Good Morning Grand Rapids!

New businesses, potential presidential debates and a ton of family fun fill the headlines for this week in the best city on the planet.

Let’s get into it! 🙂 

📰 This Week’s Grand Stories

Will Kamala and Donald have a battle of their wits (or lack thereof) in our hometown? 

Breakaway Music Festival is this weekend and if you’re into the party scene, it’s the place to be. Two full days of music and activities that will leave you hurting for days after.

🏃‍♂️ Grand Haven's Seth Norder ends high school track & field career as Michigan Gatorade Player of the Year as reported by WZZM.

🚴 Main Event Grand Opening! There’s a free stunt show happening at the Main Event on August 16th to kick off the opening of the new family amusement center at the Woodland mall. Shows are at 12pm, 3pm, & 6pm

🏀 So You Want To Be A Baller? You may get your chance next month when the Grand Rapids Gold hold open tryouts for the 2024 - 2025 season on September 21.

☔️ Beryl Brings The Rain: The coasts aren’t the only areas impacted by Tropical Storm Beryl this week. A Kalamazoo resident woke up to find her backyard had become a lake overnight, stating dryly “It is always like this.”

🦁 Baby boom at John Ball Zoo!: The baby boom continues at its unprecedented pace with the birth of three baby lynx, which joins the ranks of three baby penguins, a snow leopard cub, and a baby bongo.

🎵 Shows & Concerts -

🎶 Beers at the Bridge - Summer concert series continues in Ada with Kari Lynch on August 16th

🐘 Cage The Elephant: Cage The Elephant are bringing their Neon Pill Tour to the Van Andel Arena on August 16.

👱‍♀️ White Chicks: Come back to the Wealthy Theatre the following day for a special screening of the cult comedy White Chicks. August 21, 8 PM

Juvenile is going to bring back some memories for all you '00’s kids at the Intersection Live on Sunday.

💘 Cedar Springs Concerts in the Heart: Come celebrate an evening of heartfelt music for the whole family at Rogers Park in Cedar Hills on Wednesday, August 14. 7:00 - 9:00 PM, Free.

🎉 Breakaway After Party: Trivecta: The party doesn’t have to end when the Breakaway Music Festival does. Come out to Elevation on August 16 to close things down with Trivecta, Smoakland, and RIINK Doors: 10pm // Show: 11pm, $25 advance 1, $30 advance 2, $35 day of show

🎶 Josh Garrels: SectionLive is bringing singer/songwriter Josh Garrels to The Stache at The Intersection on August 18. Doors 7 PM // Show 8 PM

🌕️ Sizzlin' Summer Concerts - The Insiders: A Tribute to Tom Petty: Here’s one for the Michigan girls on Michigan nights. Come to 113 Riverwalk Plaza on Thursday August 15 from 7 - 9 PM and cure your Full Moon Fever with The Insiders, a Tom Petty tribute act!

🎷 JAZZ: Now & Then: Experience 150 years of musical excellence with a 2-hour guided tour of jazz standards at the Circle Theatre on August 19.

📽️ The Good, The Bad, and the Ugly (Summer of Sequels): Summer of Sequels continues when Sergio Leone’s masterpiece The Good The Bad & The Ugly comes to the Wealthy Theatre on August 20.

🍎 Fun Fact

John Ball was one of Michigan’s first non-Native teachers.

👨‍👩‍👧 Family-Friendly Fun -

End the Summer with 100 ft Slip N Slides? - Head over to Rosewood park in Jenison this Saturday to try out 4 huge slides, inflatables, dunk tanks and more.

👨‍🍳 Ratatouille (Family Film Series) at Wealthy Theatre: The Family Film series continues when everybody’s favorite animated chef rat comes to the Wealthy Theatre on August 19 at 2 PM.

🎨 Donation Based Papermaking With Mylovelymuse: This family-friendly art event checks off several boxes. It’s fun, making it a fine choice for young and less-young alike. It’s creative, making it great for the art lovers. Finally, you’ll learn how to make homemade paper out of recycled materials, so it’s even eco-friendly! Blandford Nature Center, Wednesday, August 14, 6:00 - 8:00 PM

🖌️ Art in the Park 2024: Here’s your chance to explore the length and breadth of Grand Rapids’ creative community when Art in the Park comes to Canal Park on August 19.

🤖 Gundam Base Mobile USA Tour: Kentwood: Gundam lovers assemble! On Wednesday, August 15, Gundam Mobile Base Tour USA is rolling into GalacticToys Kentwood to offer Gundam fans of all ages the ultimate GUNPLA experience, including exclusive model kits, the latest video games, and even A 6-FOOT TALL GUNDAM ROBOT! 10:00 AM - 6:00 PM, Free

🌮 Family Fiesta: Here’s another event that has something for everybody, with an afternoon of music, food, games, and giveaways. Roberto Clemente Park, August 16, 4:30 PM - 7:30 PM.

🏀 Sports & Hobbies-

🧗 Explore Your Parks: Bouldering Workshops: Curious about climbing? Here’s a chance to check out rock climbing, regardless of age or experience level, at one of Grand Rapid’s most glorious parks. Highland Park, August 17, 9:00 AM - 11:00 AM.

🌵 Sips & Succulents: Come to Spruced Studios on August 17 to learn how to make your own creative succulent arrangements.

🏒 Grand Rapids Griffins hosting youth hockey camps in July and August: There’s still a few weeks left of the Grand Rapids Griffins’ youth hockey camp.

😎 Ongoing Stuff That’s Pretty Cool

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

• Westside Ultimate Frisbee: Every Wednesday and Friday, John Ball Park and Playground

• Barre on The Blue Bridge: Explore the popular new low-impact fitness trend every Tuesday through August 20

• Free Mat Yoga at First Church: Every Tuesday at 227 Fulton St E

• Grand Rapids Scavenger Hunt: Come find some interactive fun in downtown Grand Rapids. Happening daily through 2025.

• Mosaic: Meijer Garden: floral show runs through August 31

• Summer Reading Challenge: Every week, the Grand Rapids Public Library will be hosting weekly reading challenges through September 7.

🎵 Music

• Tuesday Evening Music Club: Every Tuesday at Frederik Meijer Gardens Amphitheater, through August 27, 2024

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

• Listen to live music on Fridays & Saturdays throughout the summer at FireRock Grille from 5-8pm

• 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.

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👨‍💼 Highlighting New Businesses

The Main Event family amusement center opens this weekend with a live, free stunt show. In between shows you can check out the new center with games, bowling, laser tag, and more. You might even be able to win a free year of laser tag!

Daydreamer Domes is a fun, new business model coming to the South Haven area. Go check out their Gold Disco Domes, heated pool, float tanks, curated bodega, and elevated dining experiences. Mention the GR Newsletter and get a free drink at the pool.

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.