Aurora's First Fridays kicks off June 2
On June 2, summer kicks off in downtown Aurora as live music fills the gazebo at Millennium Plaza and 15 venues open with art, music, and more for First Fridays in downtown Aurora.
First Fridays' summer concert series welcomes School of Rock from Mokena, Illinois, at 6 p.m. and country music artist Eric Chesser at 8 p.m. Concerts are free and held at Millennium Plaza, 21 S. Stolp Ave., adjacent to Leland Tower.
A few food trucks, including Grumpy Gaucho and Gobble Doggs, will be parked on Stolp Avenue from 6 to 10 p.m.
Native Auroran and Yorkville resident Joel Frieders is back at Gillerson's Grubbery, 33 W. New York St., with his second book, "This Call May Be Recorded, Too." Frieders will be signing books from 6:30 to 9 p.m.
Art openings and live music are featured at several locations throughout downtown including:
• If These Walls Could Talk, 32 S. Stolp Ave., opens "Transitions: Shane Small." from 7 to 11 p.m.
• Repertoire Reservoir Studios, upstairs at 14 W. Downer Place, is open from 7 to 10 p.m.
• Santori Public Library, 101 S. River St., is open with art by Gerardo R. Madrigal and music by DJ Marco from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m.
• Holbrook Mill, 121 W. Benton St., features "Thompson Johnson: The Art of TJ Banks" from 6 to 9 p.m.
• David L. Pierce Art and History Center, 20 E. Downer Place, is currently exhibiting "With the Colors of Aurora: An Exhibit Memorializing the First World War" from 6 to 9 p.m.
• River's Edge Cafe, 14 W. Downer Place, Suite 18, welcomes musician Dan Becker from 7 to 9 p.m.
• Leland Legends, 1 S. Stolp Ave., is open with karaoke starting at 8:30 p.m.
A number of downtown businesses are also open with offerings including AKA Dance, All Spoked Up, and Rocktown Adventures. Rocktown Adventures, 107 Spruce St., offers free 15-minute paddle rides from 6 to 7:30 p.m.
Aurora Regional Fire Museum, 53 N. Broadway, continues hosting a handful of artisans at its monthly pop-up shop. This month they also feature a fire sale from 6 to 9 p.m.
Stop by the GAR Museum, 23 E. Downer Place, and visit the museum shop across the street at 20 E. Downer Place from 6 to 9 p.m.
Also open during First Fridays for a sneak peek is SciTech Hands On Museum from 6 to 8 p.m. and Zen Loft Wellness Center, with $5 mini classes from 6 to 9 p.m.
The Riverfront Playhouse continues its run of "Bus Stop" at 8 p.m. for $17. Tickets are available at www.riverfrontplayhouse.com.
First Fridays maps are available at all venues. Free trolley rides from 6 to 10 p.m. There will be no First Fridays in July. The event returns with Stolp Island Block Party on Aug. 4. For more information, visit www.auroradowntown.org.