An immersive way to experience Impressionist art – and 20 other ideas for fun this week in Rockford
By Kevin Haas
Rock River Current
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ROCKFORD — An immersive exhibit opening this weekend at Discovery Center Museum gives you a new way to experience the work of Impressionist artists such as Vincent Van Gogh, Edgar Degas and Claude Monet.
Impressionists: Immersive Exhibition makes its Midwest debut, starting with a special preview party Friday night. The exhibit, which was brought here through a partnership between the Discovery Center and Rockford Art Museum, the runs Saturday through May 11. (More info below and HERE)
More news: 815 Ale Fest brings together breweries for a celebration of craft brews in Rockford
The new exhibit is one of of a multitude of things to do this weekend, ranging from acrobatics to dance, comedy, music and a winter bike ride.
Here are 20 ideas for fun this week and weekend in the Rockford area.
Emily’s Birthday Open Mic
What: Emily Hurd, owner of The Norwegian, will host an open mic to create music, raise cheer and do good work. The kitchen will be closed but the bar is open and there will be complimentary birthday cake. The cost of admission is a new or gently used article of clothing. Donations are going to The Liam Foundation. The event is hosted by Winnie Nutter and The Norwegian.
Where: The Norwegian, 1402 N. Main St., Rockford
When: 5:30 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 5
Info: Go HERE
‘No Small Matter’ screening
What: Alignment Rockford and Nature at the Confluence will host a screening of “No Small Matter,” a feature documentary that explores the power of early education. A panel discussion featuring state and regional early childhood experts will follow the screening. Panel members are Jaclyn Vasquez, an early childhood consultant and facilitator, Livia Bane, regional council manager for Region 4 Birth to Five Illinois, and Emily Klonicki, executive director of Alignment Rockford.
When: 5:30 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 5
Where: Nature at the Confluence, 306 Dickop St., South Beloit
Cost: The screening is free, but registration is required. Register HERE
Cirque du Soleil: Crystal
What: World-class ice skaters and acrobats challenge the laws of gravity with this imaginative and visually immersive show. The performances are set against a backdrop of visual projections and a soundtrack that blends popular music with the sound of Cirque du Soleil.
When: 7 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 6; 7 p.m. Friday, Feb. 7; 3 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 8; 7 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 8; 1 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 9
Where: BMO Center, 300 Elm St., Rockford
Tickets/info: Go HERE
Black Kid Magic Storytime
What: Rockford Public Library is putting on this Black History Month storytime event featuring books that celebrate the stories and culture of Black kids.
Where: Rockford Public Library, room 115 B, 215 N. Wyman St., Rockford
When: 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. Thursday, Feb. 6
Info: Go HERE
Impressionists preview party
What: The Midwestern debut of “Impressionists: Immersive Exhibition” will kick off Friday with a special preview event. The exhibit takes a comprehensive look at the entire artistic movement through an exhibit that surrounds you and takes you through the artists’ work. It features 3D panels, selfie sets and other forms of multimedia designed to bring you into works by Van Gogh, Monet, Renoir, Morisot, Degas, Cézanne and others. The ticketed special exhibit will be open Feb. 8 through May 11, with a special preview party on Feb. 7.
When: 6 p.m. Friday, Feb. 7
Where: Discovery Center Museum’s Woodward Hall, 711 N. Main St., Rockford
Cost: $75
Info/tickets: Go HERE
Yeti Fest
What: The annual Rockton Yeti Fest has multiple components over four days, including a hot chocolate crawl, snow sculpting competition, scavenger hunt, onsie pub crawl, yeti dance party and dog sledding.
When: Wednesday, Feb. 4 through Saturday, Feb. 8
Where: Downtown Rockton
Information/schedule: Go HERE
Lucha Cantina comedy night
What: Milwaukee-based comedian Raegan Niemela headlines this month’s stand-up comedy night. It’s hosted by Kat Diaz with opening sets from Luis Arevalo and Bryan Leconte.
When: 7:30 p.m. Friday, Feb. 7
Where: Lucha Cantina, 1641 N. Alpine Road, Rockford
Tickets: $10
Reservations: Call 815-977-4319 during business hours or email joshua@lucharockford.com to reserve your table.
Dance Theater
What: The (Futile) Search For Equilibrium explores daily movement and how each interaction adds to or subtracts from our “cup”— our sense of peace, balance, and well-being. The goal is equilibrium, or a “filled cup.” This extended-run modern dance show uses space and objects as a creative springboard to create unique dance entertainment.
