THROUGH MAY 21

 

Simply Spring: The Butterfly Exhibit

Nicholas Conservatory & Gardens

1354 N. 2nd St. Rockford

Tuesday-Friday 9 a.m.-5 p.m., Saturday-Sunday 10 a.m.-4 p.m., closed Monday

Resident/Non-resident: $6/$8 adults plus other discounts available

Experience the magical world of butterflies by vis-iting a special butterfly house where you will be surrounded by live butterflies exploring a tropical envi-ronment. Information: (815) 987-8858

 

Spring Fling Used Book Sale

Cherry Valley Public Library

755 E. State St., Cherry Valley

daily. Monday-Thursday 9 a.m.-8 p.m., Friday-Saturday 9 a.m.-5 p.m., Sunday 1-5 p.m. Closed Sunday, May 14

Free admission

The Friends of the Library’s sale features books, magazines, and DVDs. The book sale is open during regular library hours. Half Price sale runs from May 15-19 and the $2/bag sale is on May 20-21. Information: (815) 332-5161 or visit www.cherryvalleylib.org.

 

THROUGH MAY 27

 

10th Annual Vintage Art Sale

JustGoods Gallery

201 7th St., Rockford

Monday-Saturday, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. or by appointment

free admission

The sale includes a wide variety of premium artwork, including prints, oils, water colors, posters, knickknacks, and sculpture. All proceeds from the Vintage Art Sale benefit Rockford Urban Ministries, an outreach of 25 area congregations working in the city. Infor-mation: (815) 964-7111.

 

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 se-lections 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.

 

MAY 10

 

4th Annual Rockford’s Best Dish

Giovanni’s Restaurant & Conference Center

610 N. Bell School Rd.

Rockford

5:30-8 p.m.

$50 per seat, table of 10 $500

Rockford’s Best Dish features the best of our community’s celebrated cuisine, and adds a dash of friendly competition. Dishes will compete for the favor of our celebrity judges who will declare one dish to rule them all. All proceeds support the Lifescape Community Foundation, ensuring that Meals On Wheels and other services are available for generations of older adults. Information: (815) 963-1609.

 

Tipsy History: Historic Wine Making

Midway Village Museum

6799 Guilford Rd., Rockford

6:30-8:30 P.M.

$8 adults, $6 museum members

A museum historic interpreter will demonstrate wine making in the 19th century. McEachran Homestead Winery will share its history and samples of wine from its eleven acres of 19 varieties of grapes, raspberries, and fruit trees. Discover how cold-climate grape and fruit wines are made. Participants must be 21. Wine samples are included free with ticket price. Infor-mation: (815) 397-9112.

 

MAY 12

 

Kids At Heart Annual Benefit, presented by Children’s Safe Harbor

Giovanni’s Restaurant & Conference Center

610 N. Bell School Rd., Rockford

5:30 p.m.

$75, $700 for table of 10

The second annual benefit fundraiser includes a silent auction, dinner, drinks, live painting, a photo booth, games and more. Infor-mation: (815) 316-7772 or email mbrechon@17thcircuit.illinoiscourts.gov

 

MAY 12-14

 

Thumbalina the Musical, presented by Gateway Performing Arts Studio

Rockford University, Maddox Theater

5050 E. State St., Rockford

7 p.m. Friday, 2 and 7 p.m. Saturday, 2 p.m. Sunday

$14-$16, student discount at door with ID

Thumbalina is an adaptation of Hans Christian Anderson’s children’s story. The Musical is written and composed by local children’s author Andrew Mahan. Mahan has written a steampunk world where Thumbalina finds her voice and her heart song in a loud and angry world. Infor-mation: (815) 871-6422.

 

MAY 12-28

 

Whistling in the Dark – A Sherlock Holmes Adventure

Artists’ Ensemble Theater

Rockford University, Clark Arts Center

5050 E. State St., Rockford

7:30 pm. Thursdays, 8 pm. Fridays, 4 and 8 pm. Saturdays, 2 pm. Sundays

$30 full price, $28 for seniors, $10 for students, discount Thursday $19

Dr. Watson relates the tale of Holmes’ most baffling case in this world premiere comedy/mystery about the world’s great-est consulting detective. Information: (815) 394-5004.

 

MAY 13

 

Spring Fling – Family Fun, presented by Durand Charm

Nick Saelens Memorial Park

Otter Creek Dr., Durand

11 a.m.-1 p.m.

Durand Charm is holding the 1st Annual Spring Fling, a family friendly event featur-ing inflatables, face painting and much more for adults and kids of all ages. The Otter Creek Historical Society will be there selling replicas of the first Durand High School Annual. Queen Elsa & Spiderman from Once Upon a Dream will be available for photos and a performance from 11 a.m.-noon. Durand High School students will perform music in the Sound Garden at 11:15 a.m. Events will move to Durand High School in the event of inclement weather. Information: (815) 978-8694.

 

Mom ‘n Me Tea

Nicholas Conservatory & Gardens

1354 N. 2nd St., Rockford

11 a.m.-12:30 p.m. or 1-2:30 p.m.

$14 for residents of Winnebago County, $16 for non-residents. Children four and under are $7 for residents and $8 for non-residents.

The afternoon includes sweet treats, tea and juice, and a trip through the Simply Spring Butterfly Exhibit to see native and tropical butterflies up close and personal. Early registration is encouraged by May 10 either online at www.nicholasconservatory.com/activities, or at Customer Service locations. Information: (815) 987-8800.

 

Literacy Half Marathon & 10k Run/Walk presented by The Literacy Council

Cherry Valley Fire Station

4919 Blackhawk Rd., Rockford

8 a.m.-noon

$45 half-marathon, $30 run/walk

Both races will be held primarily within three Winnebago County Forest Preserves; Kishwaukee, Blackhawk Springs and Espen-schied.

 

Spectacular Saturday – Chile

Midway Village Museum

6799 Guilford Rd., Rockford

10:30 a.m.-noon

$7 adults, $5 children ages 3-17, members and children under two are free

Travel to Chile to learn some of the language, art, and culture of this South American country. Discover the rare semi-precious stone that is only mined in Chile and take home some of your own blue beaded jewelry to take home. Infor-mation: (815) 397-9112.

 

MAY 13-14

 

Birdfest 2017

Sand Bluff Bird Observatory

5209 N. Haas Rd., Shirland

8 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday, 8 a.m.-3 p.m. Sunday

$4 adults, $1 for children ages 4-12

Birdfest is a festival celebrating wild birds during the time when they migrate through our area. Sand Bluff Bird Observatory will be capturing wild birds, putting a band on their leg and releasing them. There are many kids’ events and exhibits, and you will have a chance to see the birds up close. Information: (815) 629-2671.

 

MAY 13-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.

 

MAY 18

 

Broadway at the Coronado – RENT

Coronado Performing Arts Center

314 N. Main St., Rockford

7:30 p.m.

$32-$60

Jonathan Larson’s RENT continues to speak loudly and defiantly to audiences across gen-erations and all over the world. And now, this Pulitzer Prize and Tony Award winning masterpiece re-turns to the stage in a vibrant 20th anniversary touring production. Information: (815) 968-0595.

 

MAY 19-21

 

Spotlight Youth Theater Presents Bye Bye Birdie

Hononegah Performing Arts Center

307 Salem St., Rockton

7 p.m. Friday, 2 and 6 p.m. Saturday, 3 p.m. Sunday

$9-$12

It’s the late 1950s, and teenagers from across the United States are going crazy for the handsome rock star, Conrad Birdie. Information: (847) 516-2298.

 

MAY 19-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