By Kevin Haas
Rock River Current
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ROCKFORD — There are plenty of things to do in the Rockford area this week, ranging from comedy and poetry to murder-mystery dinner and classic rock.
This week includes the return of the Rockford Indie Bookstore Crawl, a Led Zeppelin tribute band, a pair of Black History Month performances and the first Fight or Flight Classic.
More things to do: Comedian Shane Gillis is coming to the BMO Center in Rockford in June
If you’re looking for something to do, here are 17 ideas to get you started:
Indie Bookstore Crawl
About: Rockford’s five independent bookstores join forces for the second annual Rockford Indie Bookstore Crawl, which offers deals and prizes at each of the local shops.
When: 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 24
Where:
- The Book Stall, 1032 Crosby St., Rockford
- Drewelow’s House of Books, 3925 E. State St., suite 100, Rockford
- Katie’s Cup, 502 Seventh St., Rockford
- Maze Books, 406 E. State St., Rockford
- Toad Hall, 2106 Broadway
Prizes: Those who visit all five stores with their punch card will have a chance to win a prize worth $25 at each of the five stores, a total value of $125 in merchandise.
Headshot Happy Hour
About: Catalyst Design & Photography is partnering with Ernie’s Midtown Pub for Headshot Happy Hour, a way to get your professional headshot in a fun and relaxed atmosphere. Book for $75 in advance to get one high-resolution head shot and a $10 bar tab, a value of $185. Book by Feb. 20 to lock in the rate. It’s $100 day of the event.
When: 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 21
Where: Ernie’s Midtown Pub, 1025 Fifth Ave., Rockford
Tickets and info: Go HERE
Black History Month celebration
About: The Rockford NAACP will host a Black History Month celebration that showcases youth and teen talent, including performances from Rockford’s official youth poet Trinity Rucker and Auburn High School vocalist Kristina Puzin. The show will include dance, music, poetry and other performing arts.
When: 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 22
Where: Coronado Performing Arts Center, 314 N. Main St., Rockford
Admission: Free
Rockford Home Show
About: The 43rd annual Rockford Home Show allows you to explore new products, concepts, services and other interior and exterior design ideas with various home-improvement experts. There is also entertainment for kids, including magic, balloon-twisting and kids gardening projects, and a wildlife stage show with Hoo Haven.
Where: Indoor Sports Center at Mercyhealth Sportscore Two, 8800 E. Riverside Blvd., Loves Park
When: 2 p.m. to 7 p.m. Friday, Feb. 23; 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 24; 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 25
Admission: $7 for adults; free for children 12 and younger
Info: Go HERE
Fight or Flight Classic
About: The inaugural Fight or Flight Classic features 12 USA Boxing amateur bouts including Golden Gloves and national champions. The event is put on by Plus Seven Co. and Jimmy Goodman of Rockford Patriots Boxing Club. They also put on the annual Rockford Boxing Classic.
When: 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 24
Where: Chicagoland Skydiving Center, 1207 E. Gurler Road, Rochelle
Tickets: $25 general admission; $300 for a table of eight; $500 premium table of eight with all you can drink domestic keg beer, pop or water.
Info: FightOrFlightClassic.com
Performance Art and Black History
About: Cafe RPL will host an evening of performance art and Black History called “If You Don’t Know, Now you Know.” The event was created by local photographer, poet and musician Xen Kingsley. Participating artists include Fligh Jones, Jay Church, Cameron Harris, Nicholas Barelli, Goddess Warrior Poet, Timo Smooth, Tiffany Love, Kelvin Candie and Dame Grant.
When: 5:30 p.m. Friday, Feb. 23
Where: Nordlof Center Black Box Theater, 118 N. Main St., Rockford
Info: Go HERE
Discover Engineering
About: Dozens of professional engineers from local firms will lead hands-on engineering activities for children. Kids can discover interesting jobs, meet high school robotics teams and watch special engineering demonstrations.
