What’s going on
Out&about
Through Aug. 2
Exhibit: Revolution
Paintings by John DeLong at The Crystal Cork Wine Shoppe, 219 W. First St., Dixon. For more information, visit www.distinctivegardensinc.com/ccaq.html or call 815-285-3496.
Through Sept. 13
Crime Lab Detective
Discovery Center Museum’s new traveling exhibit takes visitors into the popular world of crime labs and detective work. Be the real Sherlock Holmes as you examine clues. Visit www.discoverycentermuseum.org or call 815-963-6769. Located at 711 N. Main St., Rockford.
June 18-20
Sturgis on the River
Mississippi Valley Fairgrounds, 2815 W. Locust St. in Davenport, Iowa. Largest gathering of motorcycles in the Midwest.
June 19
Sauk Valley Summer Fest Corporate Olympics
6 p.m. at the Westwood Sports & Expo Center, Sterling. Beanbag tournaments; basketball shooting challenge/ golf skills challenge; beer garden; concessions. Free concert, 8 p.m., “The Funnies.” For information, call Jim Spencer at 815-718-4784 or jspencer@sterlingschools.org.
June 19-20
Juneteenth Day Celebration
7 p.m. to 1 a.m. Friday, 3 p.m. to 1 a.m. Saturday at Starlight’s Theatre & Lounge, 314 First Ave. Sterling. Two-day lineup of live music, food, art, and culture celebrating African-American history, freedom and achievement with food, arts, poetry and live music featuring blues, gospel, soul, R&B, jazz, reggae, hip-hop and rap. Saturday: Best Sweet Potato Pie and Peach Cobbler contest. Free admission; donations accepted. For more information, call 847-254-2878 or e-mail starlightstheatre@live.com, or visit www.starlightstheatre.com on the Web.
June 19-20
Metal mayhem demolition derby
This is truly the Super Bowl of demolition derbies at Ogle County Fairgrounds, Oregon. There are close to 200 cars already registered. For more information, visit www.derbyicons.com or call 262-295-8061.
June 19-21
Natural Water Gardens Pond and Moon Tour
Self-guided tour of more than 60 residential/commercial water gardens in Freeport. Moon Tour for a whole new perspective. Admission includes a guidebook that serves as a weekend pass to explore at your leisure. Visit www.nwgponds.com or call 815-235-7663.
June 20
Military convoy display
Mid-afternoon to 6 p.m. in downtown Rochelle along Lincoln Highway, and at the Rochelle Municipal Airport. Military vehicles on display, food, music. Parking and admission is free. In true World War II fashion, at 6 p.m. a Hangar Dance will feature a buffet dinner, a “Tribute to Bob Hope and the USO” show, and the Johnnie Kaye Orchestra. Hangar dance tickets are $30 each or $50 for two. Tickets are available at Rochelle City Hall, the Rochelle Municipal Airport, or by calling 562-6161.
June 20
Tour “Oregon: A Walk Through History”
Two-hour walk led by Tim O’Rourke, will begin at Oregon Public Library at 9:30 a.m. and circle through the town. Take a walk through history and find out about the Driscoll gang, who burned down the courthouse, and much more. The event is part the 100-year anniversary celebration and fundraiser for a new building. Refreshments provided at the Eagle’s Nest Art Gallery. Stop by the gallery at 300 Jefferson St., or call the library (815-732-2724) for tickets – space is limited. Tickets are $5 or $15 for a family. A free water bottle is included.
June 21
Ride the River 2009
Enjoy a bi-state tour of the Quad Cities along riverfront bike trails. Cruise the Mississippi River on the Celebration Belle riverboat from Iowa to Illinois or ride across the historic Arsenal Bridge. Visit www.riveraction.org/ on the Web.
June 20
Healthy Living Fair
8 a.m.-3 p.m. at the Freight House, 421 W. River Drive in downtown Davenport, Iowa. Free event features organic foods, farmers market, environmentally friendly products and produce, holistic medicine, alternative energy options, and live music.
