Good Day
Grand Rapids
Monday, September 22nd, 2025
Good morning, Grand Rapids. Here's your local news at a glance for Monday, the 22nd of September.
COMMUNITY NEWS
- ➤ On Saturday night, dozens of GVSU students, alumni, and Allendale residents met indoors under the campus clock tower to honor conservative activist Charlie Kirk, who was assassinated a little over a week ago—Turning Point USA said they will continue his legacy with debate-style events in the coming weeks. WOOD TV
- ➤ A nearly $30 million community center is being built on Walma Avenue in Kentwood and will open in 2026, offering 70,000 square feet for gyms, a walking track, fitness areas, and a community room for events (with sports courts that are expected to boost local business). FOX 17
- ➤ The century-old Ed Dunneback and Girls farm celebrates its 100th year by combining traditional farming with agritourism activities such as live music, farm-to-table dinners, corn mazes and free visits Tuesday through Thursday—while honoring a family legacy that began in the 1920s. Operated by women descendants and employing 130 students, the farm also charges $12.95 for weekend festival events that bring local families together in its historic barn. FOX 17
CULTURE NEWS
- ➤ Veteran artists are displaying their artwork at Veterans Memorial Park in Grand Rapids as part of Art For Honor during ArtPrize 2025. The Kent County-funded display began on Sept. 20 and will be open to the public until Oct. 4—featuring work by Michigan’s only living Medal of Honor recipient. MLive
- ➤ On Sept. 21, one of the largest ArtPrize venues showcased community art by displaying paintings, sculptures and performances—highlighting local creativity in Grand Rapids. The exhibit celebrated artists and their efforts to express the community’s spirit. WOOD TV
- ➤ Artist Don Astras has created pencil portraits of four Native American leaders using original photos by Edward Curtis and is showing his ArtPrize entry titled Echoes of Valor: Portraits of Native Heritage at Clear Sky Eyecare. His work honors figures such as Chief Joseph and Cheyenne Chief Two Moons—leaders known for their strength and efforts for peace. WOOD TV
- ➤ At ArtPrize, an exhibit called Red Jeans Redemption shows 120 pairs of red denim that survivors used to share their feelings about sexual abuse and pain—curated by Pamela Alderman of Healing in Arts. The display stands along Monroe Avenue downtown across from DeVos Place until Oct. 4 and invites visitors to add their own ribbons of support. WOOD TV
HEALTH NEWS
- ➤ Muskegon residents Tara and Cameron Marbra attended a NICU reunion at Grand Rapids Children’s Museum on September 16 to celebrate their twin girls, born at 24 weeks and now thriving at 15 months. They thanked the NICU staff for their care during a 113-day hospital stay — a testament to the girls’ hard-won progress. MLive
- ➤ USDA officials confirmed that the invasive Asian longhorned tick has spread to Michigan and nearly 23 states—raising concerns for livestock as the tick can cause severe blood loss and reproduce quickly; farmers are urged to apply regular tick treatments. WOOD TV
- ➤ A clinical trial at Helen DeVos Children’s Hospital in Grand Rapids showed that an 8-year-old girl with leukemia responded well to a new treatment using the drug blinatumomab combined with standard chemotherapy—she reached remission with no side effects. The study, which involved 1,440 children and found a three‑year disease‑free survival rate of about 97.5% compared to 90.2% with chemotherapy alone, may guide future cancer treatment if research funding remains available. MLive
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Leo Kottke Concert
7:30-9 p.m. — St. Cecilia Music Center — Tickets starting at $71 — Experience an unforgettable performance by guitar legend Leo Kottke.
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Rock of Ages
7:30-9 p.m. — Grand Rapids Civic Theatre And School Of Theatre Arts — Ticket prices vary — Experience the high-energy rock musical featuring iconic anthems from the 80s.
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Jack Van Cleaf Live Performance
6:30-9:00 p.m. — The Stache — Tickets available — Experience the viral sensation Jack Van Cleaf as he performs tracks from his introspective new album 'JVC'.
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Austin Snell Live Performance
8-9:30 p.m. — The Stache — $ — Experience the raw emotional sound of rising country star Austin Snell with hits and heartfelt storytelling.
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Starcrawler Live in Concert
7-9:30 p.m. — The Pyramid Scheme — Ticket prices vary — Experience the explosive energy of Starcrawler's live rock performance with their electrifying frontwoman and talented band.
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Lecrae Live in Concert
7-9 p.m. — Elevation — Ticket prices vary — Experience Lecrae's unique blend of faith and hip-hop as he performs from his latest project, Church Clothes 4.
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Rock of Ages Musical Performance
7:30-9:00 p.m. — Grand Rapids Civic Theatre And School Of Theatre Arts — VIP tickets available — Experience the electric atmosphere of the iconic Rock of Ages musical featuring classic rock hits.
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Ben Folds with Grand Rapids Symphony
7:30-9 p.m. — DeVos Performance Hall — Ticket info TBA — Experience the influential sounds of Ben Folds in a grand orchestral setting.
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Rock of Ages Musical Performance
2:00 – 3:30 PM — Grand Rapids Civic Theatre And School Of Theatre Arts — VIP tickets available — Experience the classic rock musical with premium seating and hospitality options.
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Gordon Food Service Food Show 2025
Oct 7-8 — DeVos Place — Free entry — Explore a wide range of chicken products at the Gordon Food Service Show.
No new real estate listings today. You can submit one here.
No new job posts today. You can submit one here.
No new community announcements today. You can submit one here.
TODAY'S FOOD FOR THOUGHT
If you can't see yourself working with someone for life, don't work with them for a day.
~ Naval Ravikant
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