Apr 27 Saturday
Festival 56 presents magician David Casas
The Nielsen Chorale is delighted to announce its upcoming concert, “La Serenissima: The Music of Venice.” This extraordinary musical event will take place on Saturday, April 27, 2024, at 7:30PM at Trinity Lutheran Church.
The Nielsen Chorale is a 501 (c)3 not-for-profit musical ensemble committed to enriching the community through the power of choral music and is under the direction of Nielsen Chorale's artistic directors, Martha Bein and Steven Larsen. “La Serenissima: The Music of Venice,” will feature solo and instrumental music by Venetian composers Claudio Monteverdi, Giovanni Gabrieli and Antonio Vivaldi. The Nielsen Chorale, along with soloists and members of the Rockford Symphony Orchestra, will capture the magic and serenity of Venice as the musicians weave together a rich tapestry of these timeless works.
This cultural celebration is the Nielsen Chorale's gift to the community, and as such, admission to the concert is free to the public. Attendees will have the opportunity to contribute to the Chorale's ongoing mission through a goodwill offering taken during the event.
"We are thrilled to invite the community to join us for an evening of beautiful music as we pay homage to the enchanting city of Venice," said Martha Bein, director of the Nielsen Chorale. "Music has the power to unite and uplift, and we are excited to share this experience with our neighbors and friends."
Don't miss this rare opportunity to experience the allure of Venetian music in the heart of Rockford. Join Nielsen Chorale for an evening of sublime melodies and captivating performances that promise to leave a lasting impression. For more information, please visit: www.nielsenchorale.com
“Whose head is safe if a Queen’s is not…?”
Mary Stuart, the Queen of Scots, was executed by the order of her cousin Elizabeth, Queen of England. The two queens never met in person, but Schiller envisioned what would happen had they met and clashed face to face. Now reimagined for a modern audience by Peter Oswald, Mary Stuart shows the power struggle between these iconic rulers and the men striving for position around them.—CastElizabeth I, Queen of England - Lori Rohr Mary Stuart, former Queen of Scotland - Marisa Snook Earl of Leicester - Jamie Ewing Mortimer - Evin McQuistion Amias Paulet - Mark Brewer Lord Burleigh - Gabor Mark Talbot/Melvil - Derek Cook Hanna Kennedy - Arlene Arnone Drury/Bellievre/Davison/Page - Frank Rose Aubespine/O’Kelly/Officer/ Kent - Hunter Johnson
Production StaffDirector: Thomas NeumannStage Manager: Maureen Corcoran—This performance runs 2 hours and 45 minutes including a 15 minute intermission—The Theater at Side Street Studio Arts is on the second floor and is not wheelchair accessible.—If you have an questions or need further information please email: info@elsinoreensemble.com—A portion of the funding for this production was provided by the Elgin Cultural Arts Commission
Apr 28 Sunday
The Human Rights Authority is the investigative branch of the Guardianship and Advocacy Commission, a state agency that is dedicated to advocating for the rights of citizens with disabilities in Illinois. The Human Rights Authority investigates alleged violations of the rights of persons with disabilities by providers of services. The agency is unique in its use of citizen volunteers to conduct these investigations and make corrective recommendations. As such, Regional Authorities are always seeking to fill vacancies as they occur as well as maintain a pool of potential volunteer members for times when the need arises.
If you feel that you, or someone you know, has had their rights violated by a disability service provider or if you would like to volunteer to participate in the Northwest regional board, located in Champaign, please visit the website at gac.il.gov or call the statewide intake at 1-866-274-8023.
CHILDREN NEEDED FOR AUTISM RESEARCH STUDY EXPLORING COORDINATION AND BALANCE AT NIU
Children between 3 and 12 years of age with and without a diagnosis of autism are eligible to participate. Children will engage in a variety of motor tasks, such as pulling a string, repeating a spoken sentence, or walking on a straight line. Entire study takes about one-hour. Children will receive a small toy.
Interested? Please complete an interest form by going to https://www.niu.edu/huskieslab/participate/index.shtml, emailing huskieslab@niu.edu, or calling The Human Speech Kinematics Experimental Studies (HUSKIES) Lab at 815-753-5211.
Questions? Please reach out to Allison Gladfelter, PhD, CCC-SLP, agladfelter@niu.edu, or Doug Wallace, PhD, at dwallace@niu.edu.
Our research lab is located in the NIU Speech-Language-Hearing Clinic DeKalb, IL 60115.
The Friends of the DeKalb Public Library invite you to the Spring Book Sale! Join us during the library’s opening hours in the lower level for an astonishing selection of great quality hardcovers and paperbacks — children’s and teen’s books, fiction, history, science, art, film, cookbooks, gardening, biographies, mysteries, science fiction, and more. There’s a wide selection of jigsaw puzzles, DVDs, audiobooks, LPs and music CD’s. Come back on Sunday for the $5.00 a bag blowout sale.
All proceeds are used for library books, materials, and programs.
Donations of gently used books, puzzles, DVDs, LPs and CDs are accepted year-round at the circulation desk; please, no textbooks, magazines, or videotapes.
For additional information, contact the Friends at (815) 756-9568, ext. 1030 or email friends@dkpl.org.
A Celebration of 41 Years of Costume DesignSunday April 28, 2-5:00pmMaddox Theatre, Clark Arts Center
A costume-style show spotlighting the designs of Jeff Hendry, award winning costume designer and Rockford University professor emeritus. Master of Ceremonies will be Mike Garrigan of Channel 23 News, The Groove Hotel Trio is performing, and featured models include Mayor Tom McNamara, State Senator Steve Stadelman, State Representative Dave Vella, some RU faculty, and many more! Tickets are $30.
The Whiteside Forum will host the Reverend Violet Johnicker for our season finale, at 2:00pm on Sunday April 28 in the Community Room of the Odell Public Library speaking on "Unity Beyond Labels: Building a Respected, Strong Community Together." Rev. Johnicker is the senior pastor at Brooke Road United Methodist Church in Rockford, IL, and the Executive Director at Rockford Urban Ministries.
Violet holds a Master of Divinity degree from McCormick Theological Seminary and a Master of Public Policy degree from Adler University with a Bachelor's degree in nonprofit management. She has been involved with faith-based policy advocacy and social justice work ever since her undergraduate internship at the General Board of Church and Society, the United Methodist agency devoted to working for policies that live our faith, seek justice, and pursue peace. Violet joined the staff of Rockford Urban Ministries in July 2021 and is proud to be part of the community’s interfaith work to build love for neighbor into our public policies.
The Odell Public Library is located at 307 S. Madison St., Morrison, IL and the presentation begins at 2:00pm, and is open to everyone free of charge. All are welcome and your questions about political polarization, faith, and social justice and Pastor Violet's work are encouraged.
For more information about the Whiteside Forum, this event, or to suggest topics or speakers for future events, please contact Marc Adami by email marcadami53@gmail.com, or text 815-718-5347, or visit Whiteside Forum on Facebook.
The Whiteside Forum, established in 1985, is a nonpartisan, not-for-profit community group which sponsors presentations and discussions of issues of importance and interest to the public. Issues chosen for conferences have an international dimension as well as local interest and importance. The organization is supported entirely by individual, special and business contributions and all events are free and open to the public.
Featuring the musicians of the Rockford Symphony Youth Orchestra. Doors open at 2:30pm. Tickets available online in advance or at the door.
Apr 29 Monday