Arts & Culture

New art gallery and event space in downtown Rockford also deals vintage goods an...

November 29, 2023 @ 6:05 am

By Kevin Haas Rock River Current Get our mobile app ROCKFORD — A new local art gallery and event space that also sells vintage...

'The culture is here': Portrait project pays homage to 50 Rockford hip hop icons

November 28, 2023 @ 5:35 am

By Kevin Haas Rock River Current Get our mobile app ROCKFORD — A local artist and hip hop historian has created a portrait series...

Seeing Red: New exhibit at Kortman Gallery in Rockford centers on Symbol's iconi...

November 17, 2023 @ 11:55 am

By Kevin Haas Rock River Current Get our newsletter ROCKFORD — The city’s most recognizable piece of public art is celebrated at a new...

Catching up with Bing Liu: Rockford filmmaker talks latest project, life since '...

November 17, 2023 @ 5:45 am

By Kevin Haas Rock River Current Get our mobile app ROCKFORD — Much like the documentary that earned him an Academy Award nomination, Bing...

Catching up with Bing Liu: Rockford filmmaker talks latest project, life since '...

November 17, 2023 @ 5:45 am

By Kevin Haas Rock River Current Get our mobile app ROCKFORD — Much like the documentary that earned him an Academy Award nomination, Bing...

Rockford Art Museum to close until summer to replace climate control system

November 13, 2023 @ 10:55 am

By Kevin Haas Rock River Current Get our mobile app ROCKFORD — Rockford Art Museum will be closed until next summer as it works...

Rockford holiday tradition to return for special one-night only show

November 7, 2023 @ 6:00 am

By Kevin Haas Rock River Current Get our mobile app ROCKFORD — A Rockford holiday tradition that ended its 25-year run in 2019 is returning...

Rockford IceHogs promo features original hat designs from 3 local artists

November 6, 2023 @ 3:02 pm

Via news release Rock River Current Get our mobile app ROCKFORD — Fans first in line at three Rockford IceHogs games this season have...

Rockford couple's home glows with 90 jack-o'-lanterns for Halloween

October 31, 2023 @ 5:00 am

By Kevin Haas Rock River Current Get our mobile app ROCKFORD — Megan Pease is bringing a bit of magic to her neighborhood this year...

Photos: 9 paintings cover 8 storefronts for Smash Art in downtown Rockford

October 27, 2023 @ 3:55 pm

By Kevin Haas Rock River Current Get our mobile app ROCKFORD — A stretch of East State Street in downtown became an outdoor art gallery...

Smash Art turns vandalism into mini murals in downtown Rockford

October 24, 2023 @ 2:08 pm

A complete list of businesses and participating artists is at the bottom of this story By Kevin Haas Rock River Current Get our mobile app...

Local 'underground guerrilla theater' company named Rockford Public Library's ar...

October 13, 2023 @ 6:00 am

By Kevin Haas Rock River Current Get our mobile app ROCKFORD — Moon Dog Theatre‘s first production inside the RPL Nordlof Center’s black box...

From sneakers and streetwear to Fred VanVleet gear, here's downtown Rockford's n...

October 12, 2023 @ 6:01 am

By Kevin Haas Rock River Current Get our mobile app ROCKFORD — You don’t need to save your best fit for the weekends. You...

West Side Show Room's new thought-provoking comedy has literal and figurative sh...

October 11, 2023 @ 12:30 pm

By Kevin Haas Rock River Current Get our mobile app ROCKFORD — The less you know about The West Side Show Room‘s new play...

Maze Books 'grew up.' The independent bookstore has opened in a new space in dow...

October 6, 2023 @ 11:19 am

By Kevin Haas Rock River Current Get our mobile app ROCKFORD — There’s a phrase David Pederson occasionally hears from people who wander into...

Bing Liu to return to Rockford this winter for 815HORTS film festival

October 5, 2023 @ 9:28 am

Rock River Current Get our mobile app ROCKFORD — Academy Award nominated filmmaker and Rockford native Bing Liu will return to the city in...

First ever Art in the Park celebrates artistic talent in Sycamore, around the re...

September 29, 2023 @ 10:31 am

By Kevin Haas Rock River Current Get our mobile app SYCAMORE — Arts will take over Citizens Memorial Sports Complex on Sunday during a...

'A little pocket of magic': Outdoor art show Somnium aims to create surreal Rock...

September 29, 2023 @ 6:00 am

By Kevin Haas Rock River Current Get our mobile app ROCKFORD — An industrial building tucked between the Rock River and Madison Street in...

Local designers work to be on display at first ever fashion show at Nicholas Con...

September 22, 2023 @ 1:32 pm

By Kevin Haas Rock River Current Get our mobile app ROCKFORD — A group of local designers aim to push Rockford’s fashion forward with...

