Summer is here. Officially. It’s time to get serious about getting out in the community and enjoying Summer events.
Sunday, June 25, Aurora Public Art will be host to Asphalt Mural Fest from noon to 6 p.m. at Downer Place and Stolp Avenue in downtown Aurora. It’s a free event welcoming everyone to paint the pavement for a new street mural by artist Andy Bellomo. The event welcomes all ages, and will have a schedule of family-friendly activities, including cotton candy, face-painting, and more.
If you’re busy Sunday, then make sure to check out the mural this Summer, along with lots of Warhol-inspired art in downtown Aurora. The pop art efforts are in conjunction with the current Warhol exhibit at the Cleve Carney Museum of Art at the McAninch Arts Center at the College of DuPage in Glen Ellyn.
Summer reading is one of my favorite warm-weather activities, so I am excited about the new Books and Booze event that will be held at Wyckwood House, 80 S. River Street in downtown Aurora. The event will kick off at 6 p.m. Thursday, July 29 with books that celebrate pride.
Then, Saturday, July 1, Wyckwood House will have its Fourth of Ju-Luau Party from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. and a Summer luau is always a good time, especially with Wyckwood House’s new Summer cocktail menu. Tamales+ food truck will be parked out front for the free event.
Music and Market on Stolp Avenue will bring a street festival vibe with live music along with artisan and food vendors starting July 12 with WDCB sponsored Tommy Bradford Trio. The event is a six-week series from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. every Wednesday on Stolp Avenue in downtown Aurora.
The first of two outdoor, brew and view movie nights will be Thursday, July 27 at Mundy Park, adjacent to Water Street Mall and The Venue in downtown Aurora. Movie Nights at Mundy Park kicks off with Men in Black from 1997. The free showing host is Aurora Downtown. Seating will open at 7 p.m. and the movie will screen at dusk. Bring your own chair. Concessions are available.
Enjoy more outdoor music Friday, July 28 at The Venue’s Summer Jam. The Venue will curate its second outdoor festival of the Summer featuring Grateful Dead and Allman Brothers Band cover bands. The festival will celebrate the 50th anniversary of the historic Summer Jam in New York July 28, 1973, which was bigger than Woodstock. Tickets are at themusicvenue.org.
Saturday, July 29, Wyckwood House will celebrate five years in downtown Aurora with a Birthday Bash from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m.. Pop-ups will be part of the free event.
Here’s your event calendar cheat sheet for the next month. A friendly reminder that First Fridays resumes in August with the Stolp Block Party August 4.
- June 25 Asphalt Mural Fest from noon to 6 p.m. at Downer Place and Stolp Avenue, Aurora
- June 29 Books and Booze from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. at Wyckwood House, 80 S. River Street, Aurora.
- July 1 Fourth of Ju-Luau Party, 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Wyckwood House, 80 S. River Street, Aurora.
- July 12, 19, 26 Music and Market on Stolp Avenue, from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m., Aurora.
- July 27 Movie Nights at Mundy Park at dusk at Mundy Park, 21 S. Broadway, Aurora.
- July 28 Summer Jam at 7 p.m. at The Venue, 21 S. Broadway, Aurora.
- July 29 Birthday Bash from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Wyckwood House, 80 S. River Street, Aurora.
Marissa Amoni is the owner of Marissa Bright, a public relations and event management company specializing in shining the light on nonprofits and small businesses. Follow her on Instagram
@marissashinesbright.