Rockford Art Museum

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 Mu-seum, 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.

THROUGH APRIL 30

She Kills Monsters, presented By Plastic 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.

THROUGH MAY 7

One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest, presented by Pec Playhouse Theatre

314 Main St., Pecatonica

8 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays, 2 p.m. Sundays

$14

Classic drama is rated “adult” due to language. Information: (815) 239-1210.

APRIL 26

31st Annual Caritas Luncheon: Laughter…the Sound of Children

presented By Caritas, Auxiliary of Rockford Catholic Charities

Giovanni’s Restaurant & Conference Center

610 N. Bell School Rd., Rockford

$40

doors open 10:30 a.m., luncheon and program begin at 11:45 a.m.

The event features a silent auc-tion and a raffle with four prizes: $1000, a dining package of gift cards to a number of local restaurants, a $300 Amazon gift card, and an iPad mini 4. The featured entertainer is comedian Sally Edwards, author of My Funny Stand-up Life. All proceeds will update the kitchen facilities in the Youth Programs Building at St. Elizabeth Community Center. Information: (815) 389-3259.

Wildflower Walkabout – Anna Page Park

3000 N. Springfield Ave., Rockford

free

6 p.m..

Come experi-ence the north central Illinois landscape. Walk where flowers carpet the forest floor and birds fill the air. Severson Dells Nature Center and the Natural Land Institute are the organizing agencies of the event, with local groups providing leaders from their organizations. No admission fee, but membership in both organizations is encouraged: www.naturalland.org, www.seversondells.org or call (815) 335-2915 or (815) 964-6666 .

APRIL 27-29

Bloomin’ Book & Baked Goods Sale

presented By Friends of the Winnebago Public Library

210 N. Elida St., Winnebago

10 a.m.-8 p.m. Thursday; 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Friday; 9 a.m.-noon, Saturday

free admission

Sale items include hardback and paperback books of all genres for all ages, DVDs, puzzles, plants, and baked goods. All proceeds benefit the library. Information: (815) 335-7050. Original Women’s Conference, BMO Harris Bank Center 300 Elm St., Rockford, $139. The conference is a gathering of women of all ages from the state line area and beyond who know how to party with a pur-pose. Experience empowering messages from speakers like Lisa Harper, Bianca Olthoff, Charlotte Gam-bill and conference host Jen DeWeerdt, and music by Grammy nominated artist Natalie Grant. Infor-mation: (815) 877-8000

APRIL 27-30

A Flea in Her Ear, resented By Rockford University Performing Arts

Rockford University, Clark Arts Center, Maddox Theatre

5050 E. State St., Rockford

7:30 p.m. Thursday-Saturday; 2 p.m. Sunday

$12 adults, $9 students and seniors

Paranoia, infidelity, and lechery take center stage in the raucous bed-room farce A Flea in Her Ear, a hysterical cocktail of chaos that could only have been devised by the master of comic stagecraft, Feydeau.

APRIL 28

Celtic Woman ‘Voices of Angels’ Tour

Coronado Performing Arts Center

314 N. Main St. Rockford

7:30 p.m.

$39-$99

The unique musical ensemble combines traditional Irish music with spec-tacular production and staging. Celtic Woman’s evocative, uplifting music has transcended national and cultural borders to touch the hearts of a devoted fan base that spans the globe. Information: (815) 968-0595.

There’s No Place Like Home – Annual Dinner and Auction

presented By Winnebago County CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocates)

Rockford Country Club

2500 Oxford St., Rockford

6-11 p.m.

$75 per ticket

“A Night In Oz” is CASA’s 23rd Annual Dinner and Auction, held to raise awareness of childrenwho have suffered physical or emotional abuse by their parents/caregivers and who are in need of a loving and safe home. Information: (815) 319-6880.

APRIL 29

The Gathering at Macktown,

2221 Freeport Rd. Rockton

9 a.m.-4 p.m.

$7 adults, $5 students, free for children under 5 and veterans

Take a step back in time to experience American frontier life through the 1840s. Meet traders and trappers, French voyageurs and Native Americans. Food and mercantile ven-dors, demonstrations, militia maneuvers and black powder shooting. Tour original buildings on a na-tional historic site and meet Stephen Mack as he shares his home with you. Information: (815) 624-4200 .

70th NASCAR Season Opener

Rockford Speedway

9572 Forest Hills Rd., Loves Park

7:07 p.m., gates open at 5 p.m.

$12 adults, $6 children 6-11, free children under age 5

The season opener features thrilling auto racing excitement with the Stanley Steemer NASCAR Late Models, Bargain Hunter Sports-man, Miller Lite American Short Trackers and Kickstart Roadrunners. Information: (815) 633-1500.

APRIL 30

A Musical Potpourri, Presented By Kishwaukee Valley Concert Band

Westminster Presbyterian Church

2821 N. Bell School Rd., Rockford

3-4:30 p.m.

The program will take you across time and musical disci-plines with such pieces as Go Cubs Go, Take Me Out to the Ball Game, The Symphonic Gershwin, A Sym-phony of Sit-Coms and Fantaisie Brilliante. Talented Oboe soloist Matt Guschl makes a return appear-ance playing the exciting El Bosque Magico. Information: (815) 399-4925 .

MAY 6

Saturday Family Fun

Lockwood Park

5201 Safford Road, Rockford

There’s a covered pony ring for chil-dren ages 1-7, the Children’s Farm Animal Barn with friendly farm animals, and horseback trail rides for riders age 8 and older. To complete their visit, families can relax together on a scenic hay ride through the scenic meadows and woods. Pony rides are $3 per child, wagon rides are $3 per person $25 for trail rides, Children’s farm animal barn free. Information: www. rockfordparkdistrict.com