It’s Valentine’s weekend. Here are things to do in Rockford whether you have a sweetheart or not
By Kevin Haas
Rock River Current
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ROCKFORD — This weekend there are plenty of things to do around the Rockford area whether you have a Valentine or not.
There are date night activities on Friday for Valentine’s Day, events to celebrate friendship for Galentine’s Day and things to do such as live music, sports and comedy that need no occasion.
Related: A positive spin | SoulJah Wellness in Rockford focuses on uplifting classes for mind and body
Here are 18 things to do this Valentine’s Day weekend.
Impressionists: Immersive Exhibition
What: Experience the work of Impressionist artists such a as Claude Monet, Pierre-Auguste Renoir and Paul Cézanne in a new way at this interactive exhibit brought to Rockford by the Discovery Center Museum and Rockford Art Museum. Visuals and soundscapes will be displayed on a 2,500-square-foot screen enhanced by music and narration in both English and Spanish. There will be interactive learning panels covering color theory and art history and social media friendly installations perfect for selfies.
Where: Discovery Center Museum Woodward Hall, 711 N. Main St., Rockford
When: 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 12; 9:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 13 and Friday, Feb. 14; 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 15, Sunday, Feb. 16 and Monday, Feb. 17. The exhibit runs through May 11. See complete hours HERE.
Cost: $20 members; $25 general public; $10 for members 17 and younger; $13 for general public 17 and younger. Tickets sold at door.
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. 13
Info: Go HERE
Balloon pottery workshop
What: Three Ravens Pottery in Midtown will lead you through a Valentine’s twist on clay crafting. You’ll build your own clay balloon that looks like a shiny mylar decoration. The demonstration will be a heart-shaped balloon, and you can add your own touches for Valentine’s Day.
When: 6 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 13
Where: Three Ravens Pottery, 1009 Fifth Ave., Rockford
Cost: $45
Info: Go HERE
Chick Flick Trivia
What: Grab your best friend for a Galentine’s Day chick flick trivia and paint night. Questions will come from classic chick flicks such as “The Notebook,” “Legally Blonde” and “Mean Girls,” among many others, while you paint pottery. The event is for trivia buffs or novices to celebrate friendship, laughter and creativity.
When: 6:30 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 13
Where: The Pottery Lounge, 312 N. Alpine Road, suite 104
Cost: $10
Info: Go HERE
Little Scientists: Temperature and Tiny Things
What: Children ages 4-5, their siblings and their caretakers are invited to investigate the beauty of tiny things and the impact of temperature. The event includes an outdoor nature walk and indoor storytime and snacks.
When: 10:30 a.m. to noon Thursday, Feb. 13
Where: Nature at The Confluence, 306 Dickop St., South Beloit
Cost: $8 per child
Info: Go HERE
The Frontmen Live
What: The Frontmen features the voices of 90s country icons Richie McDonald of Lonestar, Larry Stewart of Restless Heart and Tim Rushlow of Little Texas. The trio has sold more than 30 million records collectively and had more than 30 major country hits.
When: 7 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 13
Where: Hard Rock Casino Rockford, 7801 E. State St., Rockford
Cost: Tickets start at $20
Info: Go HERE
Love-A-Gogh-Gogh: A Valentine’s Date Night
What: This Valentine’s Day date night event invites you to explore “Homecoming: In Color,” featuring more than 50 permanent collections artists, while indulging in a wine tasting by Artale Wine Co. and enjoying signature chocolate from Cacao Cuvée. You’ll also create handmade valentines and can experience the Impressionists: Immersive Exhibition at Discovery Center.
When: 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Friday, Feb. 14
Where: Rockford Art Museum, 711 N. Main St., Rockford
Cost: $40; $35 for Rockford Art Museum members
Info: Go HERE
An Evening with Kevn Kinney & Bobby Bare
What: Kevn Kinney and Bobby Bare Jr. collaborate for a night of Americana rock and storytelling. Kinney is the lead singer and songwriter of the Atlanta-based rock band Drivin N Cryin, which recently released its nine studio album, “Live the Love Beautiful.” Bare, the son of country musician Bobby Bare, is a singer-songwriter who has released solo albums as well as work with his band, Bare Jr. He is also a member of the band Guided By Voices, playing guitar and singing backup vocals with them since 2016.
