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

presented By  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 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 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.

 

 

 

 

MARCH 1 

 

 

An Evening With Kristin Chenoweth and the Rockford Symphony Orchestra

Coronado Performing Arts Center, 314 N. Main St.Rockford.

$40-$70

7:30 p.m.

 Known for her roles in Pushing Daisies, Glee, The West Wing and You’re A Good Man, Charlie Brown, she may be most remembered by Broadway lovers everywhere for her origination of the role of Glinda the Good Witch in Wicked. Information: (815) 965-0049.

 

 

MARCH 2 

 

The National Symphony Orchestra of Ukraine

Coronado Performing Arts Center

314 N. Main St., Rockford

7:30 p.m.

$20-$30.

Formed by the Council of Ministers of Ukraine in November of 1918, the National Symphony Orchestra of Ukraine is considered to be one of the finest symphony orchestras in Eastern Europe. Information: (815) 968-0595.

 

 

MARCH 3 

 

Dr. Seuss family fun fair

 Northeast YMCA

8451 Orth Rd., Loves Park

6-8 p.m.

unlimited games for $10

The Northeast Family YMCA is holding their annual fundraiser, The Dr. Seuss Fun Fair. There will be raffle prizes and unlimited games. Information:  (815) 558-7939.

 

Irish Pub Night Fundraiser

Mendelssohn Performing Arts Center

406 N. Main St., Rockford

An evening of Irish festivities in support of MPAC’s programming at the 7th annual Irish Pub Night Fundraiser featuring live Irish entertainment, a buffet by Meads Longwood Meat Market, cash bar by Rockford Brewing Company, games, gift baskets, and raffle. Information:  (815) 964-9713

 

 

MARCH 3-4 

 

Fouth Annual Vintage Shop Hop

northern Illinois and southern Wisconsin

Over 300 locally owned vintage shops, antique malls, boutiques, occasional and pop-up shops, barn sales and restaurants in two states are rolling out the red carpet for customers with discounts, giveaways, raffle drawings, demos,  ideas on re-purposing old items, and more. A Google Map with locations is available at:  https://drive.google.com/open?id=1Xs_N9OwJ-L2tyx9R0kzW7c2vkf4&usp=sharing

 

 

 

 

MARCH 3-5 

 

Sweeney Todd the Musical, Presented By Gateway Performing Arts Studio

Rockford University, Clark Arts Center

5050 E. State St., Rockford

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

$12 online plus $1 service fee, $15 at the door

This unsettling tale of a Victorian-era barber who returns home to London after fifteen years of exile to take revenge on the corrupt judge who ruined his life. When revenge eludes him, Sweeney swears vengeance on the entire human race, murdering as many people as he can, while his business associate Mrs. Lovett bakes the bodies into meat pies and sells them to the unsuspecting public. Information: (815) 871-6422

 

 

MARCH 3-11 

 

Blunderland,  Presented by West Side Show Room

Emmanuel Lutheran Church

920 3rd Ave., Rockford

weekly on Fridays and Saturday

$10.

The new play by Rufus Cadigan starring Andrew Harth as Bill Carlson, a transvestite performer whose stage persona was known as Miss Seaway. Please note that the location has changed from the original listing.  Information: (815) 979-3895

 

 

 

MARCH 4 

 

2017 Thrifty Teen Fashion Show, Presented by KFACT

Prairie Street Brewhouse

200 Prairie St., Rockfor

6-10 p.m.

$25 children, $50 adults

The Thrifty Teen Fashion Show is a fundraiser for KFACT, Inc. where “Lady All Star” mentees get to Rip the Runway, showcasing their “thrifty” budgeting skills. We don’t need to be rich to be cute. Proceeds from this event will benefit the programs and the projects of KFACT, Inc.  Information: (779) 537-1282

 

Gardening for Food, Flowers & Fun, Presented by  University of Illinois Extension – Winnebago County, NIU Rockford

8500 East State St., Rockford

8 a.m.-3:15 p.m.

$40

This one-day event offers inspiration, ideas, and innovation for area gardeners. U of I Extension educators, Master Gardeners, and other plant experts will present a variety of education sessions and hands-on workshops. Register by calling the Winnebago County Extension Office at 815-986-4357.

 

Rockford Laugh-A-Thon

Coronado Performing Arts Center

314 N. Main St., Rockford

7 p.m.

$39.50-$52.50

Headliner DeRay Davis began his career in comedy clubs. Shortly after moving to Los Angeles, he won the Comedy Central Laugh Riots Competition and appeared on the Cedric the Entertainer Tour.  Also appearing: Damon Williams, Chico Bean (from Nick Cannon’s Wild ‘N Out), and T-Dot (Milwaukee Comedy Celebrity). Information: (815) 968-0595

 

 

MARCH 4-5 

 

PaleoFest 2017

Burpee Museum of Natural History

737 N. Main St., Rockford

9:30 a.m.-4 p.m.

$10 public, $5 members

Celebrate 19 years of Fossils & Dinosaurs and engage in make-and-take workshops, explore in hands-on paleo stations, venture through unique exhibits and learn. Keynote speaker is Dr. Matt Lamanna, Curator of Paleontology at the Carnegie Museum of Natural History in Pittsburgh. He will discussing paleo-adventures and fieldwork from Egypt to Antarctica. Information: (815) 965-3433.

 

Sock Monkey Madness Festival – Candyland Theme

Midway Village Museum

6799 Guilford Rd., Rockford

$8 adult , $5 children age 3-17, free for children under age 3 and Museum members, $20 for Make-A-Monkey Workshop kit.

Bring your monkey back to where it all began at the Sock Monkey Madness Festival in Rockford, Illinois! This year’s theme is Candyland where the sock monkeys and families of all ages will have a sweet time. Information:  (815) 397-9112.