First Fridays in Aurora will return Friday, April 2 when several venues will open with art, music, and more events. Food trucks will join the monthly event this year. They will park in the lot across from City Hall each date.
In lieu of the annual Food Truck Festival, typically held at May’s First Fridays event, Aurora Downtown will be host to food trucks at Water Street Square every First Fridays this year. As the First Fridays sponsor, the organization wants to continue to reimagine events to allow the community to gather in a safe way.
“We continue to look at creative ways to limit crowds as we return to in-person events in our downtown. We’re excited to offer a variety of options so that the community can enjoy events once again,” said Marissa Amoni, manager of Aurora Downtown.
First Fridays will run through December with the exception of July.
April 2, a variety of venues will offer the following mix of activities:
• Gallery 1904, 1 E. Benton Street, will present “The Masters Revealed,” art by Maureen Gasek, Josue Paiz, John Cornelissen, Beth Kolar, Maryellen Newton, Joe Gagnepain, Soterios Gardiakos, Chaz Nieponski, and Patty Fine Vander Sande. DJ Venom will provide music. 5 p.m. to 8:30 p.m..
• Gary Brown Art Studio and Gallery, 7 S. Broadway, will be open with “Worldly Eclectic Colorful and Intriguing Art Assemblages” by artist Anton Witek. They will offer an art contest and new work by Gary Brown. 5 p.m. to 9 p.m..
• McCarty Mills Taproom, 140 S. River Street, will be host to a pop-up by artist Devan. A portion of art sales will be donated to Vizo Arts. 5 p.m. to 10 p.m..
• Santori Public Library of Aurora, 101 S. River Street, will present works by Aurora community artist Perry Slade and music by Dave Ramont from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m..
• Aurora Tap House, 134 W. Downer Place, will offer live music by band Who Cares starting at 9 p.m..
• Altiro Latin Fusion, 1 S. Stolp Avenue, will feature live music by Damian Rivera and the Altiro Coffee Cart from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m..
• Aurora Regional Fire Museum, 53 N. Broadway, will celebrate the Museum’s 1921 Stutz fire engine turning 100 years old. Free photos and birthday hats from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m..
• Zen Loft Wellness Center, 6 W. Downer Place, will present the Camelia Danza Belly Dance show at 7 p.m..
• Offbeat Thrift and Vintage, 14 W. Downer Place, Suite 16 basement, will be open with a Seconds Sale. Explore a special selection of backstock, clearance, and imperfect inventory. Most items will be available for $5 and less will be open until 9 p.m..
• Society 57, 100 S. River Street, will open from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m..
• Aurora Tap House, 24 N. Broadway, will be open with art and music from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m..
• The Cotton Seed Creative Exchange, 8 N. Broadway, will feature “A Pigment of Your Imagination,” a pop up with artist Dzhelasi and Thalo Halo. The first 50 guests will receive a special free item from the artist. 6 p.m. to 8:30 p.m..
• Wyckwood House, 14 W. Downer Place, Suite 16, will be open from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. with music by Lydia Miller, and jewelry designer Danielle Christine who features repurposed, reused, and reloved jewelry.
• Judd Lofchie & Associates, 76 S. Broadway, will feature an on-street video games lounge. Play video games in a climate-controlled game theater from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m..
• Payton’s Photography, 14 W. Downer Place, Suite 8, will have a photographer’s garage sale with backdrops, props, and other related photography items for sale until 8 p.m..
For those looking for a crowd-free experience, First Fridays will offer the following:
• Aurora Historical Society at David L. Pierce Art and History Center, 20 E. Downer Place.
• Play ball! A historical baseball storefront display highlighting Aurora’s baseball history with historic photos and artifacts.
• Egg Hunt on the Island, 14 locations. Enjoy a self-guided scavenger hunt throughout downtown. Find egg posters in storefronts and scan the QR code to enter a giveaway.
• Awakenings, various locations. Celebrate National Poetry Month in April. Wander downtown and find a dozen poems submitted by community poets in storefronts.
For more information on First Fridays events, visit auroradowntown.org.
—Aurora Downtown