Nitro Circus, IceHogs at home, art museum’s return and more ideas for weekend fun in Rockford
By Kevin Haas
Rock River Current
Get our free e-newsletter
ROCKFORD — Are you ready for the weekend?
The next four days include a mix of live music, arts, fundraisers, comedy, sports entertainment and other fun things to do.
To help you prepare, we’ve pulled together a little list of 16 sweet ideas for weekend fun.
Check it out:
Bachman-Turner Overdrive
What: Bachman-Turner Overdrive is bringing its tour to Hard Rock Live. The Canadian rock band formed in 1973 has seven Top 40 albums and 11 Top 40 singles.
When: 6:30 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 7
Where: Hard Rock Live, 7801 E. State St., Rockford
Info/Tickets: Go HERE
POTUS on stage
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 through Nov. 17
Tickets: Free; donations accepted
Info: wssr.org
Honoring veterans
What: Alpine Academy will host a public program honoring veterans with a keynote address delivered by Mark Finnegan of the nonprofit VetsRoll. The program is designed to provide closure, gratitude and respect for senior veterans and Rosie the Riveter s. It will last approximately one hour.
When: 1:30 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 7
Where: Alpine Academy gymnasium, 5001 Forest View Ave., Rockford
Admission: Free
‘Life’ holiday art show opening
What: This multimedia art show opening will feature music from The Tom Mac Group and gifts for purchase from artists Norm Knott, Juliane Loftquist, Barbara Bearney and Susan Hurley-Whitacre. That includes a range of ornaments, fabric, jewelry and prints. Theart exhibit runs through Jan. 25.
When: 6 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Friday, Nov. 8
Where: Emmanuel Lutheran Church, 920 Third Ave., Rockford
Admission: Free
Meet the Stars
What: Meet and mingle with the stars of this year’s annual Dancing with the Rockford Stars: Sneaker Gala. Drinks will be served by guest bartenders, and you can donate to the voting campaign of your favorite dance team with all proceeds benefiting Family Counseling Services.
When: 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 7
Where: The Pomodoro, 6500 E. Riverside Blvd., Loves Park
Rockford Art Museum homecoming gala
What: After a year of being closed for renovations, Rockford Art Museum will host a Homecoming Gala fundraiser. The night features food from Abreo, cocktails, a homecoming court and live music from Too Deep.
When: 7 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 9 (6-7 p.m. for early entry ticket to Pep Rally)
Where: Rockford Art Museum, 711 N. Main St., Rockford
Donation: $200 or $250 for Pep Rally
Info/tickets: Go HERE
Cookie fundraiser
What: Quixotic Bakery will host its Warm Cookie Bake fundraiser to support Tinker Swiss Cottage Museum in south Rockford. Order online, have it delivered or walk into the dessert shop on Friday and 20% of the proceeds will go toward the museum.
When: 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. Friday, Nov. 8
Where: Quixotic Bakery, 116 N. Madison St., Rockford
Order: Go HERE
IceHogs have 2 home games
What: The Rockford IceHogs take on the Grand Rapids Griffins on Friday for $2 beer night. Then, they’re back at the BMO Center on Saturday night to take on the Iowa Wild.
When: 7 p.m. Friday, Nov. 8; 7 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 9
Where: BMO Center, 300 Elm St., Rockford
Tickets: Go HERE
Holiday Spectacular
What: Crafters and artists will fill 25,000-square-feet of the Mercyhealth Indoor Sports Center with a variety of handcrafted merchandise ranging from jewelry to pet supplies, woodcrafts, clothing, accessories, floral arrangements, candles, yard and home decor and other items. You can also register to win hourly prizes donated from a variety of the show’s crafters.
When: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 9; 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 10
Where: Mercyhealth Indoor Sports Center, 8800 E. Riverside Blvd., Loves Park
Admission: $5
Tickets: Go HERE
Barking for Bingo
What: Bingo prizes valued at $40 or more, including a $600 Coleman hot tub, will be up for grabs in this event benefiting the nonprofit CARE for PETS. The organization, whose name stands for County Animal Rescue Endowment for Providing Enrichment Through Support, supports pet retention efforts, vaccine, spay and neuter and other services in underserved areas.
When: 1:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 9
Where: Rockford Country Club, 2500 Oxford St., Rockford
Info: Go HERE
Mark Dvorak in concert
What: Singer, guitarist, composer, music historian and educator Mark Dvorak brings his unique sound to Inscape Collective. Admission is first-come, first-served with capacity limited to 50 people.
When: 3 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 9
Where: Inscape Collective, 201 Seventh St., Rockford
Admission: $10 donation suggested
Comedy night with Deanna Ortiz
What: Deanna Ortiz, Chicago Reader’s 2022 and 2023 best standup comic of the year, headlines this week’s show. Featured comics are Jackie Cooper and Joseph Christopher with Marlon Hue hosting.
When: 8 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 9
Where: Hope & Anchor English pub, 5040 N. Second St., Loves Park
Admission: $10
Reservations: Call 815-633-2552
Nitro Circus
What: Nitro Circus brings its gravity-defying show to town with motocross, BMX, skateboard and other extreme sports athletes putting their skills on display.
When: 7:30 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 10
Where: BMO Center, 300 Elm St., Rockford
Tickets: Go HERE
Nurse Blake: Shocked Advised Tour
What: Nurse Blake, who recently performed at the Netflix is a Joke Festival alongside Chelsea Handler and Chris Rock, brings his tour to Rockford.
When: 7 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 10
Where: Coronado Theatre, 314 N. Main St., Rockford
Tickets: Go HERE
Jon Bon Stamos
What: Jon Bon Stamos, a high-energy band that plays rock music with a banjo, plays at Pig Minds Brewing Co.
When: 6 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 9
Where: Pig Minds Brewing Co., 4080 Steele Drive, Machesney Park
Info: Go HERE
The Stevee Nix
What: The Stevee Nix, a Rockford-based band that has been playing together for 20 years, takes the stage at Shattered Saloon.
When: 8 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 9
Where: Shattered Saloon, 5440 N. Second St., Loves Park
Info: 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
