Community Calendar

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

Join us for the 2026 Rock River Valley Train Show!

We have a 42,000 sq. ft. venue at Harlem High School in the Rockford, Illinois area consisting of two adjacent gymnasiums. There will be plenty of new and used model railroad supplies for sale, informative displays and fun to watch operating model trains for children of all ages. Door prizes are awarded every hour, but you must be present to win.

Admission is still only $5.00 for adults with kids 12 and under, scouts in uniform free.

Parking is free, too.

Oregon, IL, Women’s Club supports the local community with its 74th Annual Antique and Vintage Show with over 40 dealers from the Midwest!

Saturday, March 21st, from 9 to 5 and Sunday, March 22nd, from 10 to 3

Ample free parking, homemade concessions, handicap accessible.

Entry $8.00 per person

Antique appraisals on Sunday from 10 to 2 - $5.00 per item.  

Blooming Fusion returns to The Next Picture Show after its successful debut in 2024, bringing back a vibrant 2D art exhibition inspired by flowers, plants, and gardens. Running February 18 through March 28, 2026, this juried show highlights fresh perspectives and creative connections rooted in the natural world. The exhibition features original works in watercolor, oil, acrylic, mixed media, pen & pencil, and charcoal.

The gallery is open 10-4 Wednesday-Saturday or by appointment.