We all need connection. Whether we are self-proclaimed introverts or extroverts, we all need to connect with other humans. Even if we profess to love pets or animals more than our counterparts. Social connection is the key to living a longer, happier life.
With that in mind, it seems like a good leader would try to connect a community rather than create a fissure in our communal landscape. Yet we are seeing the latter, and I am left wondering where this partisan and arguably divisive path will lead us.
I think about what I can do to balance the scales, and I am reminded of how the community comes together to celebrate art. Someone recently said to me, “Aurora seems to really support art.” I think that’s accurate. It is something to be proud of.
Having just held the 15th Alley Art Festival at the end of August, I am once again amazed at the incredible support for local artists. There were nearly 100 artists on both Water Street Mall and Downer Place, and thousands visited their booths. Art is a great connector.
Art is also found in the forms of music, stage performances, and film. Two local bands performed this year at Alley Art Festival. Hot Dog Stand and Lund Surk both feature young talent, and they were excited for the opportunity to perform in their hometown. They played outside of The Venue, a live music space that offers local, regional, and national talent about three to four times a week.
New to downtown Aurora, East Wind is a jazz club that opened on the first floor of the corner building at Downer Place and Stolp Avenue below Zen Loft Wellness Center. On their Instagram page, they said “What started as a backyard jazz night has grown into something real: a live venue, a growing community, and now, a space where young artists, musicians, and listeners are showing up and showing love.”
Aurora’s downtown is popularly a theater district with Paramount Theatre, Stolp Island Theatre, Copley Theatre, and The Riverfront Playhouse. Perfectly located, but somewhat hidden on Water Street Mall, The Riverfront Playhouse started in 1978 and has been connecting the community through local theater ever since. I was blown away by their recent performance of “Stick Fly.”
Lastly, film can connect us, and it does just that on the third Wednesday of the month at The Venue when Aurora Film Society screens a monthly film. Paramount Theatre often opens up on Monday nights for movies, too. The city hosted the City of Lights Film Festival in which several films were screened at a variety of downtown locations this past weekend.
Art in all of its forms will continue to connect us. It also connects us to our neighboring communities as we travel to visit Water Street Studios in Batavia, Fine Line in St. Charles, or Side Street in Elgin.
It might just be the best time to support art, but perhaps more importantly, let’s show up and support one another and connect with each other.
Add these events to your calendar:
•October 3 First Fridays, Aurora
•October 10 Second Fridays, Batavia
•October 18 Yellow Bird Books 2nd Anniversary Party, Aurora
•October 18 Warehouse 55 Grand Opening, Batavia
•October 25 Free Movie “The Birds” at The Venue, 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. She coordinates Alley Art Festival and Geneva Arts Fair. Follow her on Instagram @marissashinesbright. Visit a full calendar of art events on alleyartaurora.com/artscene.