By Kevin Haas
Rock River Current
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ROCKFORD — PaleoFest, the annual celebration of the study of ancient life, is back at the Burpee Museum of Natural History this weekend.
Or, you could have a smashing time with Hot Wheels monster trucks, catch a touring band or comedian, or a local art exhibition.
Here are a dozen ideas for things to do in the Rockford area this week, plus a few ideas to get you ahead of schedule for next week:
Hot Wheels monster trucks
About: Hot Wheels Monster Trucks Live Glow Party is coming to Rockford for four performances that shine through the dark. The shows will feature a laser light show, theatrical effects, dance parties and toy giveaways. There is also a special transforming robot and performances by the high-flying motocross team.
When:
- 7: 30 p.m. Friday, March 1 (4:30 p.m. VIP, 5 p.m. Crash Zone)
- 12:30 p.m. Saturday, March 2 (9:30 a.m. VIP, 10 a.m. Crash Zone)
- 7:30 p.m. Saturday, March 2 (4:30 p.m. VIP, 5 p.m. Crash Zone)
- 2:30 p.m. Sunday, March 3 (11:30 a.m. VIP; Noon Crash Zone)
Where: BMO Center, 300 Elm St., Rockford
Tickets: Go HERE
PaleoFest
About: PaleoFest, Burpee Museum of Natural History’s annual celebration of paleontology, allows kids and families to explore the world of dinosaurs and fossils. There are daytime presentations, workshops, Paleo Passport stations and Art of the Earth classes.
When: 5:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. Friday, March 1 (museum members only); 8 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. Saturday, March 2; 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday, March 3
Where: Burpee Museum of Natural History, 737 N. Main St., Rockford
Cost: $15 ($13 for members); $13 for youth ages 4-12 ($2 for youth members); free for children younger than 3
Info/schedule of events: burpee.org/paleofest
Three Dog Night
About: Three Dog Night is returning to Rockford after postponing it Oct. 7 show here. The band, which has been touring for roughly five decades, has performed in thousands of shows including two Super Bowls.
When: 7:30 p.m. Saturday, March 2
Where: Coronado Performing Arts Center, 314 N. Main St., Rockford
Tickets: Go HERE; prices start at $46
Framed Composition
About: This group exhibition at 317 Art Collaborative challenged nearly 20 area artists to pick some of their favorite and most iconic scenes from film or television and reproduce them in their own unique styles.
When: 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. Friday, March 1
Where: 317 Art Collaborative, 317 Market St., Rockford
More info: Go HERE
Trinadora at Stockholm Inn
About: The Trinadora Duo of Janel Nelson and Ron Holm select from a dozen instruments to accompany their vocals. They have an eclectic mix of pop, vintage, country, jazz, Latin, folk, Celtic, gospel and other musical styles.
When: 5 p.m. Saturday, March 2
Where: Stockholm Inn, 2420 Charles St., Rockford
Info: trinadora.com
Vintage Shop Hop
About: The Vintage Shop Hop is a self-guided event to encourage shopping at vintage and antique shops in northern Illinois and southern Wisconsin. There are more than 400 shops participating.
When: Friday, March 1 and Saturday, March 2
Info: Go HERE
Maple syrup hike
About: Farmers Rising, formerly Angelic Organics Learning Center, will teach about the history and art of making maple syrup. You will also take a guided hike through the woodlands and have a pancake breakfast topped with locally sourced maple syrup.
Where: Farmers Rising, 1936 Rockton Road, Caledonia
Cost: $15 per person; $35 per family
Info: Go HERE
Three Good Men and a beer
About: Three Good Men, an acoustic spin-off of the northern Illinois band Men of Our Times, performs at Hairy Cow Brewing Co.
When: 6 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 29
Where: Hairy Cow Brewing Co., 110 S. Peru St., Byron
Info: Go HERE
Comedy at Lucha Cantina
About: Comedian Vik Pandya headlines this monthly comedy show. Featured comedians are Kadeem Fuller, Michael Palmenderi and host Laura Hugg.
When: 7:30 p.m. Friday, March 1
Where: Lucha Cantina, 1643 N. Alpine Road
Cost: $10
Reservations/info: Call 815-977-4319 or email joshua@lucharockford.com
Music at Mary’s Place
About: Four bands – Joie De Vivre, Clementine, Prairie Smoke, and Left Handed Books – perform this week.
Where: Mary’s Place, 602 N. Madison St., Rockford
When: 8 p.m. Saturday, March 2
Info: Go HERE
Spring festival and market
About: Katie’s Cup will host a morning of food, coffee and a variety of market vendors with music from Emerald Winds.
When: 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, March 2
Where: Katie’s Cup, 502 Seventh St., Rockford
Info: Go HERE
The Chris O’Leary Band
About: Chris O’Leary, whose background includes lead singer duties for The Barnburners, is bringing his band from New York to Rockford for a special Sunday night show.
When: 7 p.m. Sunday, March 3
Where: Mary’s Place, 602 N. Madison St., Rockford
Info: Go HERE
Coming next week ….
Soar Awards 2024
About: The annual Soar Awards, gospel music’s second-largest award show, will honor Marvin Sapp, Ricky Dillard, Travis Greene and Kim Burrell this year. There are performances from a multitude of gospel artists, and the event is being recorded for national TV.
Where: Coronado Performing Arts Center, 314 N. Main St., Rockford
When: 7 p.m. Monday, March 4 (pre-show begins at 5:30 p.m.)
Tickets: Go to Ticketmaster.com
Dead Man’s Cell Phone
About: “Dead Man’s Cell Phone” is a comic-noir about Jean, a woman who follows a ringing cell phone down a rabbit hole of adventure into a mysterious man’s life.
When: Friday, March 8 through Saturday, March 23
Where: West Side Show Room, 1414 N. Main St., Rockford
Tickets: Available now 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