20 ideas for weekend fun in the Rockford area | Fab Four, Dru Hill, Boozy Book Fair and more
By Kevin Haas
Rock River Current
Get our mobile app
ROCKFORD — This weekend is filled with music, theater and a host of other opportunities for fun in the Rockford area.
You can see Dru Hill, which topped the charts in the 1990s, or throwback even further with a Beatles tribute band. There’s also local and regional bands, comedy, shopping, outdoor activities and more.
Here are 20 ideas for weekend fun:
An Evening with Meredith Crawford
What: Texas-based singer and songwriter Meredith Crawford will share stories and music that delves into our emotions.
When: 7:30 p.m. Thursday, March 27
Where: The Music Box Rockford, 218 E. State St., Rockford
Cost: Free
Reserve tickets: Go HERE
Movie Night: Kusama Infinity
What: Rockford Art Museum will put a spotlight on Yayoi Kusama, a celebrated Japanese artist known for her polka dots and her infinity mirror room installations. The documentary tells the story of Kusama growing up during World War II in a family that discouraged her creative ambitions, and dealing with sexism and racism in the art establishment.
When: 6 p.m. Friday, March 28
How much: $5 (free for museum members)
Where: Riverfront Museum Park theater, 711 N. Main St., Rockford
Info: Go HERE
IceHogs back-to-back
What: The Rockford IceHogs play the Manitoba Moose on both Friday and Saturday night at home. Friday is $2 beer and soft drink night with 104.9 The X and Saturday is Women in Hockey Night with a Kendall Coyne Schofield bobblehead giveaway for the first 2,500 fans.
When: 7 p.m. Friday, March 28 and Saturday, March 29
Where: BMO Center, 300 Elm St., Rockford
Tickets: Go HERE
RVC Music Festival
What: Rock Valley College will host a two-day music festival designed to provide a hands-on introduction to music theater. Attendees can explore singing, acting and choreography with a special emphasis on storytelling. The two days of workshops culminate in a performance on Saturday afternoon.
When: 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. Friday, March 28; 10 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Saturday, March 29 with a performance at 2:30 p.m. Saturday
Cost: free
Register: Go HERE
An evening with Cruz Contreras
What: Cruz Contreras of The Black Lillies is a multi-instrumentalist, vocalist, songwriter, and producer with roots in Tennessee and Michigan.
When: 8 p.m. Friday, March 28
Where: The Music Box Rockford, 218 E. State St., Rockford
Cost: $25.14
Tickets: Go HERE
1950s Party
What: Inscape Collective is hosting a special 1950s party featuring ’50s music from The Trinadora Rocks Band, era-themed hors d’oeuvres, raffles, a silent auction and several other fun activities. You’re encouraged to wear 1950s attire to the fundraiser.
When: 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. Saturday, March 29
Where: Inscape Collective, 201 Seventh St., Rockford
Admission: $25
Tickets/info: Go HERE
Dru Hill at Hard Rock
What: Dru Hill and special guest Case bring their tour to Rockford. The R&B group formed in the 1990s and topped the Billboard Music charts multiple times, selling more than 40 million records worldwide. Some of their hits include “Tell Me,” “In My Bed,” “Never Make a Promise,” and “How Deep Is Your Love.”
When: 7 p.m. Saturday, March 29
Where: Hard Rock Casino Rockford, 7801 E. State St., Rockford
Tickets/info: Go HERE
Rock River Valley Train Show
What: The Rock River Valley Train Show boasts over 1 acre of family fun including door prizes and new and uses operating layouts. The event is put on by the Rock River Valley Division of the National Model Railroad Association.
When: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, March 29, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday, March 30
Where: Harlem High School, 9229 N. Alpine Road, Machesney Park
Cost: $5 (kids enter free)
Info: Go HERE
Boozy Book Fair
What: An old school book fair but with beer served up by Pig Minds Brewing Co.
When: Noon to 5 p.m. Saturday, March 29
Where: Pig Minds Brewing Co., 4080 Steele Drive, Machesney Park
Info: Go HERE
The ultimate Beatles tribute
What: The Fab Four Ultimate Beatles Tribute brings its new tour to Rockford, this time it celebrates the band’s first visit to the USA. The stage performance includes three costume changes representing every era of the Beatles career.
