What's going on

Feb. 3-5

‘Mister Roberts’ ahoy!

BYRON – “Mister Roberts,” a rowdy, humorous saga of a group of American sailors aboard a Navy cargo vessel in the Pacific during WWII, will be performed at 7:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday and 2 p.m. Sunday at the Byron Civic Theatre, 850 N. Colfax. Tickets are $12 for adults, $10 for seniors and $6 for students at www.bctmagic.com, tickets@bctmagic.com or at the BCT Box Office, 815-312-3000, from 6 to 9 p.m. today and 9 a.m. to noon Saturday. (Note: This production contains strong language that may not be suitable for some children.)

Feb. 4

Hollywood on Main Street

DIXON – The annual Dixon Main Street awards banquet will be held from 6 to 9 p.m. Saturday at the Post House Ballroom, 100 W. Second St. This year’s theme is Classic Hollywood. Walk the red carpet, enjoy music by Cirque du Swing with vocals by Kathy Cecchetti, bid on items at live and silent auctions and enjoy food catered by Basil Tree Ristorante. Wildflower Picks will be taking photos. Tickets are $25. Attire is semi-formal, and space is limited, so call 815-288-2308 to see if a spot remains.

Feb. 5

Bridal fair

DIXON – The annual Sauk Valley Bridal Fair, one of the area’s largest, will be held from noon to 4:30 p.m. at Sauk Valley Community College. Seno and Satin ’N Lace will present a fashion show featuring the newest trends in tuxes and bridal gowns. and brides can register to win prizes that include $75, $150 and $300 certificates to use at the vendor of their choice, plus more than 40 other door prizes from participating vendors. Tickets are $5 each at Sauk Valley Media in Sterling or the Telegraph in Dixon. Call SVM Marketing Department at 815-625-3600, ext. 681, or email marketing@saukvalley.com for more information.

Stupor Bowl

DIXON – The 2012 Stupor Bowl trivia contest begins with opening ceremonies at 8 a.m. at Reagan Middle School, 620 Division St. The first round of matches starts about 8:45 a.m., the last match will begin around 2:30 or 3 p.m., with awards presented at 4 p.m. The event is a fundraiser for the Dixon Schools Foundation. Admission is free to spectators. Go to www.dixonstuporbowl.com or call Tom Wadsworth, 815-285-3861, for more information.

Reagan concert on TV

DIXON – The “Reagan of Illinois” concert makes its world TV debut on WTTW, Chicago’s public TV station. The concert, commissioned by the city of Dixon for its Ronald Reagan Centennial celebration, first was performed Feb. 19 in the Historic Dixon Theatre, where the future actor watched silent movies as a boy. The event was recorded and made into CDs and DVDs; that is the performance that will air at 2 p.m. today and again at 4 a.m. Monday, which is Reagan’s 101st birthday.

Feb. 6

Dutch turns 101

TAMPICO – In commemoration of the 101st anniversary of the birth of Ronald Reagan, the museums at the Ronald Reagan Birthplace, 111-113 Main St., and the Tampico Area Historical Society, 119 S. Main St., will be open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. for the annual birthday party. (The museums now are open by appointment only.) Birthday cake will being served. For more information about the party or to schedule a tour for a different day, email reaganbirthplace@thewisp.net or call 815-622-8705.

Feb. 7 and 8

Two nights on art

MORRISON – Former Morrison Junior High School art instructor Ned J. Nesti Jr., will hold a discussion at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday and Wednesday on “The Power of Art” at Odell Public Library, 307 S. Madison St. Nesti will compare and contrast two artists featured in the BBC series by the same name who have a diametrically opposite styles: Caravaggio (1571-1610) and Rothko (1903-1970). Admission is free, but participants must register at the library or by phone at 815-772-7323.

Feb. 11

Wine-tasting for PADS

ROCK FALLS – Twin Cities PADS Homeless Shelter offers a Valentine’s Weekend Wine-Tasting Extravaganza at Kapp’s Banquet Hall, 201 W 1st St. in Rock Falls. Doors open at 6 p.m. The Little Owl Shoppe in Prophetstown will supply wine from local and national wineries, and there will be live entertainment, raffles and catered cuisine from local eateries and grocers. Tickets are $25 or $40 per couple if your RSVP and payment are received by Jan. 25; $30 and $50 after. Mail RSVP and checks to PADS Homeless Shelter, 111 E. 29th St., Sterling, IL 61081. For more information, or to assist with the event, call 815-626-2210.

