By Kevin Haas
Rock River Current
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ROCKFORD — This week is a real rager in the Rockford region.
The Rockford Rage make their season debut. There are also monster trucks at the BMO Center, synchronized swimming at Guilford High School and the 25th annual PaleoFest at the Burpee Museum of Natural History.
Activities continue into the start of next week, with the Soar Awards kicking off the week with gospel music’s biggest stars at the Coronado Performing Arts Center.
More news: A chance encounter at an ATM helped this buyer break through a tough Rockford real estate market
Here are 14 ideas for things to do. You can also find more on our events page.
See a synchronized swimming tradition
The Guilford High School Valkyries, the school’s synchronized swimming team, is a Guilford tradition lasting almost 60 years. This year’s show kicked off Tuesday and runs through Saturday.
Quick facts:
Where: Guilford High School pool, 5620 Spring Creek Road, Rockford
When:
- 6 p.m. Wednesday, March 1
- 6 p.m. Thursday, March 2
- 6 p.m. Friday, March 3
- 10 a.m. Saturday, March 4 (mini show)
- noon Saturday, March 4
- 5 p.m. Saturday, March 4
Admission: $7 (tickets sold at door)
Experience China before communism
“Shen Yun” returns to Rockford with a visually stunning show that takes you through China’s 5,000 years of inspired culture.
Quick facts:
Where: Coronado Performing Arts Center, 314 N. Main St., Rockford
When: 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, March 1. Doors open at 6:30 p.m.
Admission: Remaining tickets start at $84
Tickets/info: coronadopac.org/events/shen-yun
Dig in at PaleoFest
Burpee Museum of Natural History celebrates 25 years of PaleoFest, which brings paleontologists from around the world to Rockford for special activities and programming.
Quick facts:
Where: Burpee Museum of Natural History, 737 N. Main St., Rockford
When: Friday, March 3 through Sunday, March 5
Info/tickets: burpee.org/paleofest-2023
Get down to brass
Mark Baldin, trumpeter and principal of the Rockford Symphony Orchestra, presents works by Ponchielli, Shostakovich and lighter fare.
Quick facts:
Where: Mendelssohn Performing Arts Center’s Starr Center, 415 N. Church St., Rockford
When: 7:30 p.m. Friday, March 3
Admission: $21 in advance; $25 at the door. $6 for students
Tickets/info: mendelssohnpac.org/events/event/mark-baldin
Shop the spring market
Shop local and handmade gift items at the Indoor City Market in this spring pop-up shop.
Quick facts:
Where: Indoor Rockford City Market, 116 N. Madison St., Rockford
When: 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. Friday, March 3
Admission: Free
Info: rockfordcitymarket.com
Chill out with Special Olympics Illinois
The annual Polar Plunge fundraiser for Special Olympics Illinois happens Saturday at Rock Cut State Park. Dip in the chilly waters of Olson Lake to help support more than 21,000 athletes in the state.
Quick facts:
Where: Olson Lake at Rock Cut State Park, 7223 West Lane Road, Caledonia
When: 9:30 a.m. check-in begins Saturday, March 4
Info and registration: Go here
The return of the Rage
The Rockford Rage roller derby team returns to action Saturday with its season opener against the Prairieland Punishers.
Quick facts:
Where: UW Health Sports Factory, 305 S. Madison St., Rockford
When: 6 p.m. Saturday, March 4
Admission: $10
Tickets: On Eventbrite here
Last chance to see ‘Hir’
“Hir,” which features a role written specifically for a transgender actor, concludes this week at The West Side Show Room.
The play, which is written by Taylor Mac, is a comedy about a suburban family in disarray. It starts as Isaac returns from serving with the Marines in Afghanistan to help his ailing father who suffered a stroke. He finds his mother, once a quiet homemaker, has now mercilessly taken over as the head of household and keeps her husband dressed in clown makeup and a drab nightgown. Meanwhile, Isaac learns that his sister Maxine is now his brother Max, who goes by the pronouns ze/hir. The latter is pronounced like “here.”
Quick facts:
Where: The West Side Show Room, 1414 N. Main St., Rockford
When: 7 p.m. Thursday, March 2 (talk back), 8 p.m. Friday, March 3 and Saturday, March 4
Tickets and more info: wssr.org/hir
Monster trucks take over BMO Center
Hot Wheels Monster Trucks Live Glow Party is coming to Rockford for the first time, filling the BMO Center all weekend long.
Quick facts:
Where: BMO Center, 300 Elm St., Rockford
When: 7:30 p.m. Friday, March 3; 12:30 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. Saturday, March 4; 2:30 p.m. Sunday, March 5
Admission: Tickets start at $19
Tickets/info: thebmocenter.com/events/hot-wheels-monster-trucks-live
Meet Freeport author Debbie Deutsch
Author Debbie Winnekins Deutsch will hold a book signing at a Rockton wine bar as she marks the release of her latest title earlier this year.
Deutsch is the author of “Throw Away Sisters,” which was a finalist in 2016 for IAN Book of the Year Awards in the young adult category. Her latest novel, “Lucy in Disguise,” was released in January and is the sequel to her first book.
Quick facts:
Where: After the Vine, 163 Hawick St., Rockton
When: 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, March 4
Admission: Free
A Lorax adventure for kids
Celebrate Dr. Seuss’s birthday with a reading of “The Lorax” and an investigation for kids to explore what it means to “speak for the trees.” The program is designed for kids ages 4-7.
Quick facts:
Where: Nature at The Confluence, 306 Dickop St., South Beloit
When: 10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. Saturday, March 4
Admission: $5
Tickets/info: natureattheconfluence.com/event/the-lorax-adventure-for-kids
Economics and hors d’oeuvres
WNIJ is hosting an evening with National Public Radio Chief Economics Correspondent Scott Horsley.
There will be heavy hors d’oeuvres, cocktails and a presentation co-hosted by WNIJ’s Susan Stephens and Dan Libman. They’ll discuss the economy, Horsley’s time as NPR’s White House correspondent and take questions from the audience.
Quick facts:
Where: Prairie Street Brewing Co., 200 Prairie St., Rockford
When: 6 p.m. Saturday, March 4
Admission: $45
Tickets/info: northernpublicradio.org/wnij-live-presents-an-evening-with-scott-horsley
Saturday Smörgåsbord of music
Janel Nelson and Ron Holm, who comprise the Trinadora Duo, bring their smörgåsbord of songs ranging from vintage and contemporary pop to folk, country, jazz, blues, Latin, Celtic, and variety music to Stockholm Inn.
Quick facts:
Where: Stockholm Inn, 2420 Charles St., Rockford
When: 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday, March 4
More info: trinadora.com/events
See gospel stars at the Soar Awards
The sixth annual Soar Awards, which brings some of gospel music’s biggest stars to Rockford, return to the Coronado Performing Arts Center on Monday night.
The evening will honor songwriter, producer and recording artist Donald Lawrence, multi-award-winning performer Jekalyn Carr and award-winning singer and songwriter Kierra Sheard. The show also includes performances by The Clark Sisters, KeKe Wyatt, Leandria Johnson and others.
Quick facts:
Where: Coronado Performing Arts Center, 314 N. Main St., Rockford
When: Monday, March 6; 5 p.m. doors open, 7 p.m. show starts
Admission: $42-$106
Tickets and info: coronadopac.org/events/soar-awards
This article is by Kevin Haas. Email him at khaas@rockrivercurrent.com or follow him on Twitter at @KevinMHaas or Instagram @thekevinhaas.