By Kevin Haas
Rock River Current
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ROCKFORD — This weekend is your last chance to see the All Aglow light display outside of Nicholas Conservatory & Gardens.
You can also catch a play at West Side Show Room, taste a selection of wines while raising money for charity or catch a pair of comedy shows.
More news: Chef Patrick Alberto to revamp Octane into new restaurant with Filipino cuisine
You can check out our events page to look ahead to next week, when Disney On Ice arrives in town.
Here are 10 things to do this weekend in Rockford.
A burlesque-style vampire comedy
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.
When: 8 p.m. and 10 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 4; 8 p.m. and 10 p.m. Friday, Jan. 5; 8 p.m. and 10 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 6
Tickets: Free. Go HERE
Comedy at a cantina
About: Comedian Ton Johnson headlines comedy night at Lucha Cantina. The show also features Ty Riggs, Rachel Hall and is hosted by Dan Garcia.
Where: Lucha Cantina, 1641 N. Alpine Road, Rockford
When: 7:30 p.m. Friday, Jan. 5
How much: $10
Reservations: Email joshua@lucharockford.com or call 815-977-4319
Info: Facebook event page HERE
Wine tasting to benefit Shelter Care Ministries
About: Join Shelter Care Ministries to sample about two dozen wines and enjoy an evening of friendship and camaraderie. All proceeds benefit supportive housing programs and the Jubilee Center, a day program for adults who live with chronic mental illness or who may be homeless or at risk of homelessness.
When: 5:30 to 8 p.m. Friday, Jan. 5
Where: Artale Wine Co., 6876 Spring Creek Road, Rockford
Cost: $20
Info: 815-964-5520; or go HERE
A jiu jitsu grand opening
About: Black Flag Jiu Jitsu will celebrate its grand opening by hosting Heath Pedigo, a jiu jitsu black belt and the founder of the Pedigo Submission Fighting Academy, and the Daisy Fresh American jiu jitsu crew for a series of seminars. There will also be a series of tournaments for various skill levels.
When: Friday, Jan. 5 through Sunday, Jan. 7
Where: 21 Airport Drive, Rockford
How much: $150
Contact: blackflagjiujitsu@gmail.com; 815-905-5557
Birding for beginners
About: This beginner-friendly bird outing hosted by Nature at the Confluence includes an introduction to birding and a guided stroll on the 1-mile Rock River Birding and Hiking Trail. All experience levels are welcome and binoculars are provided.
Where: Nature at the Confluence, 306 Dickop St., South Beloit
When: 7:30 a.m. to 9 a.m. Friday, Jan. 5
Cost: $5
Info: Go HERE
Community Blues showcase
About: RPL Nordlof Center will host this community blues showcase featuring Win Noll & The Rockin’ Soul. The family-friendly event is free to attend.
Where: RPL Nordlof Center, 118 N. Main St., Rockford
When: 1:30 p.m. Friday, Jan. 5
Info: Go HERE
Winter festival and market
About: Rockford Midtown Market returns with an indoor winter market and festival featuring music, food, coffee and a variety of vendors. Samuel on Saxophone is this musician this week.
Where: Katie’s Cup, 502 Seventh St., Rockford
When: 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 6
Laughs with Lance Richards
About: Comedian Lance Richards will headline stand-up comedy night at Hope & Anchor English Pub. The show also features Peter Daniels and Hunter Hirsh and is hosted by Kevin Haas.
When: 8 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 6
Where: Hope & Anchor English Pub, 545 McKinley Ave., Loves Park
Cost: $10
For reservations: Call 815-633-2552
Info: Facebook event page HERE
Final weekend for All Aglow
About: It’s the final weekend for the All Aglow lights display. The outdoor gardens around the Eclipse Lagoon and Nicholas Conservatory in Sinnissippi Park are All Aglow from dusk to dawn daily until Jan. 7. There are roughly 300,000 lights on display.
Where: Nicholas Conservatory and Gardens, 1354 N. Second St., Rockford
When: Park closes at 10 p.m.
How much: Free
Related: Festival of Lights in Rockford hits new record attendance with 126K people
Paradise and Intuition art exhibit
About: Artist Judith Meyer will show 30 pieces during this one-person show running through Jan. 25. Most of the pieces are large-scale paintings from her two series: Paradise in the North Country and The Irrepressibility of Intuition. The opening reception is Friday.
Where: Beloit Art Center, 520 E. Grand View Ave., Beloit, Wisconsin\
When: 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. Friday, Jan. 5
Info: Facebook event page HERE
This article is by Kevin Haas. Email him at khaas@rockrivercurrent.com or follow him on X at @KevinMHaas or Instagram @thekevinhaas and Threads @thekevinhaas