Getting Twisted: How cast members prepare to scare Rockford at Twisted Crypt Hau...

September 20, 2023 @ 9:00 pm

By Kevin Haas Rock River Current Get our mobile app ROCKFORD — Dustin Tumeo’s voice almost instinctively drops into a low, gravelly tone as...

New art exhibit captures story of Rockford neighborhoods that 'stood the test of...

September 12, 2023 @ 6:00 am

By Kevin Haas Rock River Current Get our mobile app ROCKFORD — Inside the first-floor lobby of Rockford’s City Hall, you can walk through...

75th Greenwich Village Art Fair coming to Rockford Art Museum grounds this weeke...

September 11, 2023 @ 2:35 pm

Rock River Current Get our mobile app ROCKFORD — The 75th Greenwich Village Art Fair takes over the grounds of Riverfront Museum Park this...

New Rockford fashion show to focus on restyled and secondhand clothing

September 5, 2023 @ 6:00 am

Rock River Current Get our mobile app ROCKFORD — A new fashion event debuting this weekend puts a new twist on old clothing. Womanspace...

Amazon cancels 'A League of Their Own,' ending the series centered on the Rockfo...

August 22, 2023 @ 4:57 pm

By Kevin Haas Rock River Current Get our mobile app ROCKFORD — “A League of Their Own” won’t get its second and final season...

Ferragosto celebration at Lino's to feature 6 hours of live music to benefit 6 R...

August 6, 2023 @ 2:13 pm

By Kevin Haas Rock River Current Get our mobile app ROCKFORD — A new celebration this summer will feature six hours of live music...

'Heart of the River': New mural honors Ski Broncs, aims to spark joy in Loves Pa...

August 4, 2023 @ 12:03 pm

By Kevin Haas Rock River Current Get our mobile app LOVES PARK — A new mural filled with custom colors aims to spark joy...

New mural on Rockford's North End salutes veterans for 'their bravery and dedica...

August 3, 2023 @ 4:41 pm

By Kevin Haas Rock River Current Get our mobile app ROCKFORD — A new mural at North Main and Auburn streets brings a colorful...

New concert venue coming to Levings Park, a home for Rockford's talent for nearl...

August 2, 2023 @ 2:31 pm

By Kevin Haas Rock River Current Get our mobile app ROCKFORD — Elbert Jordan thought back Wednesday to the first stage that young people...

Colorful corner store SRM Prints celebrates grand opening in downtown Rockford

August 1, 2023 @ 3:24 pm

By Kevin Haas Rock River Current Get our mobile app ROCKFORD — An artist owned and operated stationery goods and gift shop has opened...

Former Radio City Rockette opens new school of dance in Rockford

July 31, 2023 @ 6:00 am

By Kevin Haas Rock River Current Get our mobile app ROCKFORD — A former precision dancer with the legendary Radio City Rockettes has opened...

Guest review: Moon Dog Theatre's 'Red' adds to Rockford's arts renaissance

July 26, 2023 @ 10:34 am

By Ron Clewer Guest opinion Get our mobile app As an art supporter, it is great to see the renaissance of the arts in...

New Rockford Public Art Trail rewards you for visiting murals, sculptures and mo...

July 19, 2023 @ 6:29 pm

By Kevin Haas Rock River Current Get our mobile app ROCKFORD — A new program run through your mobile phone rewards you for exploring...

New art clubhouse opens this week in downtown Rockford. Here's a look inside the...

July 3, 2023 @ 6:00 am

By Kevin Haas Rock River Current Get our mobile app ROCKFORD — Juju Rey’s Art Clubhouse, a new business that aims to unite youth...

New exhibit 'Staring at Strangers' blends realistic and abstract at Kortman Gall...

June 30, 2023 @ 9:59 am

By Kevin Haas Rock River Current Get our mobile app ROCKFORD — A new exhibit opening tonight at Kortman Gallery blends the realistic and...

Basketball courts outside west Rockford elementary school to get new surface and...

June 30, 2023 @ 6:00 am

By Kevin Haas Rock River Current Get our mobile app ROCKFORD — Plans are in motion to give students and neighborhood kids who play...

Rockford's renowned Phantom Regiment to hold special show Sunday as it prepares ...

June 23, 2023 @ 10:17 am

By Kevin Haas and Steve Summers Rock River Current Get our mobile app LOVES PARK —Phantom Regiment Drum and Bugle Corps will unveil this...

Belvidere native paints new mural honoring the history of the Boone County Fair

June 23, 2023 @ 6:00 am

By Kevin Haas Rock River Current Get our mobile app BELVIDERE — A new mural that will be unveiled Saturday in the city’s downtown...

Art in an alleyway: New Rockford mural project shows art can live in different s...

