Arts & Culture

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...

Krampus is coming to Rockford and 317 Art Collective wants you to 'be part of th...

November 21, 2022 @ 12:17 pm

By Mary Sisk Rock River Current Get our mobile app ROCKFORD — Sick of Santa and mistletoe? 317 Art Collective has a different holiday...

Mosaic towers create colorful new 'landmarks' in Rockford's Coronado-Haskell nei...

November 17, 2022 @ 7:00 pm

By Kevin Haas Rock River Current Get our mobile app ROCKFORD — A new public art project featuring five mosaic towers were unveiled Thursday...

This art should sit well with you: New exhibit at Kortman Gallery in Rockford fe...

November 14, 2022 @ 11:52 am

By Mary Sisk Rock River Current Get our mobile app ROCKFORD — A new group exhibition in the city reimagines an everyday object: a...

This art should sit well with you: New exhibit at Kortman Gallery in Rockford fe...

November 14, 2022 @ 11:52 am

By Mary Sisk Rock River Current Get our mobile app ROCKFORD — A new group exhibition in the city reimagines an everyday object: a...

Sundance Short Film Tour is coming to Rockford next month

November 10, 2022 @ 1:14 pm

By Mary Sisk Rock River Current Get our mobile app ROCKFORD — The 2022 Sundance Short Film Tour is coming to the city next...

From Food Network to New York: Rockford's Lincoln Bias carves items off bucket l...

October 31, 2022 @ 11:35 am

By Kevin Haas Rock River Current Get our mobile app ROCKFORD — Lincoln Bias, a Rockford resident famed for turning pumpkins and other fruit...

From Food Network to New York: Rockford's Lincoln Bias carves items off bucket l...

October 31, 2022 @ 8:35 am

By Kevin Haas Rock River Current Get our mobile app ROCKFORD — Lincoln Bias, a Rockford resident famed for turning pumpkins and other fruit...

Beefaroo expands along Route 66, and a Rockford artist helps the new location st...

October 27, 2022 @ 6:30 am

By Kevin Haas Rock River Current Get our mobile app ROCKFORD — Travelers heading down the historic U.S. Route 66 in Missouri will soon...

A tiny gallery in a vault, a display of diversity and a tribute to video games: ...

October 12, 2022 @ 6:00 am

By Mary Sisk Rock River Current Get our mobile app ROCKFORD — Businesses across the city will turn into art galleries this weekend for...

A Beatles tribute show and more: Here are 12 things to do this weekend in the Ro...

October 6, 2022 @ 7:00 am

By Mary Sisk Rock River Current Get our mobile app ROCKFORD — This weekend you can get an early start on collecting Halloween candy,...

Pictorial: Here's a look at the completed Screw City Steel mural series in Rockf...

October 4, 2022 @ 2:30 pm

By Kevin Haas Rock River Current Get our mobile app ROCKFORD — Five artists from the region have turned steel doors tied to the...

Rockford native's play set on the State Street bridge produced here for the firs...

October 4, 2022 @ 6:30 am

By Mary Sisk Rock River Current Get our mobile app ROCKFORD — Rockford native Nathan Alan Davis’s plays have shown in theaters across the...

Former church, Mendelssohn property envisioned as new performing arts venue in d...

September 27, 2022 @ 6:00 am

By Kevin Haas Rock River Current Get our mobile app ROCKFORD — The former Mendelssohn Performing Arts Center at the corner of North Main...

How a Rockford artist's work is connecting people across the globe

September 22, 2022 @ 6:00 am

By Kevin Haas Rock River Current Get our mobile app ROCKFORD — Artist Roland Poska had often referred to Bob Schlehuber as “the stupidest...

'A great staple': Greenwich Village Art Fair marks 74th year in Rockford

September 18, 2022 @ 6:13 pm

By Kevin Haas Rock River Current Get our mobile app ROCKFORD — The longest running art fair of its kind in the Midwest took...

78 films from 50 countries: Mosaic World Film Festival unites filmmakers in Rock...

September 15, 2022 @ 6:00 am

By Mary Sisk Rock River Current Get our mobile app ROCKFORD — Filmmakers from all over the world will fill the Nordlof Center this...

78 films from 50 countries: Mosaic World Film Festival unites filmmakers in Rock...

September 15, 2022 @ 6:00 am

By Mary Sisk Rock River Current Get our mobile app ROCKFORD — Filmmakers from all over the world will fill the Nordlof Center this...

Explore dreams and nightmares in this art show that 'brings the audience through...

September 7, 2022 @ 6:05 am

By Kevin Haas Rock River Current Get our mobile app ROCKFORD — An imaginative new outdoor art production invites viewers to explore the world...

Evolve Dance Co. moves into new space at Edgebrook in Rockford

August 27, 2022 @ 4:10 pm

By Kevin Haas Rock River Current Get our mobile app ROCKFORD — Evolve Dance Co. celebrated the start of a new chapter on Saturday...