Book launch in Dixon

DIXON – Dixon native Courtney (Fassler) Walsh, now of Loveland, Colo., will release her first novel, “A Sweethaven Summer,” first in a series of three, at a launch party from 7 to 9:30 p.m. at The Next Picture Show, 113 W. First St. She also will have a book signing from 2 to 3:30 that afternoon at Barnes & Noble in the Cherryvale Mall in Rockford. Call 815-285-4924 for all the local details. Go to courtneywalsh.typepad.com to learn more about Walsh, who’s also published books on scrapbooking.

Photo exhibit

DIXON – “Sinn des Auges (Sense of the Eye)” a photography exhibit by Sauk Valley Media chief photographer Alex Paschal, opens with a free reception from 6 to 8 p.m. at The Crystal Cork Wine Shoppe, 219 W. First St. The exhibit runs through May. 6; admission is free. Go to www.thecrystalcork.com or call 815-285-3496 for more information.

Smoochin’ at the Moose

MOUNT MORRIS – Lyle Grobe and the Rhythm Ramblers invite all you lovebirds to a Valentine’s Day Sweetheart Dance from 7:30 to 10:30 p.m. at the Mount Morris Moose Lodge, 101 Moose Drive. Call 815-734-4161 for more information.

Second Saturdays

DIXON – Second Saturdays returns to the downtown, with events and entertainment from 6 to 8 p.m., and sometimes longer, at various downtown venues. Go to www.second-saturdays.com for the complete schedule.

Feb. 12

Mrs. Lincoln comes to town

STERLING – In honor of Abraham Lincoln’s birthday, the Sterling-Rock Falls Historical Society meeting will feature actress Laura Keyes portraying Mary Todd Lincoln. She will present a program on the Lincolns’ first trip to Washington, D.C. in 1847. The public is invited to the meeting, which begins at 2 p.m. in the CGH Medical Center’s Ryberg Auditorium, 100 W. LeFevre. Admission is free; call 815-622-6215 for more information. Go to laurafkeyes.com to learn more about Keyes’ re-enactment.

Men of A-Chord

MORRISON – The Men of A-Chord, a 32-member male choir from the Chicago suburbs, will perform at 4 p.m. at the United Methodist Church of Morrison, 200 W. Lincolnway. The repertoire will include sacred music, spirituals and contemporary and old familiar hymns. Admission is free. Call 815-772-4030 for more information.

Feb. 13

Wine and cheese tasting

AMBOY – The Amboy Education Foundation’s third annual Wine & Cheese Tasting will be held from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Long Branch Saloon, 55 S. East Ave. Tickets are $20, and include a commemorative wine glass and eight samplings of wine and cheese, plus appetizers. They are available at the door or from any foundation member. Proceeds help buy school items such as computers and library books. Call 815-857-2164 for more information.

Feb. 15

Free concert at Sauk

DIXON – Accomplished singer-songwriter Nelly’s Echo will give a free performance from 12:30 to 1:30 p.m. at Sauk Valley Community College’s East Mall, as part of the school’s recognition of Black History Month. Nelly’s Echo, originally from Nigeria, uses his multicultural background and life experiences to tell a story through a mix of blues, reggae and soul. Admission is free. Call Ana Salgado, student activities coordinator, at 815-835-6432 for more information.

‘Immigrant Story: India’

FULTON – Kalamini Kumar will present “Immigrant Story: India” at 9 a.m. at the Windmill Cultural Center, 111 10th Ave. Admission is free. Call 815-589-4033.

Feb. 16

Black history program

DIXON – Sauk Valley Community College faculty member Lenie Adolphson will present “From the Past to the Future,” a program on black history, at 7 p.m. in room 1K4. Adolphson, who teaches western civilization and American ethnic culture courses. will give a compelling presentation filled with traditional African American music, pictures and history of slavery, civil rights, and more. Admission is free. Call Ana Salgado, student activities coordinator, at 815-835-6432 for more information.

Feb. 18

Lyle and his Ramblers

STERLING – Lyle Grobe and the Rhythm Ramblers perform from 7 to 10 p.m. at the Sterling Moose Lodge, 2601 E. Lincolnway. Call 815-625-0354.