June 8, 2023 @ 4:40 pm

By Kevin Haas Rock River Current Get our mobile app ROCKFORD — A dull alleyway that patrons often pass through on their way to...

Downtown Rockford event invites you to explore the future of art in the age of A...

June 8, 2023 @ 9:01 am

Rock River Current Get our mobile app ROCKFORD — The second installment of Ars Pvblica, an art and literary forum that brings new life...

New downtown Rockford business strives to get youth, families involved in the ar...

June 1, 2023 @ 6:00 am

By Kevin Haas Rock River Current Get our mobile app ROCKFORD — A new business coming to downtown Rockford blends the line between playhouse...

2 downtown Rockford businesses enter new chapters with move to different storefr...

June 1, 2023 @ 6:00 am

By Kevin Haas Rock River Current Get our mobile app ROCKFORD — A pair of downtown businesses are changing locations in a collaborative effort...

Rockford's mural initiative is getting bigger and smaller at the same time this ...

May 31, 2023 @ 6:57 pm

By Helen Karakoudas Special to the Rock River Current Get our mobile app ROCKFORD — The public art initiative first known for bringing murals...

New art exhibit in Rockford showcases strength and vibrance of LGBTQ+ artists

May 30, 2023 @ 12:00 pm

By Kevin Haas Rock River Current Get our mobile app ROCKFORD — A new exhibit at 317 Art Collaborative sets out to showcase the...

New art exhibit in Rockford showcases strength and vibrance of LGBTQ+ artists

May 30, 2023 @ 12:00 pm

By Kevin Haas Rock River Current Get our mobile app ROCKFORD — A new exhibit at 317 Art Collaborative sets out to showcase the...

Rockford woman sells authentic African clothing and jewelry to benefit kids in h...

May 23, 2023 @ 6:00 am

By Kevin Haas Rock River Current Get our mobile app ROCKFORD — Elizabeth Adedoyin left her home country of Liberia at age 9 to...

Rockford arts icon Tom Heflin, whose work captured the beauty of the Midwest, ha...

May 1, 2023 @ 3:09 pm

By Kevin Haas Rock River Current Get our mobile app ROCKFORD — The leap of faith Tom Heflin took to become a full-time artist...

West Side Show Room's latest play flips the script on Robin Hood

April 27, 2023 @ 1:17 pm

By Kevin Haas Rock River Current Get our mobile app ROCKFORD — A new play at the West Side Show Room put a twist...

Want to see this new Rockford mural on a T-shirt? There's a plan in the works

April 27, 2023 @ 6:00 am

By Kevin Haas Rock River Current Get our mobile app ROCKFORD — Andrew Vowles has seen a new energy outside of Ernie’s Midtown Pub...

New Midtown mural spells out Rockford's sports, industrial and arts history

April 21, 2023 @ 5:34 pm

By Kevin Haas Rock River Current Get our mobile app ROCKFORD — Midtown‘s newest mural is a tribute to Rockford sports, industry and history...

Arts take center stage in Rockford this weekend for Spring ArtScene

April 20, 2023 @ 6:00 am

By Kevin Haas Rock River Current Get our mobile app ROCKFORD — The city’s art scene takes center stage this weekend as visual and...

Amazon has renewed 'A League of Their Own' for a final four-episode season

April 12, 2023 @ 8:31 pm

By Kevin Haas Rock River Current Get our mobile app ROCKFORD — Amazon has officially renewed “A League of Their Own,” the series centered...

Rockton musical artist Danielle Juhre signs songwriting deal with Grammy-winning...

March 22, 2023 @ 6:00 am

By Kevin Haas Rock River Current Get our mobile app ROCKTON — Singer and songwriter Danielle Juhre has signed a deal that sets the...

Report: 'A League of Their Own' to return for second and final season on Amazon ...

March 20, 2023 @ 2:11 pm

By Kevin Haas Rock River Current Get our mobile app ROCKFORD — “A League of Their Own,” the Amazon Prime Video series that put...

This Rockford violinist was born deaf, here's how 'music became her voice'

March 8, 2023 @ 4:32 pm

By Kevin Haas Rock River Current Get our mobile app ROCKFORD — Sarah Pearl Anderson’s first violin was gifted to her as a tool...

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Harlem Veteran Project's latest film explores what it means to be a woman in the...

March 3, 2023 @ 6:00 am

By Kevin Haas Rock River Current Get our mobile app MACHESNEY PARK — When U.S. Marine veteran Melody Brocato started attending meetings for veterans...

Rockford Guilford High School Valkyries ready to put on a show nearly 60 years i...

February 28, 2023 @ 6:00 am

By Kevin Haas Rock River Current Get our mobile app ROCKFORD — Nearly 30 years ago Katie Pozzi performed for the Valkyries for the...

