 Other Cool Stuff

This “Michigan Bundle” for Cedar Point is a GREAT DEAL.

Put the GR Children’s Business fair on your calendar for May 18th. Support the young entrepreneurs!

New golf and pickeball business opening soon!

For parents who like to act like kids, BattleGR is hosting a night of laser tag, cornhole, basketball and more (JUST for adults) on May 18th.

👨‍💼 Highlighting New Business

The Taqueria Chilango food truck opened a few weeks and here’s what Brad H has to say on Yelp.
“The owners are very friendly and the food was delicious.”

If you like brunch, juice and smoothies, check out the new Brunch House location off Forest Hill ave. Gabe B is digging it.
“Best breakfast in GR hands down. Been waiting for this place to open up their second location and it didn't disappoint. Atmosphere is beautiful reminds me a a Chicago brunch spot. Service is great too!”

🙏 A Special Message

If you can spare 90 seconds, I recently added this video to the “thank you” page and many of you have not seen it. There a couple important things I need to share about the newsletter that will help me to continue making this a great, free resource for everyone in West Michigan.

p.s. Would you like to sponsor a newsletter or add a great discount for your local business (for free)? Fill out this form and let’s chat!