Enjoy 'Roaring '20s' cocktail party at Aurora's First Fridays

First Fridays is back with art, music, and more on Feb. 7. The popular event celebrates its eighth year as it returns after a month off. Visit several venues open to the public for a night of art and culture in downtown Aurora.

Stolp Island Social will join the First Fridays lineup with a Roaring '20s cocktail party from 5 to 9 p.m. Visit Amy Morton's new location at 5 E. Galena Blvd., and enjoy a scratch cocktail list ($10-$12) of Prohibition Era inspired cocktails to ring in the new decade.

• Aurora Public Art, 20 E. Downer Place, will host artist Rita Grendze with "Everything I Should've," a solo exhibit, sculptural installation and drawings. The opening reception from 6 to 9 p.m. at First Fridays includes interactive public art projects. The show runs through March 21.

• Waubonsee Community College Aurora Downtown campus library, 18 S. River St., will host a High School Invitational Ceramics Exhibition and Jazz Ensembles from 6 to 8:30 p.m. Enjoy wheel throwing demonstrations, cafe art exhibit, and free T-shirt printing available in the cafe space. Free refreshments.

• Gary Brown Art Gallery and Studio, 7 S. Broadway, will host "Twice. Drawings of Doubles for the New Decade," a gallery show featuring artist Mays Mayhew's contemporary figurative line drawings from 6 to 10 p.m. Joe Eddy Brown performs live acoustic music. Participate in an "Artists in Love Quiz" and win a Valentine treat.

• If These Walls Could Talk Custom Framing & Gallery, 32 S. Stolp Ave., will host a local Modern Goth art show from 7 to 10 p.m.

• Two Brothers Roundhouse, 205 N. Broadway, will host The ArtBar's "The Robot Show" from 7 p.m. to midnight. The popular First Fridays photo booth will be on-site until 9 p.m.

• Balderas Beauty Salon, 25 N. Broadway, will host "The Pastry Show" from 6 to 10 p.m. Decorate cookies and paint a cake. Live body painting by award-winning body painter Jose Art.

• The Hope Chest, 36 N. Lincoln Ave., will host be open with a half off sale of all merchandise in their newly remodeled store from 6 to 9 p.m. Kristie Bleers will be displaying her artistic photography, for purchase, along with other forms of art. Aethereus Media will be displaying select photographs that will be available for purchase. Kari Foulk will be creating coffee pour overs (while supplies last). There will also be a children's picture drawing contest (children under ten). Draw a picture and enter a drawing. Two winners will be drawn (the next day) to receive a prize each.

• Endiro Coffee, 29 W. New York St., will host live music by Mirabelle Skipworth and new art by Joshua Schultz from 6 to 9 p.m.

• Ballydoyle Irish Pub and Restaurant, 28 W. New York St., will feature musician Jim O'Connell from 5:30 to 9 p.m.

• Gremlen Studios, 130 W. Downer Pl., will host an open mic competition from 6 to 9 p.m. The prize will be two free hours of studio time. Limited spots available. Sign up ahead of time by emailing jillian@gremlenstudios.com.

• L & L Vintage, 30 N. Broadway, will feature live music by Johnny King. King is an aspiring singer who recently moved to Aurora from San Diego. He will be singing acoustic covers of a few of his favorite songs from 6 to 9 p.m.

• Tredwell Coffee, 14 W. Downer Place, Suite 18, will cure your winter blues with tunes from Nick Wiesner and art by Elizabeth Santana from 5 to 9 p.m.

• Fonda mi Pueblito, 31 N. Broadway, will celebrate "Tardeada" or happy hour with buy one taco, get one free. Also enjoy a free picture with mariachi sombrero and music from 4 to 9 p.m.

• SciTech Hands On Museum, 18 W. Benton St., will be open with free exploration from 5 to 8 p.m. and a science show at 6 p.m.

• Warehouse 55, 55 S. Lake St., will feature Kernel's Gourmet Popcorn as they set up shop inside Warehouse 55, and they will have a special Valentine's Day treat to offer from 6 to 8 p.m.

• Aurora Historical Society, 20 E. Downer Pl., will feature "February 15: One Year Later" a commemorative tribute to the 2019 Henry Pratt tragedy. They will also host a mini exhibit of "African American History in Aurora" from 6 to 9 p.m.

• Paramount School of the Arts, 20 S. Stolp Ave., will host "Valentine's for Everyone," a craft-making opportunity for both kids and adults. Stop by and make a Valentine from the heart for all the special people in your life from 5 to 9 p.m.

• Christian Science Reading Room, 34 S. Stolp Ave., will host story time with "Jesus Little Parables of the Kingdom" from 6 to 8 p.m.

• Do or Dye Designs, 24 S. Stolp Ave., will offer a family photo session that includes three digital emailed images for $10 from 5:30 to 9 p.m.

• Society 57, 100 S. River St., will be open late with a full service coffee bar from 6 to 9 p.m.

• Wyckwood House, 14 W. Downer Place, Suite 16, will host "Love is in the House," a night of spreading kindness and love featuring handmade wooden hearts from Real Happy Space available for purchase. Lisa from ElleJae Designs will be in the house to customize them with a special word, phrase or date. Live music from local musician, Olivia Ports, starting at 6 p.m. Valentine's Day treats will be available for purchase from Wild Flour Vegan Bakery. Enjoy complimentary (nonalcoholic) Love Punch while you shop from 5 to 9 p.m.

• Branch Gardens, 77 S. Lake St., will host their first Poetry Night featuring Aurora Poet Laureate Karen Christensen and others, as well as a local guitarist throughout the night. The theme of the night is "love" from 6 to 8 p.m.

• Aurora Regional Fire Museum, 53 N. Broadway, will host a Valentine's fire helmet craft. Children can make the helmet into a Valentine's Day card or into a headband hat to wear while exploring First Fridays from 5 to 8 p.m.

• Gillerson's Grubbery, 33 W. New York St., will be open with "UFC Your Lagunitas," featuring $5 drafts of Lagunitas and UFC Gym, a new gym opening in North Aurora will be here with raffle tickets for people to enter to win a 70-inch Apple TV from 5 to 10 p.m.

• All Spoked Up, 14 W. Downer Place, Suite 12, Pricked Finger Felt. Artisan Megan Schmidt will be in house selling some of her felt creations from 6 to 9 p.m.

• PreMil, 46 W. New York St., will host an Albracci X Saint Toby Pop Up from 7 to 10 p.m.

First Fridays maps are available at all venues. A free trolley runs from 6 to 9 p.m. For more information, visit www.auroradowntown.org.