It was a party with a purpose in Aurora Thursday night.
The purpose was to celebrate iconic artist Andy Warhol while attracting residents and visitors to the downtown business district.
Hundreds danced the night away at Aurora’s kick-off to its Color Me Warhol Summer Experience with a special Studio 54 Celebration in the heart of downtown, which now features several outdoor art installations and two indoor galleries focused on Warhol and pop art.
Mayor Irvin, dressed in authentic 70s clothes, hosted the ribbon cutting ceremony followed by performances by a Michael Jackson impersonator who had the young and old mimicking his moves and two hours of oldies but goodies songs from the Studio 54 era.
There were food trucks, restaurant deals, and arts & crafts for the kids.
Aurora is one of 26 cities in DuPage County and the greater Fox Valley area participating in the Warhol Summer Experience inspired by the College of DuPage’s new Andy Warhol exhibit. The regional approach to art and marketing is aimed at increasing tourism and business.
“Nobody does it like Aurora,” said Diana Martinez, Executive Director of the College of DuPage’s McAnich Center for the Arts and the visionary beyond this summer’s regional experience. “Wow Wow Wow! Tonight is beyond expectations. Aurora is filled with artists and a city government that supports the arts.”
Warhol-inspired art in Aurora will remain on display throughout the summer. Aurora will be host to two more Studio 54 on Stolp Celebrations, the next one Thursday, July 13, from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m., and the final one will be held on what would have been Warhol’s 95th birthday Sunday, August 6, from noon to 3 p.m.
See www.aurora-il.org/Warhol for more upcoming events.
— City government of Aurora, Ill.