Two major happenings will have you out of the house and headed to downtown Aurora on Saturday: The Bazaar on Water Street and Aurora Hero Con. Put on your best superhero and join in on the fun.
The Bazaar, Water Street Mall, 2 to 8 p.m.
Artists and artisans of a variety of styles will be showing and selling their wares during the very first Bazaar on Water Street, set for Saturday, July 18, from 2 p.m. to 8 p.m. on the Water Street Mall, located between Galena Boulevard and Downer Place just east of the Fox River.
The Bazaar will feature 45 artists and photographers, in cutting edge contemporary, lowbrow and outsider art styles, and will also feature an artisan alley. Painting live during the event will be five of Aurora’s best artists: Brittany Tripp, FISK, Lita Lu, Kittens of Industry and Pierre Lucero.
The event is presented by ArtBar, which kicked off the First Fridays art gallery tradition in downtown Aurora and is regularly featured at Two Brothers Roundhouse.
“This event will bring out some of the best talent in Aurora and the Fox Valley,” organizer Javi Terrazas said. “We encourage everyone to come down and enjoy a nice summer day in downtown Aurora and support local artists.”
For more information on ArtBar and the Bazaar, visit auroraartbar.com.
Hero Con, Santori Library, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Aurora Public Library’s first-ever Aurora Hero Con, a family event celebrating all things heroic, will be held at the Richard and Gina Santori Public Library on Saturday, July 18.
The library, which opened in June, is located at 101 S. River St. in downtown Aurora.
This epic event, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., will feature visits from superheroes and activities for teens and children of all ages. Attendees are encouraged to dress up as their favorite heroes, like Spiderman and Batman, as well as police officers, doctors, military personnel and firefighters! At 2:15 p.m., all those in costume are invited to join in the Dunham Atrium for a costume parade around the first floor.
Illustrator and caricature artist Dan Laib will conduct a drawing class, The Making of a Superhero, beginning at 11 a.m. in the Large Meeting Room. The class is open to the first 30 children (ages 8 through 12) to arrive and receive a ticket from a Hero Con staff member. Laib will teach the basics of traditional comic book style, including how to draw the human form and how to create a dynamic line of action.
Also at 11 a.m., The Teen Space will host a special Superhero Fandom Panel featuring Santori Library’s Teen Advisory Board. Superhero Jeopardy! will follow at noon with a repeat performance at 1 p.m. Superhero crafts (upcycling comic book wallets and bottle cap magnets) and gaming (including Mario Kart and Super Smash Bros.) will take place in the Teen Space throughout the afternoon.
At 1 p.m., Laib will host an all-ages Making of a Superhero show, featuring live caricatures and audience participation. Seating for the show is first-come, first-served, with room for up to 75 attendees.
At 2:15 p.m., author and Windy City Wing Chung instructor Ed Cruz will host a martial arts demonstration in the Large Meeting Room emphasizing Wing Chun Gung Fu, a close-combat style popularized by Bruce Lee.
The Dunham Atrium will host face painters and photo opportunities. Superheroes, including Spiderman and Batgirl, will visit from noon to 3 p.m.
Crafts and activities for children, including a Superhero Training Course and a make-your-own mask and cape station, will be held in the Kiwanis Children’s Center throughout the event.
