Aurora's First Fridays has a 'Pride' theme June 7

First Fridays kicks off Aurora's Pride Weekend with pride-themed events and a new food truck food court June 7 at the night of art, music, and more in downtown Aurora. Enjoy pride-themed photo booths, rainbow balloons, sidewalk chalk, art, poetry and more.

Also at June's First Fridays, get a sneak peek at The Venue.

The Fox Valley Music Foundation headquarters will be one of three venues featuring vinyl records before a ticketed show that evening.

The Food Truck Food Court will feature a rotating handful of vendors parked in Lot B across from City Hall on Water Street between Downer Place and Benton Street. On June 7, Harvey's Fire Box, Don Pez Fish Tacos, Grumpy Gaucho, and Burritoville join the food court from 5 to 9 p.m. Lineup is subject to change.

Enjoy several venues open to the public. Free trolley rides are offered from 6 to 10 p.m.

Santori Public Library, 101 S. River St., will host "Proud Visions: Images from June 17, 2018 Aurora's Inaugural Pride Parade," featuring pieces by photographers Nathan Villotti, Robb Winder, and Indivisible Aurora, as well as several snapshots submitted by members of the community from 6 to 9 p.m. The Fox Valley Orchestra Jazz Ensemble performs.

• Aurora Public Art, 20 E. Downer Place, third floor, will open "What Does Empathy Look Like?" from 6 to 9 p.m. Local artists were asked what empathy looks like, and paintings, photography, sculpture and poetry will address this idea in both literal and abstract ways, according to Aurora Public Art director Jen Evans. Spoken word performance will occur throughout the evening and many of the artists will be in attendance.

• Gary Brown Art Gallery and Studio, 7 S. Broadway, will be open with "An Evening of Fine Art and Music Expressions" from 6 p.m. to midnight. Featured artists include Ariel Rodriguez, a graduate of the School of the Art Institute of Chicago, who specializes in oil paintings and acrylic pouring, and Christina Snider, whose oil paintings and scratchboard art pieces will continue to be displayed through June. Live performances by Music Expressions in Naperville from 6 to 10 p.m.

• Aurora Tap House, 134 W. Downer Place, will host "Through My Lens," a pop-up art show featuring photography by Nicholas Alvarez.

• If These Walls Could Talk Custom Framing and Art Gallery, 32 S. Stolp Ave., will open its June show "Iron Horses," a solo exhibit featuring images of vintage locomotives by photographer Mike Smith from 7 to 10 p.m.

• Legacy Fitness, 77 S. River St., will feature an art show curated by Them Bad Apples, along with beats by DJ Maker, and a vinyl record swap. Sample the newest health drinks from 6 to 9 p.m.

• Balderas Beauty Salon, 25 N. Broadway, will host a watercolor show with artist Mynor Paredes from 5 to 8 p.m.

• The ArtBar at Two Brothers Roundhouse, 205 N. Broadway, will host "Drag Queens and Dragons," a pop-up art show in the Tavern as well as LGBT Portraits show to recognize cool folks in the community from 7 p.m. to midnight. A new special batch of Two Brothers beer, ArtBrew 26, brewed for the ArtBar will be tapped.

• Aurora Regional Fire Museum, 53 N. Broadway, will continue "The Art of Emergency Care," a traveling exhibit from the National EMS Museum from 5 to 9 p.m.

• Branch Gardens, 77 S. Lake St., will host sculptor Bill Fiest and his Space Rocks. Stop by and enjoy the garden setting from 5:30 to 9 p.m.

• Endiro Coffee, 29 W. New York St., will host live music by Dezirae Schalice and an art show in the downstairs Brick Gallery featuring art celebrating the anniversary of the novel "1984" by Aurora Christian High School students from 6 to 9 p.m.

• All Spoked Up, 14 W. Downer Place, Suite 12, will welcome All Out Records for a vinyl spinning and selling party from 6 to 9 p.m.

• The Venue, 21 S. Broadway, will open for a preshow sneak peek featuring a rare music poster exhibition and records spinning party. Join them to celebrate their grand opening week from 5 to 8 p.m.

• Tredwell Coffee, 14 W. Downer Place, Ste. 18, will be open with tunes by Olivia Ports and "Survivor's Art Show" by Mutual Ground guests from 5 to 9 p.m.

• Aurora Historical Society, 20 E. Downer Pl., will host "Signs of the Times," a collection of vintage business and wayfinding signs from Aurora's past from 6 to 9 p.m.

• Christian Science Reading Room, 34 S. Stolp Ave., will open with an evening of celebrating love. Stop in for a rainbow balloon from 6 to 8 p.m.

• Arcana Studios, 5½ W. Downer Place, will host "Unapologetically Me: a night of music, poetry, and comedy" from 8 to 11 p.m. The pride variety show will feature music from touring artist Kevin Kaufman of the band Real Movement and Indie Acoustic Artist Aly Jayne, provocative queer poetry from Ferris James, and comedy from fiber artist, writer, and overall clown Renée Millette. A wall of free queer love letters and poems curated by Annie Baldwin will be on display for attendees to take and enjoy.

• Zen Loft Wellness Center, 6 W. Downer Place, will open for everyone to try yoga, dance, and massage ($1/min.) from 6 to 9 p.m. Vendors and artist Bob Long will be setup.

• SciTech Hands On Museum, 18 W. Benton St., will host "Barbeque, Art and Icees," a Cosmopolitan Club and SciTech fundraiser, from 5 to 8 p.m. Enjoy burgers, brats, and Kona Ice for sale to benefit the museum. Enjoy works by artist Lisa Dzuricsko. The museum's main floor and the Fox Motion Park will be open for free. To celebrate pride, enjoy sidewalk chalk and bubbles outside.

• Wyckwood House, 14 W. Downer Place Ste. 16, will host the popular Eye Candy Bake Shop with their gluten-free pastries from 5 to 9 p.m. Live music from Dan Becker in the store. A pride-themed photo booth from 6 to 8 p.m.

• Gillerson's Grubbery, 33 W. New York St., will host Oswego Brewing Company's Anniversary Beer Tapping from 5:30 p.m. to close.

• Paramount School of the Arts, 20 S. Stolp Ave., will open with "Let Your Pride Flag Fly," an evening of family-friendly activities as well as a dance-fitness class from 5 to 9 p.m.

• Community Christian Church, East Downer Place Bridge, will offer "Can I take your Picture?," a fun photo booth with accessories so that you and your friends can take a picture to remember your time there. Instant photos can be taken home from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m.

• The Perch, 31 W. Downer Place, will setup outside with a display of assorted gift cards, soul care guides, reflection card decks, and more from 5 to 8 p.m.

• Aurora Fastprint, 54 E. Galena Blvd., will host "Print, Pride, and Pints," a customer appreciation and pride open house featuring a photo booth and Wheatley Design pop up shop from 3:30 to 8 p.m.

First Fridays maps are available at all venues. For more information, visit www.auroradowntown.org.