Theater, music, shopping and more: Here are 21 chances for fun in the Rockford area this week
By Kevin Haas
Rock River Current
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ROCKFORD — This week has plenty of things to do for fans of live music, theater and shopping.
You can catch a play at Starlight Theatre, Nordlof Center and the Rockford University Clark Arts Center. There’s also live music at the Sinnissippi Park Band Shell, Prairie Street Brewhouse, Urban Forest Craft Brewing and more.
More things to do: Love Your Mental blends art, entertainment and self-care in Rockford
Here are 21 things to do this week. We broke it down by what day each event starts. For multi-day events, such as Starlight Theatre’s production of “Oliver,” the listing falls under the first day of the event.
Wednesday
Edgebrook Farmers Market
What: Local farmers and other vendors sell vegetables, fruits, flowers and plants as well as fresh organic goods, baked breads, artisan cheeses, honey, farm fresh eggs and other goods.
When: 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Wednesday, July 26
Where: Edgebrook, 1639 N. Alpine Road, Rockford
Info: edgebrookshops.com/events/farmers-market
Related: Mushroom business grows from Machesney Park to farmers markets and restaurants around Rockford
Music on the Rock
What: Mike Wheeler Band brings its mix of jazz to rock to the banks of the Rock River in the latest installment of Music on the Rock.
When: 5:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Wednesday, July 26
Where: Burpee Museum of Natural History, 737 N. Main St., Rockford
Info: burpee.org/music-rock
Rockton River Market
What: Shop a variety of handmade goods and other merchandise while live music from the band Minimal is performed at this week’s Rockton River Market.
When: 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. Wednesday, July 26
Where: Settlers Park, 150 Hawick St., Rockton
Info: downtownrockton.com/event/rockton-river-market
“Oliver!” at Starlight Theatre
What: Starlight Theatre performs Wednesday through Sunday this week. “Oliver!” is Lionel Bart’s classic musical based on the Charles Dickens novel, “Oliver Twist.”
When: 8 p.m. Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday
Where: Starlight Theatre at Rock Valley College, 3301 N. Mulford Road, Rockford
Admission: $28 adults; $26 seniors; $17 students; $12 children 12 and younger
Tickets: Go here
Drums in the Garden
What: Drums of the Garden is Anderson Japanese Gardens’ Taiko Drum Group. Learn about the history and cultural importance of the Taiko drums, and also learn how to play them yourself.
When: 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. Wednesday, July 26
Where: Anderson Japanese Gardens, 318 Spring Creek Road, Rockford
Cost: $8; $5 for members
Info: Go here
Thursday
Moon Dog Theatre’s ‘Red’
What: Moon Dog Theatre presents “Red,” a play that looks into painter Mark Rothko’s life in the late 1950s. It is directed by Nicholas Barelli.
When: 6:30 p.m. Thursday, July 27 and Friday, July 28
Where: Nordlof Center, 118 N. Main St., Rockford
Admission: $20
Info/tickets: moon-dog-theatre.square.site
Dinner on the Dock
What: Nauti-Nauti performs rock and pop tunes from the 1970s to the “pre-MTV 1980s” at this week’s Dinner on the Dock.
When: 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. Thursday, July 27
Where: Prairie Street Brewing Co., 200 Prairie St., Rockford
Info and reservations: psbrewingco.com/event/dinner-on-the-dock-july-27
Music in the Park
What: The Music in the Park concert series continues this week with Steely Dane, a Steely Dan tribute band.
Where: Sinnissippi Park Music Shell, 1401 N. Second St., Rockford
When: 7 p.m. Thursday, July 27
Cost: $5
Info: rockfordparkdistrict.org/soundsofsummer
Rockford Midtown Market
What: This bike- and pet-friendly neighborhood farmers market offers food, farm fresh produce, coffee drinks music and crafts.
Where: 502 Seventh St., Rockford (Rockford Public Schools administration building parking lot)
When: 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Thursday, July 27
Info: rockfordmidtownmarket.com
Friday
Ragtime piano duo
What: Cherry & Jerry, a St. Louis piano and percussion duo, play ragtime, early blues and jazz.
