First Fridays in downtown Aurora will feature more than 30 venues open with art, music, and more August 6.
Yetee Station will open its new arcade space at 11 N. Broadway in the former Arenkill’s Loan Bank storefront. Owner Mike Mancuso recently renovated the spot while the temporary arcade location at 102 E. Galena Boulevard had been closed for a year due to the pandemic. That location will be open with an art sale on First Fridays.
Artists are welcome to take art off the walls at Gallery 1904, 1 E. Benton Street. The gallery will be open from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. with the George Turner Donation Exhibition and Tribute. Fox Valley artist George Pope Turner, brother-in-law to Marilyn Weisner, died at age 70 in 2014. To honor Turner, his family welcomes attendees that like a piece to take it home to enjoy. Frames and art supplies will be donated.
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 Grumpy Gaucho, Home Run Hot Dogs and Lemonade, Holy Pierogi, and Culinary Gangster. Food vendors are subject to change. Please check Aurora Downtown’s Facebook page for updates.
August 6, a variety of venues will offer sidewalk activities and sales along with the following mix of activities:
Art:
• Aurora Public Art at David L. Pierce Art and History Center, 20 E. Downer Place. “Accelerating Inspiration: Art from Fermilab” showcases the work of photographer Georgia Schwender, textile artist Lindsay Olson, and sculptor Jim Jenkins. 6 p.m. to 9 p.m..
• Superjumbo, 102 E. Galena Boulevard. Flat File Art Sale. Opening of Superjumbo. Gallery of Mike’s Collected screenprints. 5 p.m. to 10 p.m..
• McCarty Mills Taproom, 140 S. River Street, Unit 108. DJ Pryme, Corinne’s Kitchen + Featured Artist Stephanie Wheatley. 5 p.m. until close.
• If These Walls Could Talk Custom Framing & Gallery, 32 S. Stolp Avenue. Peace of My Mind: Mandala art by Eric Goetzinger. 7 p.m. to 10 p.m..
• Aurora Tap House, 134 W. Downer Place. Artist Mike Drost, a Chicago-based artist who uses mixed media to create abstract paintings and sculptures. DJ Alfred at 9 p.m. 5 p.m. to 9 p.m.
• Seven Setting Suns Art Gallery, 14 W. Downer Place, Suite 12. Open studio featuring photography by Vincenzo Valenziano. 2 p.m. to 10 p.m..
• The ArtBar at Two Brothers Roundhouse, 205 N. Broadway. The Return Of The Living ArtBar: ArtBar returns to in person shows for their 10th season. 7 p.m. to midnight.
• Gallery 1904, 1 E. Benton Street, George Turner Donation Exhibition and Tribute. 5 p.m. to 9 p.m.
• Gary Brown Art Gallery, 7 S. Broadway. “In Light of Shadow,” mixed media art creations by Cherylyn Gnadt. Music by Peter Cholewinski. 5 p.m. to 9 p.m..
Music:
• Altiro Latin Fusion, 1 E. Stolp Avenue. Live Spanish rock music with Damián Rivera 6 p.m. to 8 p.m..
• Endiro Coffee, 29 W. New York Street. Live music featuring Daniel and the Sparrows. 7 p.m. to 9 p.m..
• Aurora Uke Fest at Millennium Plaza, 21 S. Stolp Avenue. Catch a preview of Aurora Uke Fest August 22 at the gazebo, SciTech, and Tredwell Coffee. 6 p.m. to 8 p.m..• La Quinta de los Reyes, 36 E. New York Street. Elvis Show by Michael St Angelo | House Margaritas on the rocks $8. 7 p.m. to 9 p.m..
• Gremlen Recording Studios, 130 W. Downer Place. Open Mic featuring Angels of Duality. Studio tours throughout the night. 6:30 p.m. to 11 p.m..
• Tavern on Broadway, 24 N. Broadway. Live Music by Ryan Worthy Duo + free koozies to first 50 guests. 8 p.m. to 11 p.m..
• G.A.R. Memorial Museum, 23 E. Downer Place. Service and Sacrifice: 100 Years of Aurora Excellence. 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: New exhibit of old and new artifacts from the collection. 6 p.m. to 9 p.m..
• Yetee Station, 11 N. Broadway, Arcade opening., 5 p.m. to 11 p.m..
• Aurora Regional Fire Museum, 53 N. Broadway. Museum Store Sale: Everything in the store will be 10% off. 5 p.m. to 8 p.m..
• Paramount School of the Arts, 20 S. Stolp Avenue. Back to School with PSA: Decorate your own VSCO stickers for all of your school supplies. Donate school supplies for local Back to School Events. 6 p.m. to 9 p.m..
• Hope Chest Aurora, 34 N. Lincoln Avenue. Live music by Kurt Sommerville and a STOREWIDE SALE. 6 p.m. to 9 p.m..
• The Perch, 31 W. Downer Place, Suite 301. Calming Strategies for Kids. 5 p.m. to 8 p.m..
• SciTech Hands On Museum, 18 W. Benton Street. Giveaways and reopening previews. 5 p.m. to 8 p.m..
• Legacy Nutrition & Fitness, 77 S. River Streetn Apt. A. Outdoor group fitness classes ($5) for the whole family + Live DJ. 5 p.m. to 7:30 p.m..
• Wyckwood House, 14 W. Downer Place, Suite 16. Live music by Matthew Ripsch. Shop Summer styles at a sidewalk sale. Pop up with NJ Jewels’ charm bar. 5 p.m. to 9 p.m..
• Society 57, 100 S. River Street. Cocktails. 6 p.m. to 9 p.m..
• Sheena & Sheena Baker Group, 105 E Galena Boulevard, Suite 807 Aurora. Homebuying process: Learn how to buy a home. 5 p.m. to 9 p.m..
• Business Unity Expo, Water Street Mall. Vendor tables, Kids Corner, Talent Exposure. 5 p.m. to 10 p.m..
• Waubonsee Community College Faculty Council, 18 S. River Street. Welcome back students + voter registration. 5 p.m. to 9 p.m..
Pop Up:
• All Spoked Up, 14 W. Downer Place, Suite 10. DZHELASI pop-up! Stickers, pins, creepy cute merch. 6 p.m. to 9 p.m..
• The Cotton Seed Creative Exchange, 8 N. Broadway. Sidewalk Sale: Plant sale by Nide Jardin, Roy & Jason’s Popcorn Bar, Tendaji Body Oils Skincare. 6 p.m. to 8:30 p.m..
• Simply Destinee Youth Center, 122 W. Downer Place, Suite 124. Back to School Pop Up. 5 p.m. to 8 p.m..
For more information on First Fridays events, visit auroradowntown.org.
—Aurora Downtown