Winnebago County Calendar

Chronicle Media Staff

Verona String Quartet & Daniel Hsu will appear at the
 Coronado Performing Arts Center April 22

THROUGH MAY 21

 

Simply Spring: The Butterfly Exhibit

Nicholas Conservatory & Garden

1354 N. 2nd St., Rockford

daily except Monday, 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Tuesday through Friday, 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Saturday and Sunday

$6-$8 for adults, discounts for seniors, veterans and youth

Experience the magical world of butterflies by visiting a special butterfly house where you will be surrounded by live butterflies exploring a tropical environment. Information: (815) 987-8858.

 

 

THROUGH MAY 29

 

RAM Exhibition: The Others

Rockford Art Museum

711 N. Main St., Rockford

10 a.m.-5 p.m., daily

$7 adults, $3 students/seniors, free for members and children under 12

The Others explores 50 iconic selections by 44 seminal artists from the 200-piece Francis and June Spiezer Collection of Rockford Art Museum, critically acclaimed as the most significant collection of Chicago art that exists today. The Spiezers also amassed a brilliant grouping of studio glass from around the world. Information: (815) 968-2787.

 

 

APRIL 19

 

Oaks and Us with  William Bryant Logan

Klehm Arboretum and Botanic Garden

2715 S. Main St. Rockford

7 p.m.

free (for member)s, $6 adults, $3 seniors age 62 and up, $3 students with identification.

In a time when the average person thinks of trees as garden ornaments, material for floorboards or obstacles to be removed, it is important to remember that without the trees of the forest – and without oak, in particular – we would not be here. William Bryant Logan’s presentation “Oaks and Us” is a quick look at this millennial relationship between man and tree. Information: (815) 965-8146.
 

Lunch and Lecture Series: Understanding the First World War – A Century Later

 Veterans Memorial Hall

211 N. Main St., Rockford

$12

call for reservations

In the spring of 1914, Europe was a troubled continent, especially in the Balkans where just about anything could set off a spark, that spark as set off on June 28, 1914. First of three monthly Wednesday lectures.  Information: (815) 969-1999.
 

APRIL 20

 

Give Your Garden the Blues

Cherry Valley Public Library

755 E. State St., Cherry Valley

6 p.m.

free

According to the HGTV website, blue is to your garden what black is to your closet—it goes with just about everything. Yet true blue colored flowers are a bit hard to find. Join Beth Edwards, U of I Extension Master Gardener, as she talks about incorporating blue plants and flowers into your garden. Registration: (815) 332-5161.

 

 

Japanese Culture, Arts & Lifestyles

Anderson Japanese Gardens

318 Spring Creek Rd. Rockford

 7 p.m.

free for members, $5 for non-members

The program will feature Japan’s historical influence on its unique and complex culture, and will explain how to identify its various cultural elements in Japanese gardens, languages, movies, cartoons (anime), graphic novels (magna), food and arts.  Information: (815) 229-9390.
 

APRIL 20-22

 

From Minks to Sinks

 Midway Village Museum

 6799 Guilford Rd., Rockford

$5 Thursday preview  free on Friday and Saturday

Preview night includes a snack in the foyer with a chance to shop ahead of many others. Find a new treasure to take home. Featured items are books, collectibles, furniture, gardening supplies, holiday decorations, knickknacks, small appliances, toys, tools, and much much more. With a $25 purchase, visitors will be given a free Rockford poster from the gift shop. Information: (815) 397-9112.
 

APRIL 21

 

22nd Annual Research Day

UIC Health Sciences Campus 

1601 Parkview Ave., Rockford

9:15 a.m.-12:30 p.m.

free

Keynote Address at 9:15 am is “How to Heal Perfectly: A Blueprint for Skin Regeneration,” delivered by Luisa DiPietro, DDS, PhD, Associate Vice Chancellor for Research, Professor of Periodontics, UIC College of Dentistry.  A panel discussion follows at 11 a.m. – “Regenerative Medicine: Implications for Clinical Practice & Research.”  Information:  (815) 395-5649.
26th Annual RAMI Awards, presented By Rockford Area Music Industry

Tebala Event Center

7910 Newburg Rd., Rockford

7 p.m.

$10 for individuals, RAMI members free

Celebrate 26 years of the RAMIs, listen to some great music, and cheer on the winners.
 

Night Hikes

Severson Dells Nature Center

8786 Montague Rd., Rockford

7 p.m

free (donations welcome)

Enjoy a walk in the woods at Severson Dells at night. Learn about the nocturnal creatures that call this place home. Feel free to bring a small flashlight. Information and registration: 815-335-2915
Rockford Chamber Players’ Brass Quintet

Mendelssohn Performing Arts Center

406 N. Main St., Rockford

7:30 .m.

$25 adult, $5 students

The final program of Mendelssohn Performing Arts Center’s 2016-2017 Main Stage Concert Season features the Rockford Chamber Players’ Brass Quintet assisted by organist Jean Anderson and percussionist Jon Mortensen. Information: (815) 964-9713.
 

APRIL 21-22

 

Spring ArtScene

presented by Rockford Area Arts Council at various locations

free

5-9 p.m. Friday, 4-9 p.m. Saturday.

ArtScene in late April brings out thousands of art-lovers to galleries and studios all over town, to enjoy new exhibits of original works. ArtScene attracts many fans because it’s free, and it’s fun for both the browser and the buyer. Information: (815) 963-6765
 

 

APRIL 21-30

 

She Kills Monsters, presented By Pastics Age Productions

 Nordlof Center, Black Box Theatre

118 N. Main St., Rockford

8 p.m. Friday and Saturday, 2 p.m. Sunday

$12

This high-octane dramatic comedy is laden with homicidal fairies, nasty ogres, and 90s pop culture, acclaimed young playwright Qui Nguyen offers a heart-pounding homage to the geek and warrior within us all. Information: (815) 987-6660.

 

APRIL 22

 

Earth Day Hike

 Severson Dells Nature Center

8786 Montague Rd., Rockford

9:30 a.m.

free, registration required.

Come and celebrate Earth Day at Severson Dells with a guided hike and appreciation led by Ann Wasser. .Donations appreciated). Information and registration: (815) 335-2915.

 

International Food Festival 2017

Burpee Student Center, Rockford University

5050 E. State, Rockford

Sponsored by Rockford University’s Multicultural Club and the Office of Global Affairs, the International Food Festival will feature a wide variety of international dishes for the University’s 10th annual International Food Festival in Regents Hall, 2nd floor. Information: (815) 226-4000.
 

Verona String Quartet & Daniel Hsu

 Coronado Performing Arts Center

314 N. Main St. Rockford

7:30 p.m.

$20-$25

Formed in 2013 at Indiana University, in less than three years, the quartet has set themselves apart as one of the most compelling young quartets in chamber music: “sensational, powerhouse performance,” according to Classical Voice America. Information: (815) 968-0595.
 

APRIL 23

 

40th Annual Spring Classic

Rockford Speedway

9572 Forest Hills Rd., Loves Park

1 p.m., gates open at 11 a.m.

$20 adults, $6 children ages 6-11, free under age 5

The event feature the Big 8 Late Model Series, Mid-American Stock Car Series and INEX Legends, with an 88 lap Big 8 Late Model Series feature highlighting the afternoon. Information: (815) 633-1500.