First Fridays is Ridiculously Fun with Derby Girls, Free Mac N Cheese, and Mystical S#*t

Roller derby art, tarot cards, Day of the Dead imagery, and free macaroni and cheese. It’s an odd combination, but that’s what makes First Fridays so much fun.

 

On October 2, First Fridays in Downtown Aurora features the Art of Derby at the Yetee Gallery, tarot at the ArtBar, Day of the Dead photography is on display at If These Walls Could Talk, and free macaroni and cheese with toppings courtesy of Prisco’s Family Market is available at Family Counseling Service.

 

First Fridays continues the fun with more than a dozen venues to visit, a pop up shop on LaSalle Street, and a variety of food trucks along Downer Place.

 

Pick up a free First Fridays passport at any venue. Return the punched passport at the last venue visited for a chance to win a First Fridays goody bag.

 

In October, the following venues are open for First Fridays.

 

Pop Up Shop, 59 S. LaSalle St., is back with a handful of local vendors selling their wares. 6 p.m. to 10 p.m.

 

Allen and Pepa Architects, 121 W. Benton St., welcomes artist Ann Cooper. 5 p.m. to 9 p.m.

 

Family Counseling Services, 70 S. River St., is open with a free macaroni and cheese bar with toppings supplied by Prisco’s Family Market. 6 p.m. to 9 p.m.

 

The Light of the Heart, 52 W. Downer Pl. Suite 204, hosts the Illinois Art Therapy Association exhibit, “Hello, My Name Is…” It is a visual look at the stigma attached to mental health and counseling. 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.

 

Yetee Gallery, 110 Cross St., opens the “Art of Derby,” a collaborative show with works of art created by individuals a part of the Roller Derby community. 7 p.m. to 11 p.m.

 

Paramount Theatre’s Grand Gallery, 23 E. Galena Blvd., continues “Pieces of the Past,” the photography of Randy Benzie. Open during Oklahoma! performance.

 

David L. Pierce Art and History Center, 20 E. Downer Pl., offers three floors of continuing exhibits. Aurora Public Art Commission hosts “Faces Among Found Objects” on the third floor and a special mural exhibit, with art conservator Scott Sherwood restoring a mural in situ, on the first floor. Aurora Historical Society presents  “Aurora Story” on the second floor. Museum Store is open. 6 p.m. to 9 p.m.

 

Emergent at Metropolitan Co-Working, a pop-up gallery at 14 W. Downer Pl. Suite 16, shows the works of Washington D.C. artist, Kelly Hazime. This is a solo show you definitely don’t want to miss. 6 p.m. to 10 p.m.

 

HealthMarkets, 40 W. Downer Pl., is open with art from local artists Damon Rowley and Steve DuCharme. 5 p.m. to 8 p.m.

 

If These Walls Could Talk, 32 S. Stolp Ave., features photographer Cynthia Kannan’s unique take on traditional Día de los Muertos imagery.. 7 p.m. to 11 p.m.

 

Fresh Tee Boutique, 8 N. Broadway, is open with fun fashions, sneakers, and art for $30 in The P Nut Gallery. 5 p.m. to 10 p.m.

 

Culture Stock, 43 E. Galena Blvd., hosts open mic from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m.

 

The ArtBar at Two Brothers Roundhouse, 205 N. Broadway, features a pop-up art show themed “The Tarot,” artwork inspired by tarot cards. 6 p.m. to midnight.

 

Bella Rose Boutique, 112 E. Galena Blvd., is open with photography by Mary Rodriguez. 6 p.m. to 10 p.m.

 

River’s Edge Cafe, 14 W. Downer Pl., is open until 10 p.m. with art and music. 7:30 to 9:30 p.m.

 

SciTech Hands On Museum, 18 W. Benton St., is open with free admission plus art stations. 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.

 

Free trolley service runs throughout downtown from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m.

 

First Fridays in Downtown Aurora invites the community to enjoy art, music, food, theater, and more on the first Friday of the month.
All events are free and art is for sale. For more information, a list of First Fridays specials at participating businesses, and for a map of venues, visit www.auroradowntown.com.