By Kevin Haas
Rock River Current
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ROCKFORD — There’s plenty to do this week in the Rockford area: You can solve a Hollywood murder mystery, explore the galaxy, hear original new plays and monologues or race your fat-tire mountain bike.
So there’s no need to sit at home and binge Netflix.
Here are 15 things to do in the area this weekend. You can always explore more on our events page.
More news: On the cusp of redevelopment, here’s how the historic Barber-Colman factory looks today
Solve an old Hollywood murder mystery
Dress as your favorite old Hollywood star or in your most glamorous finery for this fundraiser for education programs of the Rockford Symphony Orchestra.
Quick facts:
Where: Embassy Suites by Hilton Rockford Riverfront Hotel ballroom, 416 S. Madison St., Rockford
When: 6 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. Friday, Jan. 20
Admission: $80 per person
Info and tickets: rockfordsymphony.com/concerts-and-events/2023-old-hollywood-mystery-dinner-and-theater
See ‘The Book of Mormon’
“The Book of Mormon,” which has won nine Tony Awards including Best Musical, comes to Rockford on Friday at the Coronado Performing Arts Center.
Quick facts:
Where: Coronado Performing Arts Center, 314 N. Main St., Rockford
When: 8 p.m. Friday, Jan. 20
Tickets: coronadopac.org/events/the-book-of-mormon
Hear new words in Rockford
Top row from left: Justin P. Lopez, Eileen Byrne, Rajendra Ramoon, Savanna Mapelli, Anne Valentino.
Bottom row from left: DA Mindell, Nena Monroe, JP Rindfleisch IX, Linda Zuba, Cris Eli Blak. (Photos provided by West Side Show Room)
Writers from Rockford and across the country will present 10 new written works – ranging from short plays to stories, poems and monologues – at the three-day Rockford New Words festival.
Quick facts:
Where: The West Side Show Room, 1414 N. Main St., Rockford
When: 7 p.m. Jan. 19, 20, and 21
Tickets and info: wssr.org
More info: Here are the official selections for Rockford New Words 2023 at the West Side Show Room
Hike Blackhawk Springs
815 Outside will lead a guided 2-mile hike Wednesday morning through Blackhawk Springs Forest Preserve on both paved and non-paved trails.
Quick facts:
Where: Blackhawk Springs Forest Preserve, 5360 S. Mulford Road, Cherry Valley
When: 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. Wednesday, Jan. 18
Admission: Free
Info: 815outside.com
Have a girls night out in Belvidere
Girls Night Out The Show is bringing its tour of sexy six-packed men to The Apollo this weekend.
“Whether you’re celebrating a birthday, bachelorette party, divorce, Dirty Thirty or your own sheer awesome self. You have meet your party match with Girls Night Out the Show,” promoters boast.
Quick facts:
Where: The Apollo Theatre AC, 104 N. State St., Belvidere
When: 9 p.m. Friday, Jan. 20
Admission: $49.95
Tickets and info: Go here
Have coffee with the curator
Get a behind-the-scenes look into the process of curating featured exhibits at the Rockford Art Museum with curator Carrie Johnson. The free program includes complimentary coffee provided by Rockford Roasting Co.
Quick facts:
Where: Rockford Art Museum, 711 N. Main St., Rockford
When: 10 a.m. Friday, Jan. 20
Admission: Free
Info: rockfordartmuseum.org
Skate at Frosty Fridays
Frosty Fridays discount public ice-skating sessions return this week at Carlson Ice Arena.
Quick facts:
Where: Carlson Ice Arena, 4150 N. Perryville Road, Loves Park
When: 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. Friday, Jan. 13
Info: rockfordparkdistrict.org/publicskate
Superhero night with the IceHogs
The Rockford IceHogs will don special superhero Hammy jerseys as part of their 12th annual Autism Awareness Night on Saturday against the rival Chicago Wolves. The jerseys will be auctioned off and there will be autographed mystery pucks and a premium raffle to support The Autism Program of Easterseals.
Quick facts:
Where: BMO Center, 300 Elm St., Rockford
When: 7 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 21
Tickets: icehogs.com/tickets
Related: NHL and AHL teams rally to support Rockford IceHogs equipment manager after stroke
Check out a new event space
Vee’s Showtime will celebrate its grand opening on Saturday with music, raffles and other festivities. The first event at the new space doubles as a breast cancer awareness campaign.
Quick facts:
Where: Vee’s Showtime, 3142 N. Rockton Ave., Rockford
When: 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 21
Admission: Free
Related: It’s showtime: New event space opens near former Rockton Avenue Schnucks in Rockford
See comedy at Mr. C’s
Mr. C’s Family Restaurant hosts comedy night featuring comedians Marcos Lara, Kevin Haas, Josh Bouromphongsa and Vickie Lynn.
Quick facts:
Where: Mr. C’s Family Restaurant, 4309 W. State St., Rockford
When: 8 p.m. Friday, Jan. 20
Admission: No cover charge
Have a laugh at an English pub
Stand-up comedy returns to The Hope & Anchor in Loves Park with its first show of 2023. Headliner Jack Baker will perform as he prepares to record his album in February. The show also features comedians Mike Fountain and Josh Chuboff, and it’s hosted by Kevin Haas.
Quick facts:
Where: The Hope & Anchor English Pub, 5040 N. Second St., Loves Park
When: 8 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 21
Admission: $7
Reservations: Call Hope & Anchor at 815-633-2552 to reserve a table.
Info: Facebook events page
Race your fat-tire bike at Atwood Trails
Atwood Park will host the second race in its Fat Tire series on Sunday. There are events for riders of all ages.
Quick facts:
Where: Atwood Park trail system, 7074 Rydberg Road, Rockford
When: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 22
More info: Go here
Related: Dramatic. Impressive. Like a roller-coaster. Here’s how riders describe Rockford’s new MTB trail
Check out the trains at Nicholas Conservatory
The Sinnissippi Station Model Train Exhibit is a reoccurring event, open from noon-8 p.m. this Friday and Saturday and 10 a.m. 3 p.m. Sunday at Nicholas Conservatory & Gardens, 1354 N. Second St.
The exhibit features nine structures modeled after Rockford landmarks, as well as other historical structures.
Quick facts:
Where: Nicholas Conservatory & Gardens, 1354 N. Second St.
When: Reoccurring through Jan. 29
More info: nicholasconservatory.com/sinnissippi-station
Bowl for Beauty in Motion
Support Loves Park-based Beauty in Motion Dance Arts at this 9-pin bowling fundraiser. Beauty in Motion is at 7111 N. Alpine Road.
Quick facts:
Where: Park Lanes, 5318 N. Second St., Loves Park
When: 6:30 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 21
Info and tickets: Melissa Carlson 815-922-5733 or Jessica Gill 815-312-7932.
Venture the galaxy at Discovery Center
Practice your Jedi skills, learn the ways of the Force and journey through hyperspace in this event devoted to space-themed movies at the Discovery Center. There will also be costumed characters and various games and challenges for kids. Galactic attire is encouraged.
Quick facts:
Where: Discovery Center Museum, 711 N. Main St., Rockford
When: 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 22
Admission: $10. Free for members and children ages 1 and younger
More info: discoverycentermuseum.org/all-events/event/3354-galaxy-adventures
This article is by Kevin Haas. Email him at khaas@rockrivercurrent.com or follow him on Twitter at @KevinMHaas or Instagram @thekevinhaas.