From press release

Downtown Rockford venues will offer their next installment of First Friday coordinated events from 5 p.m. to midnight, Friday, Jan. 7. The following venues will participate:

Sullivan Theater, 118 N. Main St.—Rockford Sketch Comedy Troop presents “A New Year, Same Old Whining.” Tickets are $5 in advance at Kryptonite or at the door the night of the show. Doors open at 8 p.m. with show beginning at 8:30 p.m.

MetroCentre, 300 Elm St.—Cover band The Sensations will perform before the Rockford IceHogs hockey game. Doors to the pre-game concert open at 6 p.m., with the puck dropping at 7:05 p.m. Visit metrocentre.com ^[1] for details.

Kryptonite Bar, 308 W. State St.—An Emerging Visual Artists Project group artist show will be featured from 5 to 9 p.m., followed by musical acts Stendek, who was crowned national looping champion, and Good-Bye Home. Visit kryptonitebar.com ^[2].

Tom Littrell Design, 317 Market St.—Unexpected small works by Tom Littrell and other guest artists. 5-9 p.m.

Irish Rose Saloon, 519 E. State St.—Classic singer/songwriter Mike Donze, rooted in country rock, performs. No cover. 9 p.m.-midnight. Visit irishrosesaloon.net ^[3].

Octane Interlounge, 124 N. Main St.—Jason Beatty of the New Avatars goes solo with his eclectic indie sound for a special night at Octane. No cover. 10 p.m.-midnight. Visit octane.net ^[4].

Wired Café, 414 E. State St.—Art by Cindi Spelman and music by Ron E. Rawhoof (acoustic guitar). First Fridays special: buy one drink, get the second (equal or lesser value) half off. Coffees and desserts will be served until 8 p.m., and the kitchen closes at 6 p.m. Visit wiredcaferockford.com ^[5].

Swank Boutique & Gallery, 218-1/2 E. State St.—Featured artist is Jen Gorman with “Moments & Places.” Music will be performed by Briarhill, acoustic style with a unique mix of folk and rock music. The boutique is offering a New Year’s sale—25 percent off all retail* and tattoo services (*does not include artists’ works). 7-10 p.m.

Scratch Pedicure Parlour & Plush Gift Gallery, 510 E. State St.—First Fridays specials—Plush: 10 percent off one item, 15 percent off two items, 20 percent off three or more items; Scratch: $15 manicure; $40 full set; $30 pedicure; and for new clients only, 25 percent off Sothy’s and BioElements Products. Open until 9 p.m.

JR Kortman Center for Design & Gallery, 107 N. Main St.—“MainfraiM…Habitat for Art,” an exhibition of works by Pam Kehoe-Peterson and Jeremy Klonicki. Shop until 9 p.m. Bar is open 5:30 p.m. until close.

Brio Bar & Restaurant, 515 E. State St.—Beginning Jan. 7, 2011, from 5 p.m. until close, Brio Bar & Restaurant will be hosting an exhibition of photographic works by Milwaukee photographer Zachary Seib. The opening reception will be that evening with artist present after 7 p.m.

For more details, a schedule or links to these venues, visit firstfridaysrockford.com ^[6].

From the Dec. 29-Jan. 4, 2011 issue