MARCH 2010

March 4-7, 11-14
MUSIC MAN
Stage Coach Players Theatre, 126 South Fifth Street, DeKalb
Come see the Stagecoach Players rendition of the popular Music Man.
815-758-1940
www.stagecoachers.com

March 5
GENEVA'S FIRST FRIDAYS GALLERY WALK
Downtown Gevena Galleries
Fight cabin fever! Help the downtown Geneva Galleries welcome Spring to Downtown Geneva during the First Fridays Art Gallery Walk. First Fridays happens each first Friday of each month from 6-9pm. With nine different galleries, we have art of every description. This March, the event includes nine downtown Geneva galleries who are hosting special events, artists show openings, or live performances in an energetic sampling of local, regional and national talent.
630-232-6060
www.artgalleriesgeneva.com

March 5-7
ANNUAL ROCKFORD BOAT SHOW & FISHING AND OUTDOOR EXPO
ISC, Indoor Sports Center, 8800 East Riverside Boulevard, Loves Park
Welcome to the Annual Rockford Boat Show and Fishing and Outdoor Expo. This is the premiere Show in mid-America.
815-877-8043
www.showtimeproduction.net

March 5-7, 12-14, 19-21
1776
Woodstock Opera House, 121 Van Buren Street, Woodstock
Based on the events in 1776 leading to the writing and signing of the Declaration of Independence, this classic musical ran for over 1200 performances on Broadway and won three Tony Awards, including Best Musical. John Adams, Benjamin Franklin, Thomas Jefferson and others who debated whether to separate from England are more than just “Founding Fathers;” they were real people with real emotions, and this musical brings these men and historic events to life.
815-338-5300
www.woodstockoperahouse.com

March 6
PALEOFEST
Burpee Museum of Natural History, 737 North Main Street, Rockford
Ten of the world's best-known dinosaur-hunters & paleontologists will present, debate, and discuss developing new knowledge about how these great creatures stalked the long-ago world. Paleo Talks, Family Workshops, special DinoBlast passport activities for children, and a Children's Lecture "Walk Like a Dinosaur" and an artist's studio for Jr. and Sr. High School students.
815-965-3433
www.burpee.org

March 6
ROCKFORD SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA POPS SERIES - BROADWAY TODAY
Coronado PAC, 314 North Main Street, Rockford
In a performance that is sure to sell out, the RSO will conclude the Rockford Health System Pops Series with "Broadway Today!" Three outstanding singing actors, veterans of dozens of musical theater productions on the Great White Way, join the RSO to perform music from contemporary blockbusters like Phantom of the Opera, Les Miserables, Wicked, and Mamma Mia!, along with exciting revivals of Annie Get Your Gun, The Music Man, Kiss me Kate, and more!.
815-965-0049
www.rockfordsymphony.com

March 6-7
SOCK MONKEY MADNESS FESTIVAL
Midway Village and Museum Center, 6799 Guilford Road, Rockford
The Sock Monkey Madness Festival returns to Midway Village Museum. Visitors can learn to make a sock monkey from scratch, accessorize a sock monkey or buy a blank sock monkey and adorn it with our free material. Rockford is the official home of the sock monkey and everything sock monkey related can be found at this event. This is the only festival of its kind in the nation .
815-397-9112
www.midwayvillage.com

March 6-7
FESTIVAL OF THE SUGAR MAPLES
McHenry County Conservation District, 7400 Somerset, Marengo
Take this unique opportunity to learn the fascinating history of maple sugaring and the evolution of the sap collection process. Satisfy your sweet tooth with a taste of pure Coral Woods maple syrup. All ages are welcome to this free event!
815-338-6223
www.mccdistrict.org

March 6-7
MCHENRY COUNTY HOME SHOW
Holiday Inn, Crystal Lake
The 8th Annual McHenry County Home Show is your one-stop source for all your home improvement & renovation projects and questions. This year's show will feature all the home building and renovating products and services you need to maintain and improve your living quarters inside and out. You'll be treated to interior designs, landscaping, ponds displays, decorative lighting arrangements, patios and decks, and much more.
815-363-6177
www.visitmchenrycounty.com

