First Fridays will celebrate the art of Andy Warhol and Pride Month June 2 in Aurora.
Aurora Public Art, at The DLP, 20 E. Downer Place, will be host to “POP!” The Warhol-inspired art exhibit will be host to a variety of local artists on the third floor. Carl King and The Kingdom will perform with live funk and soul music from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m..
The Perch, 31 W. Downer Place, will be host to a pride craft on the third floor of the Aurora Business Center building. The yoga studio and mindfulness shop welcomes all ages to celebrate who they are by creating a masterpiece from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m..
A handful of food trucks will park at the First Fridays Food Truck Food Court from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. at Water Street Square, 65 S. Water Street. They include Strawberries BBQ, Harvey’s Fire Box, Home Run Hot Dogs and Lemonade, and Polly Ann Cakes.
On Water Street Mall, Community Advocacy Awareness Network (CAAN) will have a Business Entrepreneur Unity Expo from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m.with a variety of vendors and activities to support the community.
Throughout downtown, the First Fridays event lineup includes more than 30 venues with activities for all ages.
The Venue, 21 S. Broadway, will celebrate their fourth anniversary with a ticketed Beatles cover album event outside in Mundy Park. Doors open at 5 p.m. Music starts at 7 p.m.. Food and artisan vendors will be part of the festivities. To purchase tickets, visit themusicvenue.org.
Nuna Ceramics Art Studio, 77 S. Lake St., will host a Pottery Studio Open House that welcomes visitors to explore the studio, shop pottery, and watch students at work on the pottery wheel from 5 p.m. to 8:30 p.m..
If These Walls Could Talk Custom Framing & Gallery, 32 S. Stolp Ave., will feature Everyday Things: Kirk Kerndl from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m..
The Nolan Gallery, 33 S. Stolp Ave., will be open with Dulce Havana and Stillness exhibitions plus wearable art from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m.
Aurora Historical Society at The DLP, 20 E. Downer Pl., will open its latest show “Here Comes the Bride” from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. on the first floor. The exhibit features wedding fashions from the 1860s to modern day.
The ArtBar at Two Brothers Roundhouse, 205 N. Broadway, will post up in the cafe with art and local artists from 7 p.m. to 11 p.m.
Artesan Lofts Art Gallery, 2 S. Stolp Ave., will kick off the Northern Illinois Pottery Tour weekend with ceramic artists Tanvvi Aggarwal, Jess Dougherty, Simon Levin, Taylor Whyte, and Jonathan Pacheco 5 p.m. to 9 p.m..
Zen Loft Wellness Center, 6 W. Downer Pl. upstairs, will show Angie Cornelius’ “Love Is Love” mixed media drawing art exploring self-expression, acceptance, and delicious moments from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m.
French 75 Gallery and Lounge, 56 E. Galena Blvd., will have a Martin Mondrus preview show featuring select works by Mondrus plus a new craft cocktail menu from 4 p.m. to midnight.
La Quinta de los Reyes, 36 E. New York St., will feature the Ezequiel Maldonado Ranchero Show plus house margaritas for $8 from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m..
Ballydoyle Irish Pub, 28 W. New York St., will feature live music by P.S.Acoustic and Irish Dance show during dinner from 6 p.m. to midnight.
Wyckwood House Boutique and Cocktail Bar, 80 S. River St., will be open for shopping and cocktails with live music by DJ Jaydee Rivera from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m..
Tavern on Broadway, 24 N. Broadway, will host live music from 8 p.m. to 10 p.m..
Altiro Latin Fusion, 1 S. Stolp Ave., will offer a Mexican Artesanal stand plus live music by Damian Rivero from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m..
Aurora Tap House, 134 W. Downer Pl., will welcome guests to rock out to 80’s music with DJ Happy Meal from 9 p.m. to 1 a.m..
Endiro Coffee, 29 W. New York St., will offer a drink special for First Fridays only. The Strawberry Mint Cooldown will boast mint and strawberry compote, water and lemon, with frozen strawberries and ice, garnished with mint leaves, and will be available from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m.
The Cotton Seed Creative Exchange, 64 S. River St., will have a summer kick off party with DJ GAB’s tribute to Beyoncé and Jay-Z. Visiting vendors will include Triple4 360 Photo Booth and Passion Lily Boutique from 5 p.m. to 8:30 p.m..
Aurora Regional Fire Museum, 53 N. Broadway, will provide a last chance to see “The Most Scorching of Flames” exhibit from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m..
Santori Public Library, 101 S. River St., will be host to a reception for the “Violins of Hope” exhibit featuring Holocaust-related string instruments from Tel Aviv, Israel. Live music by violinist Brian Ostrega from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m..
Amy Morton’s Stolp Island Social, 5 E. Galena Blvd., will offer a featured cocktail “Lady of the Night” from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m..
The Cornucopia Tea & Gift Shop, 63 S. Broadway, will be open for tasting and shopping. Visitors will be able to select teas in Pop-Art-themed packing and enjoy a sample. In shop discounts available from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m..
Society 57, 100 S. River St., will be open with cocktails and bites from 6 p.m.to 10 p.m..
Undisputed Vintage, 14 W. Downer Pl., will have Ruby Thrift retro pop-up shop from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m..
G.A.R. Museum, 23 E. Downer Pl., will be host to “The Summer of Warhol,” photographs and imagery from the G.A.R. Military Museum’s collection transformed in the style of Andy Warhol from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m..
PreMil, 46 W. New York Street, will be open with a special announcement and live screen printing with Pop Art designs, local eats, and store sales from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m..
The Old Library, top floor conference room, 1 E. Benton St., will welcome visitors to the second floor to introduce Aurorign.social, a new social media platform from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m.
FNBO, 140 S. River St. STE 112, will be open with appetizers and giveaways from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m.
Kathryn’s Place, 61 S. Stolp Ave., will be open with fresh juices from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m.
For more information and a complete map of First Fridays locations, visit auroradowntown.org.
Aurora Downtown is a nonprofit group of business and property owners within Special Service Area (SSA) One that works to achieve a healthy and thriving downtown for all to enjoy. Learn more at auroradowntown.org.
—Aurora Downtown