First Fridays will back Friday, Aug. 7. After taking things and online virtual for three months, the night of art, music, and more items of interest will return under the State’s Phase 4 guidelines.
“We’ve been reimagining many of our events in downtown Aurora, and we are now seeing what events we can start bringing back in a socially-responsible way. First Fridays has multiple venues, as well as both indoor and outdoor activities which allows for appropriate social distancing,” said Marissa Amoni, manager of Aurora Downtown, the nonprofit group that promotes the event.
Amoni said an example of outdoor activities offered will be live music, dancing, and a scavenger hunt. All indoor activities will require masks and attendance will be limited as per current guidelines.
• Simply Destinee will perform “Dis-dancing,” a dance tutorial for all ages at the Aurora Public Library parking lot at Benton and Lake Streets. 5 p.m. to 8 p.m..
• AKA Dance, 80 S. River Street Suite 100, will offer a Summer class pass. Pick up a coupon for one free trial class at their brand new studio. Limit one. 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m..
• Sergio Furniture, 36 W. Downer Place, will be open with Catrinas of Aurora. Handmade art from Mexico will be on sale. 5 p.m. to 9 p.m..
• Gallery 1904, 1 E. Benton Street, will present “Beyond the Walls,” an exhibition of graffiti and street art featuring artists John Cornelissen, Pierre Lucero, Jose Art, Stlthart, Fiskcreations, Fundthemental, Gary Bahnick, Devin, Donna Arnold, Shreddinkk, Josue Paiz, Carlos Deltizzle, Sam Cervantes, and Jose Torres. 5:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m..
• Warehouse 55, 55 S. Lake Street, will be open to continue its second floor grand opening. Twenty vendors have been added to the store. 5 p.m. to 8 p.m..
• Ballydoyle, 28 W. New York Street, will have live music on the deck from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m..
• All Spoked Up, 14 W. Downer Place Suite 12, will be host to All Out Records for a vinyl pop up. 6 p.m. to 9 p.m..
• Aurora Regional Fire Museum, 53 N. Broadway, will be open on the first floor. There will be a free take-home craft and a gift shop sale. 5 p.m. to 7 p.m..
• Gary Brown Art, 7 S. Broadway, will be host to “Abstract Sculptures” featuring Kip Pasta. 6 p.m. to 10 p.m..
• SciTech Hands On Museum, 18 W. Benton Street, will present “SciTech on the Island,” free scavenger hunt activity kits to explore downtown. The museum is closed, however, will be open for First Fridays. 5 p.m. to 7 p.m..
• Zen Loft Wellness Center, 6 W. Downer Place, will be open with Camelia Danza Belly Dance starting at 7:30 p.m..
• The Venue, 21 S. Broadway, will be host to “Salute to Roy Orbison” Tribute with Rick Lindy and the Wild Ones broadcast to Mundy Park. It is a ticketed event. Tickets can be purchased at themusicvenue.org. 8 p.m..
• Gillerson’s Grubbery, 33 W. New York Street, will have water balloons and craft beers outside on Pinney Street. 6 p.m. to 10 p.m..
• Endiro Coffee, 29 W. New York Street, will present live music with Echo and Ranson along with menu specials. 6 p.m. to 9 p.m..
• The Cotton Seed Creative Exchange, 8 N. Broadway, will celebrate its grand reopening with gift bags and coffee sampling. 6 p.m. to 9 p.m..
• Aurora Tap House, 134 W. Downer Place, will be host to “Quarantine Creations,” an art show and feature bartender Ashley. 6 p.m. to 9 p.m..
• The Riverfront Playhouse, 11-13 Water Street Mall, will offer live music outside on the mall and feature The Heels and Eric Peter Schwartz. 5:30 p.m. to 10 p.m..
• Wyckwood House, 14 W. Downer Place Suite 16, will be host to Wild Flour – A Vegan Bakery pop-up at the shop. 5 p.m. to 9 p.m..
All venues will adhere to Phase 4 guidelines, and masks will be required at indoor venues. The trolley will not be running. Maps will be available online at auroradowntown.org.
—Aurora Downtown