First Fridays will feature more than two dozen venues open with art, music, and more features Friday. Several locations will include decorated storefronts celebrating the return of Paramount Theatre with its current production of “Kinky Boots.”
September 3, Roots Aurora is back with family-friendly activities from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. on Water Street Mall. Family Focus will be host to the annual celebration of cultures featuring art, music, local vendors and more.
Simply Destinee will be host to Shine Bright Like a Diamond Pop Up Shop featuring 10 vendors from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. at 122 W. Downer Place for Suicide Awareness Month.
Food trucks will return to Water Street Square across from City Hall from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. Joining the lineup will be Cheesie’s, Dr. Gillerson’s EMT, Holy Pierogi, and Harvey’s Fire Box. Food vendors are subject to change. Please check Aurora Downtown’s Facebook page for updates.
First Fridays will offer a variety of activities at multiple venues September 3:
Art
• The Artbar at Two Brothers Roundhouse, 205 N. Broadway. The Zodiac Show: No matter your sign, you’re invited to The ArtBar Zodiac show. 7 p.m. to midnight
• Seven Setting Suns Art Gallery, 14 W. Downer Place Suite 12. Life’s Rich Pageant: Vincenzo Valenziano with a viviverous vivation of rhapsodic relations. 5 p.m. to 10 p.m..
• Gallery 1904, 1 E. Benton Street, Vizo Arts 3rd Annual Photography Exhibition: The Dude Show will feature more than a dozen local men photographers including Perry Slade, Gary Bahnick, Garrick Gillette, Gary Brown, John Cornelissen, Randy Benzie, Thom King, Robert Waters, Joe Weber, Jonathan Rosenthal, Jason DeLancey, Jason Arthur, Soterios Gardiakos and David Mercer. Food donations for Marie Wilkinson Food Pantry will be accepted. 5 p.m. to 9 p.m..
• Artesan Lofts, 2 S. Stolp Avenue Gallery Exhibit. 6 p.m. to 8:30 p.m..
• Aurora Tap House, 134 W. Downer Place. Art Show to feature Chloe Wick. Wick is a college student Aurora who enjoys trying new mediums and loves working with Arylics. DJ Alfred starts at 9 p.m. for an 80’s themed night. 5 p.m. to 9 p.m..
• Santori Library, 101 S. River Street. Aurora Art League Member’s Show: 63rd Annual Aurora Art League Member Show. Check out the year’s best of the best and enjoy live music by John Papadolias. 5:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m..
• SuperJumbo, 102 E. Galena Boulevard. The Posters of Drew Wise. 5 to 10 p.m..
• Gary Brown Art Gallery and Studio, 7 S. Broadway. Grand Art Show: The gallery will be filled with a wide variety of Brown’s original art creations of multiple art mediums. Live music by Joe Eddy-Brown and Richie Zayat. 5 p.m. to 9 p.m..
Music
• Sheena Baker Group, 105 E. Galena Boulevard Suite 807. Dance With Us: Drinks and Line Dancing. 5 p.m. to 8 p.m..
• La Quinta De los Reyes, 36 E. New York Street. Live music featuring Adrian y su Guitarra. 7 p.m. to 9 p.m..
• Altiro Latin Fusion, 1 S. Stolp Avenue. Live Spanish Rock feat. Damian Rivera. 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m..
• Endiro Coffee, 29 W. New York Street. Live music with the Castros feat. heartfelt folksy tunes. 5 p.m. to 9 p.m..
• Simply Destinee, 122 W. Downer Suite 124. “Shine the Light” Suicide Awareness. Activities for all ages plus vendors and a selfie booth. 5 p.m. to 9 p.m..
• Zen Loft Wellness Center, 6 W. Downer Place. Performance by Magnolia Bellydance Collective at 7:30 p.m. Visit the studio open house; enjoy foot massages, shop in the store, hang out in hammocks, check out vendors, and more. 5 p.m. to 9 p.m..
• Paramount School of the Arts, 20 S. Stolp Avenue. Build a Character Through Drag. To celebrate Kinky Boots, come have some fun and learn how to develop a character through Drag. Each Drag Queen has their own personality and character, so come find out who your inner Drag Queen is that’s just waiting to be unleashed. 6 p.m. to 9 p.m..
• The Perch, 31 W. Downer Place, Suite 301. Make an Inspirational Magnet. 5 p.m. to 8 p.m..
• Yetee Station, 11 N. Broadway. Pac Man high score contest: Score high for free daypasses. 2 p.m. to 11 p.m..
• Wyckwood House, 14 W. Downer Place, Suite 16. Live music from musician Lydia Miller from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.. Michelle from Chi-cuterie will be in the house with beautiful charcuterie boxes curated with items from local farmers and artisans. 5 p.m. to 9 p.m..
• Charlie’s Silverspoon Creamery, 6 E. Downer Place. Kinky Boots featured flavors. 5 p.m. to 9 p.m..
• Aurora Historical Society at David L. Pierce Art and History Center, 20 E. Downer Place. “Our Favorite Things” gallery display on the first floor. 6 p.m. to 9 p.m..
• G.A.R. Museum, 23 E. Downer Place. Open to the public. 5 p.m. to 9 p.m.
• Aurora Regional Fire Museum, 53 N. Broadway. Stop by to pick up a 2021 annual holiday ornament featuring Aurora’s 1921 Stutz Fire Engine. Ornaments are $20 each, two for $35. Museum will be open. 5 p.m. to 8 p.m..
• City Hall, 44 E. Downer Place 2nd floor. Family Services Association presents Suicide Prevention Month – Kids’ Art Showcase. 5 p.m. to 8 p.m..
Pop Up
SciTech Hands On Museum, 18 W. Benton Street. Pop-up Museum: Enjoy STEM activities set-up outside the museum by the East entrance door for all to enjoy. 4 p.m. to 7 p.m..
• Legacy Nutrition & Fitness, 77 S. River Street. Outdoor Fitness Expo: Enjoy a variety of local trainers showcasing different styles of fitness. From kettlebell, boot camp and body conditioning classes. All with the fresh sounds of DJ Brown Royal. 5 p.m. to 8:30 p.m..
• The Cotton Seed Creative Exchange, 8 N. Broadway. Stop by for art by Dzhelasi and C~lyn Studios, snow cones by Snow Cone Sisters, and a limited number of free gifts, raffles, and a special treat vendor. 6 p.m. to 8:30 p.m..
• McCarty Mills Taproom, 140 S. River Street Suite 108. Hat Trick BBQ pop-up out front opens at 5 p.m..
For more information on First Fridays events, visit auroradowntown.org.
—Aurora Downtown