Community Calendar

A selection of favorite paintings created by members of the Plein Air Painters of Rockford during the 2025 season. These are images created during Plein Air painting sessions in the Rockford area. The exhibit is located in the Visitor Center at Klehm Arboretum.

Today Was Tomorrow - a solo show by Kari McDonald will kick off our 2026 exhibition season. Lemuette is the artistic moniker of Rockford-based printmaker Kari McDonald. Her meditative, nature-inspired work invites viewers to slow down and find moments of calm. Her intricate designs in woodblock often feature native prairie plants, whimsical flowers, and playful critters, capturing the beauty and wonder of the natural world.

FAM is open Tuesday - Friday 10 AM to 5 PM, Saturday 12 to 5 PM.

Homecoming: In Color celebrates the reopening of Rockford Art Museum after a year-long renovation closure. This exhibition features a selection of popular pieces and hidden gems, showcasing the rich diversity of our revered collection. Come witness the power of art and community as we welcome you back to a vibrant space of creativity!

The Lightbeam Players present Conversations at a Dead Man’s Grave, a 1-hour play for ages 10 and up.

While visiting her brother’s grave on the one-year anniversary of his disappearance, May Thompson meets a strange girl named Sage who claims to be her half-sister. But May has never met her before! Sage has proof pointing to her story being true. But something isn't adding up.

Stories aren't aligning, and May can't shake the feeling that something's wrong. As May begins to unravel the mystery of what happened to her brother, things begin to take a turn, and it soon seems you might not be able to trust the things that go on in your very own head.

With this production, Lightbeam Players, a theatre company run by kids, for kids, is debuting its first teen-led production. Best of all, it’s entirely free and requires no registration.

For more information, please contact Theresa at theresaw@dkpl.org or at (815) 756-9568 ext. 3350.

Kaia String Quartet + Fareed Haque

This Valentine’s week, we are turning up the romance with a concert that feels like a love letter in sound. The Kaia String Quartet joins forces with the brilliant guitarist Fareed Haque for an evening that blends passion, virtuosity, and pure joy.

At the heart of the program is Haque’s own Quintet for Guitar and Strings, Op. 60, a piece that showcases his signature blend of lyricism and fire. The journey continues with music by Latin American icons Ricardo Lorenz and Astor Piazzolla, whose tangos are equal parts smoldering and tender. Eduardo Angulo’s El Alevín (The Minnow) adds playful sparkle to the mix, proof that even the smallest notes can carry big emotion.

Margie Criner
Sculptor

The night’s visual counterpart is sculptor Margie Criner. From a distance, her works appear sleek and abstract, but each piece hides a lens portal that reveals an entire miniature world inside. These tiny universes explore themes of waiting, traveling, commuting, and dreaming—moments we all share yet rarely stop to notice. Criner’s art bridges design, play, and discovery, inviting viewers to pause, peer closer, and uncover stories hidden in plain sight.

Music that speaks in thousands of notes. Art that asks you to look twice and see more. It’s the kind of Valentine you’ll remember long after the last chord fades. 💖

Woodwind artist Michael Bazan will perform with Chicago favorite, the band Big City Dixieland, for a lively afternoon concert on Sunday, Feb. 15 at 3 p.m. in the Luecht Auditorium at McHenry County College. The program will feature popular Dixieland music and New Orleans-style jazz favorites.

Big City Dixieland continues the tradition of energetic, toe-tapping Dixieland music that appeals to audiences of all ages. Their performances deliver joyful, family-friendly entertainment that invites listeners to relax and have fun.

Michael Bazan is a respected music educator and professional musician. He and the musicians of the Big City Dixieland have performed with renowned artists and ensembles including Frankie Valli, The Four Tops, The Ides of March, and the Rockford Symphony. The band regularly appears at community celebrations, corporate events, Mardi Gras parties, and more.

A selection of favorite paintings created by members of the Plein Air Painters of Rockford during the 2025 season. These are images created during Plein Air painting sessions in the Rockford area. The exhibit is located in the Visitor Center at Klehm Arboretum.

Today Was Tomorrow - a solo show by Kari McDonald will kick off our 2026 exhibition season. Lemuette is the artistic moniker of Rockford-based printmaker Kari McDonald. Her meditative, nature-inspired work invites viewers to slow down and find moments of calm. Her intricate designs in woodblock often feature native prairie plants, whimsical flowers, and playful critters, capturing the beauty and wonder of the natural world.

FAM is open Tuesday - Friday 10 AM to 5 PM, Saturday 12 to 5 PM.

Homecoming: In Color celebrates the reopening of Rockford Art Museum after a year-long renovation closure. This exhibition features a selection of popular pieces and hidden gems, showcasing the rich diversity of our revered collection. Come witness the power of art and community as we welcome you back to a vibrant space of creativity!

Curious about what the cards say about love? Whether you’re a skeptic, a romantic, or just tarot-curious, this program invites you to explore the fascinating connection between tarot and personal relationships.

With the help of local tarot reader, Annie Hex, discover romantic archetypes, learn about iconic cards, and find out how tarot can spark reflection and conversation between you and those you love the most.

This program is free to attend. Registration is not required. This program is intended for adults. For additional information about Annie Hex, visit anniehex.com.

For additional information about this program, please contact Amy at amyf@dkpl.org or call (815) 756-9568 ext. 6108.