JMK Nippon `Cake` - Rockford Register Star

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Jan. 23, 2015
FRIDAY,
JUNE
Section
G 21, 2013
Section C
WEEKEND BEST
BETS, 10-11
JMK Nippon
‘Cake’
Masa cafe offers different
dining experience
Jennifer Aniston will
keep you riveted
MY LAST BITE, 3
REVIEW, 5
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G2
Friday, Jan. 23, 2015 | GO
GO | Friday, Jan. 23, 2015
G3
MY LAST BITE | JMK NIPPON MASA CAFE & SUSHI
Left to right: Appetizers at JMK Nippon’s Masa Cafe & Sushi Bar include shumai (lower left), $3.95, Rick N’ Roll (top) $6.95 and Saikyo Scallops $6.95. Saikyo Scallops is a favorite among JMK Nippon regulars. It features sliced scallops, mushrooms and JMK’s Saikyo Miso sauce.
The Salmon Miso-Zuke bento box is served with California roll, fried shumai, white fish and fruit for $14.95. The herb-grilled Chilean sea bass
is served with buttered rice with raisins and sautéed vegetables for $22.95. Kastu-Don ($12.95) is a traditional Japanese dish, featuring deep
fried breaded pork topped with egg and green onion over rice. PHOTOS BY CORINA CURRY/RRSTAR.COM
Delightfully different dining experience offered on cafe side
Name: JMK Nippon
Address: 2551 N. Perryville Road, Rockford
Opened: 1984
Owners: Mas Kobayashi
and his son, John M.
Kobayashi
Lunch hours: 11:30 a.m.
to 2 p.m. Tuesday through
Friday; 11:30 a.m. to 2:30
p.m. Saturday
Dinner hours: 4 to 9:30
p.m. Sunday; 5 to 9:30 p.m.
Monday through Thursday; 5
to 10:30 p.m. Friday; 4:30 to
10:30 p.m. Saturday. (Dinner
hours subject to 30-minute
early close pending patron
traffic.)
Wheelchair accessible:
Yes
Phone/website: 815-8770505; jmkrockford.com
JMK Nippon is synonymous with Japanese cuisine
in Rockford. It was Rockford’s
first Japanese restaurant,
the only place in town you
could get sushi or Teppanyaki for several years. Today,
there are a handful of options
but few compare to JMK in
size, architecture, décor and
menu.
Last week, my colleague
Sarah Wolf wrote about her
experience dining on the Teppan-yaki side of JMK where
the food is prepared and
cooked in front of guests
on large hibachi grill tables.
Eating Teppan-yaki-style is
fun. You get to interact with
On the Web
■ To see a video from JMK
Nippon Masa Cafe & Sushi
Bar, visit rrstar.com/videos.
■ To read the review on JMK
Nippon's Teppan hibachi grill, visit rrstar.com/
entertainment/my-last-bite.
other people sitting at the
communal dining tables and
the chefs, and, of course,
the food is always hot and
fresh — right off the grill. But
if you haven’t yet ventured to
the other side of the restaurant, the Masa Café & Sushi
Bar, you’re missing out and
should head there as soon as
possible. It’s a totally different experience and equally, if
not more, delicious.
About the Masa Café
menu: For starters, the menu
on the café side has tons of
variety. There are plenty of
dishes that feature fresh fish
but there also are plenty of
chicken and steak dishes
along with soba noodle
soups, yakisobas, bento
boxes and more. You can also
order from the Teppan-yaki
side in the café, a big bonus
if you don’t want to leave
the restaurant with that
hibachi grill smell on your
clothes. And there’s seating at the sushi bar where
you can enjoy a sushi dinner
while watching the art of
sushi-making.
Most popular items:
Sushi is the number-one
draw on the café side. Sushi
traditionally is made with
raw fish, but most menus
in the U.S. feature cooked
fish options as well. JMK’s
sushi menu features a wide
array of maki (bite-sized rolls
made with sushi rice, fish and
other ingredients wrapped in
seaweed ), nigiri (individual
pieces of fish over sushi rice)
and sashimi (slices of raw
fish served without rice).
Prices range from $2 to $4
for nigiri or sashimi and $3
to $14.50 for maki. Miso
Tara (black cod marinated in
sweet miso sauce) is another
popular dish on the café side
at $8.95. Bento boxes, which
feature a sampling of several
items from sushi, shumai
(shrimp dumplings), rice,
fried white fish and a main
protein, are another favorite.
The dish is served in a compartmentalized box. Boxes
run from $12.95 to $17.75 at
dinner and $8.25 to $16.50
at lunch.
We ate: I dined with
former Star-types Melissa
Westphal and Cathy Bayer.
We ordered several items
to share and received
excellent guidance from
our server Brittany Smith.
Smith has worked at JMK
for seven years. She knows
the menu inside-and-out.
Her recommendations were
spot-on. We started with a
few appetizers — Shumai
($3.95), Rick N’ Roll ($6.95)
and Saikyo Scallops ($6.95).
For entrees, we tried the
Salmon Miso-Zuke bento
box ($14.95), the herb-grilled
Chilean sea bass ($22.95)
and Katsu-Don ($12.95).
Our favorites were the
entrees — each exceeded
our expectations — and the
Saikyo Scallops.
The scallop dish features
sliced scallops and mushrooms with JMK’s own
Saikyo Miso sauce, which is
miso (fermented soybean),
egg yolk and oil whisked
together until rich and
creamy. The scallops, sauce
and mushrooms are broiled
until golden brown and
served in a giant clam shell.
The sea bass was perfection served with ponzu,
which is a citrus soy sauce,
buttered rice with raisins
and sautéed vegetables.
The Katsu-Don, a deep-fried
breaded pork cutlet topped
with egg, green onion and
pickled ginger served over
rice, was flavorful and filling.
The salmon was melt-inyour-mouth sweet and came
with all of the bento box side
dishes, most of which are
just enough for a few bites.
Each entrée came with
a house salad with ginger
dressing and miso or onion
soup.
We ended the meal with
a few mochi balls, which
are traditional Japanese
ice cream treats. Each
ball ($1.50) has a chewy
exterior made from a rice
dough and is filled with ice
cream. The balls are small,
enough for about three bites,
which make them perfect
for sharing. Flavors include
chocolate, strawberry,
mango and green tea.
"Ahh" factor: The Saikyo
Scallops. I had them before,
but it had been a while. I
forgot how good they are.
They’re a JMK favorite, but
they’re not on the current
menu, so you’ll have to
remember to ask for them.
The restaurant is beautiful,
too, with rich woods, high
ceilings and koi ponds.
"Hmm" moment: It’s so
hard to find fault with anything at this restaurant. It’s
truly a Rockford gem.
