Community Calendar

Embark on an exciting journey following the transformation of rocks and minerals into dazzling gemstones! This new series lets participants travel alongside a material’s formation in the earth, through the mining and production processes, and showcases how rough stones are formed, extracted, and transformed into sparkling gems. With real samples to examine and expert demonstrations, this program offers a fascinating look at the life cycle of a gem, highlighting the process that turns a simple rock into a stunning piece of nature’s art. The first program will focus on Jade.

Music on Pearl is excited to host an afternoon concert with local singer/songwriter
favorite Marques Morel and friend Simon Cropp on Saturday, March 21st at 2pm. The
show will be held in the “acoustically wonderful” sanctuary of the historic UU Church of Stockton at 219 North Pearl. Tickets are $15 and are available at https://www.zeffy.com/en-US/ticketing/marques-morel-with-simon-cropp, or at the door.

Marques, with five CDs to his name, is well known in the area – but rarely does an
audience have an opportunity to see him on stage where they can really immerse
themselves in his music, connecting with his lyrics and energy.

Originally from Illinois corn country, he has performed just about anywhere that anyone
would listen: big city street corners around the world, county fairs, folk festivals, hole in
the wall taverns, theaters and campfires.
His voice has been described as reminiscent of country outlaws, like Johnny Cash and
Waylon Jennings, low with lots of vibrato. One reviewer said of his voice that it’s “like
country singers that are actually from the country”.

Simon Cropp is newer to recording and recently released his first CD. Also a Midwest
native, his songwriting has drawn comparisons to his biggest inspiration, John Prine. Simon appreciates those everyday stories that make lives meaningful. We are excited to hear him perform.

There is plenty of street parking for the show and the venue is wheelchair accessible.
Snacks and drinks will be available for donation.

CALIFORNIA is EXTENDED through March 21st!

A family road trip takes an unexpected turn when, in the dark of night, on the plains of eastern Oregon. . . reality splits.

WSSR takes another left turn with "California," a play that takes place entirely inside a car. Join us for this unique immersive experience that blends a quirky family comedy with the eerie darkness surrounding a long abandoned nuclear facility.

Directed by Claire Dahlhauser, this intimate production explores the humor and power of family bonds in a world where the map keeps rewriting itself. Claire's credits include Legally Blonde, The Wedding Singer (Starlight Theatre) and Macbeth (Starlight Shakes) and she recently served as assistant director for last season's production of POTUS at WSSR.

Buckle up for what the New York Times called “A timely boxing match of a history play.”

In 1950, Margaret Chase Smith was the junior Senator from Maine and the only woman in the Senate. A staunch Republican, she nevertheless bucked her party and the prevailing winds of politics when she took to the floor of the Senate to denounce Senator Joseph McCarthy in a speech she called, “a declaration of conscience.”

The Rockford DanceMakers Festival (RDMF) celebrates professional choreographers in the Stateline area by producing their work in annual showcases that entertain, challenge, move, and inspire.

For its debut, the RDMF will present two public performances on Friday, March 20 at 7 pm and Saturday, March 21 at 6 pm at the RPL Nordlof Center’s J.R. Sullivan Theater, offering Rockford audiences a rich and varied experience of concert dance. Following the opening-night performance, there will be a Q&A with the choreographers on stage.

The inaugural program will feature original works by ten professional choreographers from the Rockford area and surrounding region, along with special guest Winifred Haun & Dancers. An award-winning choreographer and dancer based in Chicago and Oak Park, Winifred Haun will also host a master class on Saturday, March 21 at 1 pm at Rockford Dance Company.

Rockford DanceMakers Festival 2026 Lineup:
Baylor Twins Move (Caitlyn Baylor & Meghan Baylor)
Ella Lakey
Eona Carey*
Faith Minneyfield
Gina T'ai
Jenny Vause
Maria E. Castello
Michelle R. Stolberg
Penna Broman
Without Shoes Modern Dance Company
*Winifred Haun & Dancers

REVELATOR- A Tribute to Tedeschi Trucks Band
SATURDAY, MARCH 21, 2026 | 7:00 PM

Tickets start at $43, Members save 30%
(All-in pricing includes $4 Box Office Fee. An $8 Order fee will be applied at checkout to the entire order)
Since 2010, the Tedeschi Trucks Band has become one of the most eclectic groups of its kind. Led by the Grammy Award winning duo, Susan Tedeschi and Derek Trucks, TTB’s vision for modern Roots/Blues music has led them to stages all across the globe.

Susan Tedeschi and Derek Trucks already had successful careers when they joined up to become even bigger than the sum of their parts. Tedeschi Trucks Band’s ability to weave appealing and accessible melodies with their improvisational craft and musicianship is a rare thing to behold

This tribute show is led by Sophie Hafer on lead vocals and Zach Avery on lead guitar, and features a power house band with some of the funkiest musicians the city of Chicago has to offer. Revelator captures all the magic and ability of one of today’s great Jam bands.