4 dozen nominees announced for Rockford Area Arts Awards

February 21, 2023 @ 1:45 pm

By Kevin Haas Rock River Current Get our mobile app ROCKFORD — The Rockford Area Arts Council on Tuesday announced 48 nominees for this...

Downtown Rockford art collaborative changes name, reforms as nonprofit

February 14, 2023 @ 9:14 am

By Kevin Haas Rock River Current Get our Newsletter ROCKFORD — A downtown gallery and collaborative arts studio has reformed as a nonprofit and...

'It's hard to sculpt slush': Rockford snow sculptors face challenging weather fo...

February 9, 2023 @ 5:45 am

By Kevin Haas Rock River Current Get our mobile app ROCKFORD — Jack Gerard has seen just about every variety of weather during his...

Art abounds this week in Rockford. Here are 15 things to do

February 7, 2023 @ 6:00 am

By Kevin Haas Rock River Current Get our mobile app ROCKFORD — Arts abound this week in the Rockford area with a host of...

Beyond the lens: New Kortman Gallery exhibit in Rockford reimagines photography

February 6, 2023 @ 6:00 am

By Kevin Haas Rock River Current Get our mobile app ROCKFORD — A new exhibit coming to Kortman Gallery in downtown takes photography beyond...

Rockford theater to produce first play with role written for transgender actor

January 30, 2023 @ 6:42 pm

By Kevin Haas Rock River Current Get our mobile app ROCKFORD — The West Side Show Room’s next play, “Hir,” features a role written...

Rockford's new poet laureate plans to bring poetry to new, unexpected places

January 23, 2023 @ 8:14 pm

By Kevin Haas Rock River Current Get our mobile app ROCKFORD — The city’s new poet laureate wants to show Rockford how poetry can...

'Exciting journey': Rockford Symphony Orchestra selects Yaniv Attar after 3-year...

January 18, 2023 @ 3:17 pm

By Kevin Haas Rock River Current Get our mobile app ROCKFORD — Rockford Symphony Orchestra made its final movement Wednesday in a roughly three-year...

Soar Awards, which brings some of gospel's biggest names to Rockford, returns to...

January 18, 2023 @ 12:20 pm

By Kevin Haas Rock River Current Get our mobile app ROCKFORD — Justin and Rebecca Francis faced pressure to move their annual award show...

Here are the official selections for Rockford New Words 2023 at West Side Show R...

January 10, 2023 @ 11:39 am

By Kevin Haas Rock River Current Get our mobile app ROCKFORD — Writers from here and across the country will present 10 new works...

Breakfast with Santa, luminaria and more: Here 12 things to do in the Rockford a...

December 7, 2022 @ 6:01 am

By Mary Sisk Rock River Current Get our mobile app ROCKFORD — The holidays are in full swing in the Rock River Valley, with...

Breakfast with Santa, luminaria and more: Here 12 things to do in the Rockford a...

December 7, 2022 @ 6:00 am

By Mary Sisk Rock River Current Get our mobile app ROCKFORD — The holidays are in full swing in the Rock River Valley, with...

Artist aims to inspire with exhibit that showcases the faces of Rockford's past,...

December 2, 2022 @ 8:30 am

By Kevin Haas Rock River Current Get our mobile app ROCKFORD — When Rachel Bonacquisti returned to the city roughly six years ago she...

Artist aims to inspire with exhibit that showcases the faces of Rockford's past,...

December 2, 2022 @ 8:30 am

By Kevin Haas Rock River Current Get our mobile app ROCKFORD — When Rachel Bonacquisti returned to the city roughly six years ago she...

Christmas drag brunch, tree lighting, The Nutcracker and more: 14 things to do i...

November 30, 2022 @ 6:00 am

By Mary Sisk Rock River Current Get our mobile app ROCKFORD — As the holiday season commences so do the celebrations, and there are...

Downtown Rockford turns 'magical' for 10th annual Stroll on State

November 27, 2022 @ 6:18 am

By Kevin Haas Rock River Current Get our mobile app ROCKFORD — Parade grand marshals Carol and Gerry Davies could tell Stroll on State would...

Downtown Rockford turns 'magical' for 10th annual Stroll on State

November 27, 2022 @ 6:18 am

By Kevin Haas Rock River Current Get our mobile app ROCKFORD — Parade grand marshals Carol and Gerry Davies could tell Stroll on State would...

Photos: 10th annual Stroll on State in downtown Rockford

November 27, 2022 @ 12:32 am

Rock River Current Get our mobile app ROCKFORD — The 10th annual Stroll on State took over downtown Rockford on Saturday, and thousands of...

11 things to do on Thanksgiving weekend in the Rockford area

November 23, 2022 @ 7:00 am

By Mary Sisk Rock River Current Get our mobile app ROCKFORD — The holiday season has begun and there’s plenty to do to celebrate...