Next time, I’ll: Order the
Miso Tara, which I’ve had
before and it’s delicious, or
I might try the Nagi’s Catch,
which is orange roughy
cooked with white wine,
garlic and shallots served
over a bed of mushrooms for
$16.95.
Corina Curry: 815-9871371; [email protected];
@corinacurry
G4
Friday, Jan. 23, 2015 | GO
Now
showing
Theater information
On the Web
AMC ShowPlace 16
8301 E. State St., Rockford
888-262-4386
AMC ShowPlace 14
1860 Anjali Way, Machesney Park
815-885-2586
Use your smartphone and
the QR Code to the right
to access movie times
online or click on Movie
Times in the Hot Links
section at the top of rrstar.
com.
Movie times are subject to change. Always call ahead or check the theater’s website.
AMC ShowPlace 16
Rockford
NEW
AMC ShowPlace 14
Machesney Park
Cake
R
Claire becomes fascinated by the suicide of a woman in her chronic
pain support group while grappling with her own, very raw personal tragedy. 102 minutes.
Fri - Sun: 11:10 AM, 1:45, 4:35, 7:35, Not playing.
11:00; Mon - Thu: 12:00, 2:30, 5:10,
7:45, 10:30.
Game of Thrones:
The IMAX Experience
(Season 4, episodes
9,10)
NR
Several noble families fight for control of the mythical land of
Westeros. 128 minutes.
Thu: 10:00 PM.
Not playing.
The Loft
R
Five married guys secretly share a penthouse loft in the city - a
place where they can carry out hidden affairs and indulge in their
deepest fantasies. But the fantasy becomes a nightmare when they
discover the dead body of an unknown woman in the loft, and they
realize one of the group must be involved. 108 minutes.
Thu: 8:00, 10:35.
Thu: 8:00, 9:45.
Project Almanac
PG-13
A group of teens discover secret plans of a time machine, and construct one. However, things start to get out of control. 106 minutes.
Thu: 7:00, 10:15.
Thu: 7:00, 10:00.
CURRENT
American Sniper
R
Navy SEAL sniper Chris Kyle’s pinpoint accuracy saves countless
lives on the battlefield. Back home to his wife and kids after four
tours of duty, however, Chris finds that it is the war he can’t leave
behind. 132 minutes.
Fri - Sun: 11:00 AM, 12:00, 2:10,
3:15, 5:15, 6:15, 8:00, 9:20; Mon
- Thu: 1:10, 4:20, 7:30, 9:00. IMAX:
Fri - Sun: 10:00 AM, 1:10, 4:15, 7:15,
10:20; Mon - Wed: 12:30, 3:40, 6:45,
9:50; Thu: 12:30, 3:40.
Fri & Sat: 9:30 AM, 10:30 AM, 12:45, 1:45,
2:30, 3:10, 4:00, 5:00, 7:15, 8:15, 9:30,
10:30; Sun: 9:30 AM, 10:30 AM, 12:45, 1:45,
2:30, 4:00, 5:00, 7:15, 8:15, 10:30; Mon
- Thu: 12:00, 1:00, 3:10, 4:10, 6:20, 7:20,
8:40, 9:30.
Big Hero 6
PG
The special bond that develops between plus-sized inflatable robot Baymax, and prodigy Hiro Hamada, who team up with a group
of friends to form a band of high-tech heroes. 102 minutes.
Not playing.
Fri - Sun: 10:40 AM, 1:30, 3:40; Mon - Thu:
1:20, 4:05.
Birdman
R
A washed up actor, who once played an iconic superhero, battles
his ego and attempts to recover his family, his career and himself
in the days leading up to the opening of a Broadway play. 119
minutes.
Fri - Sun: 12:05, 8:00; Mon - Thu:
3:15, 10:15.
Not playing.
Blackhat
R
A man is released from prison to help American and Chinese authorities pursue a mysterious cyber criminal. The dangerous search
leads them from Chicago to Hong Kong. 135 minutes.
Fri - Sun: 1:00, 4:30, 7:40, 10:40; Mon Fri - Sun: 9:30 AM; Mon - Thu: 9:50 PM.
- Thu: 4:30, 7:40, 9:35 PM.
The Boy Next Door
R
Shortly after her divorce, a woman falls for a younger man who
just moved in across the street, though their torrid affair takes an
obsessive, dangerous turn. 91 minutes.
Fri - Sun: 10:00 AM, 12:30, 3:00, 5:30, Fri - Sun: 10:00 AM, 12:30, 3:00, 5:30, 8:00,
8:10, 9:30, 10:40; Mon - Thu: 12:40, 10:30; Mon - Thu: 12:30, 3:00, 5:30, 8:00,
3:00, 5:30, 8:00, 10:30.
10:20.
Boyhood
R
The life of a young man, Mason, from age 5 to age 18. 165 minutes.
Fri - Thu: 12:50 PM.
Not playing.
Foxcatcher
R
The greatest Olympic Wrestling Champion brother team joins
Team Foxcatcher led by multimillionaire sponsor John E. du Pont
as they train for the 1988 games in Seoul - a union that leads to
unlikely circumstances. 129 minutes.
Not playing.
Fri - Sun: 12:30 PM; Mon - Thu: 12:15 PM.
The Hobbit: The
Battle of the Five
Armies
PG-13
Bilbo and Company are forced to engage in a war against an array
of combatants and keep the Lonely Mountain from falling into the
hands of a rising darkness. 144 minutes.
Fri - Sun: 3:45 PM; Mon - Thu: 3:20
PM. 3D: Fri - Sun: 10:05 PM; Mon
- Thu: 9:10 PM.
Fri - Sun: 6:15, 9:30; Mon - Thu: 3:15, 6:30.
The Hunger Games:
Mockingjay - Part 1
PG-13
When Katniss destroys the games, she goes to District 13 after
District 12 is destroyed. She meets President Coin who convinces
her to be the symbol of rebellion, while trying to save Peeta from
the Capitol. 123 minutes.
Not playing.
Fri - Sun: 7:50, 10:40; Mon - Wed: 7:05,
10:00; Thu: 7:05 PM.
The Imitation Game
PG-13
English mathematician and logician, Alan Turing, helps crack the
Enigma code during World War II. 114 minutes.
Fri - Sun: 9:45 AM, 2:50; Mon - Thu:
12:20, 6:10.
Fri - Sun: 10:50 AM, 1:40, 4:30, 7:20, 10:10;
Mon - Thu: 1:10, 4:00, 6:50, 9:40.
Into the Woods
PG
A witch tasks a childless baker and his wife with procuring magical
items from classic fairy tales to reverse the curse put on their family tree. 124 minutes.
