By Kevin Haas
Rock River Current
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ROCKFORD — It’s a laughable weekend in the Rockford area, and by that we mean there are plenty of opportunities for laughs.
You have psychic comedian Peter Antoniou at Prairie Street Brewing Co., George Lopez at at the Coronado Performing Arts Center and Rob Hines at Hope & Anchor in Loves Park.
There are also a multitude of arts events, as well as live music and a film festival.
More news: A whitewater course in downtown Rockford? The idea is still floating around two decades later
Check out 17 picks for things to do in the Rockford area this weekend. You can always scroll through more, including recurring events like farmers markets, on our events page.
Laugh it up at the Brew Ha! Ha! Ha!
About: Psychic comedian Peter Antoniou, who impressed audiences and judges on “America’s Got Talent,” brings his interactive blend of comedy, magic and mind-reading to the Prairie Street Brewing Co.
When: 6:30 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 14
Where: Prairie Street Brewing Co., 200 Prairie St., Rockford
How much: Tickets start at $30
Get tickets: Go HERE.
See art in all forms at Ars Publica
About: Ars Publica blends literary and public art performances exploring theories, speculations and inventions. It dives into a new subject every month. This month features performances by visual artist Eddaviel, Faith Minneyfield (dance), Emily Klonicki and Verónica Soria-Martínez (multimedia performance), and Jason Holcomb (fiction).
Where: The Underground, 418 E. State St., Rockford
When: 6:30 p.m. Friday, Sept. 15
Info: Facebook event page HERE.
More arts: New art exhibit captures the stories of Rockford neighborhoods that ‘stood the test of time’
Attend the Greenwich Village Art Fair
About: The 75th Greenwich Village Art Fair features juried artists, live music, food trucks, cocktails, children’s art activities and an artisan marketplace.
Where: Riverfront Museum Park, 711 N. Main St., Rockford
When: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday (after-hours event until 7:30 p.m.); 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday
Admission: $5 (cash only); free for children 12 and younger
On the web: greenwichvillageartfair.com; follow on Facebook; or on Instagram.com
Ha Ha at Hope & Anchor
About: Comedian Rob Hines has been entertaining crowds across the country for more than 30 years. He’ll headline this show with main feature Jack Baker, who released his first comedy special earlier this year.
Where: Hope & Anchor, 5040 N. Second St., Loves Park
When: 8 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 16
How much: $10
Tickets: Call 815-633-2552 to reserve
See Justin Moore at the BMO
About: Multi-platinum country musician Justin Moore is coming to Rockford with Tyler Braden. Moore, whose song “We Didn’t Have Much,” was his 10th No. 1 hit, has earned multiple Academy of Country Music nominations as well as an ACM Award win.
When: 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 14
Where: BMO Center, 300 Elm St., Rockford
Cost: Tickets start at $35
Info/tickets: Go HERE
Attend a small business block party
About: Hello Beauti is hosting a small business block party to highlight the dozens of entrepreneurs in the East Wind Business Complex. There are vendor booths, music from DJ Rated AG, and other activities.
Where: East Wind Business Complex, 129 S. Phelps Ave., Rockford
When: 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 17
Admission: Free
Attend the Mosaic World Film Festival
About: The 2023 Mosaic World Film Festival features 75 films curated from hundreds of submissions and 67 countries around the world, including this year’s Spotlight Feature Award winner “Take Your Own Notes,” a Harlem Veteran Project documentary directed by Madeline Burke, Kyra Newnam and Emily Guske.
When: Friday, Sept. 15, Saturday, Sept. 16 and Sunday, Sept. 17. Complete film schedule HERE
Where: RPL Nordlof Center, 118 N. Main St., Rockford
Information: mosaicfilmfest.com
Enjoy a night at the golf range
About: The Swedish Historical Society will host a family friendly “Night at the Range” with games such as longest-drive competition, closest to the pin and yard games. Proceeds benefit the Swedish Historical Society in support of the Erlander Home Museum. You can cap off the night with reservations for dinner at Garrett’s Restaurant.
When: 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. Friday, Sept. 15
Where: 1631 N. Bell School Road, Rockford
Cost: $20
Tickets/info: swedishhistorical.org/night-at-the-range
Shop the Pec Thing
About: Vendors at the Pec Thing occupy more than 100,000 square feet of inside space and about 40 acres of space outdoors, selling everything from antiques to electronics, art and other merchandise.
When: 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 16 and Sunday, Sept. 17
Where: Winnebago County Fairgrounds, 500 W. First St., Pecatonica
Admission: $5; free for children 12 and younger
Info: winnebagocountyfair.com/pec-thing
Deviate in downtown Beloit
About: Deviate is a mind-bending fusion of art and music with an industrial feel inside Beloit’s Ironworks Campus. The one-night only event also features food trucks and a bar, and it raises money for the Make-A-Wish Foundation. See the lineup of artists HERE. It is a 21 and older event.
When: 6 p.m. to 11 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 16
Where: The Ironworks Campus Spine, 525 Third St., Beloit, Wis.
Admission: $10 in advance; $15 at the door
Tickets: Go HERE.
Attend a massive auto show in Beloit
About: There were more than 1,200 cars at last year’s Autorama car show and swap meet, held along the banks of the Rock River in Beloit. This is the 47th year of the event.
Where: 3444 Riverside Drive, Beloit, Wis.
When: 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 17
Cost: $15
Info/tickets: beloitautorama.com
Attend a live album recording
About: Forest City Church will host a live album recording and worship experience featuring Forest City Worship and Grammy-award-winning artists Joe L. Barnes and Anthony Stallion. The event is free and open to anyone ages 12 and older.
When: 6:30 p.m. Friday, Sept. 15
Where: Forest City Church, 1280 S. Alpine Road, Rockford
Info: forestcitychurch.com
Go Glow in the Garden
About: Nicholas Conservatory & Gardens invites the community to wear anything that glows for an evening of family activities to mark the end of summer. You can purchase floating lanterns to release into Eclipse Lagoon, run a glowing 5K along the Rock River or take part in other activities around the gardens.
When: 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. Friday, Sept. 15
Where: Nicholas Conservatory & Gardens, 1354 N. Second St., Rockford
Admission: Free; 5K run and lanterns can be purchased on site
Parade and multicultural festival
About: El Barrio Community Center will host the 11th Ward Parade and Multicultural festival. The parade steps off at at Kiswaukee Street Broadway, heading east to 12th Street and then south to Keye-Mallquist Park, where the festival takes place.
When: noon to 10 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 16
Where: Keye-Mallquist Park, 1702 11th St., Rockford
Info: Facebook event page HERE
Laughs with Lopez
About: Comedian George Lopez, the star of the NBC Comedy “Lopez vs. Lopez,” brings his Alllriiiighhttt! Tour to Rockford.
When: 7 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 16
Where: Coronado Performing Arts Center, 314 N. Main St., Rockford
Info/tickets: coronadopac.org/events/george-lopez
See a paranormal presentation
About: Dale Kaczmarek, an author of multiple paranormal books and nationally known investigator, will present his favorite ghost stories in one of Rockford’s most legendarily haunted locations.
Where: Tinker Swiss Cottage Museum, 411 Kent St., Rockford
When: 6:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 16
Cost: $25
Tickets/info: Go HERE
Attend a ‘gem’ of an event
About: The Rock River Valley Gem & Mineral Society will host its outdoor Rock Swap & Sale. You can buy and sell rocks, fossils gems, jewelry and minerals. There are also children’s activities and prizes.
When: 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 16
Where: A-American Companies, 1665 Elmwood Road, Rockford
Admission: Free
Info: Go 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