THROUGH SEPT. 3

 

Hello from Japan

Discovery Center Museum

711 N. Main St., Rockford

10 a.m.

$8 per person, free for members and children age one and under

Children will have fun learning about life in present-day Ja-pan in this playful and interactive exhibit. Families will be transported to two distinct areas of Tokyo that exist side by side: one serene and exquisite, the other, too cute for words. Information: (815) 963-6769.

 

THROUGH SEPT. 29

 

Rockford City Market

Water Street at East State Street, Rockford

weekly on Fridays, 3:30-8:30 p.m.

free admission

The market is an open air public market featuring locally grown and made items including vegetables, fruit, meat, cheese, flowers, herbs, baked goods, artisans, prepared food, local beer and wine. There is weekly live entertainment in two areas, kids’ activities, and cooking demos. Information: (815) 988-2825.

 

THROUGH OCT. 28

 

North End City Market

Intersection of North Main and Auburn Streets, Rockford

weekly on Saturdays 9 a.m.-1 p.m.

free admission

The market is full of fresh, local products and food and will be a nice place for the community to gather to shop, eat, and socialize. Information: (815) 977-5124.

 

THROUGH NOV. 5

 

Bruce Munro: LIGHT

Nicholas Conservatory & Gardens

1354 N. 2nd St., Rockford

varying admission prices and entry times. Call (815) 987-8858 for specifics.

The exhibition, Munro’s eighth large-scale garden exhibition in the U.S., allows visitors to literally see the gardens in a new light. The gardens and Conservatory will provide a stunning backdrop for eight sculptures, including Munro’s iconic “Field of Light” and “Water-Towers.”

 

JUNE 14

 

Encore Presentation Byte by Byte: How the Internet Devours your Personal Data

presented By NIU STEM Outreach

Giovanni’s Restaurant & Conference Center

610 N. Bell School Rd. Rockford

6:30 p.m.

free, reservations encouraged

You generate data through all of your online activities—from social media, to the things you buy, the places you map and the websites you view. Companies are using this data in both convenient and creepy ways. NIU marketing instructors Alex Eddy and Brian Gillet will discuss where we’re leaving our digital footprints, who’s using our personal data and what they’re doing with it. Register online at https://aarp.cvent.com/NIUStemCafeJune or call toll free 1-877-926-8300.

 

Wilco

Coronado Performing Arts Center

314 N. Main St., Rockford

7:30 p.m.

$32-$72.50

Based in Chicago, Illinois, Wilco’s music has been inspired by a wide variety of artists and styles, including Bill Fay, The Beatles and Television, and has in turn influenced music by a number of modern alternative rock acts. Wilco’s musical style has evolved from a 1990s-country rock sound to a current “eclectic indie rock collective that touches on many eras and genres.” Information: (815) 968-0595.

 

JUNE 14-JULY 16

 

Peter and the Starcatcher

Starlight Theatre at Rock Valley College

3301 N. Mulford Road, Rockford

8 p.m. June 14-17, July 12-16, additional 2 p.m. performance on June 17

Tony-winning Peter and the Starcatcher upends the century-old story of how a miserable orphan comes to be The Boy Who Would Not Grow Up (a.k.a. Peter Pan). A theatrical adaptation of Dave Barry and Ridley Pearson’s best-selling novels, the play was conceived for the stage by directors, Roger Rees and Alex Timbers, and written by Rick Elice, with music by Wayne Barker. Information: (815) 921-2160

 

JUNE 15

 

Music in the Park

Sinnissippi Park Music Shell

1401 N. 2nd St., Rockford

Tuesdays and Thursdays 7:00-8:30 p.m. (no concert on July 4)

free, donations accepted

Music in the Park is a free summer outdoor performance series offering a variety of musical performers, styles, and genres on Tuesdays and Thurs-days, June 6 to August 3. Arrive early for best seating; ending time is approximate. Information: (815) 987-8800

 

JUNE 15-18

 

Old Settlers Days, presented By Rockton Lions Club

Settlers Park

125 E. Hawick St., Rockton

Thursday and Friday 4-11 p.m., Saturday, 12:30-11 p.m., Sunday 1:30-10 p.m.