Fri - Sun: 10:20 AM, 1:20, 4:20, 7:20, Fri - Sun: 10:10 AM, 1:10, 4:10, 7:10, 10:05;
10:20; Mon - Wed: 1:20, 4:20, 7:20, Mon - Thu: 1:00, 4:05, 7:10, 10:05.
10:10; Thu: 1:20, 4:20, 7:20.
Mortdecai
R
Art dealer Charles Mortdecai searches for a stolen painting that’s
reportedly linked to a lost bank account filled with Nazi gold. 106
minutes.
Fri - Sun: 11:15 AM, 2:00, 4:45, 7:30, Fri - Sun: 11:15 AM, 2:00, 4:45, 7:30, 10:20;
10:15;Mon - Thu: 1:40, 4:45, 7:30,
Mon - Thu: 1:40, 4:20, 7:00, 9:40.
10:15.
More listings on Page 5
GO | Friday, Jan. 23, 2015
G5
REVIEW
REVIEW
Jennifer Aniston’s
performance is
the icing on ‘Cake’
Been there, done that
in ‘The Wedding Ringer’
By Dana Barbuto
More Content Now
By Jon Frosch
LOS ANGELES — The
first version of the script for
“The Wedding Ringer,” a new
comedy about a friendless
schlub who rents a best man
for his big day, was written
back in 2002, a fact that partly
‘Cake’
Jennifer Aniston should
play against type more often.
In the indie drama “Cake,”
Aniston — best known for
playing the beautiful and
slightly neurotic Rachel
Green for a decade on
“Friends” — sheds the trademark sass and affability on
which she built her career to
inhabit the role of a pill-popping, grief-stricken mother
obsessed over the suicide
of another member (Anna
Kendrick) of her chronic
pain support group.
Director Daniel Barnz
(“Beastly”), working from
a script by newcomer Patrick Tobin, doesn’t reveal
Claire Bennett’s situation
all at once.
No star rating given.
Rated: R for “language,
substance abuse and brief
sexuality.”
Stars: Jennifer Aniston,
Adriana Barraza, Anna
Kendrick
Running time: 102 minutes
We’re tossed bits and
bones here and there to
piece together. The dots are
connected pretty quickly —
car accident, dead toddler,
sour marriage, unbearable
pain, suicide.
Predictably, “Cake” plays
like a half-baked Lifetime
movie, but Aniston has
enough smarts to sell it as an
absorbing character study of
a woman struggling to live
again after losing everything.
Jennifer Aniston and Chris
Messina in a scene from
the indie drama “Cake.”
SEE RINGER, G17
No star rating given.
Rated: R for “crude and
sexual content, language
throughout, some drug use
and brief graphic nudity.”
Stars: Kevin Hart,
Josh Gad, Kaley
Cuoco-Sweeting
Running time: 101
minutes
FREESTYLING RELEASING
It’s a career best, and
Aniston has been deservedly honored with best
actress nominations from
the Screen Actors Guild and
Golden Globes.
It’s not a glamorous role.
Her face is sullen and
scarred. Her hair is snarly.
She gained some weight
and wears no makeup.
Aniston keeps you riveted by creating feelings
SEE CAKE, G15
Josh Gad, left, as Doug, and Kevin Hart, as Jimmy, in
a scene from Screen Gems’ “The Wedding Ringer.”
SONY PICTURES ENTERTAINMENT
AMC ShowPlace 16
Rockford
Night at the Museum: PG
Secret of the Tomb
‘The Wedding
Ringer’
The Hollywood Reporter
AMC ShowPlace 14
Machesney Park
Larry spans the globe, uniting favorite and new characters while
embarking on an epic quest to save the magic before it is gone
forever. 97 minutes.
Fri - Sun: 10:35 AM; Mon - Thu: 2:00 Fri - Sun: 9:40 AM, 2:50, 5:20; Mon - Thu:
PM.
1:50, 4:30.
Paddington
PG
A young Peruvian bear travels to London in search of a home.
Finding himself lost and alone at Paddington Station, he meets the
kindly Brown family, who offer him a temporary haven. 95 minutes
Fri - Sun: 10:00 AM, 12:25, 3:00, 5:30, Fri & Sat: 9:30 AM, 12:15, 1:00, 3:30, 4:25,
7:25, 9:50; Mon - Thu: 1:00, 3:30,
6:30, 9:00; Sun: 10:20 AM, 12:15, 1:00, 3:30,
6:20, 10:30.
4:25, 6:30, 9:00; Mon - Thu: 12:50, 3:30,
6:05, 10:20.
Selma
PG-13
A chronicle of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.’s campaign to secure
equal voting rights via an epic march from Selma to Montgomery,
Alabama in 1965. 127 minutes.
Fri - Sun: 9:50 AM, 12:20, 4:50, 7:50, Fri & Sat: 9:50 AM, 12:00, 6:20; Sun: 2:20,
10:45; Mon - Wed: 1:00, 4:00, 7:00, 5:25, 8:30; Mon - Wed: 12:20, 3:30, 6:40,
10:00; Thu: 1:00, 4:00, 7:00.
9:45; Thu: 12:20, 3:30, 6:40
A fairy tale inspired by “A Midsummer Night’s Dream” and centered
around goblin, elf, fairy and imp characters, and their misadventures sparked by the battle over a powerful potion. 99 minutes.
Fri - Sun: 10:45 AM, 1:30, 4:15, 7:00, Fri & Sat: 9:25 AM, 11:00 AM, 1:40, 4:20,
10:50; Mon - Thu: 1:30, 4:15, 7:10,
7:00, 9:40; Sun: 9:25 AM, 11:00 AM, 1:40,
9:40.
4:30, 7:00, 9:40; Mon - Thu: 1:30, 4:00, 6:30,
9:00.
Strange Magic
Taken 3
PG-13
Ex-government operative Bryan Mills is accused of a ruthless
murder he never committed or witnessed. As he is tracked and
pursued, Mills brings out his particular set of skills to find the true
killer and clear his name. 109 minutes.
Fri - Sun: 9:45 AM, 2:50, 5:25, 8:20,
11:00; Mon - Thu: 1:50, 4:50, 7:40,
10:20.
Fri - Sun: 11:55 AM, 2:30, 5:15, 8:00, 10:45;
Mon - Wed: 1:50, 4:40, 7:30, 10:15; Thu:
12:00, 2:40, 5:20, 10:30.
The Theory
of Everything
PG-13
The relationship between the famous physicist Stephen Hawking
and his wife. 123 minutes.
Fri - Sun: 9:45 AM, 2:50; Mon - Thu:
12:20, 6:10.
Not playing.