When: 8 p.m. Friday, Feb. 7; 8 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 8; 4 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 9 (show run continues at same times Feb. 14-16)
Where: West Side Show Room, 1414 N. Main St., Rockford
Tickets: Free; reserve them HERE
Til Death Do Us Part
What: This special event looks at love in the animal kingdom while you celebrate the love of the people that mean the most to you. Give a few friendly pats to a scaled critter in its reptile booth, create your own bird-inspired mating dance or tour through the historic Barnes Mansion for a few romantic photo ops.
When: 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 8
Where: Burpee Museum of Natural History, 737 N. Main St., Rockford
Cost: $17 non-members; free for members
Register: Go HERE
Face 2 Face Live
What: Face 2 Face brings dual tribute artists honoring Elton John and Billy Joel on stage, taking turns on a piano. Levittown, New York, native Mike Santoro and Ronnie Smith trade the spotlight to bring audiences the best of both artists.
When: 8 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 8
Where: Coronado Theater, 314 N. Main St., Rockford
Info/tickets: Go HERE
Cheers to the Arts
What: Artale Wine Co. will host an evening wine-tasting with more than two dozen wines with funds raised benefiting the Rockford Area Arts Council.
When: 5:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. Friday, Feb. 7
Where: Artale Wine Co., 7876 Spring Creek Road, suite No. 128, Rockford
Cost: $20
Info: Go HERE
Hope & Anchor comedy night
What: Comedian Sohrab Forouzesh – a Chicago-based comic who’s a regular at the Laugh Factory, Comedy Bar and Zanies Comedy Club – headlines stand-up comedy night. The show is hosted by suburban comedian Tony Lisowski and also features Casey Larwood and AJ Leidig.
When: 8 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 8
Where: Hope & Anchor English Pub, 5040 N. Second St., Loves Park
How much: $10; call 815-633-2552 to reserve a table
Fat Bike Bonanza
What: Olympic Tavern will host its second annual midwinter bike ride, Fat Bike Bonanza. It starts with a casual ride around Atwood Trails at 10 a.m. (bring those mountainbikes and fat tires). Then, pack it up and head to the Olympic Tavern for a post party at 1 p.m. with Revolution Brewing.
Where: Atwood Park, 7074 Rydberg Road, Rockford; and Olympic Tavern, 2327 N. Main St., Rockford
When: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 8
Info: Go HERE
Valentine’s Shop Hop
What: Shop special Valentine’s sales at Elora Home Interiors, Inferno Clay Studio, Lucette Holistic Salon, and SRM Prints Studio.
When: 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 8
Where: Various in downtown Rockford
Info: Go HERE
Gospel Brunch
What: The Rockford Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority will hold its 14th annual Gospel Brunch fundraiser, featuring gospel musicians, soloists, praise teams and “the best brunch this side of heaven.”
When: 10 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 8
Where: Embassy Suites by Hilton Rockford Riverfront, 416 S. Main St., Rockford
Tickets and info: Go HERE
Jon Bon Stamos
What: Five-piece “stolk folk” band, think rock and roll but with a banjo, Jon Bon Stamos performs at Pig Minds Brewing Co.
When: 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 8
Where: Pig Minds Brewing Co., 4080 Steele Drive, Machesney Park
We Love Hidden Treasures
What: Enjoy complimentary pink mimosas from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. while exploring a range of collectibles, seasonal items, vintage goods and other merchandise.
When: 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 8
Where: Hidden Treasures, 6329 N. Second St., Loves Park
Info: Go HERE
Music at Mary’s Place
What: Fish Head & The Bones, Super Brick, and Mirabilia team up to rock the stage at Mary’s Place in downtown.
When: 8:30 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 8
Where: Mary’s Place, 602 N. Madison St., Rockford
YMCA Daughter Dance
What: Daughters are invited to bring their dads, grandpas, uncles or any other cherished adult for a night of dancing, fun photo booth moments and refreshments. Each daughter receives a special corsage.
When: 6 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 8
Where: Northeast Family YMCA, 8451 Orth Road, Loves Park
Cost: $30 per pair and $15 for each additional sibling for members; $60 per couple and $30 for each additional sibling for non-members
Sunday Travelogues
What: Travel to far off places without leaving Rockford. This week’s Travelogues series takes you no a scenic trip through the Swiss Alps to the Italian Dolomites through photos with travel tips and tricks.
When: 1 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 9
Where: Severson Dells Nature Center, 8786 Montague Road, Rockford
Admission: Free, registration required 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
