Burpee Museum of Natural History

08/26/2026

Tonight Live Music! Last concert of the 2026 Music on the Rock Lineup.

Dave Weld & the Imperial Flames with Big Al Dorn

Dave Weld and the Imperial Flames, an authentic blues band, high energy with versatile talent, variety, and a cohesive show that includes original driving blues, rock blues, boogie, R&B and Soul. The originals are classic in nature, the standards are revitalized with striking three part vocal harmony, three vocal stylists, Passionate slide guitarist, Dave Weld schooled from Grammy Winning Master J.B. Hutto, along with blues diva and two time Rami winner Mona Rose (Monica Myhre) on Lead Vocals, Powerhouse on Keys, Harry YaSeen, Red Hot, Rogers Randle on Sax, a Rock Tight Rhythm Section Jeff Taylor on Drums with a Creamy Vocals and Blazing on Bass, Kenny Pickens.

08/19/2026

LIVE MUSIC! Join us!

This evening Lil Ed & the Blues Imperials will be at Burpee Museum.

Lil Ed & the Blues
In Chicago, a city overflowing with unrivaled blues talent, world-renowned Lil’ Ed & The Blues Imperials have been standing tall for over 30 years. The band’s big sound, fueled by Lil’ Ed’s gloriously rollicking slide work and deep blues string bending, along with his rough-edged, soulful vocals, is as real and hard-hitting as Chicago blues gets. The Chicago Sun-Times says, “Lil’ Ed & The Blues Imperials are the hottest purveyors of bottleneck boogie to come out of Chicago since Hound Dog Taylor.”

Lil’ Ed Williams comes to the blues naturally. His uncle, Chicago slide guitar king and master songwriter J.B. Hutto, taught him how to feel, not just play the blues. Nine albums and thousands of performances later, Lil’ Ed is now universally hailed as a giant of the genre. Lil’ Ed and The Blues Imperials —bassist (and Ed’s half-brother) James “Pookie” Young, guitarist Mike Garrett and drummer Kelly Littleton— have remained together for over 30 years —an extraordinary feat for any group—, the band fueling Ed’s songs with their rock-solid, road-tested, telepathic musicianship.

08/12/2026

Live Music! Join us tonight!
The Jimmys
Founded in 2009 by Hammond B-3 keyboardist Jimmy Voegeli, The Jimmys are a Madison, Wisconsin-based blues and R&B powerhouse recognized for high-energy performances and a veteran horn section. With over 30 accolades, including multiple Madison Area Music Association (MAMA) “Artist of the Year” and “Blues Performer of the Year” awards, they have established a decorated career spanning five albums and international touring.

The Jimmys are celebrated for their high-energy “gumbo” of musical styles, blending raw Chicago Blues with second-line New Orleans funk, soul, and raucous rock-n-roll. Their signature sound is built on a foundation of “greasy” guitars, “funky” keys, and a rock-solid rhythm section, all punctuated by what is often called the best horn section in the Midwest. The band creates a vibrant, party-like atmosphere that spans from slow, low-down blues to uptempo swing. This “powerhouse aggregation” is known for its showmanship and infectious enthusiasm, consistently keeping crowds on their feet with a repertoire of strong, original songs.

08/05/2026

TONIGHT! LIVE MUSIC!

Chris O’Leary
Chris’s musical background includes duties as lead singer and front man for rock and roll hall of famer and Grammy award winner Levon Helm’s band, The Barnburners. During the 6 years that Chris and Levon played together they toured across the US and Canada lighting up stages everywhere they went. Chris has appeared on stage with: Legendary Rolling Stones sideman Bobby Keys, The Fabulous Thunderbirds, Jimmy Vivino, Jeff Healy, Dan Akroyd, Albert Lee, Dave Edmunds, Dave Maxwell and the great James Cotton to name just a few. Chris has also recorded with Bill Perry and Hubert Sumlin, among others. The Chris O’Leary Band’s debut CD “Mr. Used to Be” won the 2011 Best New Artist Debut CD Blues Blast Award and was nominated for best new artist debut at the 2011 American Blues Music Awards.

07/30/2026

TONIGHT LIVE MUSIC

John Primer
As the bandleader and lead guitarist for Jr. Wells & Sammy Lawhorn, Willie Dixon, Muddy Waters, Magic Slim & The Teardrops, John Primer’s virtuosity as a blues musician was forged by legends.