Unbroken
PG-13
After a near-fatal plane crash in WWII, Olympian Louis Zamperini
spends a harrowing 47 days in a raft with two fellow crewmen
before he’s caught by the Japanese navy and sent to a prisoner-ofwar camp. 137 minutes.
Fri - Sun: 12:40 PM; Mon - Wed:
12:15, 6:30; Thu: 12:15 PM.
Fri - Sun: 7:00, 10:15; Mon - Wed: 6:45,
9:50; Thu: 9:50 PM.
The Wedding Ringer
R
A shy young groom needs to impress his in-laws, so he turns to a
best-man-for-hire to help him out. 101 minutes.
Fri - Sun: 11:30 AM, 2:20, 4:25, 5:45, Fri - Sun: 9:25 AM, 12:00, 5:40, 8:15,
7:10, 8:30, 9:45, 11:00; Mon - Wed: 10:45Mon - Thu: 12:10, 2:45, 5:20, 7:50,
12:10, 2:40, 4:25, 5:25, 7:10, 8:00,
10:20
9:45, 10:30; Thu: 12:10, 2:40, 4:25,
5:25, 8:00, 10:30.
G6
Friday, Jan. 23, 2015 | GO
Illinois filmmakers to compete at Beloit International Film Festival
BELOIT, Wis. — The
2014 Beloit International
Film Festival will celebrate
regional filmmakers during
its first weekend with three
days of films in competition
during the Wisconsin-Illinois
Showdown.
Viewers of films will have
the opportunity to vote for
their favorites after the Feb.
20-22 screenings to decide
which state will win. The
festival runs from Feb. 20
to March 1 in venues across
Beloit.
Tickets: $8 online, $9
at the door, adults; $5,
students. For information:
beloitfilmfest.org.
Discovery Center to
host Sundae Sunday
ROCKFORD — The Discovery Center Museum, 711 N.
Main St., will hold its annual
Chocolate Sundae Sunday
event from 2 to 4 p.m. Feb. 8.
Attendees can design and
enjoy their own ice cream
sundaes, create valentines
and listen to the Auburn Jazz
Ensemble. Cost: $2.50, nonmembers; $1.50, members;
plus applicable museum
admission fees.
For information: discoverycentermuseum.org.
ON THE COVER
Kids play in the lava pit at
the Discovery Center’s Sizzling Sunday event Jan. 31,
2010, in Rockford. RRSTAR.
COM FILE PHOTO
Jennifer Aniston in a scene
from “Cake.” CINELOU FILMS
SELLING
MADE SIMPLE ON RRSTAR.COM
The Salmon Miso-Zuke
bento box at JMK Nippon
is served with California
roll, fried shumai, white
fish and fruit for $14.95.
CORINA CURRY/RRSTAR.COM
GO | Friday, Jan. 23, 2015
G7
G8
Friday, Jan. 23, 2015 | GO
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Today
■ Epilepsy Foundation
charity roast. 5:30 p.m. This
year’s honoree is United
Way of Rock River Valley
President and CEO Paul Logli.
Includes an opening cocktail
hour, dinner and silent auction. Tickets: $75, individuals;
$1,000, corporate table
of eight. For information:
815-964-2689; epilepsyheartland.org. Radisson
Hotel & Conference Center,
200 S. Bell School Road,
Rockford.
■ Friday Night Movies: “Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles.”
7 p.m. Presented by the
Belvidere Area Chamber of
Commerce. Free. Popcorn
provided by Blackhawk Bank
and ice cream provided by
Dean Foods. Doors open at
6:30 p.m. For information:
belviderechamber.com.
Community Building Complex of Boone County, 111 W.
First St., Belvidere.
■ Zumbathon fundraiser.
7 to 9 p.m. The second
annual fundraiser for The
Haven Network will include
vendors, DJ, raffles and other
activities. Cost: $10-$15. For
information: kjordan@ymail.
com, thehavennetwork.org.
St. James School, 409 N.
First St., Rockford.
Discovery Center
Museum to
highlight Costa Rica
ROCKFORD — The Discovery Center Museum, 711
N. Main St., invites museum
patrons to explore the
Central American nation of
Costa Rica from 1 to 4 p.m.
Sunday.
Poison arrow frogs will be
on display and patrons can
experiment with nanotechnology as they examine
the blue Morpho butterfly,
design and test their own
ziplines, explore volcanoes
and sample Costa Rican
cuisine. All activities are
included with museum
admission.
Admission: $8, nonmembers. For information:
discoverycentermuseum.
org.
Byron Civic Theatre
presents ‘Noises Off’
MORE ONLINE AT RRSTAR.COM
BYRON — The Byron Civic
Theatre, 850 N. Colfax St.,
will celebrate its 20th year
with a production of the
farce “Noises Off,” opening
at 7:30 p.m. Jan. 30.
The show presents a
manic menagerie as a cast
of itinerant actors rehearse
a flop. Doors slamming, on
and offstage scheming and
an errant herring all figure in
the plot of this comic play.
Performances continue
Jan. 31, Feb. 1 and 6-8.
Showtimes are at 7:30 p.m.
for all evening performances
and 2 p.m. for Sunday
matinees.
Tickets: $12, adults; $10,
seniors; $6, students and
children. For information:
bctmagic.com.
GO | Friday, Jan. 23, 2015
CALENDAR
Jan. 24
■ “America’s Got Talent”
Chicago auditions. 8 a.m.
Continues at 8 a.m. Jan. 25.
Free admission. For a complete list of audition rules and
to register: agtauditions.com.
McCormick Place, 2301 S.
Lake Shore Drive, Chicago.
■ Winter writing workshop.
10 a.m. to noon. Severson
Dells biologist/educator Greg
Keilback uses writing prompts
from multiple authors to
develop a working conversation on environmental topics.
Free. To register: 815-3352915. Severson Dells Forest
Preserve, 8786 Montague
Road, Rockford.
■ Lights & Tights USO Dance
Marathon. 6 p.m. Rockford
Dance Company founder
Jayne Poor and local veterans
will be honored. Information
about a grant for future dance
programming for veterans and
recent scholarship winners
will be shared. Tickets: $25,
adults; $5, students; free,
veterans. For information:
815-963-3341. Riverfront
Park Museum, 711 N. Main St.,
Rockford.
Jan. 25
■ “Touch The Wall” film
screening. 11:30 a.m. to 1:30
p.m. Screening of documentary “Touch The Wall,” about
the journey of elite swimmers
Missy Franklin and Kara Lynn
Joyce as they qualify for the
U.S. 2012 Olympic team.
Tickets: $12. For information:
tugg.com/events/12867. AMC
Showplace Park 14, 1860
Anjali Way, Machesney Park.
