Grand Rapids News and Events May 28 - June 3
Grand Rapids News and Events for the week of May 28 - June 4
Good Morning Grand Rapids!
Good morning Grand Rapids! With Memorial Day now firmly in the rearview, the summer is firmly upon us. West Michiganders are ready for it, with more outdoor festivals, live music, guided tours, and general appreciation for all the glory the Great Lakes State has to offer.
Let’s get into it! ☀️
Birthday or Anniversary Coming Up?
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📰 This Week’s Grand Stories
🪴Growing Goodwill: Kind Hearts Bloom, a Grand Rapids non-profit centered around growing community through gardening, hosted their first annual fundraiser last week.
🌮Chilaquiles, Where Are You? This week, Redditors on /r/GrandRapids were wondering where to find the best chilaquiles, a popular Mexican breakfast dish made with leftover tortillas and whatever else you happen to have around.
🚗Breaking Ground on Plainfield Avenue: A $4.6 million overhaul on Plainfield Avenue got underway this week. It’s expected to run through late November.
🐝Josiah’s Headed To Scripps: Josiah Loehrke, an 11-year old from Kalamazoo, is headed to Washington D.C. to take part in the 100th Annual Scripps Spelling Bee.
🤠Kid Rock’s Coming to Hastings! Kid Rock, Lynyrd Skynyrd, Nickelback, Travis Tritt, and others are coming to Barry Expo Center on June 13 - 14 as part of the Rock the Country festival.
🪩Get Ready for Tanger: Tanger Backyard Summer Concert Series have announced their lineup for their coming summer music series, running every Friday from June 6 to August 22.
Hot Concert Alert: Barry Manilow is coming to Van Andel on June 4th
Hot Concert Alert: Kevin Hart is coming to DeVos Hall on June 7th
📆 This Week’s Grand Events
Wednesday, May 28
Ellis Bullard - Grand Rapids, MI - Tip Top Deluxe Bar & Grill: Austin hellraiser Ellis Bullard is coming to Tip Top Deluxe Bar & Grill. 7:00 - 10:30 PM. $15.
Thursday, May 29
Paws on the Patio: Kick off patio season right with Mammoth Distilling’s inDOGaural event in partnership with Vetr Health. 6 - 8 PM. Free.
Friday, May 30
Americana Sundays: An Afternoon with Super Secret Cult Band: Come to ArtRat Gallery to hear the singular post-apocalyptic folk of the Super Secret Cult Band. You’ve never heard Americana like this! 3 - 5 PM. $25.
Gyasi – The Good Part Tour: Appalachian culture is alive and well, which you can hear for yourself when Alive Records’ Gyasi brings his singular blend of folk music, fashion, and storytelling to The Stache. 8 PM. $22.
The McElroys: Here’s a chance to receive the wisdom of The McElroys, three podcasting brothers with advice on dang near everything. DeVos Performance Hall. 7 PM. $64.
Saturday, May 31
Automhate: Experience the future of bass music when Italian DJ and producer Automhate takes over The Intersection with Ronan, TSTRO, and Bvcklash. 9 PM. $22 - 28.75.
Cars & Community: Calling all car lovers! Kentwood Community Church are hosting an afternoon of vintage cars, tasty eats, and delicious beverages that will be fun for the entire family! 10 AM. Free.
Coffee Tasting 101 Workshop: Know your light roast from your dark brew? Arabica from Ethiopian? Even the most knowledgeable coffee fanatic will learn something to educate heir tastebuds at Ferris Coffee & Nut Co. 11 AM - 12:30 PM. $25.
Deep Roots Opening Day: Deep Roots Produce are celebrating the beginning of their season with a special market and petting zoo. 6 AM - 2 PM. Free.
Dixon's Violin: You’ve never heard violin music like Dixon’s electric five-string violin and live looping system. Wealthy Theatre, 8 PM. $25/Advance. $30/Day Of Show.
Eslabon Armado: Here’s a chance to experience the first regional Mexican group to top the Billboard Global 200 when Eslabon Armado comes to DeVos Performance Hall. 7:30 - 10 PM. $81 - 252.
Kentwood Kickoff to Summer: Kentwood are calling in the summer with a bang! Kentwood Kickoff to Summer will feature 22 food trucks, vendors, games, DJs, and live music. 12 - 8 pm. Free.
Summertime Herbal Hydration Tea Blending Event at Gathered Botanicals: There’s more than one way to stay hydrated when it’s hot out, as you’ll discover when Gathered Botanicals teach you how to mix your very own cold-water tea blend. 10:30 - 11:30 AM. $15.
Wildlife Exploration Day | Michigan Wildlife Day: Let Cinderella, Snow White, and Tiana introduce you and your little ones to the magical wildlife that John Ball Zoo has to offer. 9 AM - 6 PM. Free - $25.
Sunday, June 1
Arts in Motion at Wealthy Theatre: Arts In Motion are offering a guided tour into Grand Rapids’ flourishing art scene with an afternoon of dance, music, and drama. Wealthy Theatre, 1 - 2 PM. Free.
Emo Night at General Wood Shop, Presented by Drag is Art: Get your spiked belts and forelocks ready… Emo Night is taking over General Wood Shop. 6:30 - 10 PM. $10.
Plant Swap: Take a plant, leave a plant when you come to Speciation Cellars’ plant swap. 1 - 3 PM. Free.
Monday, June 2
Busted: Contemporary Sculpture Busts: See some of the most striking evolutions in the art of the bust sculpture at Fredrik Meijer Garden & Sculpture Park. Open through September 21. $16 - 22.
Tuesday, June 3
The Devil Wears Prada (Tuesday Night Movie): Think your boss is bad? You may think again when you watch Meryl Streep terrorize Anne Hathaway at Wealthy Theatre. 7:30 - 9:30. $6 - 10.
Open Mic Night With Big Jake Bootstrap: Show Grand Rapids what you’ve got with the next installment of Big Jake Bootstrap’s Open Mic series at Founders Brewing Company. 6 - 8:30 PM. Free.
| ![]() Over 500k people saw our video from the Blue Bridge downtown! |
🌳 Grand Parks
Did you know that Millennium Park features over 18 miles in hiking trails?

