Aurora First Fridays will honor the dead November 1 with several venues open with Day of the Dead activities. The event will start with a Day of the Dead prayer ceremony at 3 p.m. at Aurora Public Art, in the David L. Pierce Art and History Center, 20 E. Downer Place.
Santori Public Library will be host to a community ofrenda, 101 S. River Street, competition in its atrium from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m.. Participants can bring photos of loved ones for an ofrenda display at Waubonsee Community College Aurora Downtown campus. La Quinta de los Reyes will have a catrina showcase and contest.
The Food Truck Food Court will be from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. at Water Street Square across from City Hall. Vendors will include My Funnel, Harvey’s Fire Box, Burritoville, Don Pez Fish Tacos, and Grumpy Gaucho.
Several venues will be open to the public with art, music, and free trolley rides from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m..
• Aurora Public Art, 20 E. Downer Place, will be host to Dia de los Muertos Prayer Celebration and Exhibit. Reception will start at 3 p.m.. Introductions are planned for 4 p.m. with a performance from 4:30 p.m. will feature Aztec Dancers. 5 p.m. to 8 p.m..
• Waubonsee Community College Aurora Downtown Campus, 18 S. River Street, will feature a night of celebration, art, and comedy stand-up by Aurora comedian, Too Skinny. Presented by The MEChA and Latinos Unidos student clubs. Everyone is invited to place pictures of passed loved ones on the altar to honor their lives. 5:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m..
• ArtBar at Two Brothers Roundhouse, 205 N. Broadway, will have “Behold: The Eye Show,” Behold: The Eye Show! “Spectaculate” the panopticon with the peculiarity of ocularity at the ArtBar. 7 p.m. to midnight.
• Gary Brown Art Gallery and Studio, 7 S. Broadway, will be open with a “Giving Thanks Party,” with photography by three featured guests for November, professional digital photographers, John Cornelissen, Gary Bahnick, and Randy Benzie. Bluegrass, country, and oldies performed by “Pick’n Downhill” David Dolce and six other musicians and songwriters. 6 p.m. to 10 p.m..
• Aurora Tap House, 134 W. Downer Place, will be host to “Inaccurate Dissections,” a one-night only art pop-up will feature the art of Taylor Wilkes who translates a gut feeling with help from anatomy books and daydreams, with her “Inaccurate Dissections.” She’s trying to make sense of a very finicky stomach with a lot of gut feelings and wordless chains of emotions. 7 p.m. to 10 p.m..
• Balderas Beauty Salon, 25 N. Broadway, will have “Tributo a la Catrina,” with live art body painting by Jose Art, free face-painting, free food, and refreshments. There will be art by Gerardo “Fósil” Rivera. 5 p.m. to 10 p.m..
• If These Walls Could Talk Custom Framing and Gallery, 32 S. Stolp Avenue, will open with “Sacred Spaces: Tania Blanco.” Its month-long art exhibit will feature a collection of original works by artist Tania Blanco. The works all have a spiritual connection and are crafted in both acrylic and mixed media. 7 p.m. to 10 p.m..
• Paramount School of the Arts, 20 S. Stolp Avenue, will be open with tours of the school, as well as a coloring activity for kids. Tours will be given every 20 minutes, and students can color their own Day of the Dead pictures that we will be placed around the school. 6:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m..
• Fonda mi Pueblito, 31 N. Broadway, will offer pictures with mariachi sombrero, and a $1 taco and tamale special. 4 p.m. to 9 p.m..
• Endiro Coffee, 29 W. New York Street, will be open with live music with Emma Lee and new art in the Brick Gallery. 6 p.m. to 9 p.m,.
• Tredwell Coffee, 14 W. Downer Place, Suite 18, will have “A time to #GiveWell,” with the Aurora Interfaith Food Pantry’s donation truck collecting turkeys to start a month of giving. A donation from purchases of a special turkey sandwich will help benefit the Pantry. Music by Adam Linder will be from 6:30 p.m to 8:30 p.m., and new art display by Anton and Preston. 5 p.m. to 9 p.m..