March 6-7
ALL-STAR RODEO CHALLENGE
Metro Centre, 300 Elm Street, Rockford
It's top professional rodeo cowboys in the Rough Stock Only Events Bareback Riding, Saddle Bronc Riding, and Bull Riding.
815-968-5222
www.metrocentre.com

March 11
WHAT'S COOKING WITH FABIO
Coronado Performing Arts Center, 314 North Main Street, Rockford
Live cooking demonstration with Fabio Viviani, Bravo's Top Chef Season 5 Fan Favorite. Viviani describes his style of cooking as "Northern Italian comfort styled foods" He will prepare a healthful meal and talk about cooking, followed by a question and answer session.
815-9680595
www.coronadopac.org

March 12
MENDELSSOHN CHAMBER ORCHESTRA - MARGARET BATJER
Court Street United Methodist Church, 215 North Court Street, Rockford
Mendelssohn’s Violin Concerto in E minor is his last and largest orchestral work. It is one of the most popular and most performed violin concertos of all time. The program will include Mendelssohn’s The Hebrides, op. 26 (Fingal’s Cave) and Violin Concerto in E minor, op. 64; and Bach’s Concerto for Two Violins, BWV 1043. Of special note is Ms. Batjer’s connection to the Mendelssohn Chamber Orchestra. Her mother, Eleanor Stanlis, founded the Orchestra in 1987. How fitting, then, that we honor the memory of Eleanor Stanlis with this concert as we celebrate the 125th anniversary of the Mendelssohn Performing Arts Center.
815-964-9929
www.mendelssohnpac.org

March 12
1964 - THE TRIBUTE
Coronado Performing Arts Center, 314 North Main Street, Rockford
Rolling Stone Magazine has named 1964 the "Number One Beatles Tribute Show on Earth." 1964 The Tribute showcases songs from the pre-Sgt. Pepper era. 1964 re-creates an early 60's live Beatles concert down to the smallest details, such as authentic clothing, instruments, hairstyles, and on-stage banter.
815-968-0595
www.coronadopac.org

March 12-13
DINNER AND A MURDER IN THE 3RD MILLENNIUM
Bed and Breakfast Innkeepers of Galena 230 South Main Street, Galena
An out-of-this-world sci-fi mystery unfolds with humanoids, aliens...and a robot. Friday night reception, dinner and murder on Saturday night. Friday night, check into your lodging and get your tickets and directions to the event. At the DeSoto House Hotel, you will register for your part (high, medium or low involvement). There will be a cash bar, appetizers and entertainment. On Sat. the interactive Murder Mystery will include a full dinner and memorable fun! Tickets can be purchased at participating B&Bs or the DeSoto House Hotel. For a list of participating businesses, visit our website. Cost: $70.00 per person plus lodging at participating bed & breakfast.
815-777-4713
www.visitgalena.org

March 13
AMERICAN ENGLISH WITH BOB RUMBA
Raue Center for the Arts, 26 North Williams Street, Crystal Lake
Celebrate 46 years (almost to the month) after The Beatles’ first appearance on the Ed Sullivan show with American English and Bob Rumba as Ed Sullivan!
815-356-9212
www.rauecenter.org

March 13-14
SPRING HOME IMPROVEMENT SHOW
Hidden Cove Sportsplex, 70 Ken Hayes Drive, Bourbonnais
The 8th annual Home Improvement Show brought by the Home Builders Association of Kankakee. Featuring local and regional vendors for siding, windows, heating, remodeling and more, come see what they can do to make your home better! Demonstrations and raffles are held by various vendors throughout the day.
815-482-4131
www.hbakankakee.com

