Celebrate Roots Aurora during First Fridays Sept. 3

Posted August 30, 2021 11:00 pm

Submitted by Aurora Downtown

Roots Aurora on Friday, Sept. 3, is a festive event that uplifts and celebrates the cultural diversity of the community. Courtesy of Amy Nelson Photography

First Fridays will feature more than two dozen venues open with art, music, and more this Friday. Several locations will feature decorated storefronts celebrating the return of Paramount Theatre with its current production of "Kinky Boots."

On Sept. 3, Roots Aurora is back with family-friendly activities from 5 to 7 p.m. on Water Street Mall. Family Focus hosts the annual celebration of cultures featuring art, music, local vendors and more.

Simply Destinee will host Shine Bright Like a Diamond Pop Up Shop featuring 10 vendors from 5 to 9 p.m. at 122 W. Downer Place for Suicide Awareness Month.

Food trucks will return to Water Street Square across from City Hall from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. Joining the lineup will be Cheesie's, Dr. Gillerson's EMT, Holy Pierogi, and Harvey's Fire Box. Food vendors are subject to change. Please check Aurora Downtown's Facebook page for updates.

First Fridays will offer a variety of activities at multiple venues:

Art

• The Artbar at Two Brothers Roundhouse, 205 N. Broadway

No matter your sign, you're invited to The ArtBar Zodiac Show from 7 p.m. to midnight

• Seven Setting Suns Art Gallery, 14 W. Downer Place, Suite 12

Life's Rich Pageant: Vincenzo Valenziano with a viviverous vivation of rhapsodic relations from 5 to 10 p.m.

• Gallery 1904, 1 E. Benton St.

Vizo Arts third annual photography exhibition The Dude Show featuring more than a dozen local men photographers including Perry Slade, Gary Bahnick, Garrick Gillette, Gary Brown, John Cornelissen, Randy Benzie, Thom King, Robert Waters, Joe Weber, Jonathan Rosenthal, Jason DeLancey, Jason Arthur, Soterios Gardiakos and David Mercer. Food donations for Marie Wilkinson Food Pantry will be accepted from 5 to 9 p.m.

• Artesan Lofts, 2 S. Stolp Ave.

Gallery Exhibit from 6 to 8:30 p.m.

• Aurora Tap House, 134 W. Downer Place

Art Show featuring Chloe Wick, an Aurora college student who enjoys trying new mediums and loves working with acrylics from 5 to 9 p.m. DJ Alfred starts at 9 p.m. for an 1980s themed night.

• Santori Library, 101 S. River St.

63rd annual Aurora Art League Member Show. Check out the year's best of the best and enjoy live music by John Papadolias from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m.

• SuperJumbo, 102 E. Galena Blvd.

The Posters of Drew Wise from 5 to 10 p.m.

• Gary Brown Art Gallery and Studio, 7 S. Broadway

The gallery will be filled with a wide variety of Brown's original art creations of multiple art mediums from 5 to 9 p.m. Live music by Joe Eddy-Brown and Richie Zayat.

Music

• Sheena Baker Group, 105 E. Galena Blvd., Suite 807

Dance With Us: Drinks and Line Dancing from 5 to 8 p.m.

• La Quinta De los Reyes, 36 E. New York St.

Live music featuring Adrian y su Guitarra from 7 to 9 p.m.

• Altiro Latin Fusion, 1 S. Stolp Ave.

Live Spanish Rock featuring Damian Rivera from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m.

• Endiro Coffee, 29 W. New York St.

Live music with the Castros featuring heartfelt folksy tunes from 5 to 9 p.m.

• Simply Destinee, 122 W. Downer Ste. 124

"Shine the Light" Suicide Awareness. Activities for all ages plus vendors and a selfie booth from 5 to 9 p.m.

• Zen Loft Wellness Center, 6 W. Downer Place

Performance by Magnolia Bellydance Collective at 7:30 p.m. Visit the studio open house; enjoy foot massages, shop in the store, hang out in hammocks, check out vendors, and more from 5 to 9 p.m.

• Paramount School of the Arts, 20 S. Stolp Ave.

To celebrate "Kinky Boots," come have some fun and learn how to develop a character through drag. Each Drag Queen has their own personality and character, so come find out who your inner Drag Queen is that's just waiting to be unleashed from 6 to 9 p.m.

• The Perch, 31 W. Downer Place, Suite 301

Make an inspirational magnet from 5 to 8 p.m.

• Yetee Station, 11 N. Broadway

Pac Man high score contest from 2 to 11 p.m. Score high for free daypasses.

• Wyckwood House, 14 W. Downer Place, Suite 16

Enjoy live music from local musician Lydia Miller from 6 to 8 p.m. Michelle from Chi-cuterie will be in the house with beautiful charcuterie boxes curated with items from local farmers and artisans from 5 to 9 p.m.

• Charlie's Silverspoon Creamery, 6 E. Downer Place

"Kinky Boots" featured flavors from 5 to 9 p.m.

• Aurora Historical Society at David L. Pierce Art and History Center, 20 E. Downer Place

"Our Favorite Things" gallery display on the first floor from 6 to 9 p.m.

• G.A.R. Museum, 23 E. Downer Place

Open to the public from 5 to 9 p.m.

• Aurora Regional Fire Museum, 53 N. Broadway

Stop by to pick up a 2021 annual holiday ornament featuring Aurora's 1921 Stutz Fire Engine. Ornaments are $20 each, 2 for $35. Museum will also be open from 5 to 8 p.m.

• City Hall, 44 E. Downer Place, 2nd floor

Family Services Association presents Suicide Prevention Month - Kids' Art Showcase from 5 to 8 p.m.

Pop-up

• SciTech Hands-on Museum, 18 W. Benton St.

Enjoy STEM activities set-up outside the museum by the east entrance door for all to enjoy from 4 to 7 p.m.

• Legacy Nutrition & Fitness, 77 S. River St.

Enjoy a variety of local trainers showcasing different styles of fitness, from kettlebell, boot camp and body conditioning classes in "Outdoor Fitness Expo" from 5 to 8:30 p.m. All with the fresh sounds of DJ Brown Royal.

• The Cotton Seed Creative Exchange, 8 N. Broadway

Stop by for art by Dzhelasi and C~lyn Studios, snow cones by Snow Cone Sisters, and a limited number of free gifts, raffles, and a special treat vendor from 6 to 8:30 p.m.

• McCarty Mills Taproom, 140 S. River St., Suite 108

Hat Trick BBQ pop-up out front opens at 5 p.m.

For more information on First Fridays events, visit auroradowntown.org.

During Aurora's First Fridays, the food trucks will be returning to Water Street Square. It will feature Cheesie's, Dr. Gillerson's EMT, Holy Pierogi, and Harvey's Fire Box. Courtesy of Joseph Weber

Try out the different food trucks featured at Aurora First Fridays on Sept. 3. Courtesy of Joseph Weber

The Gary Brown Art Gallery and Studio will be filled with a wide variety of his original art creations and live music by Joe Eddy-Brown and Richie Zayat. Courtesy of Amy Nelson Photography

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