Anthony Hernandez<\/a> (Marines) and Joe Oday (Navy).<\/p>\nWhen: 8 p.m. Jan. 9<\/p>\n
Where: El Paraiso Lumbre Y Mar Restaurant, 515 N. Second St., Loves Park<\/p>\n
Cost: No cover charge<\/p>\n
Kings of Debauchery<\/h2>\n
What: Get ready for a whole night of David Lee Roth era Van Halen in this tribute-themed performance.<\/p>\n\nWhen: 9 p.m. Jan. 9<\/p>\n
Where: District Bar & Grill, 205 W. State St., Rockford,<\/p>\n
Cost: $10<\/p>\n\nLucha Cantina Comedy Night<\/h2>\n
What: Host Michael Palmenderi is a Rockford native. Guest Feature Keaton Ford is a Chicago-based comedian. His comedy blends self-deprecation with dark takes on generational differences, social absurdities and whatever crisis he\u2019s currently navigating. The main feature, Max Sorich, is a comic based out of Chicago. He\u2019s been featured at Skankfest and was the 2024 Chicago Roast Battle Champion. He draws most of his material from the long list of poor decisions he\u2019s made. The headliner, Josh Ocean Thomas, is a Tunisian-American stand-up comedian known for his energetic stage presence, quick wit and larger-than-life physicality.<\/p>\n
When: 7 p.m. Jan. 9<\/p>\n
Where: Lucha Cantina, 1641 N. Alpine Road, Rockford<\/p>\n
Cost: $10 cover charge<\/p>\n\nKaraoke<\/h2>\n
What: DJ Chris Mather from Stix Productions hosts karaoke on Fridays. Everyone is welcome. Enjoy delicious food and drink specials, including gluten-free and vegan options. Bring friends and show off your singing skills.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\nWhen: 6:30-10:30 p.m. Jan. 9<\/p>\n
Where: Victory Pickleball Pub, 7003 N. Alpine Road, Loves Park<\/p>\n
Cost: Free admission<\/p>\n
Wine Tasting<\/h2>\n
What: Join Shelter Care for a “friend-raiser.” Sample more than 20 varieties of wine. Ticket proceeds support Shelter Care programs. Buy tickets at the door.<\/p>\n
When: 5:30-8 p.m. Jan. 9<\/p>\n
Where: Artale & Co., 6876 Spring Creek Road, Rockford<\/p>\n
Cost: $20<\/p>\n
Family Garden Hikes<\/h2>\n
What: Join Nicholas Conservatory program staff each month on a\u00a0guided hike to discover the plants, animals, and insects that call the gardens home. The 45-minute hikes are held the second Friday of the month year-round, and start by the outdoor restrooms. Programs take place rain or shine, so dress for the weather. Registration is required. Children must be accompanied by a caregiver.<\/p>\n\nWhen: 10 a.m. Jan. 9<\/p>\n
Where: Nicholas Conservatory & Gardens, 1354 N. Second St., Rockford<\/p>\n
Cost: Free<\/p>\n
Frosty Fridays Public Skate<\/h2>\n
What: Frosty Fridays discounted indoor public ice skating sessions are scheduled\u00a0every Friday from Oct. 3 through May 1. Admission fee includes skate rental; no discount coupons are accepted. The events also feature music by a DJ and concession food specials for purchase.<\/p>\n
When: 7-9 p.m. Jan. 9<\/p>\n
Where: Carlson Ice Arena, 4150 N. Perryville Road, Rockford<\/p>\n
Cost: $10<\/p>\n
Robin\u2019 Banks Reunion Show<\/h2>\n
What: Don’t miss the return of the iconic Rockford band Robin’ Banks.<\/p>\n
When: 8 p.m. Jan. 10<\/p>\n
Where: Mary\u2019s Place, 602 N. Madison St., Rockford<\/p>\n\nThe Bells of St. Mary\u2019s Epiphany Concert<\/h2>\n
What: This Epiphany concert features the Children’s Choir of St. Mary’s, whose voices – the “bells” – will ring out in celebration of the season. The children will be joined by the adult choir and other guest musicians. Your support will help restore the steeple, which has inspired generations. There will be a reception after the concert.<\/p>\n
When: 6 p.m. Jan. 10<\/p>\n
Where: St. Mary Oratory, 517 Elm St., Rockford<\/p>\n
Cost: $25-$100<\/p>\n
Rockford Ice Hogs vs. Manitoba Moose<\/h2>\n
What: The Rockford IceHogs take on the Manitoba Moose. Join your favorite heroes and villains from a galaxy far, far away for Star Wars Night. Fans can enjoy out-of-this-world entertainment, character appearances and special photo opportunities throughout the arena. Costumes are encouraged.<\/p>\n
When: 7 p.m. Jan. 10<\/p>\n
Where: BMO Center, 300 Elm St., Rockford<\/p>\n
Cost: Tickets start at $22<\/p>\n
Hope & Anchor Comedy Night<\/h2>\n
What: Host Mark Krikorian is a Chicago-based stand-up comedian known for sharp observations, self-aware humor and confident, relatable storytelling. Guest feature, Zoe Dodson, has a style that is goofy (and surprisingly dark) and has performed at numerous venues around Chicago. The main feature, Brando Harris, is a Chicago-based comedian and producer known for rapid-fire punchlines, chaotic storytelling and his effortlessly likable presence. Headliner, AJ Leidig, is a Chicago-based stand-up comedian. AJ started making videos online during college and quickly developed a following of more than 100,000 on various social media apps.<\/p>\n\nWhen: 8 p.m. Jan. 10<\/p>\n
Where: Hope & Anchor English Pub, 5040 N. Second St., Loves Park<\/p>\n
Cost: $10 cover charge<\/p>\n\nDirty Fishnet Stockings<\/h2>\n
What: DFS will be playing three hours of Rockabilly tunes inside Splitters\u2019 bar.<\/p>\n
When: 8-11 p.m. Jan. 10<\/p>\n
Where: Splitters, 5318 N. Second St., Loves Park<\/p>\n
Cost: No cover charge<\/p>\n
Firefighters Association Pancake Breakfast<\/h2>\n
What: The NBFD#3 Firefighters Association will be serving pancakes, eggs made to order, whole hog sausage, toast, milk, coffee and apple sauce.<\/p>\n