4-day General Admission Pass: $6 advance, $10 beginning June 15

Main Stage concerts require additional tickets

Old Settlers Days is the largest music festival in the state-line area, and a fundraiser for the Rockton Lions Club charities. The event features live country music performances on the Main Stage and live local music on the Festival Stage, There is a carnival, festival vendors, food booths, a 5K Run/Walk, and fireworks after the last performance on Sunday. Information: (815) 206-8525

 

JUNE 15

 

8th Annual Bad Pants Golf Scramble

presented By RAMP (Regional Access and Mobilization Project)

Timber Pointe Golf Course

5750 Woodstock Rd., Poplar Grove

2 p.m. registration, 3 p.m. shotgun start

$250/foursome, sponsorship opportunities with foursomes also available

Have fun for a cause at RAMP’s 8th Annual 9 hole golf scramble. RAMP provides services and advocacy to individuals with disa-bilities wishing to lead an independent life. Information: (815) 968-7467

 

Stepping into the Gardens of Japan

Anderson Japanese Gardens

318 Spring Creek Rd., Rockford

free for members, $5 for non-members

What is it like to work in one of Japan’s geisha gardens? Take an exclusive photographic journey into Leslie Buck’s memoir as she works with garden craftsmen of Kyoto in private homes, monasteries and an emperor’s garden. Information: (815) 229-9390

 

Garden Explorers: My Wonderful Body

Anderson Japanese Gardens

318 Spring Creek Rd., Rockford

9 a.m.

free for members, $5 for non-members

Garden Explorers is a program designed for children ages 3-5 years old, but all ages are welcome. Garden Explorers typically lasts one hour and guests are encouraged to arrive at 8:45am to reserve a seat. Storytime books are selected and provided by Rockford Public Library. Information: (815) 229-9390. Other Garden Explorer Dates: June 22, 29; July 6, 13, 20,27; Aug. 3, 10.

 

JUNE 15-JULY 8

 

Six Degrees of Separation, presented By Usual Suspects

Nordlof Center – Black Box Theater

118 N. Main St., Rockford

Winner of the 1993 Olivier Award for Best Play and the New York Drama Critics Cir-cle Award. The title refers to a statistical theory which states that any two people in the world can be connected through only six other people. The play is an examination of the threads of chance that link one person to another. Information: Phone (815) 513-8685

 

JUNE 16

 

Paint the Town Green, presented By Rockford Area Convention & Visitors Bureau

Klehm Arboretum and Botanic Garden

2715 S. Main St., Rockford

6 p.m.

$75 individual tickets, $540 – $900 — group table purchase

Since 2014, many friends have helped plant pride in Rockford by bringing public spaces to life through beautification and greening efforts. Initially focused on downtown, Forest City Beautiful has ex-panded citywide. Information: (815) 963-8111

 

JUNE 16-18

 

Blackhawk Vintage Classic – VSCDA

Blackhawk Farms Raceway

15538 Prairie Rd., South Beloit

$10 donation, children under 12 free, camping, free

Vintage Sports Car Drivers Association (VSCDA) hosts the 25th annual Blackhawk Vintage Classic on Father’s Day weekend. Included this year will be the Kastner Cup. Information: (815) 389-2000 or visit www.vscda.org .

 

EIEIO

Discovery Center Museum

711 N. Main St., Rockford

free (with $8 regular admission), free for members and children under age 1

Put on your overalls, don your boots, and get ready to frolic on the farm. Live goats, sheep, ducks, and bunnies will be on hand for you to pet. Then horse around with hands-on science and art as we get into grains, turn cream into butter, make the cutest crafts, and more. Information: (815) 963-6769

–Winnebago County Calendar of Events–