Variety show, art fair, paranormal activities and Ocktober fest on tap this weekend in Rockford
By Kevin Haas
Rock River Current
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ROCKFORD — This week and weekend has a host of things to do ranging from comedy and music to spooky settings for Friday the 13th.
You can take in a variety show, see a symphony, watch a film festival, celebrate Oktoberfest, go to an outdoor art show and more.
Here are 18 quick picks for things to do in the Rockford area today through Sunday:
Moon Dog Variety Night
What: Moon Dog Theatre will host a variety show with music, poetry, comedy, improv and storytelling featuring a variety of local artists, actors and musicians.
When: 7 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 14
Where: Nordlof Center’s Black Box theater, 118 N. Main St., Rockford
Cost: $15
Tickets: Go HERE
Joe Gatto | Let’s Get Into It
What: Joe Gatto of “Impractical Jokers” brings his stand-up comedy tour to the Coronado Theatre. The show also features Mark Jigarjian.
When: 7 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 12
Where: Coronado Theatre, 314 N. Main St., Rockford
Tickets: Starting at $31; go HERE
Lights and Ladders
What: Loves Park police and fire departments will hold this free special event to bring together the community and first responders. There will live demonstrations from both groups for education and awareness as well as fun activities for all ages.
When: 6 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 12
Where: Loves Park City Hall festival grounds, 100 Heart Blvd., Loves Park
Info: Go HERE
Barrel of Laughs
What: Prairie Street Brewing Co.’s comedy series returns with opening night featuring Caleb Synan, a touring stand-up comedian who has been featured on “Conan” and “Last Comic Standing.” The show also includes Chicago stand-up comic Mike Maxwell and Rockford comedian and journalist Kevin Haas.
When: 6:30 p.m. Friday, Sept. 13
Where: Prairie Street Brewing Co., 200 Prairie St., Rockford
Tickets: Starting at $30; Go HERE
Serial Killers
What: Criminologist Scott Brown takes you inside the minds of the worlds most savage serial killers in this chilling 90-minute show.
When: 7:30 p.m. Friday, Sept. 13
Where: Coronado Theatre, 314 N. Main St., Rockford
Tickets: Go HERE; starting at $25
Twisted Crypt opens
What: The 10,000-square-foot haunted house Twisted Crypt opens for the season.
Where: 5420 E. State St., Rockford
Hours: 7-11 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays Sept. 13-Oct. 19; 7-10 p.m. Sundays Oct. 6-20; 6:30-11 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays Oct. 25-26, Nov. 1-2; 6:30-10 p.m. Sunday Oct. 27 and Thursday, Oct. 31.
Admission: $20
Online: twistedcrypt.com
Rockford Symphony Orchestra
What: Rockford Symphony Orchestra’s season debut features Grammy-nominated violinist Philippe Quint playing Tchaikovsky’s Violin Concerto. The show also features Rachmaninoff’s rousing Symphonic Dances and a cinematic overture by film composer Wojciech Kilar.
When: 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 14
Where: Coronado Performing Arts Center, 314 N. Main St., Rockford
Tickets: Starting at $33; go HERE
Night at the Range
What: Enjoy drinks and appetizers by Garrett Restaurant as you hit a bucket of balls to raise money for the Swedish Historical Society, which has been celebrating Swedish culture in Rockford for more than 80 years. There will also be a longest-drive competition, closest to the pin and yard games. It’s an all-ages event.
When: 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. Friday, Sept. 13
Where: Golf Shack, 1631 N. Bell School Road, Rockford
Cost: $25
Info/Tickets: swedishhistorical.org
Prost at Prairie Street
What: Rockford’s biggest Oktoberfest party features music from Die Musikmeisters, a stein-holding competition, and all sorts of German fare and themed activities.
When: Noon to 5 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 14
Where: Prairie Street Brewing Co., 200 Prairie St., Rockford
Tickets: $15; Go HERE
Illinois Paranormal Conference
What: Haunted Rockford, Tinker Swiss Cottage and Veterans Memorial Hall will host a two-day paranormal conference. A paranormal investigation with Midwest Ghost Investigators begins at Tinker on Friday and the conference is Saturday at Veterans Memorial Hall.
When/where: 7 p.m. Friday, Sept. 13 at Tinker Swiss Cottage, 411 Kent St., Rockford; 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 14 at Veterans Memorial Hall, 211 N. Main St., Rockford
Tickets: $30 in advance; $35 at the door. Go HERE for tickets.
‘The Angel Next Door’
What: Artists’ Ensemble Theatre kicks off its season with the screwball romantic comedy “The Angel Next Door,” which tells the story of Oliver, who is so in love with Margo that he’s written a novel about her.
Where: Rockford University’s Maddox Theatre, 5050 E. State St., Rockford
When: 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 12 and Friday, Sept. 13; 4 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 14; 2 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 15
Tickets: $19; $10 for students; go HERE
Mosaic World Film Festival
What: The 17th annual Mosaic World Film Festival features more than 70 films curated from hundreds of submissions that came from 75 countries.
Where: RPL Nordlof Center, 118 N. Main St., Rockford
When: Friday, Sept. 13; Saturday, Sept. 14; Sunday, Sept. 15. See complete schedule HERE
Info/tickets: mosaicfilmfest.com
Comedy in Loves Park
What: Fats Productions Presents weekly comedy show features Omaha native Zach Peterson. Zach Albers, Courtney Albers and Lance Joseph round out the lineup.
When: 8 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 14
Where: Hope & Anchor, 545 McKinley Ave., Loves Park
Cost: $10; call 815-633-2552 to reserve a seat
Greenwich Village Art Fair
What: The 76th annual Greenwich Village Art Fair takes place over two days outside of the Rockford Art Museum. It features juried artists, live music by regional musicians, children’s art activities, a local vendor marketplace, food trucks and cocktails.
When: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 14; 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 15
Where: Rockford Art Museum grounds, 711 N. Main St., Rockford
Admission: $5
11th Ward parade and festival
What: The 11th Ward parade and festival coincides with Mexican Independence Day. The parade starts at noon followed by family-friendly festival full of music, dance, food, and fun activities for all ages.
When: Noon parade; 1 p.m. to 10 p.m. festival on Saturday, Sept. 14
Where: Parade begins at the corner of Broadway and Kishwaukee Street and moves toward the festival in Keye-Mallquist Park, 1702 11th St., Rockford
Info: Go HERE
Ease the mind ride
What: This motorcycle ride is intended to help raise awareness and funds to prevent veteran suicide. It starts at the VFW in Belvidere and concludes at the Fraternal Order of Eagles on 11th Street in Rockford, where there will be music, raffles and food.
Where: Fraternal Order of Eagles, 3829 11th St., Rockford
When: 11 a.m. ride begins Saturday, Sept. 14; festivities from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m.
Info/reservation: 815-670-0744
Rockford Ravens rugby
What: The Rockford Ravens mens and womens teams hold their home opener on Saturday. The men play at noon on Saturday, Sept. 14, and the women begin at 2 p.m. Saturday with both teams competing on their new pitch.
Where: Lyran Park, 4781 Southbend Road, Rockford
Admission: Free
Fall Pec Thing
What: More than 500 vendors fill the Winnebago County Fairgrounds for the biannual Pec Thing, a vintage and retro flea market that offers a variety of unique items.
When: 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 14; 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 15
Where: Winnebago County Fairgrounds, 500 W. First St., Pecatonica
This article is by Kevin Haas. Email him at khaas@rockrivercurrent.com or follow him on X at @KevinMHaas or Instagram @thekevinhaas and Threads @thekevinhaas
