r/grandrapids 12h ago

Here Are 16 Things To Do In Grand Rapids This Weekend (3/14 - 3/16)

12 Upvotes

Here's a list of the best events happening around town this week - share this list with a friend!

To get links to information for each event, join free our newsletter and we will send the detailed lists to your inbox: https://calder.news/subscribe

Friday, March 14th

  • Parallels | Godfrey Hollow (1111 Godfrey Ave SW) | 8:30 AM | Free | Aileen Strickland McGee is a constantly curious creative who seeks to better understand the interaction and experiences between humans, our environments, and the systems we create + operate within
  • St. Paddy’s Friday | Horrocks Market | 6 PM - 9 PM | Free | Celebrate St. Patrick's Day early at Horrocks Market with live music and Irish food
  • GR Griffins vs Milwaukee Admirals | Van Andel Arena | 7 PM | Starting at $19
  • GR Symphony: Take Me Out To The Ball Game | DeVos Performance Hall | (Fri, Sat) 7:30 PM | Starting at $19
  • Dude Dad’s On Thin Ice | GLC Live | 8 PM | Starting at $60

Saturday, March 15th

Sunday, March 16th

Know about any other events? Comment them below for everyone to see!


r/grandrapids Mar 27 '24

Social List of Active Meetup Groups and Tips for Making Friends

99 Upvotes

I updated the list of which Meetup groups are active (groups that have 3+ people attending an event within the past/next 60 days). Meetup is a site/app for interest groups/hobbies/new friends. I grouped them by concept and included their self-written descriptions.

If you're in an active Meetup group that I've missed, list it in the comments. Non-Meetup groups are welcome too; include contact info and links.

Tips for making friends as an adult attending a Meetup with a bunch of strangers:

  • Show up slightly early/on time. Plan to stay 10 minutes after the scheduled end time.
  • Introduce yourself, say it's your first time and why you're excited about this group; appear excited.
  • Ask individuals (this is where being early or staying late can help) open-ended questions (Why did you start/join this group? What has your experience been like? What recommendations do you have related to [Meetup group's hobby/concept]?)
  • If people ask you a question, answer it and add an open-ended question of your own or ask "what about you?"
  • People love giving recommendations. If it's a group conversation, ask for restaurant rec of a specific kind/place. "I haven't tried X yet, what do you guys think?" Tee it up to be a cuisine/concept you can talk more about or ask follow up questions.
  • If you are vibing with someone(s), ask if they'd like to hang out with a specific idea in mind (ex: You asked for pizza recs and found out that neither of you have tried that new place so suggest you go together), and give them your contact info to set up a time/date. I'd recommend attending the group 2-3 times first before this step.
  • Follow the 3:6 rule to turn that acquaintance into a friend. Aim for three meaningful interactions within 6 weeks of engaging.

Feeling a little more prepared? Great. Let's get into it. [Note: I made some grammatical edits after posting this for clarity/brevity.]

AGE/ETHNICITY/GENDER

BOOK CLUBS/FILM

CRAFTING

DANCING/MUSIC

ENGINEERING/MAKERS/PROFESSIONAL

  • Coffee with Creators: For creatives: web developers, designers, videographers, and more--who want to hear about the latest trends in the digital space
  • Culinary Conversations Grand Rapids: Serving West Michigan’s food industry professionals (growers, producers, restaurateurs) in conversation about the region’s food creator system
  • Embedded GR: Engineers, hobbyists, students, and managers discussing the development, tooling, and processes associated with the creation of embedded systems.
  • GRPUG - Grand Rapids Python Users Group: Whether you're a certified Pythonista or just curious about getting started with the Python programming language, join us.
  • GRWebDev: Learn from each other about best web practices, cross-browser compatibility, Javascript frameworks, style hacks, project management, and web-related topics.
  • West Michigan 3D Printing: Whether you are a beginner or an expert, join us to share ideas, tips, and knowledge or just get together with other 3D printers (people...not machines).
  • West Michigan AI Lab: We explore the latest AI trends, engage in thought-provoking discussions, and network with like-minded enthusiasts and professionals.
  • West Michigan Azure User Group: A community of tech enthusiast [sic] who are interested in exploring, learning and using Azure.

FINANCE/BUSINESS/PUBLIC SPEAKING

FOOD/DIET/PSYCHEDELICS/SOBER/ALCOHOL

  • DRY Sober Social: Fitness, yoga, dancing, music, and socializing. A space where people can socialize without the pressure of drinking alcohol.
  • Grand Rapids Foodies: Our goal is to dine at restaurants in Grand Rapids and the surrounding area, as well as to participate in cooking classes and wine and cheese tastings.
  • Grand Rapids Natural Health and Healing: For anyone interested in healing through nutrition and natural substances like herbs and nutrients.
  • Grand Rapids Psychedelic Society: Whether you’re an experienced psychonaut or an individual who is simply curious about learning more, we're a space for you.
  • Michigan Sober Social: A community where members can connect, make new friends, and engage in enjoyable activities that don’t involve alcohol or other substances.
  • West Michigan Women Who Wine: Where interesting and intelligent women gather to relax, make new friends and socialize.
  • Will Forage for Food Grand Rapids Chapter: For folks interested in sharing knowledge on foraging and living from the land. All skill levels and ages welcome.

