Rock River Current
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ROCKFORD — This week is packed with things to do around the city.
There are performances from nationally touring comedians Jo Koy and Jeff Dunham and the band Three Dog Night. But local artists and performers shine this weekend too, with Fall ArtScene, Stand & Deliver and Somnium: The Book of Water Myths and Legends.
There are also events that let you take in the fall season, including Autumn at the Arboretum and Cider ‘n Cinnamon.
More news: A look inside 2 historic buildings that Rockford plans to sell to a local developer
Here’s a list of things you can do this week, or you can check out more on our events page.
Snuggle up and watch Super Mario
About: The Cherry Valley Library will host family movie night. You’re invited to come in your pajamas and watch “The Super Mario Bros. Movie.” Popcorn will be provided.
Where: Cherry Valley Public Library, 755 E. State St., Cherry Valley
When: 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 4
Info: Go HERE
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Walk your pup through Midtown
About: The final Midtown Dog Walk of the season is this week. Bring your furry friend for a gathering outside of Ernie’s Midtown Pub with vendors Bad Humor Ice Cream Truck, The Canine Crunchery and Inzombia Coffee. The event doubles as a fundraiser for Noah’s Ark Animal Sanctuary.
Where: Ernie’s Midtown Pub, 1025 Fifth Ave., Rockford
When: 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 5
Info: Go HERE
Comedy for a cause
About: The Chicago Bears play Thursday night, but you can go watch something that is intentionally laughable instead. The second annual Shelter Care comedy night brings in four comedian for an evening of laughs that raises money for Shelter Care Ministries outreach programs for the homeless and adults with mental illness.
Adam Burke, a comedian and frequent guest on NPR’s “Wait, Wait … Don’t Tell Me,” is the headliner. It also features James Fisher Jr., KB Marion and Kevin Haas.
Where: Veterans Memorial Hall, 211 N. Main St., Rockford
When: 6 p.m. doors open, 7 p.m. program begins on Thursday, Oct. 5, 2023
Tickets: Go HERE
Get into mischief
About: Kith and Kin Art Collective will host the opening reception for Mischief, an art show featuring Pablo Korona, Brett Whitacre, Drew Eurek, Carrie Johnson, Drew Helge, Jessica Quam and Val Olafson.
Where: Kith and Kin, 510 E. State St., Rockford
When: 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 5
Info: Go HERE
See art around the city
About: The annual Fall ArtScene turns businesses and organizations around Rockford into galleries filled with art. A wide array of art is available for purchase from new and established artists.
Where: There are more than 30 locations. You can see them HERE.
When: 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. Friday, Oct. 6 and 4 p.m. to 9 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 7
Info: Go HERE.
See Jeff Dunham and his dummies
About: Comedian and ventriloquist Jeff Dunham, who has been selling out theaters during global tours for years and has a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, brings his suitcase full of characters to Rockford during his Still Not Canceled Tour.
Where: BMO Center, 300 Elm St., Rockford
When: 7 p.m. Friday, Oct. 6
How much: Tickets start at $55
Tickets: Go HERE
See a blend of impromptu poetry and performance
About: Cafe RPL presents Stand & Deliver, featuring monologues performed by players from Moon Dog Theatre responded to by impromptu poetry that’s written on-the-spot and delivered by some of our region’s most talented poets and writers. Poets include Rockford’s Poet Laureate Jenna Goldsmith, Heath Alberts, Goddess the Warrior Poet and Kevin Haas.
Where: Nordlof Center Black Box Theatre, 118 N. Main St., Rockford
When: 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Friday, Oct. 5
Info: Go HERE
Shop for books and more
About: Shop for gently used books, audiobooks, DVDs, CDs, video games, puzzles, games, art and craft supplies, and more — for all ages — all under the outdoor pavilion at Womanspace.
Where: Womanspace Labyrinth and Gardens, 3333 Marie Linden Drive, Rockford
When: 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 5; 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. Friday, Oct. 6; 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 7
Comedy at the cantina
About: Marz Timms headlines comedy night at Lucha Cantina with featured comedians Michelle Krajecki, Ashley Lusk and Tim Brennan.