March 14
5TH ANNUAL FIGURE SKATING COMPETITION
Carlson Ice Arena, 4150 N. Perryville Rd., Loves Park
The Fifth Annual Shamrock Open Basic Skills Figure Skating Competition showcases 100 competitors ages 5-14 from Illinois and Wisconsin in compulsory and free skating events. Spectators are welcome to attend free of charge.
815-969-4069
www.rockfordparkdistrict.org

March 17
SAINT PATRICKS DAY PARADE
Downtown Galena
A "fun for the whole family" parade including bands and floats. Pre-registration requested for participants.
815-777-0467
www.visitgalena.org

March 18
AFTERNOON TEA
Lock 16 Visitor Center, 754 First Street, LaSalle
Bring a friend and enjoy afternoon tea with sandwiches, sweets and scones at Lock 16 Center.
815-223-1851
www.lasallecanalboat.org

March 19
RCCA PRESENTS: GIORDANO JAZZ DANCE CHICAGO
Coronado PAC, 314 North Main Street, Rockford
For more than 40 years, Giordano Jazz Dance Chicago has brought the excitement of the indigenous American art form of jazz dance to audiences throughout the United States and in countries around the world. Captivating audiences with dynamic performances and the diversity and wide appeal of its repertoire, the group will also be performing for area fourth-graders in the annual "Reach for the Stars" outreach concert
815-968-0595
www.coronadopac.org

March 19-21
ANNUAL ROCKFORD RV SHOW
ISC, Indoor Sports Center, 8800 East Riverside Boulevard, Loves Park
This for fun the whole family will debut the newest of RVs, campers, travel trailers and motor homes along with toy haulers, and boy toys. You can find all new essential travel products and the perfect resorts and campgrounds.
815-877-8043
www.showtimeproduction.net

March 20
BIG AIR BMX TRIPLES WORLD TOUR
Convocation Center at NIU, 1525 West Lincoln Highway, DeKalb
Action Sports event producer ASA Entertainment (ASA) kicks off its 2010 season with an ASA BMX Triples (Triples) event at Northern Illinois University's Convocation Center in DeKalb, Illinois. On March 20, the top men in freestyle BMX will take on the challenge of the 180-foot long BMX course consisting of a 25-foot high drop-in ramp, two 25-foot wide jumps and a course-ending quarter-pipe, all while grabbing 'big air' to perform their flips, flairs, whips and spins for the event title.
815-752-6800
www.niuconvo.com

March 20
BUBBLE FESTIVAL
Discovery Center Museum, 711 North Main Street, Rockford
Discovery Center celebrates "National Bubble Week" with bubble celebrity Geoffrey Akins, live performances, and sudsy science fun. Be amazed at the intricate shapes and forms of bubbles during Geoff's captivating bubble show. Then test your own soapy skills with bubble art and activities for the whole family in the Bubble-Palooza Playground. Get your tickets early, as the bubble shows will take place in our 90-seat theater.
815-963-6769
www.discoverycentermuseum.org

March 20-21
NORTHWEST ILLINOIS MODEL RAILROAD CLUB SPRING OPEN HOUSE
101 Main Street, Chadwick
The Northwestern Illinois Model Railroad Club will host its annual spring open house on Saturday and Sunday March 20 & 21 from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm each day. Our club features a large 30'x 60', 3 level, H.O. scale layout, operating on Digitax DCC, and a 14'x 25' N Scale layout operated with DCC and DC both. Our club has 25 members, and would like to invite all to view our layouts and enjoy the model railroading hobby.
815-684-5216

March 21
SUBLETTE ANNUAL TOY & ANTIQUE TRACTOR SHOW
Sublette
Come to the little town with the big toy show! Our 28th annual show is bigger & better than ever. 5 bldgs with over 300 tables of farm toys. Full range of cast iron, plastic and metal toys. Show also includes exhibitors from throughout the midwest showcasing their displays of semi-tractors, baseball cards, trains & crafts. Pancake breakfast from 7am - noon and lunch stand on site.
815-849-5582
www.subletteweb.com