■ Costa Rica highlights. 1 to
4 p.m. Attendees can experiment with nanotechnology
while examining the blue
Morpho butterfly, designing
and testing their own ziplines,
exploring volcanoes and sampling local cuisine. Museum
admission: $8, nonmembers,
includes all activities. For
information: discoverycentermuseum.org. Discovery
Center Museum, 711 N. Main
St., Rockford.
■ Naked Tree Walk. 1 p.m. Free
guided hike to identify local
trees in winter when they’re
“naked.” The monthly Mahlburg Scholar Lecture takes
place at 2 p.m. Hot beverages
served in between. Lecture:
$5; requires registration. For
information: 815-965-3433.
Burpee Museum of Natural
History, 737 N. Main St.,
Rockford.
■ Race director clinic. 1 to
4 p.m. The Rockford Road
Runners will provide information and resources to race
directors and event volunteers
about training volunteers,
making races unique and
holding family friendly races.
Cost: $30, nonmembers; $10,
members. For information:
rockfordroadrunners.org.
YMCA Log Lodge, 200 Y Blvd.,
Rockford.
■ Poems of PeeWee Hollembeak. 2 to 3:15 p.m. Reading
of the late Ronald “PeeWee”
G9
Hollembeak’s homespun
poems. Free. For information:
cherryvalley.lib.il.us. Cherry
Valley Public Library, 755 E.
State St., Cherry Valley.
■ More calendar, G12
G10
Friday, Jan. 23, 2015 | GO
WEEKEND BEST BETS
Battles, embalming
& HONEST ABE
What: Civil War Symposium
When: 10 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Saturday
Where: Midway Village Museum, 6799
Guilford Road, Rockford
Admission: $30 a person, $20 for
members, $17 for students; includes
lunch. Lunches will be available on a
first-come, first-served limited basis
for those who have not registered. For
those who attend the lecture that do
not receive a lunch, tickets will be sold
at a 20 percent reduced price.
Information: Three Civil War-themed WIKIPEDIA PHOTO
lectures are part of the Winter Lecture
Series, which runs through March: “The Battle of Fredericksburg”
by George C. Rable, professor at the University of Alabama; “Civil
War Embalming: A Demonstration of Period Technique” by Jon
Austin; and “The Election of 1864” by Professor Bruce Allardice.
Contact: 815-397-9112, ext. 103; midwayvillage.com
Rocford Dance Company’s co-founder, the late Jayne Poor
(front row, far right), will be honored at the company’s first
annual Lights & Tights Dance Marathon, a USO-themed community swing-dance event to be held Saturday. Poor served as
a USO entertainer in Europe during World War II. PHOTO PROVIDED
G11
Coming up ...
By Sarah Wolf
Rockford Register Star
Here’s what’s happening
in the Rock River Valley this weekend
Here’s a look at some of the bigger events happening around the Rock River Valley this weekend.
For a listing of more events, visit
rrstar.eviesays.com/events.
Kids
including
Maddix
Brockway
(center), 4,
and Madison
Hodyniak, 9,
play in lava
Sunday, Jan.
27, 2013,
during the
Hawaiian
themed
Sizzling
Sunday
event at the
Discovery
Center
Museum in
Rockford.
Jo Castro feeds her daughter, Beth Castro, a dark chocolatecrusted beef brisket sandwich from Toni’s of Winnebago at
the 2013 Chocoholic Frolic at the Clock Tower in Rockford
Feb. 21. PHOTOS BY MAX GERSH/RRSTAR.COM
Loco for
COCOA
Forget your New Year’s diet for a
night and splurge for a good cause
at the annual Chocoholic Frolic, an
event put on by The Arc of Winnebago, Miniature kahlua silk
cupakes from Halo CupBoone, and Ogle Counties to raise
cake of Loves Park were
funds for people with intellectual and
one of many sweets
developmental disabilities.
available.
Cupcakes, truffles, ganache — you
name it. Nosh on your fill of chocolate
confections Feb. 19 at Forest Hills Lodge and Convention Center,
1601 West Lane Road, Loves Park. A social hour kicks off the night at
5:30 p.m., and the “Chocolate Extravaganza” starts at 6:30 p.m. This
year’s event boasts more chocolate vendors, full-size take-home
treats, a specialty auction of art by local artists, a 50/50 raffle and a
chance to win craft beer and wine by making a donation.
Tickets: $25 per person; “Sweet Deal,” $125 (six tickets for price of
five); “Bakers Dozen,” $250 (13 tickets for price of 10). For information: 815-965-3455; chocfroc.com.
MAX GERSH/
ROCKFORD
REGISTER
STAR
Swing-dancing
IN STYLE
Take a step back in time to the World War II era and swingdance the night away USO-style at the Rockford Dance
Company’s first annual Lights & Tights Dance Marathon, 6 to
10:30 p.m. Saturday at Riverfront Museum Park’s Kresge Hall,
711 N. Main St., Rockford. The event’s USO theme honors RDC’s
co-founder — the late Jayne Poor — who served as a USO entertainer in Europe during World War II. The event also kicks off new
dance-therapy programming that RDC will specifically offer to
veterans and those with disabilities.
When not on the dance floor, Lights & Tights attendees can
enjoy refreshments, entertainment and a cash bar. Ticket revenue
will go toward the dance company’s Financial Assistance and
Scholarship Fund.
Tickets: $25 for adults; $5 for children 16 and under; free for
veterans with a military I.D. For information: 815-963-3341; rockforddancecompany.com
GO | Friday, Jan. 23, 2015
Comedy at the
CORONADO
Sizzling
SUNDAY
Experience the sights,
sounds and savorings of
Costa Rica from 1 to 4 p.m.
Sunday at the “Sizzling
Sunday” event at Discovery
Center Museum, 711 North
Main St., Rockford.
From volcanoes and reefs
to tropical rainforests and
unique wildlife, guests will see
the great outdoors and taste
the singular cuisine of this
eco-friendly Central American
country. They will even be
able to design and test out
their own zipline!
Admission: $8;
free for members and
children under 1 year. For
information: 815-963-6769;
discoverycentermuseum.org
Get ready for a good ole’ belly laugh when Brian
Regan performs his stand-up comedy Feb. 12 at
the Coronado Performing Arts Center, 314 North
Main St., Rockford. The show starts at 7:30 p.m.
Known for being one of many big names on the
marquee of the Blue Collar Comedy Tour in the
early 2000s, Regan’s style specializes in turning
Brian Regan.
everyday occurrences into hilarious observations and
PHOTO PROVIDED
anecdotes. Regan’s individual tour is in its 10th year,
having sold out amphitheater shows in Salt Lake City and Denver.
