By Kevin Haas
Rock River Current
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ROCKFORD — This week you can see a blues legend or a country music star at the Coronado Performing Arts Center.
There are multiple other musical options, too, and a new play at the West Side Show Room.
Here are 10 ideas for things to do. Check out more on our events page.
Jam with The Groove Hotel
The Groove Hotel, which features a four-piece horn section and vocals and guitar, will perform at Katie’s Cup Bar & Bookstore in Midtown.
Quick facts:
Where: Katie’s Cup Bar & Bookstore, 502 Seventh St., Rockford
When: 6 p.m. doors open, 7 p.m. concert begins on Wednesday, Feb. 15
Info: Facebook event page
More news: Carpenter’s Place to open new thrift store in former Rural Oaks Schnucks
Country at the Coronado
Tracy Lawrence, who has had 18 No. 1 country hits during a roughly 30-year career in the industry, is coming to the Coronado Performing Arts Center.
Quick facts:
Where: Coronado Performing Arts Center, 314 N. Main St., Rockford
When: 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 16
Info/tickets: coronadopac.org/events/tracy-lawrence
See a Rock and Roll Hall of Famer
Buddy Guy, an 86-year-old Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee who has been a major influence on musicians such as Jimi Hendrix, Eric Clapton and Stevie Ray Vaughan will perform at the Coronado Performing Arts Center.
Quick facts:
Where: Coronado Performing Arts Center, 314 N. Main St., Rockford
When: 7 p.m. Friday, Feb. 17
Tickets/info: coronadopac.org/events/buddy-guy
See ‘Hir’ at the West Side Show Room
“Hir,” which features a role written specifically for a transgender actor, debuts this week at The West Side Show Room.
The play, which is written by Taylor Mac, is a comedy about a suburban family in disarray. It starts as Isaac returns from serving with the Marines in Afghanistan to help his ailing father who suffered a stroke. He finds his mother, once a quiet homemaker, has now mercilessly taken over as the head of household and keeps her husband dressed in clown makeup and a drab nightgown. Meanwhile, Isaac learns that his sister Maxine is now his brother Max, who goes by the pronouns ze/hir. The latter is pronounced like “here.”
Quick facts:
Where: The West Side Show Room, 1414 N. Main St., Rockford
When:
- 8 p.m. Friday, Feb. 17 (talk back) and Saturday, Feb. 18; 4 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 19.
- 7 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 23, 8 p.m. Friday, Feb. 24 (free show) and Saturday, Feb. 25. 4 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 26 (talk back)
- 7 p.m. Thursday, March 2 (talk back), 8 p.m. Friday, March 3 and Saturday, March 4
Tickets and more info: wssr.org/hir
A musical potpourri at Stockholm
The Trinadora Duo of Janel Nelson and Ron Holm bring thier musical mixture of vintage and contemporary pop, folk, country, jazz, blues, Latin, Celtic and other music to Stockholm Inn.
Quick facts:
Where: Stockholm Inn, 2420 Charles St., Rockford
When: 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Friday, Feb. 17
Info: trinadora.com/events
Skate at Frosty Fridays
Frosty Fridays discount public ice-skating sessions return this week at Carlson Ice Arena.
Quick facts:
Where: Carlson Ice Arena, 4150 N. Perryville Road, Loves Park
When: 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. Friday, Feb. 17
Info: rockfordparkdistrict.org/publicskate
Plan your dream wedding
Bridal vendors from across the Rockford area will fill Francesco’s for this one-day expo. There will be DJs, florists, wedding planners, decorators, photographers and venue options. There is also the chance to win $1,000 toward a reception at Francesco’s.
Quick facts:
Where: Francesco’s Ristorante, 7128 Spring Creek Road, Rockford
When: Noon to 3 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 18
Admission: $10 presale; $12 at the door
Tickets/info: franchescosrestaurants.com/franchescos/events
Join the Great Backyard Bird Hike
People across the country will participate in Audubon’s Great Backyard Bird County, and Nature at the Confluence with Wild Birds Unlimited-Roscoe will lead their own hike.
Get instructions on using bird identification apps, plus borrow binoculars and a birding checklist. The walk along the Rock River is guided by Will Rezin from Wild Birds Unlimited of Roscoe.
Quick facts:
Where: Nature at The Confluence, 306 Dickop St., South Beloit
When: 7:30 a.m. to 9 a.m. Friday, Feb. 17
Admission: $5
Info: natureattheconfluence.com/event/great-backyard-bird-count-hike
Hear the music and poetry of love
Inscape Collective presents Verses and Valentines: Trinadora and Christine Swanberg, Rockford’s past poet laureate, will perform music and poetry celebrating the many forms of love.
Quick facts:
Where: Inscape Collective, 201 Seventh St., Rockford
When: 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 18
Admission: Free
Info: Facebook event page
Related: Rockford’s new poet laureate plans to bring poetry to new, unexpected places
See lucha libre in Loves Park
Galli Lucha Libre is bringing its brand of professional wrestling to Loves Park.
Quick facts:
Where: State Line Sports Complex, 7003 Alpine Road, Loves Park.
When: 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 19; meet and greet starts at 4 p.m.
Admission: Tickets start at $20
Tickets: galli.ticketleap.com
This article is by Kevin Haas. Email him at khaas@rockrivercurrent.com or follow him on Twitter at @KevinMHaas or Instagram @thekevinhaas.