By Marissa Amoni –
First Fridays in Aurora will be filled with art, music, and food Friday, May 3. On First Fridays it is Food Truck Festival 2019 with more than two dozen food trucks parked on Benton Street. There will be several venues open to the public for a night of art, food, and culture in downtown Aurora. It’s all free, and it’s all rain or shine.
The following locations will provide for an artful night in downtown Aurora:
Waubonsee Community College, 18 S. River Street
Arts and Music Showcase
An evening of arts, music, and more: purchase one-of-a-kind pottery; print a free, silkscreen t-shirt; pick up a copy of the student-published “Horizons” magazine, and learn more about the Arts at Waubonsee. Music will be provided by Waubonsee’s Big Band, Jazz Combo, Steel Drum Band, and Chamber Choir. Art exhibits will be open for viewing in the library and cafe areas. Free refreshmentswill be provided.
5 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.
HealthMarkets, 41 W. New York Street
Nate Velasquez – Digital Media
4 p.m. to 6 p.m.
Golden Fox Studios, 52 W. Downer Place, 2nd floor
Open Studios: Gerardo Madrigal, Joan Paco, Lisa Gloria
Live art demonstration and new works will be on display.
6 p.m. to 9 p.m.
Aurora Tap House, 134 W. Downer Pl.
Jason DeLancey – Rusted & Reused
Pop-up art show featuring local artist and curator Jason DeLancey will be exhibiting works of original photography, collage, and digital artwork.
6 p.m. to midnight
ArtBar at Two Brothers Roundhouse, 205 Broadway
Let’s Be Bad Guys
A plethora of vile depictions of villainy will be on display.
7 p.m. to midnight
If These Walls Could Talk Custom Framing & Gallery, 32 S. Stolp Avenue.
Imagined Realities: Chris Hodge
7 p.m. to 10 p.m.
Gary Brown Art Gallery & Studio, 7 S. Broadway
Welcoming Spring – Honoring Nurses
CelebratingSspring in Aurora with Fine Art, including multi-media and scratch board, created by artists Gary Brown and Christina Snider; live music by Karla Howard (singer/songwriter/performing artist); a special honorary recognition gift will be given to any nurse in attendance.
6 p.m. to 10 p.m.
Aurora Regional Fire Museum, 53 N. Broadway
The Art of Emergency Care
Visitors can explore the newest exhibit, The Art of Emergency Care, from the National EMS Museum. The whole Museum will be open.
5 p.m. to 9 p.m.
Good News Barbershop + Media Studio, 14 W. Downer Pl. upstairs
Good Vibes feat. Art and music
6 p.m. to 9 p.m.
Balderas Beauty Salon, 25 N. Broadway
Artist: Cassandra Baez
Music and food plus free face-painting and live body-painting by Jose Art
5 p.m. to 8.30 p.m.
Music will be available at the following locations:
Millennium Plaza, 21 S. Stolp Avenue.
Joybird 6 p.m.
Todd Kessler 7:30 p.m.
Endiro Coffee, 29 W. New York Street.
Live music from Dan Becker
6 p.m. to 9 p.m.
Tredwell Coffee, 14 W. Downer Pl. Ste. 18
Happy first Birthday: A one year birthday celebration
Tredwell will have a full menu with great music, drink specials, and raffles! DJ BUTtTer: will play great music all night.
Open until 9 p.m.
Gremlen Recording Studios, 130 W. Downer Place
Mini Sessions and Studio Tours
Those in attendance can get a taste of what goes into an actual recording session at a professional studio. The public can tour the studios and participate in mini-recording sessions and play a song on one of the keyboards, or just get into the vocal booth and sing! Visitors are welcome to make music!
6 p.m. to 9 p.m.
The evening can be complete with food,and photos by visiting the following locations during First Fridays.
Food Truck Festival, Benton Street
30 food vendors parked along the Benton Street bridges.
5 p.m. to 10 p.m.
Payton’s Photography, 14 W. Downer Place (entrance on Stolp)
Come for a fun May Flowers Photo! One free digital photo on the adorable May Flowers Backdrop!
5 p.m. to 9 p.m.
Aurora Historical Society at the Pierce Art and History Center, 20 E. Downer Pl.
Aurora Story on the 2nd floor: A walk-through history of Aurora; May 4 is the closing day of the Memorial Crosses exhibit commemorating the victims of the February 15 Pratt Company shooting.
6 p.m. to 9 p.m.
Sergio Furniture, 36 W. Downer Place
Catrinas of Aurora
5 p.m. to 9 p.m.
Christian Science Reading Room, 34 S. Stolp Avenue
Spring Into Life!
Free little plant to visitors.
6 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Arcana Studios, 5 1/2 W. Downer Place
Poetry Reading & Storytelling
Poetry Reading & Storytelling at Arcana for First Fridays. Arcana studios will open at 8 pm. Performances by featured readers will begin at 9pm and an open mic will follow. Come experience the magic of this intimate, living room styled venue that is newly opened in Downtown Aurora!
8 to 11 p.m.
Zen Loft Wellness Center, 6 W. Downer Pl.
Yoga, Belly Dance, Hoop Dance, Massages, Vendors, and More!
Come on up to the second floor to meet all our independent instructors, see belly dance and hoop performances, hang out in an aerial yoga hammock, get a chair massage ($1/min.), and browse our amazing vendors!
6 to 9 p.m.
PreMil, 46 W. New York St.
PreMil Grand Opening
Grand opening event with music, art (feat. Yesenia Del Toro, Deltizzle, Adriana Vongkorad), comedy, and more.
Noon to 9 p.m.
Wyckwood House, 14 W. Downer Place., Ste. 16
Eye Candy Bake Shop will be popping up at Wyckwood House with a variety of gluten free and vegan treats to purchase! Live music from Olivia Ports, 6-8:30 and cocktails from Amy Song Ceramics!
5 p.m. to 9 p.m.
Legacy Nutrition & Fitness, 77 S. River Street
Art & Fitness Hosted by Them Bad Apples and Legacy Nutrition & Fitness. Music by Funk and Soul Collection
Erin Jones Joseph is an artist and jewelry maker. Erin’s work is miniature in size but bold in color and design. Her artwork is created from colored paper, acrylic paints, canvas and wood. Her miniature artworks are in private collections in and around the Chicagoland area. instagram.com/dioramascapes
LokamFilms
6 p.m. to 9 p.m.
SciTech Hands On Museum, 18 W. Benton Street.
SPARK Play Learn Connect
SciTech Hands On Museum will be a partner with SPARK to bring community organizations and agencies together to help share their resources to help the community. In addition SciTech Hands On Museum will have limited access to the museum for free!
5 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Do or Dye Designs, 24 S. Stolp Avenue.
Karaoke and more
Karaoke. Raffles. Pop-up shop pureskin and refreshments.
5 p.m. to 9 p.m.
All Spoked Up, 14 W. Downer Place Ste. 12
Home Decor by Leslie Jenner: Beautiful hand made decorations, jewelry, and what not made by the famous Leslie Jenner.
6 p.m. to 9 p.m.
Collier Community Center, 36 S. Stolp Avenue.
Save Our Youth Fundraiser CatFish Fry.
Catfish Dinner $10.
5 p.m. to 9 p.m.