THROUGH MARCH 19

 

Salute to Black Military Units

Ethnic Heritage Museum

1129 S. Main St., Rockford

2-4 p.m.

$5 adult, $3 students, $10 families

The exhibit spotlights the accomplishments of the Buffalo Soldiers, Tuskegee Airmen, the Montford Point Marines and the servicemen who served with Operation Red Ball Express, and spotlights members of the Rockford community who served in these units. Uniforms on display are on loan from Veteran’s Memorial Hall.  Information: (815) 962-7402.

 

THROUGH MARCH 26

 

The Last Romance

Artists’ Ensemble Theater

5050 E. State St., Rockford University

Clark Arts Center, Rockford

7:30 p.m. Thursday, 8 p.m. Fridays, 4 and 8 p.m. Saturdays, 2 p.m. Sunday

$30, $28 seniors, $10 students, discount Thursday $19

An unexpected crush can make anyone feel young again—even a widower who was pretty sure that he was past all that. Information:  (815) 394-5004.

 

 

THROUGH APRIL 2

 

76th Young Artist Show: High School Division

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

Teachers at 20 schools within 50 miles of Rockford Art Museum submitted nearly 1,100 pieces for consideration by this year’s jurors, who chose 146 pieces representing 107 students from 16 area schools. On view are paintings, prints, drawings, sculptures, photography, digital and mixed media and more. Information: (815) 968-2787.

 

 

THROUGH APRIL 16

 

75th Anniversary Exhibit – “Rediscover Burpee”

Burpee Museum of Natural History, Woodward Hall

737 N. Main St., Rockford

through April 16, 2017

$10 adults, $9 children

This new exhibit celebrates the 75-year history of Burpee Museum and is an opportunity for the community to rediscover the treasure trove of artifacts, specimens, and memorabilia in the museum collection alongside newly developed exhibits. Visitors will go back in time to see what makes Burpee Museum a local treasure and unique among the country’s best natural history museums.

 

 

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.

 

 

MARCH 15

 

Brews & Views: “National Lampoon’s Animal House”

Prairie Street Brewing Co.

200 Prairie St., Rockford

7 p.m., movie at 7:30 p.m.

$5

Enjoy craft beers and food from a full menu delivered to your table, while watching the film. There will also be a pre-show that includes poster images and soundtrack music from 1978, a specially selected set of trailers that recreates the experience of seeing this film on its first theatrical release and some trivia for door prizes.

 

Create “A Simple Life” with Vino van Gogh

Hope and Anchor English Pub

5040 N. 2nd St.,  Loves Park

7 p.m.

$30 with online promo code “GR30” at VinoGogh.com.

Sign up, show up and have fun! The  instructor will bring everything you need and lead a two hour class to create your own work of art. Visit VinoGogh.com for details or call   (866) 390-0017.

 

 

MARCH 16

 

Lecture: Missouri Botanical’s Japanese Garden

Anderson Japanese Gardens

318 Spring Creek Rd., Rockford

$5 for non-members, free for members

Ben Chu will present about the history of Seiwa en, the Japanese Garden at Missouri Botanical Garden.  He will discuss the Garden’s progression from conception to present day. He will also focus on current efforts being made to preserve the Garden for the future without the direction of its designer, the late Koichi Kawana. Information: (815) 316-3306.

 

 

MARCH 16-APRIL 8

 

Songs for a New World, Presented By Usual Suspects

Nordlof Center Black Box Theater

118 N. Main St., Rockford

$18

presented 8 p.m. Thursday-Saturday, 2 and 8 p.m. Sunday

These are the stories and characters of today, the Songs for a New World. The first musical from Tony Award winner, Jason Robert Brown (Parade, Bridges of Madison County), this moving collection of powerful songs examines life, love and the choices that we make. Information:     (815) 513-8685.

 

 

 

MARCH 17

 

Healthy Living for Your Body & Brain

Cherry Valley Public Library

755 E. State St., Cherry Valley

10 a.m.

free

Healthy Living for Your Body & Brain: Tips from the Latest Research. Sue Sklar from the Alzheimer’s Association is here to share the latest research and to teach you fun and easy changes you can make to keep your brain healthy. Registration required at (815) 332-5161.

 

 

MARCH 18

 

Cultural Heritage Celebration

Midway Village Museum

6799 Guilford Rd., Rockford

$7 adults, $5 children ages 3-17, free for children under 2 and museum members

10 a.m.-4 p.m.

Ethnic groups from our community’s past and present will present  educational displays, artifacts, clothing, ethnic dancing and live music. Each visitor will have the opportunity to have their own family’s immigration story recorded professionally to be preserved in our history archive. Several ethnic food vendors will have food and snacks for sale throughout the day. Information:  (815) 397-9112.

 

Cellobration & Conversation presented by Rockford Public Library

Nordlof Center

118 N. Main St., Rockford

free

10 a.m.

Edward Kelsey Moore, professional cellist and best-selling author, will perform with Music Academy students and then will discuss his book, “The Supremes at Earl’s All-You-Can-Eat.” He will read from his novels and discuss the writing process, relating it to music making. He also will talk about the inspiration he draws from his large, extended family. Information: (815) 986-0037.

 

Grow Great Lilies in the Rock River Valley

Klehm Arboretum and Botanic Garden

2715 S. Main St., Rockford

9-11 a.m.

members free, others free with daily admission

Woodruff Imberman, past president of the Lily Society, will enlighten guests with his lily slideshow and lecture. Learn simple propagation techniques, hear about the wide variety of lilies that flourish in our area and how to design a garden with lilies so some are in bloom all summer long. Information: (815) 965-8146.

 

Miranda Lambert: Highway Vagabond Tour

BMO Harris Bank Center

300 Elm St., Rockford

7 p.m., $37-$199

Lambert’s Highway Vagabond Tour will include Aubrie Sellers and Old Dominion. Old Dominion are nominees in the Vocal Group of the Year category at the 2016 CMA Awards and their hits include “Break Up With Him” and “Snapback.” Newcomer Aubrie Sellers is known for unique “garage country” style of music. Information: (815) 968-5222.

 

Severson Saturday: Mammal Madness

Severson Dells Nature Center

8786 Montague Rd., Rockford

10 a.m.-2 p.m.

free

What makes a mammal a mammal? What do mammals have that allow them to survive in extreme environments? Make a mammal craft and go on a guided hike to learn about the mammals of Severson Dells (hikes leave every half hour). Information:     (815) 335-2915.

 

The Twains Shall Meet: An Evening with Mark Twain and Olivia Clemens

Tinker Swiss Cottage Museum and Gardens

411 Kent St., Rockford

5 p.m.

$5, call ahead for reservations.

Enjoy an evening lecture with  Mark Twain, as he dispenses invaluable advice that you can get nowhere else in the world. Twain will be accompanied by his dear wife  Olivia (as portrayed by re-enactors Stuart Corsa and Mary Ann Constable Guttman) as they share stories from their life and anecdotes of wisdom they gained. Information: (815) 964-2424.

 

MARCH 18-MAY 21

Simply Spring: The Butterfly Exhibit

Nicholas Conservatory & Gardens

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.