June 20-21
Quad City Air Show
8 a.m. and close at 5 p.m. The flying begins around 11:30 a.m. from the Davenport Municipal Airport, Iowa.
June 21
Sandwich Antiques Market
8 a.m. to 4 p.m. More than 65,000 collectors. Sandwich Fairgrounds, 1401 Suydam Road, Sandwich. Visit antiquemarkets.com or call 815-786-3337.
Festivals
June 18-21
Polo Town and Country Days
5 p.m. Thursday through late Sunday afternoon. Highlights include: fireworks display Thursday evening, carnival rides all weekend; kids activities, main stage musical entertainment, chain-saw carving, crafts & collectibles show, kids water fights, food stands, hot-air balloon rides, and huge parade at noon on Sunday. For more information, visit www.poloil.net on the Web.
June 18-20
Taste of Rockford
Giovianni’s (Thursday) and Road Ranger (Friday and Saturday). This year, a special Thursday night “Taste Our Area’s Cuisine” night has been added to give all area restaurants the opportunity to showcase their cuisine in an environment not dependent on weather, and that does not detract from their regular business. Go to www.tasteofrockford.com for the full food and music lineup.
June 19-21
Kids Days
Carnival will be in Prophetstown and children’s events will take place all 3 days. For more information, visit www.prophetstownil.com on the Web.
June 20-28
Fields project arts festival
Various locations throughout Oregon. The Fields Project is designed to encourage the unique, centurylong marriage of art and agriculture in Ogle County. There will be a fine arts show, sculpture contest, sculpture trail, visiting artists, and the Field Sculpture. The designs, mowed into the tall grasses by farmers using their standard farming equipment, can only be viewed totally from the air. For more information, visit www.fieldsproject.com or call 815-732-2100.
Stage events
June 18
Dixon Municipal Band Concert
7:30 p.m. at the Page Park Band Shell.
June 19
Musical Friday’s concert
Noon at the Town Square Center, Dixon. Free.
June 19-21
Repeat with Madeline
7 p.m. Fri.-Sat; 1:30 p.m. Sun. Dessert theater. Comedy follows the quest of Repete Johnson and his unrelenting pursuit of the fair Irene at the Mighty Richland Players Dinner Theater, 203 W. High St., Orangeville. For more information, visit www.mightyrichlandplayers.com or call 815-819-1310.
June 19
Echoes of Ireland The Musical
7:30 p.m. at the Adler Theatre, Davenport, Iowa. Must-see audience experience that leaves sold-out houses on their feet cheering for more. Tickets $30-$50 are available at the Adler Theatre Box Office, online at Ticketmaster.com, or charge by phone at 1-800-745-3000 and Ticketmaster outlets.
June 20
Robbie LeBlanc
7-9 p.m. at Books on First, 202 W. First St., Dixon. World music sound. For more information, visit www.booksonfirst.com/ on the Web.
June 23
Oregon Concert in the Park: Decatur Park Singers
7 p.m. at the Oregon Park West facility off West Oregon Trail Road. An energetic group of vocalists and instrumentalists who perform everything from pop and jazz to all-American favorites. Bring a lawn chair, blanket, and even a picnic basket. For more information, visit www.oregonpark.org or call 815-732-3101.
June 23
The United States Army Field Band Volunteers
7 p.m. The Musician Ambassadors of the Army will perform at Sterling High School Centennial Auditorium. Free tickets available at the Daily Gazette, 3200 E. Lincolnway, Sterling, and the Telegraph, 113 S. Peoria Ave., Dixon. For more information, visit www.armyfieldband.com on the Web.
June 24
Sterling Municipal Symphony Band Summer Concert Series
7:30 p.m. at the Grandon Civic Center, Sterling. For more information, call 815-622-1681 or visit www.sterlingmunicipalband.com on the Web.
June 25
Dixon Municipal Band Concert
7:30 p.m. at the Page Park Band Shell.
