Jesus Christ Superstar, Christmas at the Farm among 21 things to in Rockford
Halloween is officially behind us now which means many people are already looking at Christmas.
There are a few events this weekend which can help get you in the holiday spirit as well as get a head start on some Christmas shopping.
Here's 21 things to do in the Rockford area this weekend.
Jesus Christ Superstar (Touring)
What: Jesus Christ Superstar is an iconic musical. In celebration of its 50th anniversary, a new production is touring. The production pays tribute to the historic 1971 Billboard Album of the Year. The show features award-winning music by Andrew Lloyd Webber and lyrics by Tim Rice. Jesus Christ Superstar is set against the backdrop of the series of events during the final weeks in the life of Jesus Christ as seen through the eyes of Judas.
When: 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 2
Where: Coronado Performing Arts Center, 314 N. Main St., Rockford
Cost: $35-$80
For more: 815-968-5222
Rock-Con 50 Game Convention
What: Rock-Con features historical and fantasy miniature gaming, board games, role-playing games, sci-fi and fantasy games and other events that cover the entire spectrum of tabletop gaming. Silent auction is Saturday. Prizes given throughout the weekends.
When: Noon to 11:30 p.m. Friday, Nov. 3; 8 a.m. to 11:30 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 4; 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 5
Where: Tebala Event Center, 7910 Newburg Road, Rockford
Cost: Single Day $20; weekend pass $45
For more: rock-con.com
The Lifespan of a Fact
What: Jim (Ian Garthwaite) is fresh out of Harvard and working as a fact checker for a prestigious magazine. John (David A. Gingerich) is an acclaimed writer of a brilliant essay. When Jim fact checks John’s essay, the two men butt heads in a comic, yet gripping battle over facts vs. truth, with Emily (Ricki G. Ravitts), the beleaguered editor of the magazine, caught squarely in the middle of their war.
When: Shows begin Thursday, Nov. 2 and run through Nov. 19. Check show times online.
Where: Rockford University Clark Arts Center, 5050 E. State St., Rockford
For more:artistsensemble.csstix.com
Noche de las Calaveras Adult Event
What: The Rockford Park District’s Nicholas Conservatory invites adults ages 21 and older for a new adult celebration of Día de los Muertos. The Noche de las Calaveras (Night of the Skulls) event will take place the night before the facility’s annual Día de los Muertos family event, with festivities including music and a cash bar from Veedubs. The Conservatory will be decorated for the holiday. Food trucks from La Calle and Las Nenas will also be on hand. Catrina and Catrin costumes and face painting are encouraged.
When: 6 to 9 p.m. Friday, Nov. 3
Where: Nicholas Conservatory & Gardens, 1354 N. 2nd St., Rockford
Cost: $8-$12
For more:nicholasconservatory.com
Christmas at the Farm 2023
What: Enjoy holiday shopping with a mix of vintage decor and seasonal gifts. There will be a heated building and two heated tents filled with more than 35 vendors with booths full of vintage Christmas, florals, new and vintage jewelry, candles, soaps, Irish candy, painted furniture, home decor, ornaments, holiday greens and garland, hip clothing and more.
When: 5 to 9 p.m. Friday, Nov. 3 and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 4
Where: Meyer’s Tails Up Farm, 5390 Irene Road, Belvidere
Cost: $7 at the gate cash only; free for age 12 and younger
For more: 815-547-5778
The Ubiquitous Accordion
What: Legendary accordionist Mike Alongi and friends will traverse genres including polkas, tangos, jazz and familiar classics. Observe the versatility of the accordion and how these musicians communicate on the bandstand.
When: 7:30 p.m. Friday, Nov. 3
Where: Mendelssohn Auditorium
Cost: $25; $21 in advance; $6 for students
For more: 815-964-9713
Grand Opening: Rick-Rac Embellishments & Gifts
What: Come celebrate the grand opening of this new local business. Customers can expect to see clothing, home decor, gifts and more. A door prize each day will be given the first guest who enters. Register to win a Ric-Rac gift basket with every purchase.
When: 10:30 a.m. Friday, Nov. 3 through Sunday, Nov. 5
Where: Ric-Rac Embellishments & Gifts, 109 W. Main St., Rockton
For more:Ric-Rac Embellishments & Gifts on Facebook
Jingle Bell Rockton
What: Enjoy Downtown Rockton's official Christmas season kick off with open houses all weekend. Join us food, drinks, prizes and holiday shopping. For those who want to win prizes, pick up a stamp card from participating locations and collect stamps as you shop. No purchase necessary to participate.
When: 10 a.m. Friday, Nov. 3 through 4 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 5
Where: Downtown Rockton, 101 W. Main St., Rockton
For more:Jingle Bell Rockton on Facebook
Opening Weekend: Inkwell Books & Threads
What: Check out Rockton’s new indie bookstore, which will feature new and used books, new and vintage clothing plus various gift items. Everyone who visits this weekend can enter to win a specially curated gift basket of some of our favorite items.
When: 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Friday, Nov. 3 and Saturday, Nov. 4; noon to 4 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 5
Where: Inkwell Books & Threads, 106 W. Main St., Rockton
For more: 815-957-0105
More: 'It's now or never': Rockford-area couple start new chapter with bookstore
Genealogy Workshop
What: Local genealogist Steve Salvato will lead you through the process of researching your family and your heritage in this hands-on workshop. He will help you navigate the numerous resources and websites that contain the information to help you on the journey to uncovering your past.