John started playing for tips on Maxwell Street, the birthplace of Chicago blues, and soon became the house bandleader at the infamous Theresa’s Lounge for seven years alongside Sammy Lawhorn, Junior Wells, James Cotton, and many others.

Having played or recorded with a who’s who of blues greats including Gary Clark Jr., Derek Trucks, Johnny Winter, and Buddy Guy to name a few, John Primer’s personal accolades, including Lifetime Achievement Awards, reflect his countless contributions to the history of the blues.

There are very few blues fans, critics or musicians who will deny the fact that John Primer is the real deal.

07/28/2026

Museum Mash-Up

Two Museums. One Unforgettable Night.

Spend the night exploring science, discovery, and dinosaurs in this exciting new overnight museum adventure from Discovery Center Museum and Burpee Museum of Natural History.

The evening begins at Discovery Center Museum with hands-on STEM activities, exhibit exploration, and a planetarium experience before guests head to Burpee Museum for an unforgettable overnight camp-in experience complete with after-hours exploration and breakfast the following morning.

All Sales are final.
Discovery Center reserves the right to cancel events; in which case, a full refund will be issued.

For additional questions email Lydia Wilson at [email protected] or call 815-972-2826.

Arrival time: 5:30 PM
Departure time: 8:30 AM

Two Museums. One Unforgettable Night.

07/23/2026

🦎 Something new is coming to Burpee!
It's the curriculum you expect...delivered in a way only a museum can provide.

This fall, we're reimagining the homeschool experience...
We've uncrated homeschool science, transforming the entire museum into a guided learning experience. Families will explore guided learning stations located throughout the museum. Each station is built around the day's scientific theme and led by Burpee educators through hands-on investigations, experiments, demonstrations, and authentic museum experiences. It's structured learning without being confined to four classroom walls.

Introducing Homeschool Science Days.

📅 Registration opens August 1.

👉 Preview the Fall 2026 semester: burpee.org/homeschool/

07/23/2026

Museum Mash-Up

Two Museums. One Unforgettable Night.

Spend the night exploring science, discovery, and dinosaurs in this exciting new overnight museum adventure from Discovery Center Museum and Burpee Museum of Natural History.

The evening begins at Discovery Center Museum with hands-on STEM activities, exhibit exploration, and a planetarium experience before guests head to Burpee Museum for an unforgettable overnight camp-in experience complete with after-hours exploration and breakfast the following morning.

All Sales are final.
Discovery Center reserves the right to cancel events; in which case, a full refund will be issued.

For additional questions email Lydia Wilson at [email protected] or call 815-972-2826.

Arrival time: 5:30 PM
Departure time: 8:30 AM

— in Downtown Rockford, Rockford, Illinois.

We spark curiosity in Scouts with science programs that make earning achievements an amazing experience. Check out our scout programs today!

07/22/2026

TONIGHT LIVE MUSIC! Marty Big Dog Mercer Band
A towering presence in both stature and sound, Marty “Big Dog” Mercer is a commanding force in the modern blues scene. Inducted into the Chicago Blues Hall of Fame in 2016, Mercer has spent nearly two decades delivering authentic, high-energy Chicago blues and rock to audiences across the Midwest and beyond.

Known for his signature Southpaw Blues guitar style and a voice shaped by real-life experience, Mercer blends aggressive, soulful guitar work with lyrics that speak directly to the human condition. His powerful stage presence and larger-than-life personality draw audiences in from the first note and never let go.
Delmark Records has aptly described Marty “Big Dog” Mercer as “pure Chicago blues.”

Their latest release, Live at the Roxy, earned a nomination for Best Self-Produced Album of the Year, capturing the raw energy and passion of their live show.

In 2026, Mercer advanced to the semifinals of the International Blues Challenge in Memphis, Tennessee, standing shoulder to shoulder with some of the finest blues acts from around the world, further solidifying their place among today’s standout blues artists.

07/16/2026

Join us for Music on the Rock tonight!

Sean McKee, born march 26th 1996 in the northwest suburbs of Chicago, is a singer songwriter and guitarist with a passion for music from the past, vintage guitars and classic cars.

At the age of 8, Sean inherited a drumset from his grandfather. able to play very simplistic beats by ear, he became fascinated with playing music. Although wanting to play drums, his father bought him an electric guitar, a gesture that seemed like a way to control the noise.. However by his mid teens, Sean would be plugging into his ’71 Fender Super Reverb and cranking it up so loud that neighbors could hear it up to 2 blocks away.