By Kevin Haas
Rock River Current
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ROCKFORD — This weekend you have multiple chances to catch live music and comedy, you can cheer on the Rockford IceHogs or celebrate with the oldest ethnic society in the city.

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Here’s a look at 10 things you can do in the Rockford area this weekend:

Cheer on the IceHogs

Rockford IceHogs forward David Gust takes the puck against the Iowa Wild on Dec. 16, 2023, at the BMO Center in Rockford. (Photo by Zach Larson/Provided by Rockford IceHogs)

About: The Rockford IceHogs have two home games this weekend, taking on the rival Chicago Wolves on Friday and the Iowa Wild on Saturday.

Where: BMO Center, 300 Elm St., Rockford

When: 7 p.m. Friday, 19 and 7 p.m Saturday Jan. 20

Tickets: Go HERE

Frosty Friday skate

About: Frosty Friday public skate happens every week through April. There is music from a DJ and concession food specials.

Where: Carlson Ice Arena, 4150 N. Perryville Road, Loves Park

When: 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. Friday, Jan. 19

Cost: $10 for all ages, includes skate rental

Snow Park at Alpine Hills

Tubers take the magic carpet up Snow Park at Alpine Hills in 2021 in Rockford. (Photo by Kevin Haas/Rock River Current)

About: The 5-acre snow park features a tubing area and a terrain park for freestyle skiers and snowboarders. It opens for the season on Thursday.

Where: Snow Park at Alpine Hills, 4402 Larson Ave., Rockford

Hours: 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. Thursday; 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. Friday; 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Saturday; 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday

Cost: $11 for tubing general admission; $15 for terrain park day pass

Vampire Lesbians of Sodom’

About: West Side Show Room is celebrating its 10-year anniversary by bringing back its very first play, “Vampires Lesbians of Sodom.” The campy and occasionally crude burlesque-style comedy is about two vampiresses whose paths first collide in ancient Sodom.

Where: West Side Show Room, 1414 N. Main St., Rockford

When: 8 p.m. and 10 p.m. Friday, Jan. 19

Cost: Free.

Tickets: Go HERE

Comedy at Hope & Anchor

About: Chicago-based comic Sohrab Forouzesh headlines this week’s comedy show. It also features Dan Cass, Chris Bongat and host Joseph Christopher.

Where: The Hope & Anchor, 545 McKinley Ave., Loves Park

When: 8 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 20

Cost: $10

Reservations: 815-633-2552

Info: Go HERE

Lights Out at Burpee

About: Lights Out at Burpee is a nighttime museum adventure that invites you to explore the space with flashlights and participate in activities centered around light and nature.

Where: Burpee Museum of Natural History, 737 N. Main St., Rockford

When: 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 20

Cost: $14 adults; $12 children ages 3-13; free for members and children younger than 3

Tickets: Go HERE

Robert Burns banquet

About: The Rockford Burns Club, the oldest ethnic society in the city, will host its annual banquet featuring traditional Haggis, the Clan MacAlpine Bagpipe Band, The Thistle and Heather Highland Dancers, a silent auction and a performance by the local group Emerald Wind.

Where: Mauh-Nah-Tee-See Country Club, 5151 Guilford Road, Rockford

When: 5 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 20

Cost: $60 members; $70 non-members; $15 for children

Tickets: Contact Christine Brooks for all ticket sales at email imkiki96@aol.com or phone 815-713-8366.

See Mania at the Coronado

Snow flakes fly around the Coronado Performing Arts Center on Friday, Jan. 12, 2024, in downtown Rockford. (Photo by Kevin Haas/Rock River Current)

About: Mania, a tribute band to the 1970s-era Swedish pop supergroup ABBA, has toured every continent in the world. This year’s tour helps celebrate the 50th anniversary of the breakout single “Waterloo.”

Where: The Coronado Performing Arts Center, 314 N. Main St., Rockford

When: 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 20

Cost: Tickets start at $25

Tickets: Go HERE

Kevn Kinney and The Rusted Hearts

About: Kevn Kinney of Drivin N Cryin collaborates with Rockford’s own Rusted Hearts for this one-of-a-kind show. Kelly Steward & The Restless Kind will open the show and there will be guest appearances from Miles Nielsen throughout the night.

Where: Prairie Street Brewing Co., 200 Prairie St., Rockford

When: 7 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 20

Cost: $20; $30 for VIP tickets

Info: Go HERE

Tattoo and vintage pop-up

About: Rooted will host tattoo artists Gianna Gambino and Alex Taylor of Rare Scum with flash tattoos to choose from. Anna Thomas from Ramblin Folk will also be there with a curated selection of vintage clothing and small home goods.

Where: Rooted + Wonderland Sweets, 1408 N. Main St., Rockford

When: Noon to 6 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 20

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

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