Your Fun

My Way: Art from the Black South

Through Jan. 23, Thurs.-Sun. 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Nearly 156 artworks show the styles and practices of 50 black artists with ties to the American South. Includes eight original quilts. Rockford Art Museum, 711 N. Main St., (815) 968-2787, rockfordartmuseum.org.

Martina McBride

Nov. 26, 7:30 p.m. The country music superstar has sold more than 18 million albums, including 20 Top 10 singles and six No. 1 hits. This is part of her “Joy of Christmas” tour. Coronado Performing Arts Center, 314 N. Main St., (815) 968-5222, coronadopac.org.

Handel’s ‘Messiah’

Nov. 27 & 28, 3 p.m. both days. The 75th annual performance from Rockford Choral Union features professional solists, a regional chorus, chamber orchestra, pipe organ and harpsichord. Emmanuel Lutheran Church, 920 Third Ave., Rockford. rockfordchoralunion.org. Free to public, masks required.

Music on Mondays

Nov. 29, 5:30 p.m. Rockford resident and piano enthusiast Andy Strong interprets the music of dance forms from Gavottes to Fox Trots, Courantes to Charlestons. Mendelssohn PAC, Starr Center, 415 N. Church St., (815) 964-9713, mendelssohnpac.org.

RSO: ‘The Nutcracker’

Dec. 4, 3 p.m. Rockford Symphony Orchestra joins forces with Rockford Dance Company to stage Tchaikovsky’s classic ballet in the elegant Coronado Performing Arts Center, 314 N. Main St., Rockford, (815) 968-5222, coronadopac.org.

2nd Thursday Concert Series

Dec. 9, 7 p.m. The Trinadora Duo perform a holiday special in an intimate café environment. Doors open at 6 p.m. Full drink and food menu. Katie’s Cup, 502 7th St., Rockford, (815) 986-0628, katiescup.com.

Pangelic Duo

Dec. 10. 7:30 p.m. Steelpan virtuoso Liam Teague and harpist Faye Seeman team up to share a fresh blend of classical compositions, jazz and other familiar tunes. Mendelssohn PAC, Starr Center, 415 N. Church St., (815) 964-9713, mendelssohnpac.org.

Jim Brickman: The Gift of Christmas

Dec. 11, 8 p.m. The multiple Grammy-

Rockford Choral Union presents Handel’s “Messiah” for the 75th year on Nov. 27 & 28. Among soloists will be Michael Day.

nominated songwriter and piano player brings a blend of holiday classics and heartwarming originals. Coronado PAC, 314 N. Main St., Rockford, (815) 968-5222, coronadopac.org.

RSO: Holiday Pops

Dec. 18, 7 p.m. Maestro Steve Larsen closes his tenure at Rockford Symphony Orchestra with an annual tradition, as the symphony and Nielsen Chorale provide an evening of inspiring holiday classics. Coronado, 314 N. Main St., (815) 968-5222, coronadopac.org.

‘Elf, the Musical’

Dec. 16-19, Thurs.-Sat. 7:30 p.m., Sat.-Sun. 2 p.m. Buddy, a human at Santa’s workshop, thinks he’s an elf. Stage Coach Players at Egyptian Theatre, 135 N. 2nd St., DeKalb, Ill., (815) 758-1940, stagecoachplayers.com. ❚