Almost 30 Businesses Part Of April First Friday Lineup In Aurora

AURORA, IL — Nearly two dozen businesses and organizations are on the lineup for Aurora's First Fridays event April 1.

First Fridays, hosted by nonprofit Aurora Downtown, is celebrating a decade of introducing the community to Aurora's growing arts and culture scene. April's lineup is stacked with events spanning live music, antique and vintage sales, art shows and new cocktails.

There's no shortage of interesting things to get up to on the first day of April. Here is a look at participating businesses and organizations and what they're offering.

• If These Walls Could Talk Custom Framing & Gallery, 32 S. Stolp Ave., will present "A Group Effort," a four-artist group exhibit.
• Artesan Lofts Art Gallery, 2 S. Stolp Ave., will be open to the public, showing various works of art by resident artists from 6 to 8:30 p.m.
• Gary Brown Art Gallery and Studio and Mark Radina Stained Glass, 7 S. Broadway, will have art and antiques for sale from 5 to 9 p.m.
• ArtBar at Two Brothers Roundhouse, 205 N. Broadway, will host "ArtBar: Intergalactic" from 7 p.m. to midnight.
• Aurora Public Art at The DLP Art & History Center, 20 E. Downer Place, 3rd Floor, will present "(Re)volution," Kyle Reeves’ painting retrospective from 1999-2021. A live DJ will perform from 6 to 9 p.m.
• Aurora Tap House, 134 W. Downer Place, will feature live music by True Company Band starting at 9 p.m.
• Altiro Latin Fusion, 1 S. Stolp Ave., will present live Spanish Rock with Damián Rivera from 6 to 8 p.m.
• Tredwell Coffee, 14 W. Downer Place, will host live music and works by a new artist from 5 to 9 p.m.
• Endiro Coffee, 29 W. New York St., will present Southside Soul Kings from 6 to 9 p.m.
• Tavern on Broadway, 24 N. Broadway, will be open with live music by Olivia Ports from 7 to 10 p.m.
• French 75 Gallery and Lounge, 56 E. Galena Boulevard, will launch a new springtime cocktail. The cocktail bar and art gallery is open until midnight.
• Paramount School of the Arts, 20 S. Stolp Ave., will be open with a lip sync battle and a ticket giveaway for Paramount Theatre’s Rock of Ages from 6 to 9 p.m.
• Aurora Public Library, 101 S. River St., will be open with live, all-ages improv with Knuckleball Comedy, a 'bright idea' craft, and a green screen photo op from 6 to 8 p.m.
• McCarty Mills Taproom and Bottleshop, 140 S. River St., will host a food pop-up with RKNTCO, DJ ROGUE1TBA and featured artist Geli Inks. The taproom is open until midnight.
• G.A.R. Museum, 23 E. Downer Place, will be open "The Smithsonian's Righting A Wrong: Japanese Americans and World War II" from 5 to 9 p.m.
• Aurora Historical Society at The DLP Art and History Center, 20 E. Downer Place, will host "Portraits of the Past: Dozens of oil and photographic portraits from the 1840s to 1980s" from 6 to 9 p.m.
• Aurora Regional Fire Museum, 53 N. Broadway, will open the museum for Smoky's Silly Scavenger Hunt. Explore the museum and complete the hunt to win a prize. Meat raffle tickets on sale. The museum will be open from 5 to 8 p.m.
• Zen Loft Wellness Center, 6 W. Downer Place, will feature an open house with music by Mo Pippy plus massages for $1/min., shop I of the Angeles, hang in hammocks, $10/mini-tarot readings and sound healing from 5 to 9 p.m.
• Wyckwood House, 14 W. Downer Place, will present live music from Dan Becker plus a big moving sale before heading to their new River Street location. The clothing and gift boutique will be open from 5 to 9 p.m.
• Society 57, 100 S. River St., will be open late with cocktails and bites from 6 to 9 p.m.
• The Perch, 31 W. Downer Place, will host "1000 Paper Cranes Memorial." The finished paper cranes honor the lives lost during the two-year-long pandemic. Light refreshments will be served from 5 to 8 p.m.
• Hope Chest, 34 N. Lincoln Ave., will host a storewide sale from 4 to 7 p.m.
• Community Christian Church, 78 S. LaSalle St., will host a karaoke night from 6:45 to 8 p.m.
• All Spoked Up, 14 W. Downer Place, will host Huge Witch, a fun and laid-back tarot and astro reader from 6 to 9 p.m.
• Offbeat Thrift and Vintage, 14 W. Downer Place, will feature Ruby Retro pop-up featuring secondhand housewares and clothing with a retro flair from 5 to 9 p.m.
• Aroma Roots Bath & Body and Obsidian Clothing, 32 N. Broadway, will host Vela Bae Candles pop up at 6 p.m. Enjoy 25 percent off winter and men’s apparel from 5 to 9 p.m.
• Undisputed Vintage, a new '90s vintage clothing store at 14 W. Downer Place, will offer late-night shopping from 5 to 9 p.m.