The final mural of this summer's CRE8IV initiative sets a different tone than th...

August 25, 2022 @ 6:40 pm

By Kevin Haas Rock River Current Get our mobile app ROSCOE — The 12th and final mural of this summer’s CRE8IV: transformational Art initiative...

With future of Pec Playhouse in limbo, sisters tout theater's value to downtown ...

August 23, 2022 @ 7:30 am

By Kevin Haas Rock River Current Get our mobile app PECATONICA — A grassroots group of arts supporters is working to showcase the value...

Anonymous confessions become art in Rockfordian's latest show

August 1, 2022 @ 7:00 am

By Mary Sisk Rock River Current Get our newsletter ROCKFORD — Eamonn James Talkington found solace in confronting his wrongdoings in his path to sobriety...

'Art creates vibrant places': Sculpture gets permanent home at College Avenue ro...

July 27, 2022 @ 4:18 pm

By Kevin Haas Rock River Current Get our mobile app ROCKFORD — What you see at the center of the roundabout at College Avenue...

'More than fashion': Rockford born hip-hop artist opens store in Midtown to cele...

July 26, 2022 @ 6:30 am

By Mary Sisk Rock River Current Get our newsletter ROCKFORD — Dana Reeder wants to bring his love for hip-hop to Midtown with a new...

Battle at Levings in Rockford showcases skill, power and art of breakdancing

July 25, 2022 @ 12:57 am

By Kevin Haas Rock River Current Get our newsletter ROCKFORD — Breakdancers took over Levings Park on Sunday in a showcase of rhythm, quick...

Vibrant Rockford Peaches mural in Midtown is complete

July 20, 2022 @ 3:17 pm

Rock River Current Get our newsletter ROCKFORD — The gateway to the city’s Midtown District now has a vibrant new mural that pays homage...

'It really brings us all together': Rockford breakdance battle aims to unite and...

July 18, 2022 @ 6:00 am

By Mary Sisk Rock River Current Get our newsletter ROCKFORD — Breakdancing isn’t a just hobby for Vic Rivera; it’s a therapeutic and creative outlet...

'Accomplished, fearless women': New mural in Midtown pays tribute to Rockford Pe...

July 13, 2022 @ 9:24 pm

By Kevin Haas Rock River Current Get our newsletter ROCKFORD — Muralists Jenny Ustick and Atalie Gagnet left Rockford in 2019 after reintroducing the...

'Be whimsical every day': Arts Happening brings wonder to downtown Rockford

June 26, 2022 @ 2:05 am

By Kevin Haas Rock River Current Get our newsletter ROCKFORD — Olivia Gaumond started the process of transforming into a mermaid about 8 a.m....

Future is Now puts traditional art and NFTs on display in Rockford with an optio...

June 17, 2022 @ 6:00 am

By Mary Sisk Rock River Current Get our newsletter ROCKFORD — 317 Art Collective’s latest exhibit encouraged artists to envision the future on both traditional...

Rockford Area Arts Council to host charity event for Ukraine

June 16, 2022 @ 6:00 am

By Mary Sisk Rock River Current Get our newsletter ROCKFORD — The Rockford Area Arts Council is hosting a charity event at the University...

Have you seen this 'secret squirrel' in Rockford? Here's the story behind the hu...

June 15, 2022 @ 6:00 am

By Mary Sisk Rock River Current Get our newsletter ROCKFORD — A cartoon yellow squirrel clad in a purple hat and gesturing as if...

Kortman Gallery pushes artists 'out of their comfort zones' with erotic themed s...

April 20, 2022 @ 6:00 am

From news release Rock River Current Get our Newsletter ROCKFORD — A new exhibit from Kortman Gallery aims to push artists out of their...

Here are your 2022 Rockford Area Arts Awards winners

March 16, 2022 @ 9:34 am

From news release Rock River Current Get our newsletter ROCKFORD — The Rockford Area Arts Council honored 10 artists and advocacy organizations last week...

Don't sleep on 'Pillow Talk,' the latest exhibit at Kortman Gallery in Rockford

November 16, 2021 @ 6:00 am

By Kevin Haas Rock River Current Get our newsletter ROCKFORD — Iconic works of art don’t just live inside museums. You can get Mona...

Colorblind artist creates vibrant new mural in Pecatonica

October 22, 2021 @ 5:53 pm

By Kevin Haas Rock River Current Get our newsletter PECATONICA — As he put the final touches on his latest mural Friday, Brett Whitacre...

Brett Whitacre's new mural in Loves Park literally sizzles

September 9, 2021 @ 9:12 pm

By Kevin Haas Rock River Current LOVES PARK — Have you ever watched paint fry? Brett Whitacre has. The Rockford muralist worked 12-hour days...