Tickets: $37.75 plus fees. For information: 815-968-2722;
coronadopac.org
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Friday, Jan. 23, 2015 | GO
CALENDAR
Jan. 25
■ Ethnic Heritage Museum
honors Chuck Jefferson. 3
p.m. The African American
Gallery of the Ethnic Heritage Museum celebrates
Black History Month with an
exhibit and special program
honoring Charles E. “Chuck”
Jefferson, the first black
state representative for
the Rockford-based 67th
District. Cost: $5, adults;
$3, students; $10, family.
For information: ethnicheritagemuseum.org. Ethnic
Heritage Museum, 1129 S.
Main St., Rockford.
Jan. 26
■ Financial aid information
sessions. 5 p.m. The Illinois
Student Assistance Commission presents financial
aid opportunities for college.
Free. For information: isac.
org. E.J. Zeke Giorgi Center,
200 S. Wyman St., Rockford.
■ “About Time” supper and
discussion. 6 to 9 p.m. The
2013 romantic comedy film
starring Rachel McAdams
and Domhnall Gleeson will
be discussed. Cost: $15. For
information: womanspacerockford.org. Womanspace
Library, 3333 Maria Linden
Drive, Rockford.
Jan. 27
■ Hydroponics workshop.
5:30 to 7 p.m. University of
Illinois Extension educator
Candice Miller demonstrates how to easily make
an at-home hydroponic
system. Cost: $15, workshop; $5, presentation only.
To register: web.extension.
illinois.edu/jsw. Ogle County
Extension office, 421 Pines
Road, Oregon.
Jan. 29
■ Archetypes and Art. 6
to 9 p.m. Licensed counselor Kathy Cox explores
symbolic archetypes used
cross-culturally in myths
and storytelling. Cost: $45,
nonmembers; $35, members. To register by Jan.
26: womanspace-rockford.
org. Womanspace Library,
3333 Maria Linden Drive,
Rockford.
Jan. 30
■ “Noises Off.” 7:30 p.m.
Also runs at 7:30 p.m. Jan.
31, Feb. 6-7 and at 2 p.m.
Feb. 1 and 8. A cast of itinerant actors rehearse a flop.
Doors slamming, onstage
and offstage scheming, and
an errant herring all figure in
the plot of this comedy. Tickets: $12, adults; $10, seniors;
$6, students and children.
For information: bctmagic.
com. Byron Civic Theater,
850 N. Colfax St., Byron.
@RRSTAR_GO
GO | Friday, Jan. 23, 2015
CALENDAR
Jan. 31
■ BoCo Expo. 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
The expo is an opportunity for
businesses to network and
showcase their services and
products, recruit employers
or test their market. Each
booth space is 10-by-7 feet
and will be furnished with
a skirted table and sign.
Exhibitor fee: $250, nonmembers; $175, chamber
members. Free admission to
the public. For information:
belviderechamber.com. Community Building Complex of
Boone County, 111 W. 1st St.,
Belvidere.
■ Our Lady of the Sacred
Heart Academy open house.
9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Meet teachers
and students, tour classrooms, take free placement
tests and obtain information about the curriculum,
scholarships and financial
assistance. Free. For information: olsha.org. Our Lady of
the Sacred Heart Academy,
3218 11th St., Rockford.
■ Pin It Rockford. 10 a.m. to
2 p.m. Bring your Pinterest
boards for kids to life with
Valentine’s Day- and springthemed crafts. Supplies and
snacks provided; beverages
available for purchase. Cost:
$10. For information: pinitrockford.com. Lombardi
Club, 209 Olive St., Rockford.
■ Traditional Japanese tea
ceremony. 10:30 to 11:30
a.m., 12:30 to 1:30 p.m.
and 2 to 3 p.m. A series of
traditional Japanese snowviewing tea ceremonies given
by Kimiko Gunji. Cost: $25,
nonmembers; $20, members.
To register: 815-316-2256;
andersongardens.org. Anderson Japanese Gardens, 318
Spring Creek Road, Rockford.
■ Birds of Our Four Rivers.
1 to 2 p.m. Greg Keilback
looks at birds of the four
rivers. Photographs provided
by David Olson. Cost: $3,
nonmembers. To register:
815-335-2915. Severson Dells
Forest Preserve, 8786 Montague Road, Rockford.
■ Chili and oyster soup
supper. 4 to 7 p.m. Harlem
United Methodist Church
hosts a chili and oyster soup
supper. Includes beverage and dessert. Tickets:
$7, adults; $5, ages 10 and
younger. Harlem United Methodist Church, 8401 N. Alpine
Road, Machesney Park.
■ Robert Burns birthday celebration. 5 p.m. The Rockford
Burns Club celebrates the
256th birthday of Scottish
songwriter and poet Robert
Burns, author of “Auld Lang
Syne.” Tickets: $35, members
ages 13 and older; $50, nonmembers ages 13 and older;
$15, ages 12 and younger. For
information: rockfordburnsclub.com. Hoffman House,
7550 E. State St., Rockford.
Creek Road, Rockford.
■ Mediterranean music
Feb. 1
concert. 7 p.m. Doors open at
6 p.m. Inspired by music from
the Mediterranean with singer
Vince Chiarelli and awardwinning Spanish guitarist
Frank Calvagna, accompanied
by bassist Tony Chiarelli and
the Italian Influence Band.
Admission: Free; donations
encouraged. For information:
springcreekucc.org. Spring
Creek Church, 4500 Spring
G13
■ Japanese tea-serving
instruction. 9 a.m. to noon.
Kimiko Gunji teaches proper
Japanese tea-serving
procedures with hands-on
demonstrations. Cost: $45.
For information: 815-3162256; andersongardens.org.
Anderson Japanese Gardens,
318 Spring Creek Road,
Rockford.
G14
Friday, Jan. 23, 2015 | GO
CALENDAR
Feb. 2
■ Heart Care: Ask The
Experts. 5:30 p.m. Learn
about heart health from
speakers and pose questions
to panels of medical experts.
Free. For information: swedishamerican.org. Giovanni’s
Restaurant & Convention
Center, 610 N. Bell School
Road, Rockford.
Feb. 3
■ Wander at the Wetland: Full
Moon Snowshoe & Hike. 4 to
7:30 p.m. Hike, snowshoe or
ski the trail, which will be set
with hundreds of luminaries. Volunteer trail guides will
talk about the history of the
preserve and Natural Land
Institute. Free. To register by
Feb. 2: naturalland.org. Nygren
Wetland Preserve, 3190 W.
Rockton Road, Rockton.
Feb. 4
■ “A Little Night Music.” 8 p.m.
Set in 1900 Sweden, the production explores the tangled
web of affairs centered around
actress Desirée Armfeldt and
the men who love her. Cost:
$17-$20. For information:
rvcstarlight.com. Rock Valley
College Physical Education
Center (PEC), 3301 N. Mulford
Road, Rockford.
