Winnebago County Calendar
Chronicle Media Staff — April 18, 2017THROUGH 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
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
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
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
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
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
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.