What's Going On

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.

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. 11-12

Smoochin’ at the Moose

MOUNT MORRIS – The Mount Morris Moose is holding a Valentine’s Day
Golden Ball Dinner and Dance and Sweeheart Bingo this weekend at the lodge, 101 Moose Drive. There will be a prime rib and shrimp dinner from 5 to 7 p.m. Saturday, followed by music from Lyle Grobe and the Rhythm Ramblers from 7:30 to 10:30 p.m. Bingo will run from 1 to 4 p.m. Sunday. Expect large jackpots, and concessions will be available. Call 815-734-4161 for costs and more information.

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 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.

Wine-tasting

BYRON –The Prairie Preservation Society of Ogle County is holding a “get to know us” wine-tasting from 4 to 6 p.m. at Hailey’s Winery and Vineyard, 114 Franklin St. There will be several wines and appetizers to sample, and live acoustical music, all for only $5. Call Kayse Rushford, 815-973-4408, for more information on the wine tasting. For more information on the society, the mission of which is to promote, preserve and educate people on Illinois’ prairies, go to www.ppsoc.org or find it on Facebook.

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

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 at Fitzgerald Pharmacy, 124 E. Main St., Morrison, at Grummert’s Hardware, 424 Locust St., Sterling, and at the door. Go to execdirector@clintonsymphony.org or call 815-625-0922 for more information.

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.

Feb. 26

Talent show in Dixon

DIXON – The annual Sauk Valley Youth Talent show, featuring some of the area’s top young singers and musicians, will be held at 2 p.m. at The Next Picture Show, 113 W. First St. Tickets are $5 for adults; $4 for seniors and $2 for students. Proceeds will help fund a new fine arts scholarship at Sauk Valley Community College. Call 815-285-4924 for more information.

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

Student-teacher art exhibit

STERLING – The Woodlawn Arts Academy presents an exhibit of the works of area art students and their teachers. It opens with a free reception from 6 to 8 p.m. at the school, 3807 Woodlawn Road, and runs through May 11. Call 815-626-4278 for more information.

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 will 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.

Polo farm toy show

POLO – The Polo Lions Club’s 27th annual Farm Toy Show will be held from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Polo High School, 100 Union Ave. About 100 dealers will be on hand. There also will be a 50-50 drawing, and the Polo Boosters will open the cafeteria. Admission is $2 for ages 13 and older. Call Dave Short, 815-946-3730, for dealer and other information.

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 of Chicagom, which plays 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 from 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 23-25

‘Millie Jr.’

STERLING – Woodlawn Arts Academy presents “Thoroughly Modern Millie Jr.” with performances at 7 p.m. Friday and Saturday and 2 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. Tickets are $5 at the academy, 3807 Woodlawn Road, starting March 19, and at the door. Find the school it on Facebook, go to woodlawnartsacademy.com or call 815-626-4278 for more information.

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 concert tickets also are available for $20. 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 concert tickets also are available for $20. 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 and will go on sale 2 weeks before the concert at Fitzgerald Pharmacy, 124 E. Main St., Morrison and Grummert’s Hardware, 424 Locust St., Sterling. They also will be 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.