Feb. 20

President’s Day Luncheon

DIXON – The Dixon Riverfront’s second annual President’s Day Luncheon will be held from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at the Dixon Historic Center. Lunch will be catered by Mama Cimino’s, with music by Jazzy Jeff. The center’s Bill Jones will speak. Cost is $8 in advance, $10 at the door. Call 815-973-0931 for more information.

Feb. 24

Dueling Pianos

POLO – The Oregon Trail Days Festival presents Midwest Dueling Pianos from 7:30 to 10:30 p.m. at LaBranche Reception Hall, 610 Division St., in a fundraiser for the restoration of Oregon’s Black Hawk statue. The duo takes requests, and plays songs from memory, with “tips” as an incentive. Tickets are $20. There also will be eight front-row tables that seat 10, for $300. Light snacks will be provided, and pizza and other snacks will be sold. There will be two cash bars. Reservations are required; call 815-946-3817.

Feb. 25

Concert has sold out

STERLING – Phi Theta Kappa’s “Concert for a Cause,” a benefit for United Way of the Sauk Valley featuring singer/songwriter Damon Johnson at Starlight’s Theatre and Lounge, has sold out. Call Steve Nunez, 815-835-6263, for more information.

Clinton Symphony in Morrison

MORRISON – The Clinton Symphony Orchestra’s “Magic of Youth” begins at 7:30 p.m. at the Morrison High School Auditorium, 643 Genesee Ave. It will include orchestral favorites such as “The Sorcerer’s Apprentice,” the overture to Mozart’s “Magic Flute,” and movie music from the Harry Potter movies. This concert also will feature a young artist chosen from open auditions in January. Tickets are $12 for adults and $5 for students. They will go on sale 2 weeks before each concert at Fitzgerald Pharmacy, 124 E. Main St., Morrison and Grummert’s Hardware, 424 Locust St., Sterling, and are available at the door. Go to execdirector@clintonsymphony.org or call 815-625-0922 for more information.

Feb. 26

Lincoln’s river

FULTON – Ron Koehn, a retired Fulton High School history teacher, will present “Abraham Lincoln’s River Connections” at 2 p.m. at the Windmill Cultural Center, 111 10th Ave. Admission is free. Call 815-589-4033.

March 2

First Fridays in Oregon

OREGON – First Fridays Open Stage Music Show returns to the VFW, on state Route 64 on the west edge of town. Starting at 7 p.m., each musician or band performs for 15 minutes. Instruments are all acoustic and a professional sound system is provided. The music is varied and includes country, bluegrass, blues, gospel, folk, soft rock, and eclectic mixes of all of the above. Admission is by donation. All musicians and spectators are welcome. Call 815-973-0942 for more information.

March 3

Dueling pianos

ROCK FALLS – The high-energy improv team of Midwest Dueling Pianos returns to the area to perform in Dueling Against Cancer, a benefit for Home of Hope Cancer Wellness Center. The event will be held from 7 to 11 p.m. at Rock Falls Hotel, 2105 1st Ave. There also will be a cocktail hour with an appetizer buffet and silent, dessert and drink auctions. Tables of 8 or more can be reserved, and you must be 18 or older to attend. Tickets are $30 or $50 for a pair at www.homeofhopeonline.com, 815-288-4673 or at the center, 1637 Plock Road in Dixon.

March 7

European vacation

FULTON – Gary and Betty Steinert will present “Recent Retirees Travel through Europe,” at 9 a.m. at the Windmill Cultural Center, 111 10th Ave. Admission is free. Call 815-589-4033.

March 10

Art for Art’s Sake

DIXON – Art for Art’s Sake, the annual fundraiser for the Next Picture Show, returns to Sauk Valley Community College’s East Mall. Twenty artists will begin painting early in the afternoon, and when the doors open at 4 p.m., the public will be able to stroll among the artists and watch them as they put the finishing touches on their works, which will be auctioned at 8 p.m. The evening will include live music by Al and Jeannie Brown, heavy hors d’oeuvres, and a wine/beer cash bar. Tickets are $35 or $50 for couples and are available at www.thenextpictureshow.org or at the gallery, 113 W. First St. Call 815-285-4924 for more information.