Where: Lucha Cantina, 1641 N. Alpine Road, Rockford
When: 7:30 p.m. Friday, Oct. 6
Admission: $10
Info: Go HERE
Experience autumn at the arboretum
About: Klehm Arboretum & Botanic Garden’s signature fall community event, Autumn at the Arboretum, is a three-day celebration filled with family activities, live music, a scavenger hunt through the grounds, a cake walk and dog costume contest.
Where: Klehm Arboretum & Botanic Garden, 2715 S. Main St., Rockford
When: 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Friday, Oct. 6; 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 7 and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday
Info: klehm.org.
Jo Koy’s world tour stops here
About: Comedian Jo Koy, fresh off his Netflix special and the Universal Films picture “Easter Sunday,” brings his world tour to Rockford.
Where: BMO Center, 300 Elm St., Rockford
When: 8 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 8
Admission: Tickets start at $40
Tickets: Go HERE
Three Dog Night live in concert
About: Three Dog Night, which has performed in thousands of shows including two Super Bowls over five decades on the road, comes to Rockford this weekend.
Where: Coronado Performing Arts Center, 314 N. Main St., Rockford
When: 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 7, 2023
Admission: Tickets start at $46
Tickets: Go HERE
Sip cider at an arts and crafts fair
About: Cider ‘n Cinnamon is an arts and crafts fair now running for five decades. It brings makers together to sell art, jewelry, crafts, clothing, home decor, vintage goods and other merchandise.
Where: Edgebrook shopping center, 1605 N. Alpine Road, Rockford
When: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 7; 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 8
Info: Go HERE
Guitar virtuoso in concert
About: Claude Bourbon, a world-travelling guitar virtuoso, is coming to Concerts on The Creek in Rockford as part of his world tour.
Where: Spring Creek Church, 4500 Spring Creek Road, Rockford
When: 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 7
Info: Go HERE
Shop for vintage goods
About: Frosted Farmhouse, Jill Rae Finally Art and Truly Treasured Gift n Thrift in downtown Rockton will participate in a vintage shop hop happening this weekend at hundreds of stores in Illinois and southern Wisconsin.
When: Friday, Oct. 6 and Saturday, Oct. 7
Info: Go HERE
Experience Somnium
About: Somnium is a multimedia public art show created and directed by Eddaviel and Emily Klonicki that combines the original music, storytelling, new media, light projection and modern dance for an immersive, reality-bending, multi-sensory experience. This year’s chapter is called “The Book of Water Myths and Legends.”
Where: 702 N. Madison St., Rockford
When: 8 p.m. and 9:30 p.m. Friday, Oct. 6 and 8 p.m. and 9:30 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 7
Admission: $22
Info/tickets: Go HERE
Prepare for scares at Twisted Crypt
About: Twisted Crypt Haunted House is 10,000 square feet of chaos, gore, jump scares and creepy characters. The seasonal scare site is open again this weekend.
Where: 5420 E. State St., Rockford
This week’s hours: 7-11 p.m. Friday and Saturday; 7-10 p.m. Sunday
Admission: $15
Online: twistedcrypt.com
Rowers on the Rock
About: The Head of the Rock Regatta draws thousands of rowers and spectators to the banks of the Rock River for the annual competition.
When: 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 8
Where: Rock River between Auburn Street Bridge and SwedishAmerican Riverfront YMCA
Info: Go HERE
Trunk or treat at Tinker
About: In addition to the traditional trunk-or-treating, visitors can see the main floor of the historic cottage, which is staged for a Victorian funeral. There is also live music from the JB Project and multiple food trucks, vendors and a mini-farmers market.
Where: Tinker Swiss Cottage Museum, 411 Kent St., Rockford
When: 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 8
Info: Go HERE
Compiled by Kevin Haas. Email him at khaas@rockrivercurrent.com or follow him on X at @KevinMHaas or Instagram @thekevinhaas and Threads @thekevinhaas