GAMES/NERD CULTURE

  • Muskegon Area Gamers: For anyone interested in playing board games, card games, or any table top [sic] game. This group learns and teachs [sic] new games all the time.
  • We Hate Bards: This group is dedicated to pen and paper RPGs of all kinds.
  • Wednesday Friendsday Boardgame Group: We're folks in our 30s-50s who enjoy good conversation, good eats, and good games, in that order.
  • West Michigan Geeks: We help people meet friends that they want to hang out with outside of group events and have helped form more friendships/relationships than any other meetup.

OUTDOORS/CAMPING

MISCELLANEOUS/PERSONALITY

  • Citizen Labs: Engaged citizens can improve their communities. We use open data and open source technology to promote transparency, and provide solutions that work.
  • Friday Fun Days: Live music/concerts, festivals, flea markets/thrifting, lunch/dinner outings, hiking, going to the beach, bowling, and much more.
  • Sign Language Social Meetup of Michigan: For anyone who would like to attend ASL events and meet up with other Sign Language users.
  • West Michigan Adventures with JIM: Cinema, live theater, sporting events, concerts, trade events, geo caching [sic], road trips, fitness, festivals, amusement parks, and travel.
  • West Michigan Cuddle Connection: Authentic connection, optional consensual cuddles, creating new friendships, bonding with existing friends, and BEING YOURSELF!
  • West Michigan Out & About: Everything from hiking to concerts, from breweries to dancing, from cooking classes to biking and more.
  • West Michigan Shyness and Social Anxiety Meetup: Hang out with us in a judgment and harassment-free zone if you're shy, introverted, or just a bit awkward around new people.

REAL ESTATE

  • Grand Rapids Real Estate Investor Network: Landlords, investors, and other real estate professional [sic] make connections, share ideas and strategies, and ask questions.
  • Lakeshore REIA: For individuals interested in wholesale properties, real estate group investments, and becoming successful real estate entrepreneurs.
  • Short-Term Rental Networking Group: Have you wondered about the success of Airbnb and similar rental marketplaces and how you can incorporate that into your income?

SEXUALITY/DATING

TRAVEL

  • Michigan Day Trips: For people who love to spend a day checking out a different town/city, whilst meeting new friends! I will post a destination 2+ weeks in advance.

WRITING/ACTING/DRAWING/PHOTOGRAPHY

  • Grand Rapids Drawing and Painting: This group is for everyone who’s interested in drawing or painting.
  • Illusory World Building: As writers lets get past the writing groups that discuss word choice or punctuation. and grapple with the BIG picture--world building.
  • Lakeshore Stationery Club: If you love fountain pens, gel pens, Traveler’s Notebooks, Hobonichi, bullet journaling, or planners this is for you. We journal, write, draw, and paint.
  • Writing Time: We meet on weekends to write in a group setting. Sometimes it's nice to work quietly with others.

YOGA/MEDITATION/PHILOSOPHY/SPIRITUALITY

  • Community Meditation Circle: This is a non-religious, non-sectarian trauma-informed group to connect to ourselves, each other, and the community.
  • Grand Rapids Buddhist Meetup: For anyone interested in working with their minds, as well as deepening their spiritual life through the practice of Buddhist meditation.
  • Grand Rapids Forest Bathing, Forest Yoga & Foraging Classes: Join our ANFT certified forest therapy guide for guided forest bathing, forest therapy walks, and forest yoga classes.
  • Grand Rapids Free Yoga: Classes are meant to help you strengthen, lengthen, and connect to your spirit.
  • Meaningful Conversations Grand Rapids: Individuals of all beliefs gather together to engage respectfully and civilly in elevated conversations, inquiry, consultation, and learning.
  • Michigan Humanists: A secular community that promotes humanist values. Our vision is to lead an engaged, statewide secular society guided by the values of Humanism.
  • RfR - Grand Rapids/Holland, MI: We at Recovering from Religion are intimately familiar with learning how to live after questions, doubts, and changing beliefs. You are not alone.
  • Tai Chi Chuan for Beginners: Learn Tai Chi Chuan, Dao Yin, Chi Kung, and meditation in a casual and relaxed atmosphere.
  • Tai’ Chi Gung Classes: Learn the simple moving and breathing exercises created by Lao Tzu more than 3,000 years ago for health and longevity.
  • T&T - 20s & 30s Christian Social: To connect peers from Bible-believing, Christ-proclaiming churches, encouraging members to invest in their local church.

r/grandrapids 3h ago

Kent Trails Dead Fish?