When: 7:30 p.m. Saturday, March 29
Where: Coronado Theatre, 314 N. Main St., Rockford
Tickets/info: Go HERE
Goat hike, snuggle session
What: Gretta’s Goats in Pecatonica will host two events this weekend, the first is a peaceful 1-mile hike on Saturday with its miniature goats. The hike takes about an hour. The second is a snuggle session to relax and find peace of mind with the baby goats.
When: 11 a.m. Saturday, March 29 (hike); 10 a.m. Sunday, March 30 (snuggle session)
Cost: $20 (hike); $21 (snuggle)
Spring Pop-Up Shop
What: Wit and Co. and Covet & Ginger, two makers from Milwaukee, will bring handmade ceramics, prints, hand-painted leather goods and more to this pop-up shopping event.
When: 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, March 29
Where: SRM Prints, 330 E. State St., Rockford
Info: Go HERE
‘Dontrell, Who Kissed The Sea’
What: The West Side Show Room and Eight Fifteen Capital are bringing “Dontrell, Who Kissed the Sea” from playwright and screenwriter Nathan Alan Davis to the stage. The poetic coming-of-age comedy tells the story tells the story of 18-year-old Dontrell Jones III as he sets out on a quest to the Atlantic Ocean in search of an ancestor who disappeared overboard during the Middle Passage.
When: March 21-April 6 (This weekend’s showtimes are 8 p.m. Friday, March 28, Saturday March 29 and 4 p.m. Sunday, March 30)
Where: The West Side Show Room, 1414 N. Main St., Rockford
Reserve tickets: wssr.org
Comedy at Hope & Anchor
What: Abi Sanchez brings his deadpan comedic delivery to Loves Park. Sanchez has performed at the Just For Laughs festival in Montreal and was showcased on Kevin Hart’s LOL Network. Opening acts are Marlon Hue, Tony B. Cruz and Leyla Ingalls.
When: 8 p.m. Saturday, March 29
Where: Hope & Anchor English Pub, 5040 N. Second St., Rockford
Cost: $10
Tickets: Call 815-633-2552 to reserve a table
Info: Go HERE
The Handcuffs and Dirty Fishnet Stockings
What: Chicago-based band The Handcuffs, featuring Brad Elvis of The Romantics and The Elvis Brothers on drums, will perform in this show also featuring Rockford favorites Dirty Fishnet Stockings.
When: 8 p.m. Saturday, March 29
Where: Mary’s Place, 602 N. Madison St., Rockford
Info: Go HERE
Scotch Cocktail Class
What: Learn to make cocktails with Scotch whisky, one of the most distinguished and unique spirits in the world. Salt’s mixologists will walk you through The Penicillin, the Churchill, and a Royal Balmoral Punch.
When: 1:30 p.m. Saturday, March 29
Where: Salt, 6860 Spring Creek Road, Rockford
Cost: $75
Info: Go HERE
An evening with Mike Mangione
What: Singer-songwriter Mike Mangione will put on his latest album, produced by Larry Campbell, the late Levon Helm’s Grammy-winning music director and producer.
When: 8 p.m. Saturday, March 29
Where: The Music Box Rockford, 218 E. State St., Rockford
Cost: $18.85
Info/tickets: Go HERE
Dirty Dancing in concert
What: A complete screening of the digitally remastered film will play as a band and singers perform the soundtrack live and in sync with the film.
When: 6 p.m. Sunday, March 30
Where: Coronado Theatre, 314 N. Main St., Rockford
Info/tickets: Go HERE
Wedding expo
What: Browse a curated list of top wedding professionals, florists, photographers, venues and DJS to plan your wedding.
When: Noon to 3 p.m. Sunday, March 30
Where: Union Event Space, 112 N. Second St., Rockford
Info: Go HERE
Community Yoga for Healing and Peace
What: This free class explores the healing power of yoga with movements that allow you to let go and cultivate presence.
When: 1 p.m. Sunday, March 30
Where: Womanspace, 3333 Maria Linden Drive, Rockford
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
