Winnebago County Calendar of Events

Chronicle Media Staff

Discovery Center Museum hosts Hello Japan exhibit through Sept. 3.

THROUGH AUG. 3

 

Music in the Park

Sinnissippi Park Music Shell

1401 N. 2nd St., Rockford

free

Every Tuesday and Thursday through Aug. 3

Upcoming performers: July 27 – Blooze Brothers, Aug. 1 – Rock Valley Summer Festival Orchestra and Aug. 3 – Can’t Touch This. Information: www.rockfordparkdistrict.org/sound-sofsummer

 

ArtsPlace “Explorations” Performance

presented by Rockford Area Arts Council

Nordlof Center 118 N. Main St., Rockford

$7

At Nordlof Center Tuesday 6:30pm, Wednesday 2 p.m. and 6:30 p.m. Also at Mendelssohn PAC, 6-8 p.m. Original new works will be presented by apprentices in the Rockford Area Arts Council’s ArtsPlace program. Inspired by the theme “Explorations,” young artists from the Rockford area have worked for six weeks under the guidance of professional artists to create the work. Infor-mation: (815) 963-6765.

 

THROUGH AUG. 22

 

Nature Kids – Free Nature Programs

Nature at The Confluence Environmental Learning Center

306 Dickop St., South Beloit

weekly at 10 a.m.-11:30 a.m. Tuesdays

This program offers nature play time at our Discovery Stops featuring water play, sand play, and stone art. Each week a nature-focused theme is featured. This free program is recommended for ages 4-7. Siblings are welcome. Children must be ac-companied by an adult and the adult must stay for the program. No registration needed. Come to one, or come for all. Information: (815) 200-6910,

 

THROUGH AUG. 8

 

Ride the Rock Tuesdays, presented by Rockford Park District

Discovery Center Museum

711 N. Main St. Rockford

Tuesdays at 11 a.m., noon and 1 p.m.

The Forest City Queen will make port at the dock behind Discovery Center on select Tuesdays. The riverboat can seat up to 49 passengers and will provide 45-minute cruise on the Rock River. Tickets are $4/person in addition to general admission to Discovery Center. No advance reservation is required. For groups of 15 or more, discounted pricing is available with advance reservations. Information: (815) 972-2835.

 

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 includ-ing 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. 1

Bittersweet Observations

Rockford Art Museum

711 N. Main St., Rockford

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

$7 adult admission, free for members

The show explores the grown-up wonder of childlike nostalgia in a dramatic, fairytale setting through paintings, drawings, prints, animation, and installations by Casey Riordan Millard, Jenny Mathews, Sarah Reed-McNamara and Jeremy Klonicki. Information: (815) 968-2787.

 

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

 

AUG. 2

 

Music in the Dells – The Way Down Wanderers

Severson Dells Nature Center (Inside Show)

8786 Montague Rd., Rockford

7 p.m.

$15

Equal parts fast-paced and soulful, 5-piece modern-folk Americana act, The Way Down Wanderers, draw listeners in with energy, originality and soulful generosity. Infor-mation:: (815) 335-2915.

 

The Rockford Art Monologues

The Underground Art Gallery/Jazz Bar

418 E. State St., Rockford

A web-based video catalog of local and Rockford Area Artists and their stories. Every Wednesday, a new artist is featured in a three to five minute video which documents their story from start to inspiration.

 

AUG. 3-6

 

Festa Italiana, pesented By Greater Rockford Italian American Association

Boylan High School

4000 St. Francis Dr., Rockford

$5 admission, children under 12 free with adult

Thursday 6-10 p.m., Friday 5-11 pm., Saturday noon-11 p.m., Sunday noon-7 p.m.

Great Italian food and pastries, continuous entertainment, Italian cultural exhibits, souvenirs, bocce tournaments, carnival rides, children’s crafts and much more. Carnival Ride Specials, Saturday Noon to 5 p.m., Sunday ride all day for $15 with purchase of wristband. Information: (815) 978-3079 .

 

AUG. 4

 

Adapted Sports Day

UW Health Sports Factory

305 S. Madison St., Rockford

Join the athletes and crew of the Wheelchair Basketball documentary, “The Rebound.” Hear about and watch demonstrations of adapted sports, free admission. Athlete meet and greet at 3:30 pm., exhibition basketball at 5:30 p.m., screening of documentary “The Rebound” at 9:30 p.m. Information: (815) 987-8800. First Fridays – Art, Music, Food and Shopping in Downtown Rockford, downtown Rockford various art galleries, shops and music venues. Each month downtown art galleries, shops, music and theater venues work together to stay open late providing great new art, music and goods. Information: www.face-book.com/FirstFridaysRockford or call (779) 537-5319

 

Night Hikes

Severson Dells Nature Center

8786 Montague Rd., Rockford

8:30 p.m.

free (donations appreciated)

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. Registration and information at (815) 335-2915.

–Winnebago County Calendar of Events–