we also hid $50 here yesterday! 🙂
Did you enjoy this week's newsletter? |
🏃 Upcoming Runs & Walks!
Last month, one of our readers wrote in asking about running and walking events happening around Grand Rapids. We aim to please! Here are a few running and walking events happening in the next few weeks and months, so you can start warming up now.
🏃♂️➡️Run for the Children’s Miracle Network: The run/walk will take place on the river walk behind the Amway Grand Plaza Hotel and DeVos Place. You are free to run or walk whatever distance and pace, 1 mile, 2 miles, 3 miles, we got you covered! ! Volunteers will be help you navigate the course! 7:30am on June 6th
☕️ Run For Coffee Lovers: You can even participate virtually as anyone, anywhere can participate in this Virtual 5K/10K/13.1 taking place at Millennium Park on June 7.
Brian Diemer 5K: Flat, fast 5k With six live bands on the course. On June 14 in Cutlerville. Use 15% off code: GRNewsletter
Caledonia Kilt Klassic 5k: Proceeds go to Caledonia high school cross country and track teams. On June 28 in Caledonia. Use 15% off code: GRNewsletter
💬 Have You Joined The New Community?
At your request, we’ve started a Facebook group to connect our subscribers with more events, news and discounts!
No spam allowed - only good stuff.
😎 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.
Fulton Street Pub hosts karaoke every Thursday, Friday, and Saturday with shows every Sunday and Wednesday.
Speciation Cellars hosts a free show every Friday!
There’s jazz at Noto’s every Saturday.
🏷️ GRrrrrrrreat Discounts for Subscribers!
Harmonic Egg - BOGO!
The Harmonic Egg in GR is now open & is offering a special BOGO discount when you and a friend visit for the first time! Experience the healing power of sacred geometry, light, color and sound.
Just text “GRNEWS” to 616-970-9186 to claim and make your appt!
Hydrowash Solutions - 50% OFF
Your home looking a little dirty or green this spring? Get 50% off your home's first pressure wash (up to 1500 sq ft). Only $300 for GR Newsletter subscribers.
Text "Wash" to 616-730-3949 get on the calendar. (First 10 homes only)
Let The Good Times Roll - $150 OFF
Need a bartender for your special day? Whether it's a wedding, backyard bbq, or any other special occassion - I am your certified and insured bartender and food handler. $150 off any event for GR News subscribers!
Text "Bartender" to 847-924-2447 to claim your discount!
JDPotter Lawn Care - First Grass Mowing is FREE!
I’m a bit biased, as Jackson has been cutting my lawn for several years. He’s a great young man with a thriving business. He’ll cut up to two acres for free, for first-time customers. And, you’ll love it so much, he’ll be your lawn guy for life.
Text “Free Mow” to 616-818-8805 to get scheduled. (First 15 lawns only)
Miss Clean It All - 40% OFF
Get your first cleaning job on the books at 40% off! Two hours of deep cleaning for only $40! Servicing residential & commercial customers.
Text "First Cleaning" to 616-433-5497 to get scheduled.
Cookie Cutters - 50% OFF a “Kids Cut” for First Time Customers
Voted #1 for 4 years in a row for the best place for kids' haircuts in Grand Rapids by GRkids.com families! All three of our GR locations feature amazing stylists, an indoor play set, fun fantasy cars, and personal TVs, in our kid-centric salons! Click here to book your appointment and mention the GR Newsletter when you visit.
👨💼 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.
🎶 Plan Ahead for Big Concerts & Shows!
Quite a few readers have said they’d like a little more advance notice on upcoming concerts and shows - so here ya go! Whilst this isn’t everything - it’s a lot of the big names coming to town!

Barry Manilow is coming to Van Andel on June 4th
Kevin Hart is coming to DeVos Hall on June 7th
Chris Stapleton is coming to Van Andel on June 12th and 13th
WWE Smackdown is coming to Van Andel on June 20th
Jim Gaffigan is coming to Van Andel on July 17th
Hamilton Broadway Production is coming to DeVos Hall on July 23rd
Dude Perfect is coming to Van Andel on July 30th
Louis CK is coming to DeVos Hall on Aug 26th and 27th
Jason Aldean is coming to Van Andel on Sept 4th
John Crist is coming to DeVos Hall on Sept 19th
The Lumineers are coming to Van Andel on Oct 1st
Brandon Lake is coming to Van Andel on Oct 11th
Matt Rife is coming to Van Andel on Nov 9th
Bert Kreischer is coming to Van Andel on Nov 20th
Thanks for reading, I’m Brandon.
& this is my lil ginger squad. I’ve lived in Michigan my whole life and in West Michigan since GVSU in ‘99. I’m a real person behind this, and if you ever have any suggestions, just reply to this email or shoot me a friend request on Facebook!

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