• The Venue, 21 S. Broadway, will be open with “Salsa Fusion with Mora.” Salsa music and dance lessons on the hour. There will be a DJ and food by Mora. 6 p.m to 10 p.m..
• L & L Vintage, 30 N. Broadway, will have a Toys for Tots Drive for the 42nd Chicago Toys for Tots Motorcycle Parade. They will have an open mic night for anyone that wants to participate. 6 p.m. to 9 p.m..
• Santori Public Library, 101 S. River Street, will have “El Día de los Muertos and Ofrendas Competition,” performances by Ballet Folklorico Quetzalcoatl, play loteria, and enjoy music by Unplugged Sin Fronteras with Fernando Quintero and Luis Andre. 5 p.m to 8:30 p.m..
• Wyckwood House, 14 W. Downer Place, Suite 16, will be open with live music from husband and wife duo, Ancient Dan, from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.. Sculpted Image will be in the house offering free chair massage and skin consultations. 5 p.m. to 9 p.m..
• Charlie’s Silver Spoon Creamery, 6 E. Downer Place, will be open with new Fall flavors. 5 p.m. to 10 p.m..
• Warehouse 55, 55 S. Lake Street, will celebrate its “Holiday Open House” with all of its holiday decorations up. Light refreshments. 5 p.m. to 9 p.m..
• Cotton Seed Creative Exchange, 8 N. Broadway, will be host to a Harvest Party with music, apple cider, harvest treats, and a raffle. Coco themed ofrenda and a catrina, too. 5 p.m. to 9 p.m..
• Society 57, 100 S. River Street, will be open for a sneak peek of its renovated space. 6 p.m. to 10 p.m..
• Christian Science Reading Room, 34 S. Stolp Avenue, will be open with music of joy and praise, along with crafts, and treats. 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.
• I of the Angeles, 217 E. Galena Boulevard, will be open with $10 tarot readings and paint a skull for $5 while you wait. 5 p.m. to 10 p.m..
• PreMil, 46 W. New York Street, will have “Nightmare on New York Street.” $5 entry for no costume. 7 p.m. to 10 p.m..
• Aurora Regional Fire Museum, 53 N. Broadway, invites everyone to stop by and learn about its annual Sound the Alarm Fundraiser Sunday, Nov. 3. There will be tickets for sale and raffle baskets. Stop in to purchase an Aurora Strong shirt for $5. 5 p.m. to 8 p.m..
• Aurora Historical Society, 20 E. Downer Place, will be open to explore the gift shop for the holidays. 6 p.m. to 9 p.m..
The Hope Chest, 34 N. Lincoln Avenue, will have its pre-grand opening. Stop for a huge sale plus refreshments and giveaways. 6 p.m. to 9 p.m..
• Zen Loft Wellness Center, 6 W. Downer Place, will be open with performances, dancing, vendors, and massages. There will be tribal belly dance, shop vendors, and the yoga studio. $1/min massages. 6 p.m. to 9 p.m..
• SciTech Hands On Museum, 18 W. Benton Street, will have its first floor for hands-on exploration with a science show at 6 p.m. visitors can explore the Museum for free. 5 p.m. to 8 p.m..
• Gillerson’s Grubbery, 33 W. New York Street, will feature a Day of the Dead cocktail for $8 and will have Cherry Berry Blast Face Painting Co. which will paint half-faced sugar skulls on guests. 5 p.m. to close.
• Gallery 1904, 1 E. Benton Street, will have the “Book of Witches” launch party. Enjoy comics, snacks, and fun. 6 p.m. to 9 p.m..
• La Quinta de los Reyes, 36 E. New York Street, will have a catrinas showcase and contest. Starts at 7 p.m..
• All Spoked Up, 14 W. Downer Place, Suite 12, will be host to Offbeat Thrift and Vintage, a new to you vintage and contemporary clothing and accessories for the slow fashion enthusiast. 6 p.m. to 9 p.m..
First Fridays maps are available at all venues. For more information, visit www.auroradowtown.org.
—Downtown Aurora