By Kevin Haas
Rock River Current
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ROCKFORD — There are too many things to do in the Rockford area this week for us to wait for the weekend to share this list of possibilities with you.
There are multiple markets to shop until you drop, a new exhibit from a dynamic Rockford collective, the kickoff to Starlight Theatre’s 2023 season, a celebration of murals, multiple live music and comedy events and ways to take in nature.
More things to do: Hundreds of wrestlers, fans coming to Loves Park for national youth wrestling tourney
You shouldn’t have any trouble finding things to do, but you may have trouble catching your breath if you try to do them all.
Here are 21 suggestions for things to do this week:
Chow down at Food Truck Tuesday
About: Choose from more than a dozen different food trucks set up along the scenic Sinnissippi Gardens outside Nicholas Conservatory. Food Truck Tuesdays runs all summer and early fall, ending Oct. 24.
Where: Nicholas Conservatory & Gardens, 1354 N. Second St., Rockford
When: 4 p.m. to 9 p.m. Tuesday, June 6
Info: nicholasconservatory.com/food-truck-tuesdays
Get ‘Footloose’ at Starlight Theatre
About: Starlight Theatre kicks off its 2023 season this week with “Footloose,” a rockin’ 80s-style classic with a new rhythm that is fit for the entire family to enjoy.
When: 8 p.m. Wednesday, June 7, Thursday, June 8 and Friday, June 9; 2 p.m. and 8 p.m. June 10; show continues July 12-16
Where: Starlight Theatre at Rock Valley College, 3301 N. Mulford Road, Rockford
Tickets: $12-$28
Info/buy tickets: rvcstarlight.ludus.com/index.php
Zac Matthews Band plays at Prairie Street
About: Emerging country music trio Zac Matthews Band takes the stage for Dinner on the Dock this week. The weekly riverside concert brings different bands and musicians in each Thursday through Sept. 7.
Where: Prairie St. Brewing Co., 200 Prairie St., Rockford
When: 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. Thursday, June 8
Shop the Midtown Market
About: The Rockford Midtown Market is back for a fifth season. You can shop for farm fresh produce, pottery, body scrubs, coffee and other services and merchandise. The market runs Thursdays through Sept. 28.
Where: Rockford Public Schools parking lot, 501 Seventh St., Rockford
When: 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Thursday, June 8
Info: facebook.com/pg/
Comedy at El Paraiso
About: Comedian Levi headlines this stand-up comedy night with featured comedians Joseph Christopher and Pandora Haven. The show is hosted by Marcos Lara.
Where: El Paraiso Lumbre Y Mar, 5518 N. Second St., Loves Park
When: 8 p.m. Friday, June 9
Shop the Forest City Farmers Market
About: Forest City Church sponsors a weekly farmers market in its parking lot, allowing you to pick up local fresh fruits, vegetables, baked goods, handmade items, jewelry, cheese, honey and other items.
Where: Forest City Church, 1280 S. Alpine Road, Rockford
When: 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Friday, June 9
Or the Edgebrook Farmers Market
About: The Edgebrook Farmers Market offers free-range meats, vegetables, fruits, flowers and plants, as well as dog treats, baked goods and a variety of other foods and merchandise. It runs Wednesdays through Oct. 25.
Where: Edgebrook shops, 1639 N. Alpine Road, Rockford
When: 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Wednesday
Info: edgebrookshops.com/events/farmers-market/
Hear Music on The Rock
About: Music on the Rock is a free music event on select summer Wednesdays on the banks of the Rock River at Burpee Museum of Natural History. This week features Reverend Raven & the CSABs.
Where: Burpee Museum of Natural History, 102 N. Main St., Rockford
When: 5:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Wednesday, June 7
Admission: Free
Celebrate Rockford’s new ‘Art Alley’
About: The Rockford Area Convention & Visitors Bureau and the River District Association will celebrate the CRE8IV murals and the new “Art Alley” with a lunch-time party. There will be music, food trucks, live mural painting and opportunities to meet the artists.
Where: 316 W. State St., Rockford
When: 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Thursday, June 8
Admission: Free
Caribbean Night at The Top
About: Todd Donnelly will be perform on his steel drums as The Top Rooftop Bar & Lounge serves up signature rum cocktails, rum flights and other special menu items.
When: 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. Thursday, June 9
Where: The Top Rooftop Bar & Lounge, 416 S. Main St., Rockford
New exhibit debuts at Rockford Art Gallery
About: Rockford Art Museum opens “Constant Pressure: A Visual Exploration of Identity, Activism, and Collaboration” on Friday, June 9, with a free public opening and gallery walk the Rockford-based art collaborative Fatherless.
