Community Calendar

For the first time in the Black Box Theatre’s history, this production will be presented in partnership with Theatre 121, an exciting collaboration of two McHenry County theatres that brings this unforgettable story to an intimate and unique performance space.

Inspired by a true story, this moving and hilarious play follows a group of women from a rural English village who defy expectations by posing nude for a charity calendar after the loss of a dear friend. What starts as a bold fundraising idea quickly becomes a phenomenon, challenging local norms and inspiring people around the world. With humor, honesty, and vulnerability, this play explores grief, female friendship, body positivity, and the courage it takes to step into the spotlight, literally and figuratively.

Calendar Girls opens on Friday, May 1 at 7 p.m. Additional performances are scheduled at 7 p.m. on May 2, 8, 9, 15, and 16 and 2 p.m. on May 2, 3, 9, 16, and 17. Tickets are $23 for all seats and general seating is available. Seats can be reserved at https://www.zeffy.com/en-US/ticketing/theatre-121-and-the-blackbox-at-mcc-present-calendar-girls.

Content warning: Calendar Girls includes adult themes such as cancer, grief, and brief implied nudity, and may not be suitable for younger audiences.

Explore under the light of the Flower Moon on a hike to see various blooming wildflowers. Ages 8 and up. Registration required

Retired couple Ethel and Norman Thayer are spending their 48th summer at their vacation home on Golden Pond, in the woods of Maine.

Their delightful summer routine–fishing, picking strawberries, enjoying old mementos, listening to the loons call–is given a bitterly comedic edge by Norman’s unreliable memory and cantankerously morbid statements.

When their daughter Chelsea visits for Norman’s 80th birthday, bringing her boyfriend Bill and Bill’s teenage son, Billy Jr., the whole family must come to grips with Norman and Chelsea’s mutual bitterness, while Norman blossoms with his chance to mentor young Billy.

The turbulent relationship between father and daughter, the generation gap between young and old, and the difficulties of a couple in the twilight years of a long marriage, all combine in a play that effortlessly illustrates the hilarious, heartbreaking, human moments of which life is made.

Celebrate spring with Regent Singers, the Vocal Collective, and soloists from Rockford University Performing Arts! Our spring concert salutes the wonder of spring with songs about young love, the magnificent earth, the joy of singing, and more. From madrigals to jazz arrangements, this 90-minute concert will lift your spirits and leave you smiling!

An exhibition of twenty-four original paintings created by the Plein Air Painters of Rockford depicts Rockford iconic scenes and surprises. Artworks include views of Klehm, Sinnissippi Gardens, Midway Village, Indian Hill Manor and many more. The exhibit is located in the Visitor Center at Klehm Arboretum.

oin us at Severson Dells for these family-friendly, open-house style events. Each month will have a different nature theme full of hands-on, minds-on activities for guests of all ages to participate in. Celebrate local pollinators in May, meet live butterflies and take home milkweed seeds to plant.

Lowden Gallery Artist: Ellen "Ellie" R. Bartels
March 1 - April 30

​Ellie has a BA degree in Education and a BFA in Studio Art , both from the University of Washington. She taught art, K – 12, in Orangeville, Il for 12 years. She currently lives in Freeport, Il.

Ellie states, “ The process of transforming paint and canvas into an appealing and effective image scares, frustrates, excites and inspires me.

My work starts out with a subject or theme in mind, usually based on my personal response to nature or a past experience, and a general plan on how to accomplish my goal. As it progresses spontaneity and intuition take over and my unconscious becomes the director.
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I have found that both oils and acrylics work well as vehicles for translating my inner vision to outer reality. Both comply with my enjoyment of layering paint and working the canvas by scraping, rubbing, scratching through, dry brushing, etc., to create depth and texture and to bring the surface to life.

It is my wish that the viewer will want to spend time with my work, to contemplate its meaning, discover its complexities, or to just enjoy the colors and shapes.

Wolf started photographing using an old Agfa in his early teens. He acquired one of the iconic range finder cameras, a Canon 7s, in the late 1960s, moved on to SLRs and twin-lens reflex cameras, established a dark room and processed his own color slides.

Along with his wife, Linnea, an artist who has worked in the visual arts for over 40 years, he has participated in many week-long photo shoots throughout the United States.

During 2018, 2019 and 2020, Wolf & Linnea spent a January week each year at Bosque del Apache in New Mexico photographing sandhill cranes, snow geese and other migrating birds. In 2019 they spent two weeks photographing birds and wildlife in Costa Rica and made trips to northeast Florida in 2019 and 2021 to shoot wading birds during their roosting period.

Focus on Photography Art Exhibit

April 1 – May 16
Awards Reception, Friday, April 10th, 6:00-8:00pm
Awards Judge - Danielle Koenig
Music by Jeff Little on the Baby Grand Piano

Sponsored by Stephen Hart Photography

The 3rd Annual Focus on Photography Exhibit presents 56 works of art by 28 artists using a variety of photographic mediums such as digital, film, mixed and unique processes.

Participating artists include Les Allen, David Bingaman, Glenn Bodish, Bob Cholke, Rick Davis, Jane Erlandson, Tyler Farino, Jeanne Garrett, Timothy Griffith, Pam Hansen, Stephen Hart, Kat Heitzman, Maggie Isaacs, Bob Kapheim, Linnea Koch, Wolf Koch, Bob Logsdon, Jeff Oesterheld, Jennifer Osborne, Joe Popp, Wayne Proeger, Kate Reed, Stephonie A Schmitz, U. A. Short, Steve Toole, Joseph Virbickis, Holden White, and Jon Wildman.

Scenic Art Loop Exhibit

Taft Gallery, April 1 – May 31

This exhibit features work by Amy Laskye, Andrew Raeside, Catherine Recker, Christina Cruz, Rebecca Jayne Hennesey, Stephonie A. Schmitz and Theresa Blitgen.

The Scenic Art Loop is a self-guided tour through the Driftless region's picturesque hills and valleys, connecting visitors with local artists and their creative spaces. Participants can explore studios and galleries, engage directly with artists, and witness the artistic process from inception to completion. The experience is enriched by opportunities to enjoy local artisan foods, wines, craft brews, and spirits, highlighting the region's cultural and culinary offerings. The initiative encourages personal interaction with unique individuals, fostering a deeper appreciation for the area's hidden talents.