Feb. 5
■ War of 1812 history talk. 1:30
to 2:30 p.m. Local historian
Mary Dammann discusses
important battles of the War
of 1812 and the burning of
the White House. Free. North
Suburban Library, 6340 N.
Second St., Loves Park.
■ “The Last Five Years.” 7 p.m.
Runs 7 p.m. Feb. 6 and at 2
and 7 p.m. on Feb. 7. A musical
about two New Yorkers in
their 20s who fall in and out
of love over the course of five
years. Tickets: $15, door; $12,
advance. For information:
gatewayperforminga.wix.
com/gpasstudio. Gateway
Community Church of the
Nazarene, 8545 N. Alpine
Road, Machesney Park.
Feb. 6
■ Winnebago County CASA
wine tasting. 5:30 to 8:30
p.m. Sample more than 30
wines, with appetizers from
Josef-Barbados Restaurant
& Oyster Bar. Proceeds used
to recruit and train volunteer
advocates for abused and
neglected children in the
pursuit of safe and permanent
homes in Winnebago County.
Cost: $15. For information:
winnebagocountycasa.org.
Artale Wine Company, 6878
Spring Creek Road, Rockford.
GO | Friday, Jan. 23, 2015
CAKE
From Page G5
and emotions that are palpably painful and darkly
humorous.
She tapped into much
the same reserves in 2002’s
“The Good Girl.”
She receives a lot of
help from a terrific supporting cast that includes
Adriana Barraza (“Babel”)
as her loyal caretaker;
Felicity Huffman as the
New Age-y support group
leader; Mamie Gummer as
her no-frills physical therapist; Lucy Punch as her
gullible doctor; and Chris
Messina as her alienated
ex-husband.
Soon enough, Aniston’s
Claire becomes creepily fixated on the son and
husband (Sam Worthington) Nina (Kendrick) left
behind.
Kendrick, shown in hallucinatory conversations with
Claire, is a delight per usual.
Claire inserts herself into
their lives on an almost
stalker-ish level.
As a director, Barnz
continues to give his main
characters an affliction to
overcome: Elle Fanning
had Tourette’s in “Phoebe
in Wonderland” and Alex
Pettyfer was disfigured in
“Beastly.”
With “Cake,” he improves
the recipe, turning in his
smallest yet most-layered
movie.
My only quibble is knowing from the get-go what
the final frame is going
to be. But getting there is
worth the ride, thanks to
Aniston, who is so sneakily
vivid in her conveyance of
the emotional and physical
hurt, anger and loneliness
her character battles.
You can’t blame Claire
for being depressed, caustic
and sometimes cruel.
Sure, a movie about
chronic pain and tragedy
might not be something to
rush out to see, but there are
a couple of jolts of uplift —
with Baranza, for example,
when Claire surprisingly
defends her in a Mexican
pharmacy.
While “Cake” is not a
cheery movie, it doesn’t
totally bum you out either,
and Aniston’s performance
is the perfect icing.
CALENDAR
Feb. 7
■ Paws Fur Ball. 5:30 p.m.
Music will be provided by
the Rockford Lutheran High
School Jazz Band and by
the band Men Of Our Times.
The event will also feature
dinner, silent auctions and
raffle drawings. Tickets:
$110, couple; $65, individual.
For information: pawshs.org.
Giovanni’s Restaurant, 610
N. Bell School St., Rockford.
G15
Visit your local health source ...
G16
Friday, Jan. 23, 2015 | GO
CALENDAR
Feb. 10
■ Pen and Ink. 1 to 3 p.m.
This class takes place
Tuesdays through March
10. Students should bring a
14-by-17-inch pad of drawing
paper. Fee: $70, nonmembers; $60, members. For
information: womanspacerockford.org. Womanspace,
3333 Maria Linden Drive,
Rockford.
Feb. 11
■ Fun with Pastels. 1 to
3 p.m. This class takes
place Wednesdays through
March 11. Students should
bring a 14-by-17-inch pad
of drawing paper. Fee:
$70, nonmembers; $60,
members. For information:
womanspace-rockford.org.
Womanspace, 3333 Maria
Linden Drive, Rockford.
■ Mix It Up! Plaster Painting.
Students must bring two
canvases of any size and
their own acrylic paint. Fee:
$70, nonmembers; $60,
members. For information:
womanspace-rockford.org.
Womanspace, 3333 Maria
Linden Drive, Rockford.
Feb. 12
■ Brian Regan Performance.
7 p.m. Comedian Brian
Regan will perform. Tickets:
$39.75. For information:
coronadopac.org. Coronado
Performing Arts Center, 314
N. Main St., Rockford.
Feb. 14
■ “Memories From Times of
War.” 7:30 p.m. Acclaimed
soprano Amy Conn makes
her Rockford Symphony
Orchestra debut in three
contrasting works. Cost:
$7-$58. For information:
coronadopac.org. Coronado
Performing Arts Center, 314
N. Main St., Rockford.
■ More calendar, G18
GO | Friday, Jan. 23, 2015
RINGER
From Page G5
accounts for the whiff of stale
leftovers that hangs over the
movie from start to finish.
Several films have indeed
been there, done that or variations of that in the 12 years
since, including “Bridesmaids”
and “The Hangover,” which all
but redefined the pre-marriage debauchery sub-genre.
But a certain derivative, dejavu quality isn’t the only sin this
lazy, numbingly routine, very
occasionally amusing comedy
commits. An odd-couple bromance spiked with gross-out
humor of a mostly unimaginative sort, “The Wedding
Ringer,” starring Kevin Hart,
largely fails to accomplish its
most basic mission: making
us laugh.
D i r e c t e d b y Je r e my
Garelick from a screenplay he
wrote with Jay Lavender, “The
Wedding Ringer” opens with
Doug (Josh Gad) nervously
cold calling potential best men
in preparation for his upcoming nuptials to Gretchen (“The
Big Bang Theory’s” Kaley
Cuoco-Sweeting). Alas, Doug
is soft-spoken and overweight,
which, in testosterone-drunk
comedies like this one, means
that he has no friends. Soon
enough, he’s employing professional best man Jimmy
Callahan (Hart) and a rag-tag
team of groomsmen.
As Doug and his homiesfor-hire get acquainted, we’re
treated to a variety of gags,
including a boy getting hit in
the gut with a baseball and a
man breaking his own arm for
show, as well as jokes about
rape, child molestation and
testicular deformities.
Politically incorrect, lowest-common-denominator
comedy and body horror
humor can be sublime when
the timing is sharp and the
staging inspired. But here,
almost everything feels
anemic. Garelick and Lavender consistently flirt with
outrageousness without ever
going all the way. Even a bachelor party set piece in which
the term “service dog” is given
stomach-turning new meaning (peanut butter lovers, be
warned) feels half-hearted
and half-thought-out; you
giggle because of the situation’s bullying perversity, not
because the execution is actually funny.
