And speaking of Waterfront winners …

Add comment September 21st, 2009

The River Key Subdivision’s S.S. River Key won first place in the Lighted Boat Parade Sept. 4 at On the Waterfront on the Rock River in downtown Rockford.

Those involved in lighting the pontoon boat were Mike and Pij Richter and grandchildren, Jill and Bill Callahan and Chuck and Jane Barber of the Rockford subdivision. Their boat beat out four other boats, and the group received $150.

Local playwright presents homeless story on stage

Add comment September 15th, 2009

Barbara Welch of Rockford, an ovarian cancer survivor and writer of about a dozen plays, is producing a play she has written, “From Rags to Riches,” at 6:30 p.m. Saturday at Ellis Arts Academy, 222 S. Central Ave., Rockford.

It is about the homeless. A portion of the proceeds will be donated to the Rockford Rescue Mission. Tickets cost $15 in advance, $18 at the door; $12 in advance or $15 at the door for ages 12 and younger. 815-963-8369.

If a kids’ book author came to Rockford, here’s what you would (will) get

Add comment September 10th, 2009

If you gave a well-known children’s author a chance to read from one of her books at the Rockford Public Library, she’d take it.
At least that’s if her name is Laura Numeroff. Numeroff is author of the “If You Give …” series, including “If You Give a Mouse a Cookie” and “If you Give a Moose a Muffin.” She will appear from 3 to 4:30 p.m. Monday, Sept. 21, at the Main Library Auditorium, 215 N. Wyman St., Rockford, to promote her latest book, “What Sisters Do Best/What Brothers Do Best.” A book signing will follow the program, which includes kids doing a craft project.

The library is presenting the free storytime in cooperation with Wonderland Books and Toys of Rockford. Registration is not required. For more information: rockfordpubliclibrary.org, 815-965-7606, option 5.

QFL host interviews Drop Dead Diva star about no pressure to lose weight

Add comment September 3rd, 2009

Cindy Swanson, mid-day radio personality on 101QFL with “Cindy Swanson’s Mid-day Make-over,” today interviewed Brooke Elliott, the star of the Lifetime Channel’s new hit show, “Drop Dead Diva.”

Brooke dishes about body image, working with guest stars like Delta Burke and Liza Minelli, and what it’s like to have a job where she feels NO pressure to lose weight. By the way, Brooke is a Midwestern girl who actually spent some time doing theater in Chicago.

Are you tipping more, less, the same?

4 comments August 26th, 2009

I know you’re probably eating out less than you did before the recession.

Just wondering if your tipping pattern has changed?

Too harsh or appropriate 6-month sentence for yawn?

3 comments August 10th, 2009

Judge sentences man to 6 months in jail for yawning.

It happened in Will County, according to this story in today’s Chicago Tribune.

$25,000 ventriloquist donation buys enough cereal to last pantry 4.5 months

1 comment August 3rd, 2009

What: Jeff Dunham donates $25,000 to Rock River Valley Pantry at sold-out MetroCentre show Friday night attended by more than 7,300 people. He makes such donations at a couple of shows per month while on tour.

(Greg Hamil photo; Jessica Watson and Ken Walker of the food pantry receive a check from Jeff Dunham on stage Friday at the Rockford MetroCentre.)

Why it matters: Number of families served by the pantry last week, 500, is up 30 percent from last year as a result of the troubled economy.

What the donation will buy: 26,000 boxes of cereal, which will last the pantry 4.5 months, based on the number of families now being served being given typically one, two or three boxes of cereal per month.

What the pantry needs most: Money. “We can buy stuff way cheaper” at wholesale prices, compared with individuals purchasing food at stores, said Jessica Watson, warehouse manager. Even so, food donations are always welcome and needed. A few items needed: peanut butter, canned fruit and vegetables, tuna, cereal, soup, pasta rice. Go here for more information.

What’s new at the pantry: For the past two months, pantry clients have been able to choose the food they get for their families. That way they’re not given food their families won’t eat. And because clients are able to choose what they want, they feel better about themselves, Watson said. More volunteers are needed to keep the “choice pantry” going, she  said.

For more information: Call 815-965-2466.

Another big-name entertainer who made a big donation in Rockford: singer Bob Dylan, who played at the Coronado Theatre (now Coronado Performing Arts Center) in 1994 and gave $20,000 to Page Park School for a playground for disabled children.

Speeding crashes make trailer races a favorite; upcoming demo derbies a slower alternative

Add comment August 3rd, 2009

Twenty-three speeding cars and trucks pulling cars, truck and boats, all crashing into each other on the banked sides and center of the oval track until only one was left moving.

What could be cooler than that on a Saturday night? Not much, according to many of the more than 5,000 fans (including me and my family) who packed the Rockford Speedway in Loves Park for the annual Figure 8 Trailer Races. Only 20 tickets were left to sell, said owner Jody Deery.