March 21
PLAYHOUSE DISNEY LIVE!
Rockford MetroCentre, 300 Elm Street, Rockford
Playhouse Disney Live! brings characters from "Mickey Mouse Clubhouse", "Little Einsteins", "Handy Manny" and "My Friends Tigger & Pooh" together on the same stage, creating interactive moments for children and their families. The original storyline follows this colorful cast as they set off in their own unique ways to create and contribute songs and music for an unforgettable musical party at Mickey’s Clubhouse.
815-968-5222
www.metrocentre.com

March 24
BEHAVIORAL PROBLEMS TOUR WITH RON WHITE
Egyptian Theatre, 135 North Second Street, DeKalb
Comedian Ron “Tater Salad” White is best known as the cigar smoking, scotch drinking funnyman from the “Blue Collar Comedy” phenomenon returns to DeKalb with his new stand-up show Behavioral Problems.
815-758-1215
www.egyptiantheatre.org

March 25
PATTERNS IN NATURE PROGRAM
St. Charles Library - One South 6th Street, St. Charles
Longing for spring and the return of warm air, green leaves and blossoming plants? Join Preservation Partners of the FoxValley for a soul-soothing, inspirational presentation on Thursday, March 25th at 7 p.m. in the St. Charles Library. Tim Gruner, curator of Anderson Japanese Gardens in Rockford will present Patterns in Nature that Inspire Japanese Gardens; the Interaction between Garden and Architecture. The program, which will feature the Anderson Japanese Gardens, considered to be the highest quality public Japanese Garden in North America, is being presented by Preservation Partners to highlight the Fabyan Japanese Garden’s centennial birthday. The Fabyan Garden is a unique and spectacular site today, restored and preserved over the past 30 years.
630-377-6424
www.ppfv.org

March 25-28 AND April 7-11
ROSENCRANTZ AND GUILDENSTERN ARE DEAD - NIU SCHOOL OF THEATRE AND DANCE
Stevens Building on NIU Campus, DeKalb
Two traveling men are flipping coins and contemplating what it means to be lucky. They are Rosencrantz and Guildenstern, friends of Hamlet (yes, THAT Hamlet), who were summoned on a matter of urgency by King Claudius and Queen Gertrude. The premise of the pair’s trip is that there is something wrong with Hamlet. The king (Hamlet’s uncle and new stepfather) and queen (Hamlet’s mother) have asked them to speak to him to determine if he is sane. However, lacking the resources to understand what is asked of and happening to them, and completely dependent on those around them to provide them information, direction, or meaning to their existence, Rosencrantz and Guildenstern become the primary characters, with Hamlet and various antagonists as mere plot devices, in a very Seinfeld-esque play about nothing and everything. With extraordinary verbal wit and a profound black humor which sets up everything as equally ridiculous, playwright Tom Stoppard’s very first and best known play turns Shakespeare’s tragedy into one of the finest examples of theatre of the absurd.
815-753-1600
www.niu.edu/theatre

March 26-28
GALENA WINE LOVERS' WEEKEND
Various locations in Galena
Galena Wine Lovers’ Weekend is a city-wide celebration of good wine, good food and good friends. Wine lovers of all sorts are invited to enjoy fine wine, culinary delight, celebrity chefs, pampering packages and all of the stops Galena can possibly pull out. Wine Lovers’ Weekend is a spirited way to warm the winter and add romance—whether it be for vino, gourmet cuisine or the love for a town with history and charm all its own. Wine-inspired dinners, spirit tastings, spa experiences, history tours, cooking demonstrations and shopping welcome and enchant visitors. Kicking off the weekend is the Grand Tasting and Wine Auction—which has grown to be the one of the largest indoor wine tasting event in the state of Illinois. This year at the Grand Tasting, sample from 300 varieties of hand-picked wines and spirits. Cost is $30 in advance (online) or $35 at the door (while supplies last).
815-777-3938
www.visitgalena.org

