Black History Month event, Mardi Gras Party among 7 things to do in Freeport
This weekend, celebrate Black History Month with jazz performances at Highland Community College or get out for a craft show and other music performances.
Here are seven Things to Do in the Freeport area this weekend plus several coming up next week:
Jazzin' it up for Peace
What: Celebrate Black History Month with Carl Cole and the Sounds of Good News (SOGN) Productions. Enjoy musical styles of Spirituals, Blues, Jazz, Gospel, Pop and R&B, alongside historical narration to help listeners embrace unity in diversity. Featuring performances by the HCC Chamber Singers under the direction of Randy Haldeman. Campus and community members are invited.
When: 7 p.m. Friday, Feb. 16
Where: Ferguson Arts Center, Highland Community College, Freeport
Cost: Free
For more: 815-235-6121, facebook.com/events/420001267121102
Rockford Ice Hogs hockey game
What: Friday night, the Hogs take on the Chicago Wolves in $2 Beer Night and Ice Hogs Eras Night with a Taylor Swift Tribute. On Saturday, they play the Grand Rapids Griffins on Salute to the Arts Night with another Local Artist Hat Series Giveaway designed by Michael Laskonis.
When: 7 p.m. Friday, Feb. 16 or Saturday, Feb. 17
Where: BMO Center, 300 Elm St., Rockford
Cost: $16-$26
For more: 815-968-5222, icehogs.com
Freefall
What: Fundraiser for the Freeport Masonic Temple.
When: 7 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 17
Where: Freeport Masonic Temple, 305 W. Stephenson St., Freeport
Cost: $15
For more: facebook.com/events/869909808166073
Mardi Gras Party
What: Come celebrate Mardi Gras with us with your favorite Mardi Gras food, drinks and prize giveaways.
When: 2-8 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 17
Where: Pub 219, 219 E. Stephenson St., Freeport
For more: 815-616-5068, facebook.com/events/1238498016904077
Farm Fresh Citrus Truckload Sale
What: Indian River District will be carrying hand-picked and tree-ripened products from our Indian River Groves: navel oranges, ruby red grapefruits, Orri super sweets tangerines and Georgia Elliott pecans. We sell to the public direct from our trucks on a first come, first served basis. There are no purchase limits and no pre-ordering; everybody is welcome. We accept cash, checks, apple pay and all major credit cards.
When: 11 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 17
Where: Stephenson Country Fairgrounds, 2250 S. Walnut Road, Freeport
For more: indianriverdirect.com, 772-971-4484, facebook.com/events/366480536020367
Rat Baxter
What: Rat Baxter is a Party/Rock/classic rock dance band that performs hits from the 70s-90s
When: 8 p.m. – midnight Saturday, Feb. 17
Where: Best Dam Bar, 13965 Best Road, Davis
For more: facebook.com/events/378605727977163
Cabin Fever Craft Show
What: Come for our first ever mid-winter craft show. We are excited to be having this event and serving our soon-to-be-famous personal pizza.
When: 11 a.m. Sunday, Feb. 18
Where: Here and There Farms, 602 Bridge St., Winslow
For more: 815-821-3594, facebook.com/events/220153504482004
Coming next week
Lectures in American History: Alan Wenzel about The Last Great American Train Robbery
What: One hundred years ago, a notorious gang of criminals meticulously planned and executed the largest train robbery in American history. A group of thieves stopped a Milwaukee Road mail train bound for St. Paul, Minneapolis, Seattle, and Portland and stole more that $3 million in cash and negotiable bonds ($50 million in today’s currency). Alan Wenzel will tell the story of the daring heist and how, beginning in the 1970s, the robbers gained folk hero status when their exploits were given renewed national attention. This is a live presentation; no registration necessary.
When: 6:30-8 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 20
Where: Freeport Public Library Meeting Room, 100 E. Douglas St., Freeport
For more: 815-233-3000, ext. 221; dludwig@freeportpubliclibrary.org
Romance & Regency with Bridgerton’s Julia Quinn (virtual event and watch party)
What: Julia Quinn, the #1 New York Times bestselling and award-winning romance author, has written close to 40 novels including her popular series about the Bridgerton family, which was adapted into an Emmy-nominated series on Netflix. Her newest novel, Queen Charlotte, is co-written with television pioneer Shonda Rhimes. It’s a powerful and romantic novel of Bridgerton’s Queen Charlotte and King George III’s great love story and how it sparked a societal shift. Julia Quinn will be joined in conversation with Sarah MacLean, bestselling historical romance author, romance columnist for The New York Times and The Washington Post, and co-host of the weekly romance novel podcast Fated Mates.
When: 7-7:45 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 20
Where: Freeport Public Library Board Room, 100 E. Douglas St., Freeport
For more: 815-233-3000, ext. 221; dludwig@freeportpubliclibrary.org
This article originally appeared on Rockford Register Star: Jazz for Peace, Mardi Gras Party: Here are 7 things to do in Freeport