Recommended: 12+

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Don’t forget to become a RaueNOW Member to save 30%!

*Prices vary according to zone. Tickets are non-refundable and non-exchangeable.

Box Office Fee – A $4 per ticket charge to support the ticketing software.

Order Fee – A $8 per order charge that helps operate and invest back in our historic venue.

Premium Seat Fee – $6 Premium seat fee is based on location/additional leg room and indicated with a light blue color on the seating chart.

Patron Code of Conduct: Be courteous. Inform staff if you feel or observe any harassment. We reserve the right to remove any guest at any time. For more information, please visit rauecenter.org.

Questions? Contact our Box Office at 815-356-9212; boxoffice@rauecenter.org
Raue Center For The Arts is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization dedicated to enriching the lives of all through the arts.

Get ready for a musical experience like no other. The Cleverlys are a one-of-a-kind blend of top-tier bluegrass musicianship and gut-busting comedy. Disguised as a backwoods family band, they perform unexpected covers, original songs, and offbeat stories that keep audiences howling and hollering.

Behind the deadpan delivery and country accents are seriously skilled pickers who’ve shared stages with legends but don’t expect them to play it straight. Whether you’re a fan of bluegrass, comedy, or pure entertainment, The Cleverlys will steal your heart.
“If Earl Scruggs, Dolly Parton, and Spinal Tap spawned a litter of puppies, it would be The Cleverlys.” – LA Times

Make Your Night at the Opera House Even More Special. Enhance your evening with our Marquee Access Experience for an additional $15! Enjoy early entry and a reserved area before the show and during intermission, complete with your own bartender and bento box of snacks that can be taken to your seat. It’s the perfect way to relax, mingle, and elevate your visit in comfort and style. Spots are limited for this exclusive offering, secure yours while they last!­­­­­­­­­­­­

Look for the add-on ticket in the checkout!

CALIFORNIA is EXTENDED through March 21st!

A family road trip takes an unexpected turn when, in the dark of night, on the plains of eastern Oregon. . . reality splits.

WSSR takes another left turn with "California," a play that takes place entirely inside a car. Join us for this unique immersive experience that blends a quirky family comedy with the eerie darkness surrounding a long abandoned nuclear facility.

Directed by Claire Dahlhauser, this intimate production explores the humor and power of family bonds in a world where the map keeps rewriting itself. Claire's credits include Legally Blonde, The Wedding Singer (Starlight Theatre) and Macbeth (Starlight Shakes) and she recently served as assistant director for last season's production of POTUS at WSSR.

Do you feel intimidated by power tools? Do you want to be more handy but have never found the time to learn and don’t know where to start? If so, this bench building workshop could be for you. Come learn how to use tools to assemble a simple and functional Leopold style bench and build a strong foundation in basic carpentry skills, plus the confidence to complete further projects. Together we will learn how to measure and mark accurately, use a chop saw, and the best techniques for using drills and drivers, all in a low-stakes and slow-paced environment to help you feel empowered with your own projects. The benches will stay at Nature At The Confluence, and will make a lasting impact as spots for visitors to sit and enjoy our trails.

Workshop attendees will receive written instructions and the knowledge to construct their own benches. Tools, supplies, instruction, and snacks provided. Bring your own lunch. Feel free to bring your own drill, driver, tape measure, speed square, or other tools if you have them.

This workshop is open to everyone, but intentionally created to be a space for and by women and queer people and is designed for ages 15 and older. It will run from 10am – 2:30pm with a half hour break for lunch. Space is limited so please register in advance. The participation fee for this program is lower than our cost of supplies and staff time, thanks to a grant from the Colonel Robert H. Morse Foundation. $10/person

Do you feel intimidated by power tools? Do you want to be more handy but have never found the time to learn and don’t know where to start? If so, this bench building workshop could be for you. Come learn how to use tools to assemble a simple and functional Leopold style bench and build a strong foundation in basic carpentry skills, plus the confidence to complete further projects. Together we will learn how to measure and mark accurately, use a chop saw, and the best techniques for using drills and drivers, all in a low-stakes and slow-paced environment to help you feel empowered with your own projects. The benches will stay at Nature At The Confluence, and will make a lasting impact as spots for visitors to sit and enjoy our trails.

Workshop attendees will receive written instructions and the knowledge to construct their own benches. Tools, supplies, instruction, and snacks provided. Bring your own lunch. Feel free to bring your own drill, driver, tape measure, speed square, or other tools if you have them.

This workshop is open to everyone, but intentionally created to be a space for and by women and queer people and is designed for ages 15 and older. It will run from 10am – 2:30pm with a half hour break for lunch. Space is limited so please register in advance. The participation fee for this program is lower than our cost of supplies and staff time, thanks to a grant from the Colonel Robert H. Morse Foundation. $10/person