By Kevin Haas
Rock River Current
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ROCKFORD — There are plenty of options for things to do this week in the Rockford area, from holiday shopping to stand-up comedy, a musical performance or a play.
There are also events to honor veterans on Veterans Day and a fundraiser to help a nonprofit that supports the homeless.
More things to do: Rockford holiday tradition to return for special one-night only show
Here are 15 suggestions for things to do in the Rockford area this week. You can look through more on our calendar of events at rockrivercurrent.com/events.
Brew Ha Ha comedy night
About: Vik Pandya and Jeanie Doogan co-headline this stand-up comedy show.
When: 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 9
Where: Prairie Street Brewhouse, 200 Prairie St., Rockford
Tickets: $30 and up. Get tickets HERE
Rodney Carrington at the Coronado
About: Comedian, actor, singer and writer Rodney Carrington brings his tour to Rockford.
When: 7 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 9
Where: Coronado Performing Arts Center, 314 N. Main St., Rockford
Tickets: $29 and up. Get them HERE
See ‘Lucky Stiff’
About: “Lucky Stiff” is an offbeat murder-mystery based the novel “The Man Who Broke the Bank at Monte Carlo” by Michael Butterworth.
When: 7:30 p.m. Thursday through Saturday; 2 p.m. Sunday
Where: Rockford University Performing Arts, 5050 E. State St., Rockford
Tickets: $12 for adults; $9 for non-Rockford University students and seniors age 55 and older. Get tickets HERE.
See ‘The Lifespan of a Fact’
About: Artists’ Ensemble theater presents this comedy based on the book by John D’Agata and Jim Fingal. The play pits truth vs. fiction as a magazine editor is caught in a battle between a writer and fact-checker.
Where: Rockford University Clark Arts Center, 5050 E. State St., Rockford
When: 7:30 p.m. Thursday and Friday; 4 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. Saturday; 2 p.m. Sunday
Tickets: Starting at $10 for students; $28 for adults; $19 discount Thursdays. Get tickets HERE
An Impratical Joker at the Coronado
What: Staten Island comedian Sal Vulcano is best known for truTV’s hit “Impractical Jokers” and for “The Misery Index” on TBS. He brings his stand-up comedy tour to Rockford.
Where: Coronado Performing Arts Center, 314 N. Main St., Rockford
When: 7 p.m. Friday, Nov. 10
Tickets: Starting at $19.75. Get them HERE
Cosmic Loops
What: Chicago-based artist Claire Ashley, a native of Scotland, transform ordinary materials into inflatable painted sculptures for this show, “Cosmic Loops.”
Where: Rockford University Clark Arts Center gallery, 5050 E. State St., Rockford
When: 6 p.m. Friday, Nov. 10; artist talk at 7 p.m.
Info: Go HERE.
The ultimate Christian music experience
About: TobyMac, MercyMe, and Zach Williams team up for a tour that’s billed as the ultimate Christian music experience.
Where: BMO Center, 300 Elm St., Rockford
When: 7 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 11
Tickets: Start at $76. Get them HERE
A ‘barely’ living comedy legend
About: Living comedy legend John Cleese, who is best known for his work with the British comedy troupe Monty Python, is heading in your general direction for an evening of comedy and conversation.
Where: Coronado Performing Arts Center, 314 N. Main St., Rockford
When: 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 11
Tickets: Start at $33.75. Get them HERE
Grand tasting at the conservatory
About: The Artale & Co. will celebrate its 15th anniversary with a grand tasting with more than 140 wines, two beer tables and four spirit tables with artisan cheese, CacaoCuvee chocolate and food from Lino’s, Greenfire and SALT.
Where: Nicholas Conservatory & Gardens, 1354 N. Second St., Rockford
When: 5:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 11
Tickets: $150 per person. The event limited to 200 attendees. Get tickets HERE.
Arts & Crafts Holiday Spectacular
About: Makers and artists will pack the walls of the Mercyhealth Indoor Sports Center with a wide variety of handcrafted items for the Rockford Arts & Crafts Holiday Spectacular.
Where: Mercyhealth Sportscore Two, 8800 E. Riverside Blvd., Loves Park
When: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 11; 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 12
Admission: $5; kids 12 and younger enter free
Info: artsandcraftfair.com
Honor veterans
About: Boone County Quilt of Valor coordinator Shelley Johnson along with Winnebago County Quilt of Valor coordinator Jacquie Becker will present 11 veterans with quilts during this year’s annual Veterans Day celebration and luncheon.
Where: Veterans Memorial Hall, 211 N. Main St., Rockford
When: 11 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 11
Astronomy on Tap
About: Space Case Sarah and NASA ambassador Steve Shewalter host this cozy evening under the stars.
Where: Magpie, 126 N. Madison St., Rockford
When: 6:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 11
Info: Go HERE
Contact: Call 815-977-5761 to reserve tickets
Shop the Rockford Christmas Market
About: This event gathers items made by artisans from around the world, including leather goods, soaps, candles, ornaments, pottery, purses, apparel and jewelry.
Where: Redeemer Church Rockford, 5501 Windsor Road, Loves Park
When: 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 11
Admission: Free
Music from Mark Dvorak
About: Singer and songwriter Mark Dvorak will bring his mix of acoustic blues, traditional folk, Americana and storytelling to Inscape Collective in Midtown.
When: 7 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 11
Where: Inscape Collective, 201 Seventh St., Rockford
Admission: Suggested donation of $5-20
Steps Toward Change
About: Carpenter’s Place, a nonprofit that helps homeless men and women rebuild their lives, will host this walk to raise awareness and support for homeless people. There will also be a simple meal of bread and soup served.
Where: Carpenter’s Place, 1149 Railroad Ave., Rockford
When: 3 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 12
Donation: $10 for walk and soup; $25 for walk and soup with keepsake bowl
Tickets and info: Go HERE
This article is by Kevin Haas. Email him at khaas@rockrivercurrent.com or follow him on X at @KevinMHaas or Instagram @thekevinhaas and Threads @thekevinhaas