21 ideas for fun this week and weekend in the Rockford area
By Kevin Haas
Rock River Current
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ROCKFORD — There’s no shortage of things to do in the area throughout this week and weekend, from hip hop workshops to live music large and small, hockey, comedy and other performing arts.
The list includes Rockford Art Museum’s reopening to the public, a Hard Rock Live watch party for a big boxing match, Rockford Symphony Orchestra and a performance of Swan Lake, to name a few things.
Below are 21 ideas for fun this week, and a bonus event happening early next week.
Rockford Art Museum reopens
What: The Rockford Art Museum will reopen Thursday after a yearlong construction project to overhaul its climate control system. The first floor galleries will showcase more than 100 pieces from the museum’s permanent collection. The galleries can be toured for free thanks to sponsorship from Lon and Dick Behr, Dean Alan Olson Foundation and Rosecrance Behavioral Health.
When: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Thursday through Sunday
Where: Rockford Art Museum, 711 N. Main St., Rocford
Info: rockfordartmuseum.org
Emcee workshop
What: As part of Hip Hop History Month, lyricist and poet Xen Kingsley leads this workshop on crafting songs, poems and other performances.
When: 6 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 12
Where: Rockford Public Library, 215 N. Wyman St., (second floor, room 207)
Admission: Free, no registration required
Reflection on Isolation | Debriefing
What: A month after spending three days in an isolation chamber, artist and peacebuilder Bob Schlehuber will lead discussion on the experience and the “isolation epidemic.”
When: 9 a.m. and 5:30 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 14
Where: Test Site Art Foundation, 213 N. Third St., Rockford
Info: Go HERE
Breakdancing workshop
What: DJ, hip hop historian and breakdancer Vic ‘Monsta’ Rivera leads a workshop teaching the fundamental elements of breaking in an encouraging environment as part of the Rockford Public Library’s Hip Hop History Month events.
When: 6 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 19
Where: Rockford Public Library, 215 N. Wyman St., Rockford (second floor, room 207)
Admission: Free, no registration required
Hogs at Home
What: The Rockford IceHogs take on the Manitoba Moose on $2 beer night and Hockey Fights Cancer Night, which raises money for the American Cancer Society.
When: 7 p.m. Friday, Nov. 15
Where: BMO Center, 300 Elm St., Rockford
Tickets: Go HERE
Tyson v. Paul watch party
What: Hard Rock Live will host a watch party for the highly anticipated boxing matchup between YouTube and social media celebrity Jake Paul (10-1, 6 KOs) and boxing legend Mike Tyson (50-6, 44 KOs).
When: 6 p.m (doors open) Friday, Nov. 15
Where: Hard Rock Live, 7801 E. State St., Rockford
Tickets: free opening seating
Info: Go HERE
Barrel of Laughs
What: Prairie Street Brewing Co.’s standup comedy series is headlined this week by Vince Acevedo, a touring comedian whose appeared on Bill Bellamy’s show “Who’s Got Jokes” and “Just for Laughs” on TBS. Kevin Kellam, a regular at Zanie’s Comedy Club and the host of the Roast Battle Chicago.
When: 6:30 p.m. (doors); 7:30 p.m. showtime Friday, Nov. 15
Where: Prairie Street Brewing Co., 200 Prairie St., Rockford
Tickets: Go HERE
Howl at the Moon
What: Take a free guided evening hike through J. Norman Jensen Forest Preserve, covering 2-3 miles of mixed terrain along the paved and winding grass trail. Leashed pets are allowed.
When: 4:30 p.m. Friday, Nov. 15
Where: J. Norman Jensen Forest Preserve, 14400 S Bluff Road, Rockton
Info: Go HERE
POTUS at West Side Show Room
What: “POTUS: Or, Behind Every Great Dumbass are Seven Women Trying to Keep Him Alive,” a political farce directed by Epic Jones and written by Los Angeles-based writer and performer Selina Fillinger.
Where: West Side Show Room, 1414 N. Main St., Rockford
When: 8 p.m. Thursdays and Fridays; 4 p.m. Sundays Oct. 25 through Nov. 17
Tickets: Free; donations accepted
Info: wssr.org
Katie’s Cup turns 15
What: Katie’s Cup coffeehouse and used bookshop will celebrates its 15th year in business with music from Saxophone Sam and Bert and Lindy. There will also be cupcakes, coffee and tea, and specialty drinks for purchase.
