Good morning, Rochester.

John Hardy's BBQ caught fire Wednesday night, and the Hardy family expressed sadness over losing cherished memorabilia from a place filled with family memories (including reminders of their late patriarch) as the Rochester Fire Department will investigate the cause.

The American College Theatre Festival (ACTF) Region 5 will bring more than 1,200 college theatre students, faculty, and professionals to Rochester's Mayo Civic Center and Rochester Civic Theatre from January 18 to 24.

Registration is required for this public festival.

Downtown Rochester will host the expanded Castle Con from Jan.

22-25 at multiple venues including the historic Chateau Theatre and Kahler Hotel; the event adds an extra day plus features game panels, puzzles, board tournaments and a Downtown Game Crawl with tickets available online.

Since 2021, Rochester Public Schools has invested over $250,000 in the Minnesota Principal’s Academy, a program led by Superintendent Kent Pekel’s wife, even as a law professor raised concerns about conflict of interest while district officials maintain neither party has gained personal benefit.

A Mayo Clinic study in Rochester finds that artificial intelligence applied to CT scans can predict fall risk in adults aged 45+ by showing that muscle density, not muscle size, is a stronger indicator of risk (according to the study).

Castle Con

12 PM - 6 PM — Historic Chateau Theatre — Check event page for details — Immerse yourself in a weekend-long tabletop gaming extravaganza with tournaments and family-friendly fun.

The Lewy Convergence: Clinical Wisdom and Historical Reflection

11:30 a.m. — Leighton Auditorium — $25 Registration — A landmark CME event honoring Dr. Friedrich Lewy's legacy while advancing knowledge on Lewy Body Dementia care.

Monster X Tour

7:30-9:30 p.m. — Mayo Civic Center — Tickets starting at $20.50 — Experience thrilling monster truck action and freestyle motocross in an adrenaline-pumping event.

Social Ice Festival 2026

4-10 p.m. — Peace Plaza — Free entry — Experience a vibrant winter oasis with themed bars, ice sculptures, and live DJ entertainment.

The Sound Of Fate

7:30 p.m. — Mayo Civic Center — Ticketed event — Experience Tchaikovsky's epic showdown with fate through his Symphony No. 5 and Rossini's spirited Overture to Semiramide.

A Gentleman's Guide to Love and Murder

7:00 p.m. (Thu, Fri, Sat), 2:00 p.m. (Sun) — Rochester Civic Theatre — Ticket prices varied — A low-born man's chase for love and an earldom takes a comedic and murderous twist.

Junior Gold Qualifier at Colonial Lanes

Multiple time slots available — Colonial Lanes — Participation fee required — Compete in a thrilling Junior Gold qualifier with exciting scholarship opportunities.