Fatherless is collaborative between Javier Jimenez, Greg Lang, David Menard and Ben Rider that’s known for creating a variety of large-scale graphics that explore socially conscious ideas through printmaking, painting, collage and installation.
The exhibition remains on view through September 24.
Where: Rockford Art Museum, 711 N. Main St., Rockford
When: 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. Friday, June 9
Admission: Free
More info: rockfordartmuseum.org
Shop Junkin’ Market Days
About: Junkin’ Market Days Rockford is an indoor/outdoor boutique market featuring small business artisans, crafters, makers, thrifters, creators and more to shop.
Where: Winnebago County Fairgrounds, 500 W. First St., Pecatonica
When: 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. Friday, June 9; 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, June 10
Info: winnebagocountyfair.com
Shop at Rockford City Market
About: Rockford City Market features music That Gurl this week. The market features more than 60 vendors offering produce, baked goods, food, beer, clothing, handmade goods and other merchandise.
Where: Rockford City Market, 116 N. Madison St., Rockford
When: 4 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Friday, June 9
Info: rockfordcitymarket.com
Hear Music on the Mall
About: Edgebrook Shopping Center’s free weekly summer concert series Music on the Mall continues Friday with a performance by The GoDeans.
Seating is free at the outdoor event. Lucha Cantina will provide quick-service food.
When: 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Friday, June 9
Where: Edgebrook, 1639 N. Alpine Road, Rockford
Shop the Saturday North End Market
About: A group of farmers, makers and growers setup the weekly North End Market, which is near the North Main and Auburn streets roundabout in Rockford. You can find an amazing assortment of fresh veggies, fruits, flowers, honey, baked goods and more.
When: 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Saturday, June 10
Where: Auburn and North Main streets
Info: rockfordcitymarket.com/northend
Comedy at Windsor pizza
About: Tom Filline, a Second City trained comedian nicknamed “the angry gym teacher, headlines this stand-up comedy show. The show features Kriten Carnes and Raghu Adibhatla. It’s hosted by Alex Hudec and produced by Fats Productions Presents.
Where: Windsor Pizza Parlor, 1034 Windsor Road, Loves Park
When: 8 p.m. Saturday, June 10
Admission: Free
Info: Facebook event page HERE
Take the kids fishing in a forest preserve
About: The Forest Preserves of Winnebago County will host Hooked on Fun, a free kids fishing derby for ages 3 to 16.
Where: Four Lakes Forest Preserve, 10207 Fish Hatchery Road, Pecatonica.
When: 10207 Fish Hatchery Road, Pecatonica.
Go to Golden Hour in the Grove
About: Severson Dells Nature Center will host Golden Hour in the Grove during the picturesque golden hour in Severson Dells’ nature playscape called The Grove. Attendees can partake in an array of activities such as live music from The Phillips Brothers, a silent auction and a wine pull. Money raised goes toward providing nature education programs.
Where: Severson Dells Nature Center, 8786 Montague Road, Rockford
When: 6 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Saturday, June 10
Admission: $75
Info/tickets: seversondells.com/goldenhour
Learn the history of labor in America
About: Maze Books will host Illinois Labor History Society President Larry Spivack, who will deliver a free presentation on the history of labor in America. His lecture examines the history of the labor movement and shares stories of the working people and events that helped transform America, focusing especially on Chicago and the Illinois region.
Where: Maze Books, 117 S. Third St., Rockford
When: 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Saturday, June 10
Admission: Free
Related: 2 downtown Rockford businesses enter new chapters with move to different storefronts
Celebrate 1 year of Real Beautiful You
About: Real Beautiful You, a yoga studio and wellness center located on two floors of the historic Emerson mansion in Rockford, will host an open house to celebrate its first year in business. There will be food, snack and mini yoga sessions and various health and wellness related vendors.
Where: Real Beautiful You, 420 N. Main St., Rockford
When: 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday, June 11
Info: Facebook event page HERE
Have a dog’s day out
About: Meyer’s Tails Up Farm hosts Dog’s Day Out, which features training demonstrations and dock diving, smashburgers from the Sizz and Fizz food truck, vendors such as Rockford’s Canine Crunchery and other shopping and entertainment.
Where: Meyer’s Tails Up Farm, 5390 Irene Road, Belvidere
When: 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday, June 11
This article is by Kevin Haas. Email him at khaas@rockrivercurrent.com or follow him on Twitter at @KevinMHaas.