You’ll have to wait until the first Saturday in August next year for the next Figure 8 race, but you can get similar crash-’em-up jollies without the speed at demolition derbies at upcoming fairs: 1 and 6 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 16, at the Boone County Fair, gate admission is $5, plus $6 or $10 for grandstand seating for the derby; 2 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 23, Winnebago County Fair, $5 gate admission, free for 8 and younger, plus $5 grandstand admission, free for 8 and younger.

(Eddy Montville, Register Star 2008 photo of demolition derby at Boone County Fair.)

Ventriloquist Jeff Dunham MetroCentre show a virtual sellout

7 comments July 22nd, 2009

More than 7,000 tickets have been sold for the July 31 show at the MetroCentre by comedic and controversial ventriloquist Jeff Dunham.

Staff say it’s not technically a sellout yet, but only a few single seats remain, and a suite may open up. For more information, call 815-968-5222.

Michelle Williams of Destiny’s Child fame is in a relationship, and read about what she has to say about role in London and more

Add comment July 16th, 2009

Answers from Rockfordian Michelle Williams, formerly of Destiny’s Child, regarding the role she’s playing in London in the musical “Chicago.”She provided these answers to my questions via e-mail through one of her managers.

(Provided photo of Michelle Williams as Roxie Hart)

Q: Tell me how you are portraying Roxie Hart? What
kind of experiences did you draw from to make this character your own?

A: I am portraying Roxie as feisty, smart and witty!!!
I am drawing from personal experiences. People tell me that I’m funny and that
I have great comedic timing so I kinda draw from that. It really helps me to be
natural with it. I’ve been studying acting and the technique that I use by
acting coach Ivana Chubbock is GREAT!

Q: How did opening night (July 13) go? What went
well? What do you hope to polish? How many audience members approximately, or
tell me if it was something like a full-house in a 2,000-seat theater, or
whatever.

A: Opening night was FANTASTIC! I wish that the whole
city of Rockford
could’ve experienced it. But I am honored to represent for Rockford
and ‘Chicago’
of course!!!! LOL!!! It was a SOLD OUT show. The audience gave thunderous
applause and a rousing standing ovation. I was moved to tears because I worked
very hard….I get a new bruise every day from this show!!!

Q: How does playing Roxie Hart contrast with other
characters you’ve played on stage?

A: Roxie Hart was always thinking about her next move.
Whereas me playing Shug Avery in the musical Color Purple, Shug had to work for
respect and needed love!! Me playing Aida in 2003….well Aida was a princess
so that was easy as people looked to Aida for strength and wisdom.

Q: What’s better/worse about playing a role on stage
versus singing your music on stage?

A: Well you must be disciplined in both areas
actually!!! In theatre….there are no ‘do overs’!!! If u make a mistake, you
don’t have time to think about it and press rewind…..u gotta move past it
real quick. Plus most of the time nobody but the performer knows the mistake
made!! I can be very expressive acting and really come out of myself!!! I
really enjoy theatre!!!

Q: What’s next for you after this role as Roxie?

A: Hmmmmmmm I’d love to originate a role for a new
Broadway show. Don’t know which one yet!!

Q: Do you have another CD in the works? If so, tell
me what type of music, when it might be released, etc.

A: Right now while I’m n London…I am promoting my latest disc
UNEXPECTED. The song Hello Heartbreak is the single for the UK!!!! When I
return back to the states I will start on my next CD…it will still have the
europop sound but I’d love to funk it up a bit and use live instruments. I
consider myself a student of music and will continue to explore the endless
possibilities.

Q: Anything you’d like to share about your personal
life? Are you dating anyone you’d like to name? Engaged? Prefer not to say?

A: I am in a relationship. I’m very happy where we are
and we prefer to keep ‘mum’ about things. I mean when we’re out in public I
don’t hide anything but I rarely talk about who I’m dating!

Q: When will you be back home in Rockford? In September, after the play closes
in London?

A: I’ll be home the 1st chance I get!! I miss my family
so much!! I miss the home cooked meals. My sister Cameron is always cookin’
somethin!!  Shout to the Williams and Washington crew!!! They hold this little
girl down. They’re always praying for me. Always supporting what I do. I hope I
make my family and Rockford
proud.

Q: What else would you like readers to know? What haven’t I asked you about?

A: I’d just like to say thank you to my city for the love. The past 10 years of my life have been an awesome time. I’m so happy to share it with my hometown. I know there are so many talented youth in our city,just know that if you stay focused and keep God first in everythibg you do, you will make it!!! You gotta work really really hard though!!! It’s not as easy as it looks!!!! That’s a whole ‘nother interview though!!! ***************

Here’s a little background on Michelle Williams:

Rockfordian Michelle Williams, a member of the disbanded Destiny’s Child — the top-selling female group of all time — is starring in London in “Chicago, The Musical.”
She plays Roxie Hart, a murderous chorus girl. The show started Sunday and goes through Aug. 23.
Williams is reportedly the first African-American to play the role in the West End production of the musical.
Williams received three Grammy Awards as a member of Destiny’s Child. She also has released solo gospel and dance albums and starred in the musical “Aida” as well as in “The Color Purple” and appeared on the UPN comedy series “Half & Half.”