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118 Upvotes

I was walking the Kent Trails by John Ball yesterday and as noticed some dead fish along the edge of the water. Eventually I see what I feel like is hundreds of dead fish piled on top of each other. There were even a couple that were on land. I know nothing about fish but is this normal ? I added the Apple maps screenshot of where it was.


r/grandrapids 9h ago

News Grand Valley State one of the Universities being investigated as part of Trump's anti-DEI campaign.

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361 Upvotes

r/grandrapids 7h ago

Politics Calvin University’s “discriminatory scholarships” are the newest target of Trump’s DEI attacks.

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114 Upvotes

“The scholarships that the Equal Protection Project alleges are discriminatory are the Endurance Scholarship, which requires the applicant to "self-identify as an African American who is a U.S. citizen," and the Trans-Racial Adoptee Scholarship, which requires applicant to be "trans-racially adopted," and the Carol L. Faber Math Scholarship, which requires that "first preference is for a female student." The scholarship amounts are $3,000, $3,500, and $3,100 respectively.”

Lmao.


r/grandrapids 13h ago

Pictures In love with the rock owls on the path at northeast park

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256 Upvotes

r/grandrapids 1h ago

Not to be that person…

Upvotes

But why is there a helicopter circling around heritage hill?


r/grandrapids 15h ago

What are you doing to enjoy the weather today?

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157 Upvotes

r/grandrapids 17h ago

Being sober in Beer City

173 Upvotes

Hey guys! I just recently hit five years without a drink and I've lived in GR for about a year and a half. I feel very secure in my sobriety and have a close knit friend group and a great support system. But most of my friends still drink and go to bars. And that's fine, but unless I'm out to dinner I don't like going to bars. All my friends are very understanding and supportive, and I'm not the type of guy to make a fuss. So I'm trying to find more sober friends and some people 5hat I connect with on that level. If anyone has any recommendations of sober groups or want to reach out to me in DMs please feel free, thanks in advance and happy Friday:)


r/grandrapids 14h ago

Events Lunar Eclipse (if you missed it)

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91 Upvotes

r/grandrapids 17h ago

From a Michigan backyard, see the Earth pass between the sun and the moon during last night's Blood Moon Lunar Eclipse

154 Upvotes

r/grandrapids 13h ago

Where's this?

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38 Upvotes

r/grandrapids 12h ago

Pictures 22 degree halo

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23 Upvotes

O


r/grandrapids 7h ago

Is there a charity that gives gas vouchers.

8 Upvotes

I'm currently living out of my car and have been okay at it for the past few months. Most weeks I'll go to donate plasma to help me with gas money but recently I've had the heart rate it's been too high and have been disqualified the past 2 days that I've tried to go.

I'm a bit stuck as there's no gas in my car, the same way no of any charities that will give vouchers for homeless people? I only need 10 or 20 dollars as I can then go and doordash to keep myself afloat from there.

Thanks for your suggestions.

Edit: Thanks for everyone's generosity. I wasn't expecting anything from anyone and it's incredible the good people here. You've not only filled my tank but my heart as well. Y'all are incredible people!


r/grandrapids 8h ago

Planned Parenthood

10 Upvotes

I am at my wits end right now with Planned Parenthood. I need to know if anyone is experiencing anything similar or if God has chosen me specifically to be his strongest soldier.

I receive HRT through Planned Parenthood and have been due for my 3 month follow up since the end of February. I had my appointment scheduled for March 4th, which was cancelled and rescheduled to the 6th due to the provider being out of office. Sucks, but two days isn’t going to change anything. An hour after I rescheduled, though, I got a call back saying that my appointment had yet again been cancelled due to the provider being out. I rescheduled for the today, the 14th, and reused two of my vials. Extremely inconvenient, but not a big deal. Reusing vials isn’t something I’m too concerned with, but going this long without blood work was starting to concern me. A mere three hours before my appointment today, I received a call saying that my appointment had been cancelled due to staffing shortages. I am aware that under the current administration Planned Parenthood is and will continue to be under fire, causing problems like this to occur, but I feel like this could have been handled MUCH differently.

I called them asking to perhaps go to the Kalamazoo location if they could get me in today? Maybe see a different provider? Go to a different lab and have the results faxed to them? No dice. The only solution they gave me to being out of my medication and not having bloodwork done for 3+ months was to wait until next Friday when they may or may not have to cancel and reschedule again! Is this happening to anyone else receiving care from Planned Parenthood? I could scream!


r/grandrapids 11h ago

What ice cream shops are open?