When: 7 a.m. \u2013 1 p.m. Jan. 11<\/p>\n
Where: North Boone Fire Dept., Poplar Grove<\/p>\n
Cost: Donations<\/p>\n
Coming next week<\/h2>\nTuesday Night Music Club: Mossy Vaughn<\/h2>\n
What: Mossy Vaughn (The Heavils, Lizard Skynard, Name the Moon) writes sad songs about depression, vampires, Satan, sunsets, the moon and stars, and life and death. Born and raised in Rockford, Mossy eventually stopped trying to please anyone. These days, he just writes what he feels. He says his songs are little gifts of light and hope for anyone who\u2019s really listening and hopes they find a small connection.<\/p>\n
When: 7:30 p.m. Jan. 13<\/p>\n
Where: The Music Box, 218 E. State St., Rockford<\/p>\n
Cost: Free admission; suggested donation $10 for the musician<\/p>\n
Rockford Ice Hogs vs. Manitoba Moose<\/h2>\n
What: The Rockford IceHogs face off against the Manitoba Moose. Enjoy $2 tacos while watching all the on-ice action.<\/p>\n
When: 7 p.m. Jan. 13<\/p>\n
Where: BMO Center, 300 Elm St., Rockford<\/p>\n
Cost: Tickets start at $22<\/p>\n
Guided Bird Hike<\/h2>\n
What: Enjoy a guided bird walk with wildlife biologist Liz, who will discuss bird identification, helpful birding technology and nature journaling while the group searches for winter residents.\u00a0This hike is aimed at beginner birders. Please bring binoculars and dress for the weather. Plan to hike two-three miles on mixed terrain (paved, grass, some incline\/decline).<\/p>\n\nWhen: 8:30 a.m. Jan. 14<\/p>\n
Where: Klehm Arboretum and Botanic Garden, 2715 S. Main St., Rockford<\/p>\n
Cost: Free<\/p>\n\nThird Thursday Swing Dance<\/h2>\n
What: A beginner swing lesson is offered from 7-8 p.m. No partner is required. Social dancing is from 8-10 p.m. All ages are welcome. Learn the Shim Sham line dance from 8:45-9 p.m. in the main lobby.<\/p>\n
When: 7-10 p.m. Jan. 14<\/p>\n
Where: Mt. Olive Lutheran Church, 2001 N. Alpine Road, Rockford<\/p>\n
Cost: $5 admission<\/p>\n
Fireside Music Series<\/h2>\n
What: Gather with friends, relax by the fire and savor the warmth of live music performed by local and Rockford Symphony Orchestra musicians. Meg\u2019s Daily Grind offers light lunches, coffees, teas and\u00a0pastries for purchase daily. The series is from 11 a.m. \u2013 3 p.m. Wednesdays through Saturdays for eight weeks, starting Jan. 14. Nanette Felix, RSO principal harpist performs Jan. 14 and Joel Ross, RSO principal keyboardist performs Jan. 15<\/p>\n
When: 11 a.m. \u2013 3 p.m. Jan. 14 and Jan. 15<\/p>\n
Where: Anderson Japanese Gardens, 318 Spring Creek Road, Rockford<\/p>\n
Cost: Free admission<\/p>\n
Kathi Edwards is a freelance contributor to the Rockford Register Star.<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>\n \u2018 The preceding article may include information circulated by third parties \u2019 <\/em><\/p>\n \u2018 Some details of this article were extracted from the following source www.rrstar.com \u2019 <\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Kathi Edwards \u00a0|\u00a0 Special to the Rockford Register Star The weekend brings Ice Hogs games and a pancake breakfast, along with comedy shows, fundraisers, live music and more to the Rockford area. Rockford Ice Hogs vs. Chicago Wolves What: The Rockford IceHogs take on the Chicago Wolves on a $2 beer or soft drink night. […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":2226849,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"om_disable_all_campaigns":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"jnews-multi-image_gallery":[],"jnews_single_post":[],"jnews_primary_category":[],"jnews_social_meta":[],"footnotes":""},"categories":[25172],"tags":[39915,430805,430806,22220,21980,22339,6297,21741,22034,239348,239372,239374,385510,410970,314544,70839,24392,21992,355579,21739,298114,239343,239347,23759,147314,335051,35643,32894,239342,239346,239344],"class_list":["post-2226848","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-entertainment","tag-affiliate","tag-anthony","tag-anthony-hernandez","tag-arts","tag-beatles","tag-comedy","tag-eamotion","tag-entertainment","tag-events","tag-events-u0026-listings","tag-geographic","tag-geographic-reference","tag-hernandez","tag-hockey","tag-il","tag-listicle","tag-listings","tag-live","tag-live-comedy","tag-local","tag-local-affiliate-arts-u0026-entertainment","tag-overall","tag-overall-positive","tag-positive","tag-reference","tag-rockford","tag-the","tag-the-beatles","tag-ttp","tag-ttp-listicle","tag-u0026"],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/14-things-to-do-this-weekend-in-the-Rockford-area.JPG","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2226848","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2226848"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2226848\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2226850,"href":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2226848\/revisions\/2226850"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2226849"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2226848"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2226848"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2226848"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}