By Thomas J. Weisner, former mayor of Aurora – It has been an eventful Spring for Aurora’s downtown. The Paramount Theatre was host to comedian Jay Leno in late April and, for a full one-and-a-half hours, the “house” was full of both an audience and unrestrained laughter. The fourth and...
Anthony Stanford – Live auditions for the Aurora Public Library’s (APL) Tenth Annual Teen Talent Show and Competition are set for Saturday, June 2, at the Santori Library of Aurora, 101 S. River Street, and Saturday, June 16 at the Eola Road Branch Library, 555 S. Eola Road. This year’s...
The last day to register for the 5K Community Color Run will be Sunday, May 27. The race will be at Silver Springs State Park in Yorkville. Runners, joggers, and walkers of all ages are invited to participate in the second annual Color Fun Run! one-mile and 5K Saturday, June...
U.S. congressman Randy Hultgren (IL-14) announced recently the 14th District winner of the 2018 congressional art competition is Sydney Berenyi of Oswego High School. Her piece, “Lily,” won out of the 57 submitted from the District. The winning artwork piece will hang on display in the U.S. Capitol for one...
Aurora Downtown will hold an inaugural Aurora Museum Week this year June 17-23. Brian Failing made the announcement at the Aurora Regional Fire Museum during the inaugural Fox River Arts Ramble April 21. Failing, executive director of the Aurora Regional Fire Museum, debuted the event poster created by artist and...
Memorial Day is more than an unofficial first day of Summer with picnics, barbecues, and family gatherings. The fourth Monday in May each year is for a sense of remembering, a memorial. We can pause for a few hours in some way to participate in a memorial. Remembering a loved...
This too shall pass! Even though attribution for the above phrase to the Christian bible is only partially true, it is not a direct quote. In our combined secular and religious world, this too shall pass is used to prevail over conflict, difficulty, disappointment, and troubled times. What does not...
When my husband and I arrived at the Paramount Theatre Saturday we were greeted by a lively orchestra on stage. Oh gosh, we’re late! Not so! A pre-show jam session was part of the show. A company of 13 actor-musicians performed all roles and served as the on-stage orchestra in...
Maureen Gasek of the Aurora Area Regional Chamber of Commerce hands Cheryl Holz, right, balloons for her birthday Saturday. Holz finished the mural on the back of Kim Granholm’s Aurora Fastprint in downtown Aurora. The mural contains some of the newest printing technology to wrap the back of the building....
The days are finally stretching above 50°F after our long, extended Winter this year. One of the best things about the app roaching warm days and nights of Summer is enjoying music at Millennium Plaza in downtown Aurora. This year, the free concert season will begin at the Food Truck...
The first piece of public art to go through Aurora’s new public art ordinance will be unveiled Saturday. The mural will be unveiled behind Aurora Fastprint, 54 E. Galena Boulevard, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. during the inaugural Fox River Arts Ramble. Aurora Fastprint owner Kim Granholm commissioned artist...
Aurora Museums After Dark will welcome visitors to downtown museums after hours on three Thursdays this year, starting the week of Spring break. Aurora Regional Fire Museum, SciTech Hands On Museum, G.A.R. Museum, The Pierce History Center, and Santori Public Library, will stay open for an extra few hours Thursday,...
Kate Purl, director of the Downtown Aurora Magic Festival, gives a report on the event to the Kiwanis Club of Aurora Tuesday at the Prisco Center in Aurora. Purl explained the name was changed because Warner Brothers, the studio that owns the rights to the Harry Potter film series, is...
Batavia resident Nicole Sapanora sings during a rehearsal for “Spamalot” which will run Friday through Sunday at Aurora Central Catholic High School. Al Benson/The Voice...
Marmion Academy in Aurora will present its Spring musical Seussical Friday at 7:30 p.m.; Saturday at 7:30 p.m.; and Sunday at 2 p.m. in the Academy’s Alumni Hall at 1000 Butterfield Road in Aurora. Reserved seating tickets are $10.; limited seating will be available at the door. A musical perfect...
Student potters demonstrate in the Artists at Work area during West Aurora School District 129’s 10th annual Fine Arts Festival at West Aurora High School Saturday. K-12 artists were showcased. Fearn Elementary School second graders performed dances in the West High cafeteria. Still Life Painting” by seventh grader Ashley Montalvo...
The Fox Valley Arts Hall of Fame (FVAHF) recently announced its six newest inductees. The Class of 2018 includes Sterling (Stu) Ainsworth, benefactor; Bobbie Brown, visual arts-painting; Frank Catalano, performing arts-music; the late William LaBaron, visual arts-film producer; the late William Moulis, visual arts-murals; and the late LaVerne Newsome, performing...
The 12-piece Matt Erion Dodeca Band performs Mardi Gras-style spirituals at a Shrove (Fat) Tuesday jazz concert at Fourth Street United Methodist Church in Aurora to open the Lenten season. Aurora Flowing Grace United Methodist Church was so-sponsor. Erion, from Batavia, founded the band in 2016. Ash Wednesday was celebrated...
“There sleeps Titania sometimes of the night “Lull’d to these flowers with dances and delight.” —Richard Dodd Do you believe in fairies? Well, you should! The dancers skip off downhill and disappear. Titania Sleeping painted by Richard Dodd was well received and proved to be influential on other fairy painters...
First Fridays will feature a night of live music Friday, March 2. Along with half a dozen art openings, the month’s themed “Music Hop” highlights a handful of concerts in downtown Aurora. Art openings, live music, and more are featured at First Fridays on March 2 at several locations throughout...