When: 8 p.m. Friday, Feb. 14
Where: The Music Box Rockford, 218 E. State St., Rockford
Tickets: From $31.42
Info: Go HERE
Anastasiya Squires & Stephen Squires
What: The internationally-recognized flute and piano duo of Anastasiya Squire and Stephen Squires will put on a varied program including music from Anastasiya’s native Ukraine. Mozart, Ravel, Gershwin, and Lloyd Webber will round out the program.
When: 7:30 p.m. Friday, Feb. 14
Where: Mendelssohn Performing Arts Center, 415 N. Church St., Rockford
Cost: $21 in advance; $25 at the door; $6 student
Info: Go HERE
Love is in the Air with Trinadora
What: Celebrate Valentine’s Day with live music by Trinadora that sets the mood for love. The performance is paired with Los Cocos Locos of Alvarez’s Lovers Dinner Special dinner for two for $59.99. There is no cover charge.
Where: Los Cocos Locos of Alvarez, 205 E. Riverside Blvd., Loves Park
When: 6 p.m. Friday, Feb. 14
Info: Go HERE
Marlon Wayans Wild Child Tour
What: Actor, producer, director and comedian Marlon Wayans brings his Wild Child Tour to Hard Rock Live. Wayans stand-up tour comes after wrapping production on Sofia Coppola’s movie “On the Rocks,” also starring Rashida Jones and Bill Murray.
When: 7 p.m. Friday, Feb. 14
Where: Hard Rock Casino Rockford, 7801 E. State St., Rockford
Cost: Tickets start at $69
Info: Go HERE
Comedy at El Paraiso
What: Comedy night at El Paraiso Lumbre Y Mar features Ken Hamlett, Joseph Christopher and Marshall Loether. The show is hosted by Marcos Lara. There is no cover charge for the show.
When: 8 p.m. Friday, Feb. 14
Where: El Paraiso Lumbre Y Mar, 5518 N. Second St., Loves Park
Info: Go HERE
2 chances to see the Hogs
What: The Rockford IceHogs take on the rival Chicago Wolves on Valentine’s Day for $2 beer and soft drink night. Then, on Saturday, the Hogs face off against the Springfield Thunderbirds. Bryan Bickell will be inducted into the IceHogs Ring of Honor on Saturday. The former forward, whose diagnosis of multiple sclerosis led to the formation of a foundation that extended his impact on the community off the ice, is the fourth member of the Hogs Ring of Honor.
When: 7 p.m. Friday, Feb. 14 and 7 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 15
Where: BMO Center, 300 Elm St., Rockford
Tickets: Go HERE
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. 14; 8 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 15; 4 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 16
Where: West Side Show Room, 1414 N. Main St., Rockford
Tickets: Free; reserve them HERE
Cleta’s Stay & Sew Fashion Show
What: Students from Cleta’s Stay & Sew will showcase their hand-sewn fashion designs.
When: 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 15
Where: Ethnic Heritage Museum, 1129 S. Main St., Rockford
Info: 815-962-7402; ethnicheritagemuseum.org
Furball 2025
What: PAWS Humane Society of Rockford hosts its annual Furball fundraiser. The theme for this year’s fundraiser is PAWfection in Purple, and it features dinner catered by Greenfire Restaurant.
When: 5:30 p.m. to 10 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 15
Where: Tebala Event Center, 7910 Newburg Road, Cherry Valley
Cost: $75 individual ticket; $560 for a table of eight
Info: Go HERE
Comedy at Hope & Anchor
What: Katie Meiners, a Chicago-based comic and regular at clubs such as Zanies, Helium and the Improv, headlines this week’s show at Hope & Anchor. The show also features Yoni Heisler, Tim Brennan and is hosted by Big Al.
When: 8 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 15
Where: Hope & Anchor, 5040 N. Second St., Loves Park
Cost: $10; call 815-633-2552 to reserve seats
Golden Girls Brunch
What: Ernie’s Midtown Pub hosts this brunch special themed around “The Golden Girls,” the 1980s-era sitcom centered around Dorothy, Blanche, Rose, and Sophia. Dress as your favorite Golden Girl and enjoy cheesecake from CheeseKake Ko. and cocktails.
When: 10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 16
Where: Ernie’s Midtown Pub, 1025 Fifth Ave., Rockford
Info: Go HERE
This article is by Kevin Haas. Email him at khaas@rockrivercurrent.com or follow him on Twitter at @KevinMHaas or Instagram @thekevinhaas.