Where: Discovery Center, 711 N. Main St., Rockford
When: 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 24
Cost: $10 for general public; free for museum members and children younger than 1
Info: Go HERE
Wander the Wetland
About: Hike Nygren Wetland Preserve on a trail lit by luminaries.
When: 4:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 22
Where: Nygren Wetland Preserve, 3190 W. Rockton Road, Rockton
Registration: Registration is required by Wednesday, Feb. 21. Email kjohnsen@naturalland.org, or call 815-964-6666.
Wine, spirits and beer tasting
About: Artale & Co. hosts its monthly wine, spirits and beer tasting to benefit local nonprofits and other organizations. This month’s beneficiary is Rockford Dance Co.
When: 5:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. Friday, Feb. 23
Where: Artale & Co., 6876 Spring Creek Road, Rockford
Info: Go HERE
Comedy at Hope & Anchor
About: Tom Filline, an elementary school physical education teacher turned stand-up comic, headlines this week’s show. It also features TJ Remec, Laurie Millbourn and Zach Liss.
When: 8 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 24
Where: Hope & Anchor, 545 McKinley Ave., Loves Park
Cost: $10
Reservations: 815-633-2552
Info: Go HERE
Rudy Galindo art show
About: Artist and chef Rudy Galindo will host a solo exhibition at The 662 Collective, a downtown art gallery and small retail shop.
When: 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. Friday, Feb. 23
Where: The 662 Collective, 331 E. State St., Rockford
Murder Mystery at Hidden Creek
About: Hidden Creek Estates, a recent winner of Rockford Region Restaurant Week awards for best experience, will host Death of a Gangster – A Murder Mystery Dinner Experience. Come dressed in 1920s attire and step into a speakeasy for the night to solve the mystery.
When: 5 p.m. Friday, Feb. 23
Where: Hidden Creek Estates, 13276 White School Road, Roscoe
Cost: $100
Info: Go HERE
Hogs at home
About: The Rockford IceHogs have back-to-back home games this weekend, taking on the Texas Stars on Friday and Iowa Wild on Saturday.
Where: BMO Center, 300 Elm St., Rockford
When: 7 p.m. Friday, Feb. 23; 7 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 24
Tickets/info: Go HERE
Get the Led Out
About: Led Zeppelin cover band Get The Led Out brings “A Celebration of the Mighty Zep” back to the Coronado Performing Arts Center stage.
When: 8 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 24
Where: Coronado Performing Arts Center, 314 N. Main St., Rockford
Info/tickets: Go HERE
Dead of Winter
About: Authors Terri Reid, Sylvia Shults and Kathi Kresol will host an evening of haunting stories in this event called “Dead of Winter: True Tales of Things That Go Bump in the Night.”
When: 7 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 24
Where: Ethnic Heritage Museum, 1129 S. Main St., Rockford
Cost: $25
Info: Go HERE
Songs for a New World
About: Writer and composer Jason Robert Brown presents a contemporary song cycle that weaves characters and history together, ranging from the deck of a 1492 Spanish sailing ship to a ledge 57 stories above Fifth Avenue.
When: 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 22 and Friday, Feb. 23; 4 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 24 and 2 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 25
Where: Rockford University Cheek Theatre, Clark Arts Center, 5050 E. State St., Rockford
Tickets/info: Go HERE
Rockford Rage roller derby
About: Rockford Rage Roller Derby takes on Fox Cities in a home bout.
Where: UW Health Sports Factory, 305 S. Madison St., Rockford
When: 6 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 24
Admission: $10
Info: Go HERE
Coming early next week…
Bun E. Carlos at Mary’s
About: Rock & Roll Hall Of Fame drummer Bun E. Carlos returns to Mary’s Place with The Monday Night Band.
When: 7 p.m. Monday, Feb. 26
Where: Mary’s Place, 602 N. Madison St., 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