March 27
CHEECH & CHONG: GET IT LEGAL
Coronado PAC, 314 North Main Street, Rockford
Cheech & Chong: Get It Legal, is partnering with the Marijuana Policy Project (MPP) to promote policy change through laughter. This show is the follow-up to their hugely successful reunion tour, Cheech & Chong: Light Up America, where they performed together for the first time in over 25 years. Chong's wife and comedy partner, Shelby Chong, will open all dates on the tour as well as DJ-Joey Mojo.
815-968-0595
www.coronadopac.org

March 27
SUSSICAL JR.
Lincoln Cultural Center, 240 South Warren Avenue, Kankakee
Join the characters from Cat in the Hat, One Fish Two Fish, The Grinch Who Stole Christmas and Horton Hear A Who in this magical musical place.
815-935-8510
www.kvta.org

March 27
IRISH PUB NIGHT WITH LIAM O'RIORDAN
Mendelssohn Performing Arts Center, 415 North Church Street, Rockford
Liam O'Riordan comes to us directly from Ireland, where he has performed traditional Irish and folk music in all the biggest venues. Liam has also toured in America, Belgium, Holland, Denmark, and Germany. He will perform with his longtime friend Ger Walsh, a former member of the Irish folk group Galleon.
815-964-9713
www.mendelssohnpac.org

March 27-28
EGG ARTISTS' SHOW AND SALE
Midway Village Museum, 6799 Guilford Road, Rockford
Over 45 exhibits by artists from nine states display a century old art form once enjoyed by Russian Czars and the Kings and Queens of Europe. The will also be vendors with supplies for sale including miniatures, pictures for decoupage, ribbons, lighting, music boxes, stands, tools and more to help the egg enthusiast create beautiful eggs.
815-397-9112
www.midwayvillage.com

March 27-28
60TH ANNUAL OREGON ANTIQUE SHOW
Blackhawk Center, 10th Street and Jefferson Street, Oregon
One of Northern Illinois oldest and best antique shows. The show will be held at the Blackhawk Center Sports Arena, located on the Oregon public school campus. The facility offers ample parking, handicap accessibility and a huge area for 50 Midwest antique dealers to display their merchandise. Quality antiques will range from the early 1800's up through the retro era of the 1950's including all areas of collecting.
815-732-2200
www.oregonil.com

March 27-28
7TH ANNUAL HOME AND GARDEN SHOWCASE
Forest Hills Lodge, 9572 Forest Hills Road, Loves Park
This year's event will showcase a multitude of companies offering homeowners and apartment dwellers the convience of comparative shopping for an array of products and services all in one place.
815-877-8043
www.showtimeproduction.net

March 28
MARTINA MCBRIDE AND TRACE ATKINS
Convocation Center at NIU, 1525 West Lincoln Highway, DeKalb
He's a tall drink of water and she's one hot mama and for one night they will come together for an unforgettable performance. This great night of country will hit the NIU Convocation Center on Sunday, March 28 2010, with the doors opening at 6:30 p.m. and the show starting at 7:30 p.m. This night is going to be one that will not be soon forgotten, so make sure you get your tickets early! .
815-752-6800
www.niuconvo.com

March 29
BROADWAY AT THE CORODADO - AVENUE Q
Coronado PAC, 314 North Main Street, Rockford
Avenue Q is Broadway's 2004 Tony Award®-winner for Best Musical, Best Score and Best Book. A hilarious show full of hummable tunes, Avenue Q is about surviving in NYC with big dreams and a tiny bank account. Called "one of the funniest shows you're ever likely to see" by Entertainment Weekly, Avenue Q features a cast of people and puppets who tell the story in a risqué and entertaining way. Contains adult subject matter
815-968-0595
www.coronadopac.org

March 29 - April 9 (Mondays through Fridays)
SPRING INTO SCIENCE
Discovery Center Museum, 711 North Main Street, Rockford
Spring into science with special daily activities, live science demonstrations and planetarium shows. We'll even explore nano technology--this teeny tiny science has a gigantic impact on your life.
815-963-6769
www.discoverycentermuseum.org


MARCH 2011




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