Celebrate the Arts | Womanspace 50th anniversary fundraiser
What: Womanspace will hold its 50th anniversary fundraiser celebrating connection, empowerment, creativity and transformation through the arts. Enjoy a vibrant art raffle featuring work by Rockford artists John Verl McNamara, Bill Burns and Gordie Johnson. There is also a silent auction with works from over 30 artists in the Womanspace community, hors d'oeuvres, and a cash bar. Former TV anchor Whitney Martin of Made for Rockford will emcee the event. All proceeds benefit Womanspace.
When: 5:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 8
Where: The Mauh-Nah-Tee-See Club, 5151 Guilford Road, Rockford
Info/register: Go HERE
Hard Rock gives glimpse inside future event venue as first bride and groom tour the Rockford space
By Kevin Haas
Rock River Current
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- See video inside the space here or embedded below.
ROCKFORD — About a quarter century ago Angie and Jay Maggio celebrated their wedding inside the Clock Tower Resort.
This year, their daughter will celebrate her wedding in the same location, albeit a different venue.
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Gina Maggio and Thomas Ballweg will be the first couple to celebrate their wedding inside the future Hard Rock Live, the 1,600-seat concert and entertainment venue that doubles as a banquet hall and event space at the future casino. The attraction is being built on the site of the former Clock Tower, a resort that operated for about 50 years and was recognized by its 100-foot tall grandfather clock.
"We couldn't be more grateful to have this space and remember this day for the rest of our lives," Gina Maggio said Saturday as she and her fiancé got their first look inside the more than 13,000-square-foot event space.
Maggio and Ballweg's tour of their future wedding space provided an opportunity to show off an early look inside the casino building, which has been under construction since September 2022. Ringland-Johnson Construction, which is leading the project, has completed the majority of the exterior of the facility. The interior is largely in skeletal stages now, but Hard Rock says it's on track to open by Labor Day this year.
Hard Rock Live is primarily a concert venue, but it has motorized retractable stadium seating to make way for banquets and other events. Tables for about 600 to 800 people can be set for conferences, weddings and other events.
"It can be whatever anyone wants it to be," said Lorie Moran, director of food and beverage at Hard Rock Rockford Casino. "We're here to make dreams come true."
The future 180,000-square-foot Hard Rock will have 65,000 square feet of casino space covered with 1,300 slot machines and 44 live table games including six poker tables and a sports book.
Maggio, a hair stylist, and Ballweg, a civil engineer, met about two years ago at his cousin's wedding and hit it off on the dance floor. She added him on social media that night and they've been together ever since. He proposed in August on the beach in Destin, Florida. They're scheduled to marry on Sept 21.
Maggio said they have a large family and needed the big space the Hard Rock Live provides. They're expecting about 500 people.
"It's huge and we're just so grateful to have this space, and we're so grateful to be the first wedding here," she said.
Booking | Hard Rock Live
If you're interested in booking Hard Rock Live for an event, email party@hrcrockford.com.
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
Rockford Area Arts Council to host fundraiser with Fatherless print collective
By Mary Sisk
Rock River Current
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ROCKFORD — The Rockford Area Arts Council is hosting an event in partnership with Fatherless Print Posse to raise funds for grants and art programs.
The event, called Artourage, will take place from 5-10 p.m. Friday at the Fatherless studio, at 727 First Ave., in Midtown.
Artourage will include a cash bar, food trucks and exclusive prints available for donation.
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The collective's artists will be present at the event to answer questions and tour guests around the space.
"We've created a new, exclusive body of work for this event, and will be on hand for discussion and shop tours," said Greg Lang, a member of Fatherless Print Posse. "There will be sounds by local DJs Artista and Slick Vick, as well as food trucks and a cash bar. Come enjoy an evening in our shop and celebrate Rockford’s local art with us."
Fatherless Print Posse was founded in 2010, and was awarded the 2022 Distinguished Artist of the Year at the Rockford Area Arts Awards.
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Know before you go | Artourage
Where: Fatherless Print Posse studio, 727 First Ave., Rockford
When: 5-10 p.m. on Friday, July 29
More information: For additional information visit artsforeveryone.com
This article is by Mary Sisk. Email her at msisk@rockrivercurrent.com or follow her on Instagram at @maryrrcurrent
The Norwegian Artist Lofts is set to show off its North End space with an open-house party
By Mary Sisk
Rock River Current
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ROCKFORD — Tucked above The Norwegian restaurant is a group of business owners and artists who want to connect with customers and bring more activity to the North End neighborhood.
"We want to get people up here and see how pretty the spaces are," said Amy Shenk, owner of Moon Lab Rockford.
Shenk, who moved to the lofts during the pandemic, felt like she wasn't able to have a grand opening for her salon. This inspired her to coordinate a party-like event taking place from 5-9 p.m. on Friday.
"I feel like since I've been here for a year and a half already I missed the bow undoing, like the grand opening," Shenk said. "I want to have a party."
Shenk put together a group of 13 small business owners who invite all to their first open-house party on Friday to encourage shopping local on North Main Street.
There will be family yoga classes in the morning, live tattooing by Mark Meyer, custom henna temporary tattoos by Mahnoor Henna Design, pop-up vintage shops from White Light Mercantile and Winnie Nutter, macrame for sale by Knotty McKnots, new art on the walls by Keelan McMorrow, Inscape Collective and Molly Carter, and snacks from Mrs Buckbee's Wake & Bakery and mixology by Kwesi Talavera.
The event will be hosted by Moon Lab Rockford, Three Ravens Studio and Calm Yoga Studio, who will all have individual activities in their spaces.
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The Norwegian Artist Lofts tenants, located at 1404 N. Main St., share a space above the restaurant. It's a setup that Shenk says is more common in cities like Chicago, but she hopes Rockfordians will learn to like it, too.
"I don't think people in Rockford are used to businesses being off street level," Shenk said. "It's definitely intimidating."
The event is free to attend, but multiple businesses will be accepting donations to charitable causes such as Save Bell Bowl Prairie and the Rock River Valley Food Pantry.
Know before you go
Address: 1404 N. Main St., Rockford.
Event hours: 5-9 p.m., but Calm Yoga Studio will be holding classes throughout the day.
Admission: Admission is free, but featured businesses will be accepting donations to local charities.
This article is by Mary Sisk. Email her at msisk@rockrivercurrent.com or follow her on Instagram at @maryrrcurrent
Sprinkles and Splatters Kids Paint Night
Bring the kids out for a night filled with fun, painting, at Sips and Sprinkles in Belvidere on Thursday, March 25th from 5:30 pm until 7 pm. They will be lead by CSUrban Art while they create their own textured stenciled butterfly or dinosaur.
The admission is $35 per person and it includes canvas, stencil, all painting supplies, AND 1 free scoop of ice cream, any flavor.
Seats will be limited and there will be social distancing. They also ask that you wear your mask. You can purchase tickets and find more information HERE.