Slightly more amusing
are some of the interactions
between Doug and his future
in-laws, thanks in large part
to the skill of good actors
slumming for a paycheck:
Ken Howard as Gretchen’s
macho dad, Mimi Rogers
as her tightly wound mom,
Olivia Thirlby as her toocool-for-school younger
sister and a sadly underused
Cloris Leachman as her loopy
grandma.
If the movie has a high
point, it’s surely the family
dinner sequence that devolves
into total chaos, culminating in Granny going up in
flames. Moments like that
momentarily breathe some
much-needed comic life into
“The Wedding Ringer.”
Ha r t o ff e r s a m o r e
restrained spin on his usual
high-pitched, high-strung
persona, but the role is essentially watered-down shtick.
Meanwhile, Gad (who played
a sex addict in “Thanks for
Sharing”) isn’t given much
to do except look dim and
dejected, the neutered straight
man to Hart’s neutered
real-life cartoon.
The rather obvious lesson
here is that in the age of Judd
Apatow and smarter raunch,
it takes more than fat dudes,
G17
penis jokes and dogs with
wandering tongues to make
us guffaw in spite of ourselves. Frankly, we’ve seen it
all before.
G18
Friday, Jan. 23, 2015 | GO
CALENDAR
Feb. 15
■ “Brahms: Traditionalist and
Innovator.” 3 p.m. The Avalon
String Quartet performs a
selection by Brahms, in addition to other classical works.
Cost: $6-$25. For information: mendelssohnpac.org.
Mendelssohn Performing
Arts Center, 406 N Main St.,
Rockford.
■ Leather Bead Bracelet. 6 to
8 p.m. This is part of the Art
Uncorked series featuring wine
and an art project. Attendees
will create leather bead bracelets with provided materials
and instructions. Participants
are welcome to bring their
own adornments. Fee: $25,
nonmembers; $20, members.
For information: womanspacerockford.org. Womanspace,
3333 Maria Linden Drive,
Rockford.
■ “Alton Brown Live! The
Edible Inevitable Tour.” 7 p.m.
Food Network host Alton
Brown will bring his show to
Rockford. Tickets: $39-$59,
plus applicable fees; $125 for
meet-and-greet tickets. For
information: coronadopac.
org. Coronado Performing
Arts Center, 314 N. Main St.,
Rockford.
Feb. 19
■ Chocoholic Frolic. 5:30 p.m.
The event will feature more
than 50 bite-sized servings of
chocolate-inspired desserts, a
wine and cheese social hour,
an art auction, a 50/50 raffle
and People’s Choice Awards.
Attendees will also have the
opportunity to purchase fullsize versions of the treats they
sample. Tickets: $25. Proceeds
benefit The Arc of Winnebago,
Boone and Ogle Counties.
For information: arcwbo.org.
Forest Hills Lodge, 9572 Forest
Hills Road, Loves Park.
Feb. 20
■ 44th Rockford Boat, Vacation and Fishing Show. 3 to 8
p.m. Continues from 10 a.m. to
7 p.m. Feb. 21 and from 11 a.m.
to 5 p.m. Feb. 22. The show
will feature offerings for those
buying a boat or pontoon,
charters, guides or lodging or
simple fishing gear. Experienced Illinois and Wisconsin
anglers and guides will give
seminars. Cost: $7, adults;
$10, weekend pass; free,
children ages 12 and younger.
Free parking. For information: landroproductions.com.
Indoor Sports Center, 8800 E.
Riverside Blvd., Loves Park.
■ Miranda Lambert Certified Platinum Tour. 7:30 p.m.
Miranda Lambert’s tour will
stop in Rockford for the artist
to perform. Cost: $39.75$54.75. For information:
thebmoharrisbankcenter.com.
BMO Harris Bank Center, 300
Elm St., Rockford.
GO | Friday, Jan. 23, 2015
CALENDAR
Feb. 26
■ MELD Sports Celebrity
Night with Tony Dungy. 5:30
to 9 p.m. This event is a Mothers and Fathers Establishing
Life’s Direction’s celebrity
evening featuring former
NFL player Tony Dungy. The
night will feature a meet-andgreet, appetizers, a short
program, dinner, silent and
live auctions and books by
Dungy for purchase. Tickets:
$700, table of 10, general;
$450, table of 10 for students
ages 18 and younger, general;
$100, VIP meet-and-greet;
$95 per person for a table of
10 with VIP meet-and-greet;
$75 per person, general;
$50, students ages 18 and
younger. Proceeds benefit
MELD programs for young
parents and children. For
information: rockfordmeld.
org. Giovanni’s Restaurant,
610 N. Bell School St.,
Rockford.
■ “Dogfight.” 7:30 p.m. Rockford University’s production
of “Dogfight” is a musical
adaptation of the 1991 film
of the same name. Cost:
$9-$12. For information:
[email protected].
Rockford University Maddox
Theatre, Clark Arts Center,
5050 E. State St., Rockford.
March 6
■ “The Price is Right Live!” 1
p.m. The “Price is Right” will
host a show from Rockford.
Tickets will be available for
purchase at ticketmaster.
com, coronadopac.org or by
calling 815-968-5222. Cost:
$37.50-$60. For information:
coronadopac.org. Coronado
Performing Arts Center, 314
N. Main St., Rockford.
March 7
■ “What a Wonderful World: A
Tribute to Louis Armstrong.”
7:30 p.m. The Rockford
Symphony Orchestra will
perform a tribute to Louis
Armstrong. Cost: $7-$60. For
information: coronadopac.
org. Coronado Performing
Arts Center, 314 N. Main St.,
Rockford.
members two-day class;
$70, nonmembers one-day
class; $60, members oneday class. For information:
womanspace-rockford.org.
Womanspace, 3333 Maria
Linden Drive, Rockford.
March 14
March 16
■ Encaustic Painting. 1 to 4
p.m. This class will also take
place March 21. Students will
learn encaustic painting, or
the art of painting with hot
wax. The class fee includes all
wax, pigments, brushes and
tools. Fee: $125, nonmembers two-day class; $115,
■ Printmaking. 5:30 to 7:30
p.m. This class will take place
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Mondays through April 13.
Students will create a design
sketch and learn to use that
sketch to make a repetitive
pattern and will learn print
techniques, design and color.
Fee: $70, nonmembers; $60,
members. For information:
womanspace-rockford.org.
Womanspace, 3333 Maria
Linden Drive, Rockford.
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Friday, Jan. 23, 2015 | GO