‘An Irish Family Fleadh’

DIXON – Dixon Main Street and the Lee County Irish Heritage Society present “An Irish Family Fleadh” at 7 p.m. at the Historic Dixon Theatre, 114 S. Galena Ave. The fleadh (Gaelic for festival) will feature music by The Matt Stedman Band, a Chicago-based band that will showcase a variety of traditional Irish songs, a magic show by Jeremy the Amazer, and special performances from Eastman School of Dance students, who will give a preview of their spring recital. Tickets are $10 for adults, $4 for kids and seniors, and $2 less if ordered at www.dixontheatre.com online. Call 815-288-2308 for more information.

Second Saturdays

DIXON – Second Saturdays returns to the downtown, with events and entertainment from 6 to 8 p.m., and sometimes longer, at various downtown venues. Go to www.second-saturdays.com for the complete schedule.

March 18

Switchback’s back

DIXON – The Chicago-based American Roots/Celtic Soul duo Switchback returns to Dixon for their seventh annual Irish music concert at 4 p.m. at the Dixon High School auditorium. The Kosier Studio of Dance Irish dancers also will perform. Admission is $10 for ages 13 and older. Call Mary Ann Duve, 815-677-2584, for more information.

March 21

‘Immigrant Story: Philippines’

FULTON – Mimya Andersen will present “Immigrant Story: Philippines” at 9 a.m. at the Windmill Cultural Center, 111 10th Ave. Admission is free. Call 815-589-4033.

March 24

Lyle and his Ramblers

STERLING – Lyle Grobe and the Rhythm Ramblers perform from 7 to 10 p.m. at the Sterling Moose Lodge, 2601 E. Lincolnway. Call 815-625-0354 for more information

March 31

SVCCA concert

STERLING – American Pop with Three Hits and a Miss returns to the Sauk Valley to perform billboard hits from the mid-’50s through the mid-’80s. The concert begins at 7 p.m. at Sterling High School’s Centennial Auditorium 1608 Fourth Ave. Admission is by membership to the Sauk Valley Community Concert Association; individual memberships are $40, family memberships are $95. Leftover tickets might be available. Go to www.svcca.org, find it on Facebook or call Roberta Vanderlin, 815-677-6676, for more information.

April 6

First Fridays in Oregon

OREGON – First Fridays Open Stage Music Show returns to the VFW, on state Route 64 on the west edge of town. Starting at 7 p.m., each musician or band performs for 15 minutes. Instruments are all acoustic and a professional sound system is provided. The music is varied and includes country, bluegrass, blues, gospel, folk, soft rock, and eclectic mixes of all of the above. Admission is by donation. All musicians and spectators are welcome. Call 815-973-0942 for more information.

April 15

SVCCA concert

DIXON – Metales M5 features a lot of brass, a lot of music, and a lot of fun by combining fine chamber music with popular entertainment. The concert begins at 7 p.m. at the Historic Dixon Theatre, 114 S. Galena Ave. Admission is by membership to the Sauk Valley Community Concert Association; individual memberships are $40, family memberships are $95. Some tickets might be available. Go to www.svcca.org, find it on Facebook or call Roberta Vanderlin, 815-677-6676, for more information.

April 21

Clinton Symphony Orchestra

CLINTON, Iowa – The Clinton Symphony Orchestra performs at 7:30 p.m. at Clinton High School’s Vernon Cook Theater, 817 Eighth Ave. S., and features Moises Molina, professor of cello at Western Illinois University, as soloist in Dvorak’s famous cello concerto. Tickets are $12 for adults and $5 for students. They will go on sale 2 weeks before each concert at Fitzgerald Pharmacy, 124 E. Main St., Morrison and Grummert’s Hardware, 424 Locust St., Sterling, and are available at the door. Go to execdirector@clintonsymphony.org or call 815-625-0922 for more information.

May 4

First Fridays in Oregon

OREGON – First Fridays Open Stage Music Show returns to the VFW, on state Route 64 on the west edge of town. Starting at 7 p.m., each musician or band performs for 15 minutes. Instruments are all acoustic and a professional sound system is provided. The music is varied and includes country, bluegrass, blues, gospel, folk, soft rock, and eclectic mixes of all of the above. Admission is by donation. All musicians and spectators are welcome. Call 815-973-0942 for more information.