From press release

The next installment of First Friday events in downtown Rockford is set for 5 p.m.-midnight, Friday, March 4. The following venues will be participating:

Rockford Sketch Comedy at Sullivan Theater, 118 N. Main St.—“Rockford Sketch Comedy (RSC) presents…”: The laughter continues to grow. Last month, more than 150 comedy-minded Rockfordians enjoyed the show. Tickets, $5, are available in advance at Kryptonite or at the door the night of the show. Doors open at 8 p.m., and curtain time is 8:30 p.m.

Kryptonite Bar, 308 W. State St.—Emerging Visual Artists Project Group Art Show, 6:30-9 p.m. Free craft beers sampling at 7 p.m. with cicerone Aaron Sleger. Music by Funk Sensation Can’t Touch This, on stage at 9:30 p.m. Visit kryptonitebar.com ^[1].

Irish Rose Saloon, 519 E. State St.—Mickey Rosenquist writes and performs his own original music, but he has also toured and/or recorded with Miles Nielsen, Cory Chisel and The Wandering Sons, Kelly Steward, Bill Dolan, The Snaggs and Mana Kintorso. Rosenquist will perform from 9:30 p.m. to midnight. Free. Visit irishrosesaloon.net ^[2].

Octane Interlounge, 124 N. Main St.—Jason Beatty and Ian Zander of the New Avatars perform a free night of indie music. 10 p.m.-midnight. Free. Visit octane.net ^[3].

Wired Café, 414 E. State St.—First Fridays special: coffees, soups and desserts until 8 p.m. (kitchen closes at 5 p.m.). Art by Roni Golan will be featured. Golan studied art in Tel Aviv, Israel and came to the U.S. in 1996. Shortly after moving, Golan opened an art school in Cherry Valley, and soon to follow was his first gallery, “The Underground Art Gallery.” Since then, Golan has managed three different galleries in the Rockford area. Musician Ron E Rawhoof will perform from  6 to 8 p.m. Rawhoof has been said to be a blend of John Hiatt meets James Taylor. Visit wiredcaferockford.com ^[4].

JR Kortman Center for Design & Gallery, 107 N. Main St.—Featuring “In My Place,” an exhibition of works by Jennifer Mullin. Michael LaLoggia will be tending bar upstairs and another guest iPod playlist will be revealed. Call (815) 968-0123 or visit jrkortman.com ^[5].

Restoration Café, 625 W. State St.—A Ron Gilchrist concert and CD release party will be hosted from 6 to 9 p.m. Café open 7:30 a.m.-9 p.m.

Brio Bar & Restaurant, 515 E. State St.—Featuring “Incomplete Imperfect Impermanent,” photographs by Marta Shumylo. Visit martashumylo.com ^[6] for more details about the artist and  briorockford.com ^[7] for more about the restaurant.

Mary’s Place, 602 N. Madison St.—Flatfoot 56 plays Chicago Celtic punk and is composed of three brothers—Tobin, Justin and Kyle Bawinkel—and a terrific piper friend, Josh Robieson. 9:30 p.m. Visit flatfoot56.com ^[8]. Contact Mary’s Place at (815) 962-7944.

Millennium Center, 220 S. Madison St.—Music, City Market vendors, artists, food and drink. Great Irish Pub music by The Danny Boyz performing 6-8:30 p.m. Free admission 4-9 p.m. Call (815) 977-5124.

Bamboo Asian Noodles & Tapas Bar, 514 E. State St.—Mike Donze on stage, 9 p.m.-midnight. Call (815) 316-2455.

Scratch Pedicure Parlour, 515 E. State St.—First Friday Fling at Scratch and Plush. Minx demos, eye treatments, chair massages, food by the Rockstar Cook. Stop in and book your appointment during the event and save on service prices. Sale on all merchandise in plush. Open until 9 p.m.

Pirate Ninja Print Shop & RawkSpace, 400 E. State St.—Featuring works by artist Isaac Velasco. An artist at heart and a tattooist by day, Velasco is a multi-dimensional artist: drawer, painter, photographer, and collage artist. His vintage style boasts his unique perspectives, occasionally woven with photograph. With expressive style, his art displays emotion in every piece he creates.

Social Urban Bar & Restaurant, 509 E. State St.—A collection of works by Tom Littrell, one of Rockford’s leading artists. Littrell will be present to discuss his work. 5-9 p.m. Call (815) 708-0877.

Tom Littrell Design, 317 Market St.—Open 5-9 p.m.

For more info, a schedule or links to these venues, visit firstfridaysrockford.com ^[9].

From the March 2-8, 2011, issue