THROUGH MARCH 5 

 

In Full Bloom: The Orchid Exhibit

Nicholas Conservatory & Gardens

1354 N. 2nd St., Rockford

Tuesdays-Fridays 9 a.m.-5 p.m., Saturdays-Sundays 10 a.m.-3 pm.

Admission:adults $6/$8 | Seniors & Veterans $4 residents/$6 non-residents,  ages 5-17 $4/$6, ages 3-4 $1/$2, under 2 free.

It may be the depth of winter, but Nicholas Conservatory & Gardens is teeming with color! Our annual orchid exhibit is sure to impress, with hundreds of tropical orchids creatively displayed in the warm tropical exhibition area. Orchid sales and orchid vendors, presentations and workshops – there’s something for everyone. Information:   (815) 987-8858.

 

The Graduate

Pec Playhouse Theatre

314 Main St., Pecatonica

Weekly on Friday, Saturday and Sunday

$14.

In this adaptation of the classic novel and cult film, Benjamin Braddock has just finished college and, back at his parents’ house, he’s trying to avoid the one question everyone keeps asking: What does he want to do with his life? An unexpected diversion crops up when he is seduced by Mrs. Robinson, a bored housewife and friend of his parents. What begins as a fun tryst turns complicated when Benjamin falls for the one woman Mrs. Robinson demanded he stay away from, her daughter, Elaine. Information:  (815) 239-1210.

 

 

THROUGH MARCH 11 

 

Blunderland

West Side Show Room

Emmanuel Lutheran Church, 920 3rd Ave., Rockford

Fridays and Saturday

$10

Blunderland is a new play by Rufus Cadigan starring Andrew Harth as Bill Carlson, a transvestite performer whose stage persona was known as Miss Seaway. Information: (815) 979-3895.

 

 

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 16 

 

75th Anniversary Exhibit – “Rediscover Burpee”

Burpee Museum of Natural History, Woodward Hall

737 N. Main St., Rockford,

 $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.

 

 

MARCH 8 

 

Art Talks: Kailley Lindman Federighi

Rockford Art Museum

711 N. Main St., Rockford

noon

$20, $12 students and seniors

Annually presented by Women’s Art Board, speakers for this year’s two-part series are Sycamore sculptor Bradley Cahill (February 8), and Chicago food writer, photographer, and blogger Kailley Lindman Federighi (March 8). Lunch included with lecture reservation, required one week prior. Information:     (815) 968-2787.

 

 

MARCH 9 

 

The Matchsellers Hillbilly Music

Katie’s Cup

502 7th St., Rockford

7 p.m.

The Matchsellers are Warsaw, Ind. native Andrew Morris and Julie Bates of Kansas City. Their exciting, gritty, and often hilarious stage show has been developed over three years of relentless touring across the US and Europe. Though deeply rooted in bluegrass and old time tradition, the pair’s respective backgrounds in electric blues guitar and classical violin – as well as a penchant for the absurd – offer a refreshing point of view. Information:  (815) 986-0628.

 

 

MARCH 10-12 

 

 

Rockford RV, Camping & Travel Show

Mercyhealth Indoor Sports Center

8800 E. Riverside Blvd., Loves Park

Friday 2-8 p.m., Saturday 10 a.m.-6 p.m., Sunday 11 a.m.-5 p.m.

The show will have fifth wheels, travel trailers, class A, B & C motorhomes, pop-ups, toy haulers, and even 4-wheelers. Have one on one time with campground and lodging representatives to help you plan a trip. Information:   (815) 997-1744.

 

 

 

MARCH 10 

 

Flights of Fancy Montessori Private Academy

Prairie Street Brewhouse

200 Prairie St., Rockford

7 p.m.

$35

The event benefits Montessori Private Academy and features live music from Clark Kelly! Prairie Street Brewhouse will be offering a beer tasting and delicious appetizers. Silent auction as well as the 50/50 and vacation raffles. All the money raised from this event provides funding to a wide range of vital areas, including academic programs, music, art, new technology, physical education, student services, and operations. Information : (815) 332-8101

 

Word of Art 3 Exhibit, Reception, and Book Release

Burpee Museum of Natural History

737 N. Main St., Rockford

5 p.m.

free

The public is invited to attend the In Print Professional Writers’ Word of Art 3 Exhibition, Program, and Book Release Reception in the Riverview Room of Burpee Museum of Natural History. This event marks a collaboration of In Print and the Burpee Museum which is celebrating its 75th year. Appetizers, desserts, and beverages will be served.  Information:  www.inprintwriters.org or go to www.facebook.com/wordofartinprint/.

 

 

MARCH 11 

 

St. Patrick’s Day Parade and PaddyFest, presented by Irish Marching Society

Prairie Street Brewhouse

200 Prairie St., Rockford

3 p.m.

The Irish Marching Society is a charitable organization whose main purpose is to promote Irish culture and preserve an American custom of Irish immigrants and descendants marching down their American city streets on St. Patrick’s Day to celebrate our heritage and contribution to this great nation. The parade will begin at 3:00 p.m. Information:  (815) 218-8449.

 

 

Ag All Around Us

Discovery Center Museum

711 N. Main St., Rockford

11 a.m.

$8

Meet local farmers, check out real farm equipment, and get hands-on with where food comes. You’ll be amazed at the number of things we grow right here in Illinois.  Turn corn into plastic, measure yourself against a plant, and more!  Bandanas, work boots and bib overalls optional. Included with Discovery Center admission. Information:  (815) 963-6769.

 

McNulty Irish Dancers

Rockford Public Library, Nordlof Center

118 N. Main St., Rockford

11 a.m.

free

Celebrate St. Patrick’s Day with the library as we welcome the McNulty Irish Dancers. This dance group will captivate your whole family with the beautiful, powerful dances of Ireland. These young dancers (ages 7 and up) perform lively jigs, reels and other favorites. Information: (815) 965-7606.

 

Rockford Symphony – Appalachian Spring Concert Aaron Copland

Coronado Performing Arts Center

314 N. Main St., Rockford

7:30 p.m.

Multiple Grammy Award winner Howard Levy is an acknowledged master of the diatonic harmonica, innovative composer and recording artist. Information:  (815) 965-0049.

 

 

MARCH 11-12 

 

Rockford 2-3-4 Stamp Expo, presented by Rockford Stamp Club

Forest Hills Lodge

1601 West Lane Rd., Loves Park

Saturday 10 a.m.-5 p.m., Sunday 10 a.m.-4 p.m.

The 59th Annual Rockford Stamp Show features 15 dealers from around the Midwest and produces a show cachet. The USPS will be set up on Saturday. There is a 5c stamp table open to everyone. A major feature of the show is a silent auction each day with over 100 lots to view. An awards banquet will take place Saturday night at Stockholm Inn (2420 Charles Street). Information: (815) 670-5869.

 

 

MARCH 12 

 

 

Rockford During Prohibition

Midway Village Museum

6799 Guilford Rd., Rockford

2 p.m.

$8 adults, $6 students, $5 members

Kathi Kresol, author of Murder and Mayhem in Rockford will enlighten us on the violent times, rum running, and gangland slayings impacted this quiet small town. Information: (815) 397-9112.

 

 

MARCH 13 

 

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, reservations required.

Come and enjoy an evening lecture with  Mark Twain, as he dispenses invaluable advice that you can get nowhere else in the world! Mr. Twain will be accompanied by his dear wife  Olivia, as they share stories from their life and anecdotes of wisdom they gained. Information: (815) 964-2424.