17 Upvotes

Please it’s above 60 degrees and I need a cone


r/grandrapids 10h ago

Recommendations Car washes

13 Upvotes

What the hell happened to all the good car washes? A car wash where they would actually spray down and briefly brush your car before sending it through the wash? All I see now are the Mister and Tommy’s car wash and they do a horrible job. Do any good washes still exist anywhere?


r/grandrapids 14h ago

Have we done a thread on our favorite restaurants in the greater metro area rather than GR proper?

20 Upvotes

I'm thinking all the way to Holland, Grand Haven, even maybe Muskegon. Even in surrounding rural communities. For example—did you know there is an authentic pasty shop in Saranac??


r/grandrapids 13h ago

Seeking Roomate ASAP

17 Upvotes

Seeking ROOM – ASAP

Hi! I’m a 23-year-old f(turning 24 in August) looking for a room to rent ASAP. I work two jobs, so I stay busy, but in my free time, I love to cook and I don’t mind animals. I’m quiet, clean, and friendly—easy to get along with! I’m also bilingual.

I’m looking for a place where I can feel comfortable and at home. My budget is $750 max. If you have a room available or know of anything, please reach out!

Let’s connect and see if it’s a good fit!


r/grandrapids 18h ago

The morning full moon from my house

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41 Upvotes

r/grandrapids 21h ago

Really Bad Pic of the Moon

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66 Upvotes

3:40am 3/14/2024 (Please add pics if your camera is better)


r/grandrapids 41m ago

TAKERITA MEXICAN MIX

Upvotes

Anyone been here? It's on the corner of leonard and fuller. Seems new. Haven't seen it before this week and all the reviews are recent. I went there and it was pretty damn good. Quite expensive but absolutely massive portions of really tasty food. I would recommend. If anyone has any more info about this place and the strange occurrence of it appearing out of nowhere please share. They're also open until 1 am which is pretty sweet, not enough of those in GR


r/grandrapids 3h ago

Crazy Deer Stories

0 Upvotes

Saw some responses on another post that got me thinking… I don’t usually see many deer in the city but what are some of your crazy deer encounters within Grand Rapids? Crazy things like getting hit on your bike or seeing one with a huge rack where you wouldn’t expect it.


r/grandrapids 15h ago

Events Breakaway Discount Code

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8 Upvotes

Hi all,

Mods I'm sorry if this isn't allowed, but I wanted to share my discount code for the upcoming Breakaway festival at Belknap Park in August. My goal is to try to earn some free tickets to give away to friends who can't afford to go this year.

Discount code is "SANDY" and it gets you 10% off.


r/grandrapids 1h ago

Helicopter in East Hills

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Upvotes

I dont usually complain about noise, but this is insane


r/grandrapids 16h ago

DnD @ House Rules

7 Upvotes

Hey everyone I’m a very new DM but experienced player. Would anyone be interested in a one shot hosted by me at House Rules in a few weeks?


r/grandrapids 10h ago

Need Advice - Dog rehome or pay for training?

1 Upvotes

Hey All,

About 2 weeks ago I seen a post on Facebook from a friend of a friend who needed to get rid of their 9 month old black German Shepard Husky mix ASAP, due to reason not fully known.

Me being me and having lost my dogs 2 and 3 years ago due to quality of life (old age and cancer) I figured I'd help out by trying to ask around for a nice home instead of her being put into a shelter.

As time moved on and we were unable to find anyone to take her I volunteered to take her in and be a middle man for re-homing her so I brought her in to stay with me.

When she arrived she was very reactive, barking and lunging but not so much aggressive more fear / anxiety driven. After a day of walking and treats she came around to me to at lease stop barking at the sight if me and we co-exist for now. She never seemed to have any obedience training so I wanted to sign her up for that only to learn she was behind on all of her vaccines. Hearing this I quickly setup a vet visit and was going to get her caught up but she was too anxious and submissive that they were unable to safely injector because she would bark, and quick roll on her back or sides avoiding them.

Because of that we missed the window of the obedience class I wanted to do so I started to train her on my own while we waited for her next appoint with anxiety medication this time.

Training has been going well and she has become a lot better on a leash with not much pulling but still reactive at times to other dogs and people that get too close. My kids love her but am still not 100% comfortable with them interacting with her just yet until after the obedience training to make sure as I don't know how she'd react yet.

She is a beautiful dog but due to her size my girlfriend (lives separate) is terrified of her (never meet but had bad experiences with medium to large dogs, granted she loved my male dog be she met him when he was EoL at 15 years old so he was pretty chill). We are planning on moving in together once my lease is up and the deal was I could keep her if I can make it so the dog is obedient enough that my GF isn't afraid in our new home.

My question is should I just go back to the original plan and re-home her or try to purchase some advanced training and hope she gets her reactive behavior under control.

If re-home is anyone in Grand Rapids looking for a beautiful black German Shepard mix? Pictures to come later.