First Fridays in Aurora will be complete with art, music, and culture. Roots Aurora will join the October 2 lineup. Look for in-person (with masks), virtual, and crowd-free event options.
• Sergio Furniture, 36 W. Downer Plave, will present Catrinas of Aurora along with artist Pierre Lucero’s “Dead Rainbows,” a solo art exhibit from 4 p.m. to 10:30 p.m. The show will feature six four-by-four foot canvases of a skull in each color.
• Gary Brown Art Gallery and Studio, 7 S. Broadway, will be open with Brayer Artistry from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. Meet artist Joe Ruck, the studio’s featured artist for October.
• Artesan Lofts, 2 S. Stolp Avenue, will feature resident artists Jonathan Pacheco, Kristin Jongen. Pottery and prints will be on display outside. Jazz from Doug Jeppesen Combo will be from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m..
• Aurora Tap House, 134 W. Downer Place, will have art by Devan from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. Devan uses Sharpies and Prismacolor markers to create abstract creations that take the mind on an adventure. DJ Happymeal will be from 9 p.m. to 1 a.m..
• The ArtBar will present a virtual show with an online gallery and live Facebook conversation. Visit “ArtBar: This Is Halloween,” a virtual gallery on their website artbaraurora.com. Tune into their Facebook page at 7 p.m. for a special conversation on art in public spaces in Aurora.
• Altiro Latin Fusion, 1 S. Stolp Avenue, will have live music by Damian Rivero to the outdoor seating area along Stolp Avenue from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m..
• The Venue, 21 S. Broadway, will present M & R Rush at an outdoor concert in Mundy Park. Doors will open 7 p.m. and the ticketed show will start at 8 p.m.. Purchase tickets online at themusicvenue.org.
• The Cotton Seed Creative Exchange, 8 N. Broadway, will bring live music and wares to patrons from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m.. Started with a Mason Jar will be on site with her amazing camper filled with handmade wares. Frankii Davis Solo artist will be in house with her guitarist Robert Covington.
• All Spoked Up, 14 W. Downer Place Suite 10, will break out the Spooky Record Jam with downtown friends All Out Records. The pop-up will be selling vinyl and playing some Halloween hits from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m..
• Riverfront Playhouse, 11-13 Water Street Mall, will be outside its doors with live music featuring The Heels and other musical guests from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m..
• La Quinta de los Reyes, 36 E. New York Street, will feature Friday night regular Luis Andre Singer and $5 Micheladas from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m..
• Wyckwood House, 14 W. Downer Place Suite 16, will present live music by Lydia from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Shop the store from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m..
• Gillerson’s Grubbery, 33 W. New York Street, will have a special concert to celebrate its fifth anniversary. Enjoy live music on Pinney Street with headliner Shout Section Big Band and opener Invisible Cartoons from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. Endiro Coffee will present Ballet Folklorico starting at 5 p.m..
• Tavern on Broadway, 24 N. Broadway, will welcome guests to stop in for a soft opening with live music by Side Peace. Limited menu available.
• Society 57, 100 S. River Street, will be open until 8 p.m. with coffee drinks and fresh treats.
• Warehouse 55, 55 S. Lake Street, will be open late with the Vintage Shop Hop and 15% off the entire store (some exceptions may apply). Shop until 8 p.m..
• Camelia Danza at Zen loft Wellness Center, 6 W. Downer Place, will bring the Sisterhood dancing the Art of Fat Chance Belly Dance to Downer and Stolp at 7:30 p.m.. Visit Zen Loft and check out Sense of Samadhi’s yoga schedule and I of the Angeles metaphysical shop.
• DeCari To Go, 33 N. Lake Street, will invite families to “Make Pizza In The Park-(ing lot).” Classes from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. and 8 p.m. to 9 p.m. Call ahead for details.
• Hope Chest, 34 N. Lincoln Avenue, will have a Freaky Friday Event with artwork by Jesse Reeder and a storewide sale from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m..
• Offbeat Vintage and Thrift, 14 W Downer Place, Suite 16, Basement, will feature guest clothing collection by Nowt New, creatively curated vintage clothing and accessories with a Yorkshire flair from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m..
• Stolp Island Social, 8 E. Galena Boulevard, will be host to artist Joseph. He will paint windows to stand for racial justice and BLM. They will have chalk for kids to create their own messages on the sidewalk and Joseph will coach them with creative tips.
• Mora on the River, 43 E. Galena Boulevard, will offer $1 hot chocolate and $1 donuts to go, 5 p.m. to 9 p.m..
• Aurora Regional Fire Museum, 53 N. Broadway, will have the fourth annual CUPS Bra Drive, 5 p.m. to 8 p.m..
Roots Aurora events include the following venues:
• U Samba? Cafe, 37 W. New York Street, will offer traditional Brazilian Fare and will showcase food that holds special cultural significance for Brazil, until 10 p.m..
• Tecalitlan Mexican Restaurant, 35 S. Broadway, will feature a popular Mexican dish called birria, which is endemic to the state of Jalisco. Along with the festive stew, there will be a $50 raffle.
• Paramount School of the Arts, 20 S. Stolp Avenue, will offer a family fun activity table set up with supplies for you to take home or do right at the table with us if space allows. They will have a table set up to display information on how to register to vote. 5 p.m. to 9 p.m..
• Gallery 1904, 1 E. Benton Street, will present “The Aurora Stronger Exhibit: A community that came together.” The evening will feature the premiere of the VizoArts Films documentary “Our Streets.” See work from Gary Bahnick, Ivan Carmona, Victoria Lunacek, and Amy Nelson. Enjoy an art showcase and more. 5:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m..
• Aurora Historical Society, 20 E. Downer Place, will display “Roots Aurora Cultural Champions Over the Years,” a pictorial gallery of 32 previous champions in the windows.
• The Perch, 31 W Downer Place, Suite 301, will feature documentary screenings of Black Immigrants in the U.S. from 5 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.. Join Roots Aurora for two short documentaries on the contributions of black immigrants in the United States as well as a group discussion led by Roots Aurora. Screenings begin at 5 p.m., 5:40 p.m., 6:20 p.m., 7 p.m., and 7:40 p.m..
• Santori Public Library, Parker Garden, 101 S. River Street, will open the Parker Garden from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. for visitors to pick up Roots Aurora reading lists and check out photographs by Robb Winder of community resistance art created in Aurora after the killing of George Floyd. This exhibit will be available virtually, as well.
• SciTech Hands On Museum, 18 W. Benton Street, will set up its popular Super Sidewalk Sale with STEAMart favorites on sale for 40% off. Spin the prize wheel and take a prize home. Visit a Roots Aurora table from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m..
For more information visit rootsaurora.org.
All participating venues will adhere to current Phase 4 guidelines. Masks are required indoors, and outdoors when six-feet of social distancing cannot be maintained.
Maps will be available online at auroradowntown.org.
—Aurora Downtown