When: 1 to 4 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 4
Where: Ethnic Heritage Museum, 1129 S. Main St., Rockford
Cost: Free
For more:ethnicheritagemuseum.org
John Crist: Emotional Support Tour
What: As one of the nation's fastest-rising stand-up comedians, the Georgia native-turned Nashville resident, John Crist, is known for his no-holds-barred humor, southern-bred wit and charming relatability.
When: 7 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 4
Where: Coronado Performing Arts Center, 314 N. Main St., Rockford
Cost: $35-$155
For more: 815-968-5222
Doug Stivers as “The Little Man in Black”
What: A night of the stories and the greatest hits of Johnny Cash along with tunes from his closest friends like Merle Haggard, Waylon Jennings, Verne Gosdin and others performed by Doug Stivers. Seating is first-come, first-served with a 50-seat limit. Refreshments served. Free parking in the lot behind the store. Handicapped accessible.
When: 7 to 8:30 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 4 (doors open at 6 p.m.)
Where: Inscape Collective, 201 Seventh St., Rockford
Cost: Free admission; donations encouraged
For more: Ruth Jackson, 815-988-0713
Veterans Drop-In Center 5k Run and Walk
What: This fundraising event for the center draws more than 700 participants to a USATF certified 5K course, circuit-scored run for the Rockford Roadrunners. There are opening ceremonies where we honor our veterans, family fun events that include a free kids fun run and theme and special prizes for each branch of the military. Sign up at runsignup.com.
When: 9 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 4
Where: Sportscore 1, 100 Elmwood Road, Rockford
Cost: $35; $15 for age 11 to 17; free for age 10 and younger
For more: 815-713-8843
Friends of RPL Used Book Sale
What: Get great deals on used books. Hardcover books will be $0.50 with paperback books being $0.25.
When: 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 4
Where: Rockford Public Library, 214 N. Church St., Rockford
For more: 815-965-7606
82nd Annual Veterans Dinner
What: This year’s keynote speaker will be Ericka E. Kelly, Command Chief Master Sergeant US Air Force-Retired, who represented the highest enlisted executive level of leadership in the military. She advised the Commander on all issues regarding the readiness, training, welfare, morale and proper utilization and progress of more than 74,000 civilians/enlisted/officer active duty and reserve citizen airmen serving at more than 60 military bases worldwide.
When: 5:30 to 9 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 4
Where: Embassy Suites, 597 S. Wyman St., Rockford
Cost: $55: $450 for a table of 8
For more: Scott, 815-969-1999
Bringing Country to the Rockford Theater
What: This fundraiser for SheVets, Remedies and Rock River Pantry features back country roads and opener Johnnie Miller of Chicago. $1 per ticket will be donated to SheVets. Personal care items will also be collected for Remedies, peanut butter and jelly jars for The Rock River Pantry and monetary donations.
When: 6 to 11 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 4
Where: Rockford Woman’s Club, 323 Park Ave., Rockford
Cost: $20
For more:Rockford Woman's Club on Facebook
Harvest Festival & Market
What: There will be festive music in the coffee bar by Wattle and Daub. The Rockford Midtown Market accepts Link benefits and participates in the Link Up Illinois “Link Match” program, which doubles the value of Link purchases.
When: Saturday, Nov. 4
Where: Katie’s Cup, 504 Seventh St., Rockford
Cost: Free to attend
For more: rockfordmidtownmarket@gmail.com
7th Annual MomStrong Momma Market
What: This event is an outreach event for the MomStrong ministry and a benefit for The Pregnancy Care Center of Rockford. "Momma Market" means that all of the vendors are local business-owning moms. The booths will not all be mom/parenting related, however, and you don't need to be a mom to shop. In addition to vendor booths, there will be a silent auction benefitting the Pregnancy Care Center.
When: 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 4
Where: Central Christian Church, 6595 Guilford Road, Rockford
For more:MomStrong on Facebook
Concerts on the Creek Series
What: Family-friendly music encompassing the bluegrass style and more will be featured at the Nov. 5 concert. Grass Attack is a four-piece band of musicians from southern Wisconsin and northern Illinois who play everything from country to newgrass, with a sprinkling of folk and bluegrass. Attendance will be limited to 150.
When: 3 to 4 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 5 (doors open at 2 p.m.)
Where: Spring Creek Church, 4500 Spring Creek Road, Rockford
Cost: Free admission; donations encouraged
For more: 815-979-1949
Hispanic Veteran Celebration
What: The Ethnic Heritage Museum is celebrating and honoring local Hispanic Veterans. This year's honorees are members of the Cardenas Family. The Cardenas family band started when they were teenagers in Uvalde, Texas. Upon moving to Rockford in 1963, they played music as El Conjunto Cardenas in Rockford and surrounding communities. After they were all inducted into military service, the band didn't play again until 1969. Light refreshments will be served.
When: 2-4 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 5
Where: Ethnic Heritage Museum, 1129 S. Main St., Rockford
Cost: Free; donations encouraged
For more: 815-962-740
Smashing Pumpkins
What: Send your jack-o-lanterns flying through the air with a giant trebuchet, a counterweight catapult used in medieval times, or surrender it for target practice. Create your own miniature catapult and celebrate with autumn crafts. At the end, pumpkin pieces are collected and fed to local livestock.
When: 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 5
Where: Discovery Center Museum, 711 N. Main St., Rockford
Cost: $10 admission includes all activities for the general public; free for members and children age 1 and younger
For more: 815-963-6769
Kathi Edwards is a freelance correspondent.
This article originally appeared on Rockford Register Star: Jesus Christ Superstar musical happening in Rockford, Illinois
