Top O’ The Morning Grand Rapids!

St. Patrick’s Day weekend is the biggest news this week but there’s some interesting headlines and lots of music and workshops to get into, too.

Also, we added a new section below for all the runners in the bunch!

Let’s get into it!  ☘️ 

📰 This Week’s Grand Stories

🐻 Bringing Up Bear Baby: Michigan’s Department of Natural Resources posted an update to their bear den check program this week.

🏖️ The White Lotus Could Come To Michigan: Governor Whitmer has pitched HBO on filming the next season of The White Lotus in Michigan.

⛱️ Michigan Makes Best Beaches: A beach in Allegan County was named one of the Best Beaches in the United States by TripAdvisor.

🐶 Dog Story Theater Gets New Lease (On Life): Grand Rapids’ Dog Story Theater has re-opened their doors following a 5-year hiatus.

🧶 Spin A New Yarn: Unwind GR, a new yarn shop that opened in Grand Rapids in January, is thriving in the wake of the closure of JoAnne Fabrics.

🎵 Shows & Concerts -

🦩 Flamingosis: Flamingosis’ beats and synths are designed to make you your best self. You’ll certainly feel it, twirling the night away beneath The Stache’s disco ball on March 12. 8 PM, $15.

🎥 Freaky Friday: Prepare to trade places with your younger self when Freaky Friday plays at the Wealthy Theatre on March 12. 7:30, $8/online, $10/door.

🎥 David Lynch: The Art Life: Celebrate the life of David Lynch with this special screening of David Lynch: The Art Life at Wealthy Theatre on March 13. 8 PM, $8 members, $12/Non-Members.

👩‍🎤 Judy Collins Concert: Living legend Judy Collins is coming to St. Cecilia Music Center on March 13. 7:30 - 9 PM, $39 - $69.

👩‍🎤 Opera is Lit: The next installment of Opera is Lit will focus on one of opera’s most divisive figures, Richard Wagner. Grand Rapids Art Museum, March 13. 7 - 9 PM, $5/Students, $30/GA

🤣 Dude Dad (18+): Dude! Dude Dad is coming to GLC Live at 20 Monroe on March 14. 7 PM, tickets start at $59.

🤣 Comedy Night- Alpha Grand Rapids: There’s truly something for everybody at Alpha Grand Rapids’ Comedy Night, a night of clean comedy in support of a good cause. GLC Live at 20 Monroe, March 15, 7 - 9 PM. $10 - 75.

🤠 Corey Kent: Platinum-selling Country artist Corey Kent is coming to Elevation on March 15.

☘️ Irish Off Ionia: Michigan’s largest St. Patrick’s Day festival is happening at Calder Plaza on March 15. 11 AM - 9 PM. $25

🐰 Rabbit Fur: Rabbit Fur are bringing their somber folk music to Speciation Cellars on March 15 for their next free show. 9 PM

👯‍♀️ Sippy: Bass music powerhouse Sippy will rock The Intersection on Saturday, March 15. 9 PM, $20.

☘️ St. Patrick's Day Parade 2025: Start your St. Patrick’s Day with some Irish spirit for your whole family when the St. Patrick’s Day Parade comes through Calder Plaza on March 15 from 11 AM - 12 PM. Free.

🪴 Sugarbush Festival: Spring will have official sprung when the Sugarbush Festival brings its sweetness to Blandford Nature Center on March 15. 10 AM - 2 PM. $10.40/Members, $13/Non-Members

🎻 Americana Sundays: An Afternoon with Micah Ling and Molly McBride: Come to ArtRat Gallery on March 16 for the next installation of Americana Sundays with Micah Ling and Molly McBride. 3 - 5 PM. $25.

☘️ The Langford Lads at Creston Brewery: Celebrate St. Patrick’s Day at Creston Brewery with The Langford Lads’ mixture of traditional Irish music and Americana. March 17, Free.

🎸 Julian Lage Concert: Julian Lage, one of this generation’s greatest guitarists, is coming to St. Cecilia Music Center on March 18. $25 - $55. 6:30 - 9 PM.

🎯Sports and Hobbies

🌷 Shades of March – Fresh Floral Class: Spring into a warm weather mindset with this floral arrangement class at Spruced Studios on March 12. 6 - 8 PM. $68

🕯️ Candle Flights + Car Diffusers: Celebrate good scents by learning how to make your own soy candles and car diffusers at Spruced Studio on March 13. 6 - 7:15 PM, $60

🌸 Felt Flower Crafting Workshop: You’ll be feeling yourself when you learn how to make these adorable forever felt flowers at All The Things Creative Studios on March 13. 6 - 8 PM, $55.

👗 WMCAT's iBall 2025: For over 20 years, West Michigan Center for Arts + Technology have been providing Grand Rapids with an opportunity to better themselves through technology. On March 13, you’ll have a chance to support WMCAT in high style when WMCAT’s iBall comes to GLC Live at 20 Monroe. 6 - 9 PM. $150.

🌼 Wood Flower Arrangement Workshop: You can learn how to make forever flower arrangements this week, as well, with this wood flower arrangement workshop at Spruced Studio on March 14. 6 - 7:30 PM. $25+

🎨 Artist Market at Roeda Studio: Come to Roeda Studio on March 15 from 10 AM - 4 PM to explore Grand Rapids’ vibrant community of artists and makers. Free.

🐦️ Spring Bluebird Festival: Acknowledge the return of spring by learning how to help the Eastern Bluebird and other native cavity nesting birds thrive in your yard. Prince Conference Center at Calvin University, March 15, 9 AM - 4:45 PM. Free.

🍺 Suds & Salami! St. Patrick’s Charcuterie: Learn how to make your own St. Patrick’s-themed charcuterie at Spruced Studio on March 15 from 6:30 - 8 PM. $55.

☘️ Luck Of The Irish

Irish On Ionia, Michigan’s largest celebration of Irish culture, was founded in 2014.

🏃 Running and Walking

Last week, 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.

☘️ Corewell Health Irish Jig 5k: Since 1983, the Corewell Health Irish Jig 5K has marked the unofficial beginning of running season. This year, it’s happening on Saturday, March 15.

🍌 March for Meals Community Walk & 5K Run: Here’s a chance to get in shape for a good cause, with a 5K walk or run to raise funds for Meals On Wheels. Bonus points if you come dressed as your favorite food! Millennium Park, March 29. 9 - 11 AM.

🏛️ Nathan Memorial 5K: Run in Nathan’s honor and support Millie Conran, a brave 7 year old facing a rare genetic disorder. Saturday April 19th at Robinette’s!

🐯 JBZ 5k 2025: John Ball Zoo are celebrating Earth Day with their first-ever 5K on April 22.

😎 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.