First Fridays brings art, culture, music and food together for one more summer party

First Fridays is gearing up for its final summer party of the season this Friday in downtown Aurora.

The night of art and music includes more than 20 venues along with Roots Aurora on Water Street Mall and food trucks on Downer Place.

Roots Aurora from 5 to 9 p.m. is an annual festival that celebrates cultures through art, food, music, and dancing. The festival joins First Fridays for the first time this year to bring the community a night of art, history, and culture.

Food trucks including Gobble Doggs, Grumpy Gaucho, and Taco Grill will add to the festivities. This month, the trucks will be parked on Downer Place just east of Stolp Avenue from 6 to 10 p.m. Roots Aurora will offer a variety of food vendors as well.

• Paramount Theatre Art Gallery, 23 E. Galena Blvd., hosts its fall reception featuring eight house artists. Meet the artists and enjoy complimentary appetizers from 7 to 9 p.m.

• The ArtBar is back for a new season with "The Fresh Blood Show" from 6 p.m. to midnight. The pop up art show is now stationed in the Two Brothers Cafe and archive bar.

• Emergent, 14 W. Downer Place, Suite 16, is open with "Transitions & Transformations," the work of artist Jeff Del Nero from 6 to 9 p.m.

• Santori Library, 101 S. River St., hosts the 58th annual Aurora Art League Members Show with an artist reception from 5:30 to 9 p.m. The show continues through Sept. 9.

• The Beer Garden on the lower level behind Ballydoyle Irish Pub will feature street festival food and a limited beer and wine menu. Soulful guitarist Joey J. Saye performs from 7 to 9 p.m. on the outdoor stage.

• Stop by the Aurora Regional Fire Museum, 53 N. Broadway, from 6 to 8 p.m. and get a chance to win a pizza party with Chief Gary Krienitz of the Aurora Fire Department or Chief Kristen Ziman of the Aurora Police Department. Tickets are $1 and all proceeds will be donated to relief funds for both departments. Also, check out the museum's new display, "Testing Our Strength: From the Great Chicago Fire to 9/11," about five major events that have impacted Aurora, the region, and the nation.

• If These Walls Could Talk, 32 S. Stolp Ave., open "Eyes of the Beholder," a solo show featuring paintings by Jacqueline Fowler of Aurora, from 7 to 11 p.m.

• Family jam band Summer Monkeys perform a free concert at 6 p.m. in the gazebo at Millennium Plaza on Stolp Avenue. Rock and blues trio Noah's Arcade also performs at 8 p.m.

• Allen + Pepa Architects, 121 W. Benton St., opens "Lines and Spaces," oil, ink and encaustic paintings by Pat Lagger from 5 to 9 p.m.

• Community Christian welcomes visitors to their new space at 78 S. LaSalle St. Celebrate their new space and enjoy music by Dan Becker from 6 to 9 p.m.

• Mission Possible, 63 S. Broadway, features artist Molly Haupt along with graffiti artist Milton Coronado, and musician Steve VanDenend from 6 to 9 p.m.

• David L. Pierce Art & History Center, 20 E. Downer Place, is open 6 to 9 p.m. with "Collective Muse," a new exhibit featuring the Midwest Collage Society. "Aurora Story" is on the second floor.

• Artists Katie Lentz and Damon Rowley are featured inside Ballydoyle Irish Pub, 28 W. New York St., from 6 to 9 p.m.

• Repertoire Reservoir Studios, upstairs at 14 W. Downer Place offers "An Exploration of the Senses: Photography and Paints" with works by Vincenzo Valenziano and Robert J. Salerno III from 7 to 10 p.m.

• SciTech Hands On Museum, 18 W. Benton St., is open at no cost to visitors from 6 to 8 p.m.

• AKA Dance, 14 W. Downer Place, hosts a dance carnival at Suite 210. Come get fresh popcorn and play games from 6 to 7 p.m.

• Rocktown Adventures, 107 Spruce St., provides free canoe and kayak rides from 6 to 7:30 p.m.

• G.A.R. Museum, 23 E. Downer Place, is only open on Saturdays and during First Fridays from 6 to 9 p.m. Take a look at the recently restored Civil War museum.

• Gillerson's Grubbery, 33 W. New York St., hosts Revolution Brewery Night to kick off their brewery of the month. Check out the new fall menu from 6 to 9 p.m.

• Oxie Affordable Optical, 131 W. Galena Blvd., offers complimentary makeovers with makeup artist Silvia Heimann. Dr. Hina Lodhia is on hand for free eye exam screenings from 5 to 8 p.m.

• Zen Loft Wellness Center, upstairs at 6 W. Downer Place, hosts an open house and chair massages.

• Culture Stock, 43 E. Galena Blvd., hosts an open mic for an array of talent from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m.

Pick up a free passport with First Fridays map at any venue. Free trolley service runs throughout downtown from 6 to 9 p.m.

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.com.