Where: Urban Forest Craft Brewing, 6551 E. Riverside Blvd., suite 112, Rockford
When: 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. Friday, July 28
Admission: Free
Info: Go here
Rockford City Market
What: Three Good Men is this week’s main stage band at Rockford City Market, a weekly shopping event that includes a variety of vendors from farmers to local makers.
Where: Rockford City Market, 116 N. Madison St., Rockford
When: 4 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Friday, July 28
Info: rockfordcitymarket.com
Jim Gill family friendly concert
What: Jim Gill brings his all ages musical act to the Discovery Center for children, parents and grandparents to sing, clap and dance along to the songs.
Where: Discovery Center Museum, 711 N. Main St., Rockford
When: 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. Friday, July 28
Cost: $10; free for museum members
Info: Go here
The Music Man
What: The Studio Rockford presents “The Music Man,” a family-friendly musical comedy that has entertained audiences since 1957.
Where: Rockford University Clark Arts Center, 5050 E. State St., Rockford
When: 7 p.m. Friday, July 28; 2 p.m. and 6 p.m. Saturday, July 29; 2 p.m. Sunday, July 30
Cost: $13 in advance or $15 at the door; $11 in advance or $13 at the door for children and seniors
Info: tickets.thestudiorockford.com
Forest City Farmers Market
What: Shop for locally produced fresh fruits, vegetables, baked goods, handmade items, jewelry, cheese, honey and other goods.
Where: Forest City Church, 1280 S. Alpine Road, Rockford
When: 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Friday, July 28
Info: facebook.com/rfdForestCityFarmersMarket
Music on the Mall
What: Soul2Soul, a classic 70s rock band, performs at this week’s outdoor concert at Edgebrook.
Where: Edgebrook shops, 1639 N. Alpine Road, Rockford
When: 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Friday, July 28
Info: edgebrookshops.com/events/music-on-the-mall
Stuff the Bus
What: Buccifero Family McDonald’s and B103 are helping collect school supplies for local children. There will also be free health screenings and other preventative care for qualified children on Saturday, the second day of the Stuff the Bus event.
Where: Buccifero Family McDonald’s, 314 N. Mulford Road, Rockford
When: Noon to 6 p.m. Friday, July 28 and Saturday, July 29
Info: b103rockford.com/stuff-the-bus
Saturday
Rhythm of the Heart
What: Rhythm of the Heart features four bands, food trucks, vendor tents, kids games and fireworks. The musical lineup is long-shot, LynSkynyrd, Abbey Road and BiG SUiT.
Where: City Hall festival grounds, 100 Heart Blvd., Loves Park
When: 1 p.m. to 10:30 p.m. Saturday, July 29
Admission: Free
Info: rhythmoftheheartfest.com
Comedy night at Pig Minds Brewing Co.
What: Xavier “XL” Lamont headlines this show featuring Peter Daniel and Hannah Belmont. The show is hosted by Joseph Christopher and produced by Fats Productions Presents.
Where: Pig Minds Brewing Co., 4080 Steele Dr., Machesney Park
When: 7:30 p.m. Saturday, July 29
Admission: Free
Info: Go here
North End City Market
What: North End City Market offers an array of fresh veggies, fruits, flowers, honey, baked goods and more.
Where: Auburn and North Main streets, Rockford
When: 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Saturday, July 29
Sunday
Danny’s Toy Show
What: Live music will be on two stages in this musical fundraiser designed to help children through their time at the hospital. All proceeds are used to buy toys for UW Health SwedishAmerican hospital’s pediatric department and the emergency room.
Where: Rockford Speedway, 9572 Forest Hills Road, Loves Park
When: 2 p.m. to 10 p.m. Sunday, July 30
Admission: $10
Love Your Mental
What: Love Your Mental 2023 blends art, entertainment and self care with a variety of mental health resources including aroma therapy, art therapy, beauty therapy, massage therapy, pet therapy, reiki, yoga, music and various food trucks. All funds raised benefit the 988 suicide crisis line.
When: 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday, July 30
Where: Real Beautiful You, 420 N. Main St., Rockford
Info: loveyourmental.com
Admission: Free; donations accepted
This article is by Kevin Haas. Email him at khaas@rockrivercurrent.com or follow him on Twitter at @KevinMHaas or Instagram @thekevinhaas and Threads @thekevinhaas
