Aurora Downtown will start its 10th season of First Fridays February 4. The nothing-else-like-it event that opens up dozens of downtown venues with art, music, and more continues to attract locals and visitors with a variety of options for all ages.
In February, a handful of venues will offer specials for Love Local Days, a two-week long celebration that encourages supporting downtown businesses. Visitors can tag #lovelocaldays and @downtownaurora on Instagram to enter giveaways.
Nearly two dozen venues will be open this Friday:
Artesan Lofts Art Gallery, 2 S. Stolp Avenue, will have an open house from 6 p.m. to 8:30 p.m..
Aurora Tap House, 134 W. Downer Place, will be open from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. with Painting Clarity, an art show by Ana. DJ Alfred will play at 9 p.m..
Gary Brown Art Gallery and Studio, 7 S. Broadway, will have an open gallery featuring Gary Brown from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m..
If These Walls Could Talk Custom Framing & Gallery, 32 S. Stolp Avenue, will present “heART tales: Cherylyn Gnadt.” Relief and collagraph printmaking, mixed media often accompanied with verse from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m..
Aurora Public Art, 20 E. Downer Place at David L. Pierce Art and History Center, will bring back Winter Garden of Youth: Art by Aurora’s K-12 students. About 200 artworks by Aurora youth from kindergarten through high school from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m..
ArtBar at Two Brothers Roundhouse, 205 N. Broadway, will present The Purple Show from 7 p.m. to midnight.
La Quinta De los Reyes, 36 E. New York Street, will have live music with La Sociedad D’Paul: Celebrando el mes del Amor from 6:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. Enjoy free palomas and margaritas sample with Hornitos for Love Local Days.
Altiro Latin Fusion, 1 S. Stolp Avenue, will feature Live Spanish Rock with Damián Rivera from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Altiro Family Packages for two to eight people are available for Love Local Days.
Tredwell Coffee, 14 W. Downer Place, Suite 18, will be open with coffee and live music by Nick Wiesner from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m..
Tavern on Broadway, 24 N. Broadway, will have guitarist Ryan Worthy from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m..
Enter to win one of four $25 gift certificates for Love Local Days.
Gallery 1904, 1 E. Benton Street, will have Document The Abuse’s “Looking Within: The Power of the Pink Ram.” Local artist Karen Caputo plus local artists and treats available from Ana’s Custom Treats from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m..
McCarty Mills Taproom and Bottleshop, 140 S. River Street, will feature art, food and music with Justin Wise, RKN TCO, and Skilled Art until 10 p.m..
French 75 Gallery and Lounge, 56 E. Galena Boulevard, will feature a new cocktail: “Love Aurora Bloom” The lounge is open from 5 p.m. until midnight. All artwork will be 10% off for Love Local Days.
Simply Destinee, 122 W. Downer Place, Suite 124, will have Culture Stock’s “Respect the Mic” Spoken Word Open Mic. Share poetry or enjoy the show. Light appetizers served. Ages 18+ suggested. All ages welcome. 8 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. Purchase books for $1 for Love Local Days.
G.A.R. Museum, 23 E. Downer Place, will be open with their current exhibit “Veteran Societies of Aurora.” Explore the numerous societies formed in Aurora to fight for veterans rights and pensions. Open for free from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m..
Aurora Regional Fire Museum, 53 N. Broadway, will have Lego Pinewood Racing. Come build a Lego race car and race it down the Boy Scouts Pinewood Derby Race Track against a Lego Fire Truck. Museum also open from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m..
Zen Loft Wellness Center, 6 W. Downer Place upstairs, will have an open house with music by Mo Pippy plus massages for $1/min., shop I of the Angeles, and lounge in hammocks from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. Enjoy walk-in massages, $10 tarot mini reading, free 15 minute guitar, bass, or ukulele mini lesson for Love Local Days.
Wyckwood House, 14 W. Downer Place, Suite 16, will have Slate and Clove Collective with a make-your-own-bath-soak bar. Live music by Lydia Miller. Open from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. Receive 10 percent off purchase if you mention “Love Local” for Love Local Days.
Society 57, 100 S. River Street, will be open with “Cocktails and Bites” from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m.
Community Christian Church, 78 S. LaSalle Street, will have Karaoke Night. Come and enjoy some coffee and desserts while you and your friends enjoy a night of song from 6:45 p.m. to 8 p.m..
The Perch, 31 W. Downer Place, Suite 301, will offer a free heart craft for all ages. Have a seat and create, then take home your craft when you’re finished. 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. Check out a class special discount for Love Local Days.
Gillerson’s Grubbery, 33 W. New York Street, will feature CBD Bingo: Celebrating National Hemp Day, Gillerson’s partners with Uncle Stu’s and Urbane Hemp Company for a selection of prizes. 8:30 p.m. to 10:30 p.m..
For a complete map and participating venues, visit auroradowntown.org.
— Aurora Downtown