Stolp Island Block Party brings live music, art to Aurora's First Fridays Aug. 4

Stolp Island Block Party adds some outdoor fun to First Fridays on Aug. 4 and Sept. 1.

The block party, hosted by the Aurora Downtown organization of downtown business and property owners, features live art, live music, an outdoor market, a beer tent, and more. The block party will be 6 to 10 p.m. on Stolp Avenue from Galena Boulevard to Downer Place.

About a dozen artists will create live art on Stolp in front of If These Walls Could Talk, who is curating the art portion of the evening. The First Fridays summer concert series continues on Aug. 4 with Ron Porter Trio at 6 p.m. and Scott Tipping Trio at 8 p.m. at the gazebo at Millennium Plaza.

An outdoor market features fresh, locally grown produce from Renewed Roots Initiative; baked goods by Frosted Fig; homemade soaps from Aroma Roots; essential oils and more from Illuminate Space; and unique fresh air topiaries from Aurora Botanicals.

Food vendors include Grumpy Gaucho, Taco Grill, and Gobble Doggs. Gillerson's Grubbery is setting up a beer tent at the festivities.

Art openings, live music, and more are featured at First Fridays on Aug. 4 at several locations throughout downtown including:

• If These Walls Could Talk, 32 S. Stolp Ave., opens "Pencils and Pallets," art from Eva Balek & Jennifer Hunger from 7 to 11 p.m.

• Culture Stock, 43 E. Galena Blvd., hosts an annual urban art show from 4 to 9 p.m. Spoken word starts at 8:30 p.m.

• Gallery 1904, 1 E. Benton St., features "Three Artists in One Space" from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m.

• Indie Studio Space, 105 E. Galena Blvd., welcomes director Andre Boyd and photographer Ryan Lynch from 5 to 8 p.m.

• David L. Pierce Art and History Center, 20 E. Downer Place, is currently exhibiting "Aurora Story; With the Colors of Aurora" from 6 to 9 p.m.

• River's Edge Cafe, 14 W. Downer Place, Suite 18, welcomes musical act Chasing Rain 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, Zen Loft Wellness Center, and Rocktown Adventures. Rocktown Adventures, 107 Spruce St., offers free 15-minute paddle rides from 6 to 7:30 p.m. Note, river levels could affect rides.

Aurora Regional Fire Museum, 53 N. Broadway, continues hosting a handful of area artisans at its monthly pop up shop. This month, they also feature a fire demonstrations 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.

SciTech Hands On Museum is open with their indoor planetarium StarLab from 6 to 8 p.m.

Joining the First Fridays lineup, Christ Community Church opens Community Coffeehouse, 78 S. LaSalle St., with live music, coffee, and tacos from 6 to 9 p.m., and Endiro Coffee, 29 W. New York St., is open with Fresh Fridays, a mix of local produce and local art.

First Fridays maps are available at all venues. Free trolley rides run from 6 to 10 p.m.

For information, visit www.auroradowntown.org.