First Fridays brings out local artists, Aurora Strong efforts

First Fridays on March 1 will host several events centered around the shared community goal of raising funds for victims' families of the Henry Pratt Co. tragedy. The night also includes new studio openings and highlights local artists and musicians in downtown Aurora.

Aurora Downtown will host a free pop up photo booth from 7 to 9 p.m. at Wyckwood House, and the organization is encouraging everyone to show their Aurora Strong spirit. Enjoy several venues open to the public for a night of art, culture, and compassion. Ride a free trolley from 6 to 10 p.m.

• Aurora Public Art at the Art and History Center, 20 E. Downer Place, will host We Vibe 2 Vibe's first art exhibit from 6 to 10 p.m.

• Golden Fox Studios, 52 W. Downer Place, 2nd floor, will open for the first time with the open studios of resident artists Juan Sepulveda, Gerardo Madrigal, Lisa Gloria from 6 to 9 p.m.

• Waubonsee Community College, 18 S. River St., will be open with "A Night of Arts - Ceramics, Jazz, and more." The Aurora Downtown campus library will host the High School Invitational Ceramics Exhibition and will be joined by Oswego East and Kaneland High School Jazz Combos. Wheel throwing and tile painting will be available in the Café Space from 6 to 8:30 p.m.

• Balderas Beauty Salon, 25 N. Broadway, will present Maritona Lopez and Manuel Lopez, along with Jose Art. The evening will feature a live body painting show and free face painting for kids from 5 to 8:30 p.m.

• Legacy Fitness, 77 S. River St., will host local art talent and a fitness showcase featuring DJ Brown Royal from 6 to 9 p.m.

• The ArtBar at Two Brothers Roundhouse, 205 N. Broadway, will open the tavern with "Yes We Did: A Celebration of Women," a one-night art pop up from 7 p.m. to midnight. One Aurora, a youth organization, will be raising funds for the Aurora Strong efforts in the lounge.

• Aurora Tap House, 134 W. Downer Place, will host an art pop up with featured artist Gabriel Guajardo from 6 p.m. to midnight. Guajardo is a co-founder of Them Bad Apples.

• If These Walls Could Talk Custom Framing and Gallery, 32 S. Stolp Ave., will open "It's Only Natural: Eric Dinse," a solo show that will run through March.

• Gary Brown Art Gallery & Studio, 7 S. Broadway, will host a sneak peek of its new studio space in downtown Aurora from 6 to 10 p.m.

• Tredwell Coffee, 14 W. Downer Place, Suite 18, Lily Elyse Photography, will feature Lily Elyse, a local 11-year-old nature photographer from 5 to 8 p.m.

• Aurora Arts Initiative, 61 S. Stolp Ave., will be open with art and music from 6 to 9 p.m.

• Aurora Public Library, 101 S. River St., will host traditional Irish dance, music, and crafts in the Dunham Atrium. Listen to music for St. Patrick's Day on hammered dulcimer by instrumentalist Phil Passen from 6 to 7 p.m. Stay for traditional Irish dance and short, interactive instruction with the McNulty Irish Dancers from 7 to 8 p.m. Refreshments and St. Paddy's day crafts round out the evening for all ages from 8 to 9 p.m.

• Endiro Coffee, 29 W. New York St., will be open with art by Tania Juarez and music by Nick Scarpinato from 6 to 9 p.m.

• All Spoked Up, 14 W. Downer Place, Suite 12, will host Friends of All Spoked Up Open Mic from 6 to 9 p.m.

• Aurora Historical Society at the Art and History Center, 20 E. Downer Place, will be open with "Aurora Story," a walk-through history of Aurora from early settlement to present from 6 to 9 p.m.

• G.A.R. Memorial Museum, 23 E. Downer Place, will open for the season. Tour the G.A.R. Memorial Museum and learn about Aurora's involvement in the Civil War. Children can dress up like Union soldiers and experience Aurora's hidden gem on historic Stolp Island from 5 to 8 p.m.

• Recording Studios, 130 W. Downer Place, will host live recording sessions from 6 to 9 p.m. Come in and witness what goes into a studio session. Two studios will be open to the public and will be running mock sessions throughout the night.

• Calla Lily Victorian Tea Room, 83 S LaSalle St., will be open with live music featuring Roxanne Cann-Dittman from 6 to 9 p.m. Sample specialty teas. Hot cocoa, scones and desserts available for purchase. Artist Erica Swanson will also have a pop up.

• SciTech Hands on Museum, 18 W. Benton St., will host the 2338 Gear it Forward Robotics Team. Come interact with robots created by local high school students. The first floor will be open for guests to experience a test of what SciTech has to offer. Also join Fox Metro Water Reclamation District and SciTech to announce the naming of the Fox Metro mascot and present a scholarship to the winning student. 6 to 8 p.m.

• Wyckwood House, 14 W. Downer Place, Suite 16, will be open with the Aurora Strong First Fridays photo booth from 7 to 9 p.m., as well as custom jewelry from James Alton Deans and drinks from Amy Song Ceramics from 5 to 9 p.m.

• Girl Scout Cookies will be available for sale outside of Wyckwood House from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. The troop is donating one box to fire responders for every 10 sold.

• Aurora Regional Fire Museum, 53 N. Broadway, will be open to explore from 5 to 9 p.m. Also, make a fire safety bookmark to take home.

• Collier Community Center, 36 S. Stolp Ave., will host a dinner fundraiser from 5 to 9 p.m. for the Save Our Youth: Fundraiser for the 28th annual Youth Fest in June. Dinners are $10 and there will be a bake sale. Items include popcorn, hot dogs, Polish sausage, tacos, chips, drinks, and candy.

• Gillerson's Grubbery, 33 W. New York St., will feature Goose Island with a secret tapping of three kegs. Buy one and get a free glass from 5 p.m. until close

• One E. Benton St. (the former library building) will host Troop 4340 Girl Scout selling cookies from 6 to 8 p.m.

• Zen Loft Wellness Center, 6 W. Downer Place, will be open with free trial classes and $1 a minute massages, as well as vendor pop ups.

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.