Day of the Dead parade, new logo launch at First Fridays Nov. 4
First Fridays on Nov. 4 includes art, music, a Day of the Dead parade, and a new logo launch. Visit 17 venues open on the first Friday of November in downtown Aurora.
The monthly celebration of art, music, and culture invites patrons to dress up in costume, wear makeup or masks, or bring puppets to the first Day of the Dead parade outside of Culture Stock bookstore on Water Street Mall at 7:30 p.m.
Children who create Day of the Dead masks at the downtown bookstore from 6 to 8 p.m. on Thursday are invited back to be part of the parade.
Aurora Regional Fire Museum welcomes patrons to be part of their new logo launch with the Aurora Regional Chamber of Commerce on Friday. Executive director Brian Failing will unveil the logo and a celebration will follow from 6 to 8 p.m.
Art is featured at the following venues on Nov. 4:
• Allen + Pepa Architects Art Gallery, 121 W. Benton, opens a solo show featuring sculptural collage artist Anton Witek from 5 to 9 p.m.
• If These Walls Could Talk, 32 S. Stolp Ave. opens "In Flux," a solo show featuring mixed media artist Laura Lein-Svencner from 7 to 11 p.m.
• David L. Pierce Art & History Center, 20 E. Downer Place, is open with "Camp Hammond, 1861" on the first floor from 7 to 10 p.m.
• The ArtBar at Two Brothers Roundhouse, 205 N. Broadway, pops up with "The Despair Show from 6 p.m. to midnight.
• Repertoire Reservoir Studios, 14 W. Downer Place, upstairs is open with Vincenzo Valenziano's "The Humanity of Deities," a show heading to the heart from 7 to 10 p.m.
• Blue Bird Beat Cafe, 9 S. Stolp Ave., features photography of the Fox River by local students working with Watershed Watchdogs from 6 to 8 p.m.
Music will be featured at the following locations:
• River's Edge Cafe, 14 W. Downer Place, Ste. 18, welcomes the Barn Party at 7 p.m.
• Ballydoyle, 28 W. New York St., is open with music by Jake Mack on the main stage and art by Nate Velasquez from 5 to 9 p.m.
• Leland Legends, 1 S. Stolp Ave., is open with karaoke from 8:30 p.m. to 12:30 a.m.
The following venues will be open with a variety of offerings:
• Culture Stock, 43 E. Galena Blvd. features "Respect the Mic," spoken word open mic with Brandy Gilliam from 8 to 9:30 p.m.
• Gillerson's Grubbery, 33 W. New York St., features Tailwinds rum and tequila tasting from 7 to 9 p.m.
• AKA Dance, 14 W. Downer Pl. Ste 10, welcomes guests with hot chocolate and popcorn from 6 to 7:30 p.m.
• Zen Loft Wellness Center, 6 W. Downer, upstairs, is open with belly dance, yoga, massage, and more from 6 to 9 p.m.
• SciTech Hands On Museum, 18 W. Benton St. features a sampling of art and science in the lobby of the historic, old post office from 6 to 8 p.m.
• Aurora Regional Fire Museum, 53 N. Broadway, celebrates its new logo with a launch party and Fire Safety Mad Libs from 6 to 8 p.m.
• G.A.R. Museum, 23 E. Downer Place, continues its Civil War reenactment from 6 to 8 p.m.
• PME Cake Decorating, 35 N. Broadway, offers a free cupcake decorating demo. Additional offerings can be purchased from 5 to 6 p.m.
• Pick up a free First Fridays passport at any of the venues. Punch your passport and turn in at your last venue for a chance to win a First Fridays goody bag filled with gift certificates and more.
All events are free and art is for sale. Free trolley rides serving parking lots and circling downtown run from 7 to 10 p.m. For more information, a list of First Fridays specials at participating businesses, and for a map of venues, visit www.auroradowntown.org.
Aurora Downtown is an organization of downtown property and business owners who are dedicated to making downtown Aurora a premier destination for arts, culture, entertainment, dining, living, and working.