When: 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 16
Where: Katie’s Cup, 502 Seventh St., Rockford
Info: Go HERE
ZZ Top at Hard Rock
What: Rock & Roll Hall of Famers ZZ Top bring The Elevation Tour to Rockford. The “Little Ol’ Band from Texas” was formed in 1969 and responsible for massive hits such as “Sharp Dressed Man” and “Legs.”
When: 7 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 16
Where: Hard Rock Live, 7801 E. State St., Rockford
Tickets: Go HERE
Rockford Symphony Orchestra
What: Rockford Symphony Orchestra presents “Symphonic Classic,” featuring Mozart’s iconic Symphony No. 40 alongside Haydn’s Trumpet Concerto. Paul Merkelo is featured on trumpet.
When: 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 16
Where: Coronado Theatre, 314 N. Main St., Rockford
Tickets: Go HERE
Too Deep at Mary’s Place
What: Too Deep brings its blend of funk and soul music to Mary’s Place.
When: 8:30 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 16
Where: Mary’s Place, 602 N. Madison St., Rockford
Info: Go HERE
Comedy at Hope and Anchor
What: Aurora-based comedian KB Marion — who headlined the Chicago’s Women Funny Festival and has headlined clubs such as Laugh Factory Chicago and The House of Blues New Orleans — headlines this week’s show. Featured comedians are Jeffery “Comic Just Jeff” Hall, Erica Switzer and host Tony Lisowski.
When: 7 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 16
Where: Hope & Anchor English Pub, 5040 N. Second St., Loves Park
Tickets: $10, call 815-633-2552 to reserve
Info: Go HERE
Dead Man’s Hand at Shattered Saloon
What: Multigenre cover band Dead Man’s Hand closes out its 2024 season with a performance at Shattered Saloon.
When: 8 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 16
Where: Shattered Saloon, 5440 N. Second St., Loves Park
Info: Go HERE
Concerts on the Creek
What: Songwriter and musician Buddy Mondlock headlines this week’s Concert on the Creek. Admission is free, but seating can be reserved with a donation. Capacity is 150 people.
When: 3 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 16
Where: Spring Creek Church, 4500 Spring Creek Road, Rockford
Tickets: Go HERE
Tour the Coronado
UPDATE: This has sold out.
What: Take a free tour of the Coronado Theatre to learn about the 97-year-old theater’s history and architecture. Registration is required.
When: 11:45 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 16
Where: Coronado Theatre, 314 N. Main St., Rockford
Info: Go HERE
Art District Vol. 62
What: Live painting on stage with SLOPE and Sya Ryn, music curated by Rick Mon$ta and Arti$ta.
When: 9:30 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 16
Where: District Bar & Grill, 205 W. State St., Rockford
Info: Go HERE
Freedom Fundraiser Awards Dinner
What: The Rockford branch of the NAACP will host its 79th annual Freedom Fundraiser Awards Dinner. The keynote speaker is Rockford native Eric Lewis Williams, PhD, who has taught theology, history and African American studies at several institutions. He is now the director of the Office of Black Church Studies and assistant professor of theology and Black Church studies at Divinity School at Duke University in Durham, North Carolina.
When: 5 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 17
Where: Tebala Event Center, 7910 Newburg Road, Cherry Valley
Tickets: $100 per person, which includes a one-year NAACP membership
Tickets: Call George Scott, 815-299-8294 or go HERE
Fill My Bowl for Rockford
What: The Pottery Lounge will host a fundraiser where you paint and keep a bowl, and $5 from each purchase goes to support the Rockford Rescue Mission.
When: 1 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 17
Where: The Pottery Lounge, 312 N. Alpine Rd., Suite 104, Rockford
Tickets: $25, go HERE
Swan Lake
What: State Ballet Theatre of Ukraine presents “Swan Lake.” The theatre troupe, which features more than 55 dancers, has been celebrated in Europe and now brings its tour here.
When: 4 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 17
Where: Coronado Theatre, 314 N. Main St., Rockford
Tickets: Go HERE
Coming early next week …
A Charlie Brown Christmas Live
What: “A Charlie Brown Christmas,” the Emmy and Peabody award-winning story by Charles Schulz, is brought to life in this faithful stage play adaptation.
When: 7 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 19
Where: Coronado Theatre, 314 N. Main St., Rockford
Tickets: Go HERE
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
