Take trolley tour of Aurora art, culture venues
Visitors can hop aboard an old-time trolley and enjoy an art and cocktail cruise through downtown Aurora as part of First Fridays on Feb. 6.
The trolley will circle around downtown and stop at some of the more than 10 First Fridays venues.
Participants can get their pinball wizard out and head down to the Yetee Gallery, 110 Cross St. The Yetee fortress is throwing a party with a pinball tournament, Nintendo's Super Smash Bros, and new shirt designs. First Friday canvas bags are available for $10, with all proceeds benefiting Fox Valley El Sistema's strings in schools program.
If These Walls Could Talk, 32 S. Stolp Ave., is open with a solo art show from 7 to 11 p.m. The show continues throughout February.
It's a birthday party at the David L. Pierce Art and History Center, 20 E. Downer Place, where the Aurora Historical Society is opening an exhibit, "The Life and Times of William A. Tanner, 1815-1892," with a reception celebrating Tanner's 200th birthday.
The society is also unveiling a new fund, "The Birthday Fund," that will support various printing expenses for biographical and tour materials at the Tanner House.
Paramount Theatre's Grand Gallery on the second floor is hosting a new exhibit from 6 to 9 p.m. featuring the work of Nick Freeman, Scott Harding and aspiring artists from North Central College.
It's the Sin Show at the ArtBar this month. The ArtBar, in the tavern at Two Brothers Roundhouse, features more than two dozen local artists for one night only. Visit the ArtBar from 6 p.m. to midnight.
Allen and Pepa Architects, 121 W. Benton St., is hosting an event for the 3-D sculpture artists and their submissions for a public sculpture at the new Aurora Public Library. Congratulate the winning artist and see the winning rendering from 6:30 to 8 p.m. The entire event will run from 5 to 9 p.m.
Local musicians will perform at an open mic hosted by Culture Stock from 6 to 8 p.m. at 43 E. Galena Blvd. Musicians are invited to sign up starting at 5:30 p.m. Friday. Attendees can enjoy acoustic, family-friendly performances.
New Hites Studios and Gallery is open for browsing upstairs at 14 W. Downer Place. Visit the studios of artists MartÃn Soto, Kit Sunderland, Toty Pix, and others from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. Get a professional headshot taken by Prairie Pro Photo.
SciTech Hands On Museum, 18 W. Benton St., is open from 6 to 8 p.m. with free fun for the whole family. Local works of art along with art stations are set up during the evening.
The Light of the Heart, 52 W. Downer Place, is open from 6 to 9 p.m. with "Transforming the Heart through Art: A Client and Staff Showing." Stop in and see how Melissa Hedlund, who directs the nonprofit group, is changing lives through art.
River's Edge Cafe, 14 W. Downer Place, will be open from 6 to 10 p.m. with music starting at 7 p.m. The artwork of Kit Sunderland will be featured on the cafe walls.
First Fridays in Downtown Aurora invites the community to enjoy art, music, food, theater, and more on the first Friday of the month. All events are free and art is for sale.
For more information, a list of First Fridays specials at participating businesses, and for a map of venues, visit www.auroradowntown.org.