GRAND RAPIDS — The first Friday of the month is upon us once again, and in downtown Grand Rapids, that means celebrating the arts!
Here's what's happening 4-7 p.m. Friday, Nov. 3.
Stained Glass with Class
Alyssa Olson will display her modern clay jewelry.
Giinawind Creative Space
This space next door to the MacRostie Art Center will host a reception for the artists of the Animikii Print Club, whose artwork is featured in the Giinawind Gallery.
MacRostie Art Center
The gallery celebrates the opening of “Thinking About My Thinking,” an exhibit of watercolor paintings by Diane Levar. The reception will include food, wine and other beverages and an artist talk at 6 p.m.
Bender's Shoes & Gifts
Bender's welcomes Jenny Farber of Chaotic Beauty Artistry. Jenny is a wood-burning and watercolor artist based in Grand Rapids, and she'll have handmade earrings, magnets and wall decor available.
Old Central School
Studio 001
Stop by the Garden Level, where artist Lea Friesen will be demonstrating monotype printmaking.
Artists in the Attic
Visit the third floor artists in residence: Nelia Harper, Krista Rogers and Leah Yellowbird. Guest artist Serenity Barden from Hibbing will display her abstract paintings.
North in Bloom
North in Bloom has a "Bloom-tique" with Kayla of Sew Festive. Get a jump on holiday shopping with in-store promos and unique embroidery gifts and more from Sew Festive.
Rapids Brewing Co.
The brewery welcomes musician Charley Wagner beginning at 6:30 p.m.
VFW Post No. 1720
Sam Miltich and Friends perform an evening of jazz music 7-9 p.m.
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Events this week include "The Sound of Music" in Mountain Iron, the grand opening of a Deer River dog park and a mural unveiling in Bemidji. -
Contributed/Nathan BrayNathan Bray’s new exhibit, “We Are All Human,” is at the Ripple River Gallery in Deerwood. Bray joins “Area Voices” to talk about this journey with art. -
Contributed/Chad KaddatzJonathan Schilling, a mycologist with the U of MN, discusses wood-eating fungi. The dead and dying trees series is produced by Mark Jacobs. -
Contributed/D-Feet Walk CommitteeMinnesota Lions Hearing Foundation's annual Walk to D-Feet Hearing Loss returns to Bemidji on Saturday, June 6, 2026, beginning at Diamond Point Park. -
Contributed/Steve Patterson via the KAXE-KBXE Season Watch Facebook groupPam Perry, retired DNR non-game wildlife biologist, joined KAXE staff phenologist John Latimer and Heidi Holtan to talk about warblers, pelicans, and the Merlin birding app. -
Events this week include a Norwegian celebration in Bemidji and a unique exercise class in Grand Rapids.
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Contributed/Bemidji Contra DanceDanish folk musician Kristian Bugge will join WB Reid to perform at the next Bemidji Contra Dance on May 16, 2026, in Solway. -
Andrew Dziengel/KAXEThe College of St. Scholastica, Bemidji State University and the Bemidji Long-Term Storm Recovery Group are launching a community-based research study to learn about how the 2025 derecho affected people. -
Lorie ShaullMinnesota Secretary of State Steve Simon was a recent guest on the "KAXE Morning Show" to talk about preparations and security for the upcoming midterm elections. -
Lorie Shaull/Special to KAXEThe Grand Rapids chapter of the National Alliance on Mental Illness is offering webinars on May 13 and May 20, 2026. Learn when to seek mental health support and how to find it.
