First Friday celebrates Day of Dead Nov. 2

First Fridays celebrates Day of the Dead Nov. 2. Several venues will be open for art shows and community ofrenda displays along with an outdoor celebration and a fashion show.

Jose Torres once again brings the annual Day of the Dead celebration to downtown Aurora. Torres is the director of Athziry Dia de los Muertos, a nonprofit that gives scholarships to local students.

The event kicks off with an opening ceremony at 4 p.m. at the David L. Pierce Art and History Center, 20 E. Downer Place followed by the celebration from 5 to 8 p.m. at the parking lot just east of SciTech Hands On Museum, 18 W. Benton St., then closing with a fashion show starting at 9:30 p.m. at La Quinta de los Reyes, 36 E. New York St.

Community altar displays will be at Santori Public Library and Day of the Dead art shows at multiple venues.

Aurora Downtown will host a free pop-up photo booth with Cloud Foto that will be at Zen Loft, 6 W. Downer Place from 7 to 9 p.m.

Visit pop-up shops at All Spooked Up, Aurora Regional Fire Museum, and Wyckwood House, and ride a free trolley from 6 to 10 p.m.

The night also features more than 20 venues open with art, music, and more for First Fridays.

• Santori Public Library, 101 S. River St., will stay open with Day of the Dead altars from 5 to 8:30 p.m. Stop by for refreshments, music, loteria and crafts for kids.

• Waubonsee Community College Aurora Downtown campus library, 18 S. River St., will be open with a Dia de los Muertos art show and open mic hosted by Latinos Unidos and MEChA student organization from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m.

• If These Walls Could Talk Custom Framing & Gallery, 32 S. Stolp Ave., will host "Día de los Muertos" from 7 to 10 p.m. The show features the talents of six local artists: Jorge Alvarez, Carlos Deltizzle, Lita Lu, Christopher Lucero, Josue Paiz and Jose Torres.

• Balderas Beauty Salon, 25 N. Broadway, will host famous body painter Jose Art who will host an art show and do face painting free to the public from 5 to 8 p.m.

• Aurora Public Art, 20 E. Downer Place, will be open with a Day of the Dead reception starting at 4 p.m. on the first floor gallery; "Finding Home" closes on the third floor. Bring photos to display among a community altar. Open until 9 p.m.

• Aurora Historical Society, 20 E. Downer Place, hosts "Aurora Story" on the second floor from 6 to 9 p.m. Walk-through history of Aurora, plus mini exhibits on the centenary of the end of World War I, and ethnicity and diversity in Aurora. Photographer Perry Slade will be in the gift shop signing photographs.

• The ArtBar at Two Brothers Roundhouse, 205 N. Broadway, will host a one-night pop up called "Los Alebrijes." Alebrijes are fantastical hodgepodges of real and imagined creatures. Sarah Cervantes is featured in the Lounge from 7 p.m. to midnight.

• The Web, 134 W. Downer Place, will be open with "Halloween is over, but not: Works by Anton Witek" from 7 p.m. to midnight

• Oddlots, 121 W. Benton St., will host "Make Your Mark," a solo show featuring William Grahame Wilkin III solo show from 6 to 9 p.m.

• Branch Gardens, 77 S. Lake St., will feature artist Cheryl Holz from 5 to 8 p.m. Stop by for hot cider and apple cider doughnuts.

• Endiro Coffee, 29 W. New York St., welcomes musician Daniel Becker from 6 to 9 p.m.

• Gremlen Recording Studios, 130 W. Downer Place, will host its annual Gremlen Halloween Party from 6 to 9 p.m.

• Tredwell Coffee, 14 W. Downer Pl. Ste. 18, will be open late with musical group Saint Astro from 7 to 9 p.m.

• Wyckwood House, 14 W. Downer Place, Ste. 16, will feature face painting and James Deans, a pop up jewelry artist from 5 to 9 p.m.

• SciTech, 18 W. Benton St., is open for exploration at no cost from 5 to 8 p.m.

• Grand Army of the Republic Memorial Museum, 23 E. Downer Pl., will host a special George Dahlin exhibit from 6 to 9 p.m. Dahlin fought in the 33rd Division A.E.F. during the First World War as part of the 129th Illinois Infantry, Machine Gun Company.

• Christian Science Reading Room, 34 S. Stolp Ave., will be open with free kids crafts, prizes, and gifts from 6 to 9 p.m.

• Zen Loft Wellness Center, 6 W. Downer Place, will be open with performances, demos, messages, and more from 6 to 9 p.m. First Fridays photo booth will be visiting from 7 to 9 p.m.

• La Quinta de los Reyes, 36 E. New York St., will host the Day of the Dead fashion show at 9:30 p.m. A $5 donation is requested.

• Calla Lily Victorian Tea Room, 83 S. LaSalle St., will be open with complimentary tea tastings of their handcrafted proprietary teas from 5 to 8 p.m. Scones and dainty desserts will be available for purchase. Erica Swanson, author of the children's book 'Bellossoms' will be doing caricature drawings and displaying her series.

• Family Counseling Services, 70 S. River St., will be open for "Fall into Gratitude," a family party with activities, crafts, yoga, and more from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m.

Pop up shops and more are open at the following locations:

• Gillerson's Grubbery, 31 W New York St., will feature KC Kandles from 6 to 9 p.m.

• Aurora Regional Fire Museum, 53 N. Broadway, will be open from 5 to 9 p.m. with the Aurora Fire Department Photography Show with more than two dozen photographs curated by firefighter James DeSomer plus pop-up shops. Be the first to purchase a Cocoa Crawl mug for $5.

• All Spoked Up - Aurora, 14 W. Downer Place, Suite 12, will be open with artisan Leslie Jenner of Jennerations from 6 to 9 p.m.

First Fridays maps are available at all venues. Free trolley rides from downtown parking areas run approximately every 10 to 15 minutes from 6 to 10 p.m. For more information, visit www.auroradowntown.org.