First Friday In September To Feature Hip Hop Art Show

AURORA, IL — September is here, which means Aurora Downtown returns with First Fridays. This month's event will feature a hip-hop art show and the grand opening of a ceramic studio.

Nuna Ceramics, at 77 S. Lake St., will celebrate its new space formerly serving Branch Gardens. The studio, owned by Adriana Vazquez, offers four-week classes, workshops and memberships.

Over at The Cotton Seed Creative Exchange, 64 S. River St., Josue Paiz, also known as DJ Venom, will have his music and art featured. Paiz owns Hairy Beast Dog Pawlour, a pet groomer at 215 W. Galena Blvd., just west of downtown.

The Food Truck Food Court is also returning Friday. Trucks including Strawberries BBQ, Holy Pierogi, Home Run Hot Dogs and Lemonade, Harvey's Fire Box and Charity Blooms will be parked at Water Street Square across from City Hall from 5-9 p.m.

The First Fridays lineup will feature about 30 activities for a variety of ages:

• Nuna Ceramics Art Studio, 77 S. Lake St., will host its grand opening with ceramics art on display, pottery wheel demos, refreshments, and more from 4-9 p.m. A ribbon cutting will be held at 4 p.m.
• Good News Barbershop, 52 W. Downer Place, will be open with “Art Collision,” a night of art, coffee, and tunes featuring Raul Rodea, Dapper Brews, Jason Verdin, and DJ KRLS1 from 7-10 p.m.
• Santori Public Library, 101 S. River St., will host the Aurora Art League Member's Show: The year's best of the best paintings, mixed media, and photography with live, acoustic, jazz guitar by John Papadolius and light refreshments from 5:30-8:30 p.m.
• The ArtBar at Two Brothers Roundhouse, 205 N. Broadway, will host The ArtBar's Viking Funeral, a show of gratitude for Javi Terrazas, who finished his 10-year-run as curator and organizer with last season's finale. 7-11 p.m.
• Aurora Public Art at The DLP Art and History Center, 20 E. Downer Place, will open “Resilient,” innovative textile works by three acclaimed, female artists from Chicago: Monica Rezman, Bobbi Meier, and Jean Alexander Frater from 6-9 p.m.
• Nieponski Gallery and Crystal House, 59 S. LaSalle St., will be open with The return of Ptah: Tarot by Ptah, a seasoned professional with 20 plus years of experience, will read cards for free. Art by Chaz Nieponski from 5-8:30 p.m.
• Aroma Roots Bath and Body and Obsidian Clothing, 32 N. Broadway, will host The Creepy Cute Art Show with artist Dzhelasi who will showcase her signature creepy cute artwork on stickers, prints, and more. Aroma Roots handcrafted soap sale plus Obsidian Clothing 70% off Flash Sale from 5-9 p.m.
• Artesan Lofts Art Gallery, 2 S. Stolp Ave., will be open with Takin Butterfield's photography series, Kama'āina, from 6-9 p.m.
• Gary Brown Art Gallery and Studio and Mark Radina Stained Glass, 7 S. Broadway, will host live entertainment by guitarist and songwriter, Peter Cholewinski, and a sidewalk sale from 5-9 p.m.
• Culture Stock, 122 W. Downer Place, will be open with Loteria card art on display from 7-9 p.m.
• La Quinta de los Reyes, 36 E. New York St., will be open with Tarde Bohemia, hornitos models with margarita samples, and La Sociedad D'Paul Music from 6:30-9 p.m.
• Altiro Latin Fusion, 1 S. Stolp Ave., will feature live Spanish Rock with Damián Rivera from 6-8 p.m.
• The Cotton Seed Creative Exchange, 64 S. River St., will host Hip Hop Golden Art Show: DJ Venom, art and giveaways plus Fresh Jems with luxury teeth gems from 4-10 p.m.
• Tavern on Broadway, 24 N. Broadway, will be open with live music from 8 to 10 p.m.
• Aurora Tap House, 134 W. Downer Place, will host karaoke from 8:30 p.m. to midnight
• Aurora Historical Society at The DLP, 20 W. Downer Place, will open “Take a Seat,” a new exhibit opening featuring chairs, sofas, and other seating from AHS collections from 6-9 p.m.
• Society 57, 100 S. River St., will be open with cocktails and bites plus the Eric Cervantes Art from 6-9 p.m.
• Amy Morton’s Stolp Island Social, 5 E. Galena Blvd., will offer a First Fridays Drink Special: House Favorite “Clockwork Orange” for $5. Applies to first drink only from 6:30-10:30 p.m.
• Endiro Coffee, 29 W. New York St., will be open with First Fridays offerings from 5-9 p.m.
• French 75 Gallery and Lounge, 56 E. Galena Blvd., will be open with new works by David Hettinger and a special cocktail crafted for First Fridays from 5 p.m. to midnight.
• Superjumbo, 105 E. Galena Blvd., will host a Screen Printed Poster Sale. They are digging deep in the flat files for some of The Yetee's best art from 2-9 p.m.
• McCarty Mills Taproom and Bottleshop, 140 S. River St., will be open with La Compa Tortas Quesadillas Packaged Goods, a Pollyanna Tap Takeover, and featured artist Jake Beltran. Open until 10 p.m.
• G.A.R. Museum, 23 E. Downer Place, will showcase “Through Calm and Tempest: 145 Years of Aurora's Historic G.A.R. Hall.” Discover the history of Aurora's historic Memorial Hall from 5-9 p.m.
• The Cornucopia Tea & Gift Shop, 63 S. Broadway. It's Pumpkin Latte Season. End of Summer Sale up to half off. Pumpkin and Seasonal Flavors Tea and Treats Kickoff with in-store tea tastings. How to Build a Gift Basket Demo from 6-6:30 p.m. Store is open from 9 a.m. to 9:30 p.m.
• The Perch, 31 W. Downer Place, will welcome everyone with meditative art. Take a breather and enjoy creating for the fun of it, Supplies provided. Kids and adults are welcome. 5-8 p.m.
• Zen Loft Wellness Center, 6 W. Downer Place upstairs, will feature an open house with Magnolia Belly Dance at 7:30p.m, $1/min chair massage, and $10 mini tarot readings. Shop I of the Angeles, hang in hammocks, and enjoy live music with Mo Pippy from 5-9 p.m.
• Wyckwood House Boutique and Bar, 80 S. River St., will be open with Hunger Action Month cocktails giving back $1 each to the Aurora Interfaith Food Pantry. Live music with Olivia Ports from 6 to 8 p.m. Shop will be open during First Fridays from 5-9 p.m.
• Undisputed Vintage, 14 W. Downer Place Suite 8, will feature a pop-up by House of Coxo Paletas from 5-9 p.m.