September First Fridays Will Feature Food Trucks, Fundraiser

AURORA, IL — September has arrived, and the first day of the month will be marked by a First Fridays event.

Sept. 1 will feature Roots Aurora's annual fundraiser celebrating the city's many cultures with dance performances, music, live art and children's activities, among other things, from 5-8 p.m. on Water Street Mall.

The lineup of food trucks includes Strawberries BBQ, Harvey’s Fire Box, Home Run Hot Dogs and Lemonade, Little Leilani, Snow Cone Sisters and Polly Ann Cakes. They'll be set up at Water Street Square from 5-9 p.m.

About 30 venues are slated to participate in the September First Fridays. Here's a look at what's in store:

• Nuna Ceramics Art Studio, 77 S. Lake St., will celebrate its first anniversary with an open house, wheel throwing demos and refreshments from 5 to 7:30 p.m.
• If These Walls Could Talk Custom Framing and Gallery, 32 S. Stolp Ave, will host a 10-year anniversary party from 8 to 10 p.m.
• Nieponski Gallery at Crystal House, 59 S. LaSalle St., will be open for a ribbon cutting at 4:30 p.m. A ticketed private event starts at 5:30 p.m.
• Aurora Historical Society | Aurora Public Art at The DLP, 20 E. Downer Place, will continue “Here Comes the Bride” on the first floor. Citizen Beige: Steve Banks solo exhibit feat. contemporary pop art will continue on the third floor. The building is open from 6 to 9 p.m.
• The ArtBar at Two Brothers Roundhouse, 205 N. Broadway, will celebrate the diversity of creative expression in a relaxed and inclusive environment from 7 to 11 p.m.
• Artesan Lofts Art Gallery, 2 S. Stolp Ave., will host “Phantasmichimera,” a show with works by local artist Angela Filippin from 6 to 9 p.m.
• La Quinta de los Reyes, 36 E. New York St., will host Mariachi Show by Ezequiel Maldonado along with Fiestas Patrias commencement from 6:30 to 10 p.m.
• Ballydoyle Irish Pub, 28 W. New York St., will be open with live music and paloma specials until 1 a.m.
• The Venue, 21 S. Broadway, will feature a $5 donation show with The League of Erics starting at 8 p.m.
• Wyckwood House Boutique and Cocktail Bar, 80 S. River St., will host live music by Steve Mast. Tamales Plus will be parked outside from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m.
• Tavern on Broadway, 24 N. Broadway, will feature live music by Corey O’Donnell from 8 to 10 p.m.
• Altiro Latin Fusion, 1 S. Stolp Ave., will host live music by Damian Rivero from 6 to 9 p.m.
• Chupacabra Puerto Rican Kitchen, 31 N. Broadway, will be open with “Island Vibes,” featuring indie, reggae, pop music with special guest Ayakashi Ghost music from 6 to 8 p.m.
• Aurora Tap House, 134 W. Downer Place, will host 80's Night with DJ Happy Meal from 9 p.m. to 1 a.m.
• Family Counseling Service, 70 S. River St., will be open with “Hope Starts Here.” Meet the team and learn about services. Enjoy activities for all ages from 5 to 9 p.m.
• Offbeat Thrift & Vintage, 7 N. Broadway, will return one year later with a new space. Shop curated vintage and secondhand finds from 5 to 9 p.m.
• Yellow Bird Books, 34 S. Stolp Ave., will preview their bookstore merchandise from 6 to 9 p.m.
  
• Superjumbo Records, 102 E. Galena Blvd., will celebrate its second anniversary until 9 p.m. New shirts are available.
• NiDe Jardin, 140 S. River St., Unit 106, will present “Cultura: Vendors that represent our culture in our community” from 11 a.m. to 8:30 p.m.
• Aurora Regional Fire Museum, 53 N. Broadway, will be open with free admission. Learn about the museum’s bourbon raffle and all of the fun fall events from 5 to 8 p.m.
• Zen Loft Wellness Center, 6 W. Downer Place, will feature local vendors and art for sale by local artists. Belly dance performance by Magnolia Dance Collective at 7:30 p.m. Defied Gravity Aerial Arts and ZKB Services will feature aerial fitness and dance from 6 to 9 p.m.
• G.A.R. Museum, 23 E. Downer Place, will continue Hidden Warriors: The History of Women in the U.S. Military from 5 to 9 p.m.
• The Perch, 31 W. Downer Place, 3rd Floor, will be open with “Coping with Overwhelm.” Enjoy a hope-filled craft, learn about ways to handle feeling overwhelmed, and shop mindful products from 5 to 8 p.m.
• Endiro Coffee, 29 W. New York St., will offer a Matcha Meltdown drink special from 5 to 9 p.m.
• The Cotton Seed Creative Exchange, 64 S. River St., will present Hailey from HML/Mural Movement “Leave Me Alone” merch pop-up, Fresh Gems tooth gems, and Spanish Soul food pop-up from 5 to 9 p.m.
• Santori Public Library, 101 S. River St., will host the Aurora Art League Member's Show featuring paintings, mixed media, and photography. Live acoustic jazz music by John Papadolius and light refreshments from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m.
• The Cornucopia Tea & Gift Shop, 63 S. Broadway, will host “Shop Broadway Incentive Night.” The first 25 guests will receive a door prize and mystery discount coupon to apply to the evening’s purchases from 5 to 10 p.m.
• Society 57, 100 S. River St., will be open with cocktails and bites from 5 to 9 p.m. Live music by The Luxure Trio
• FNBO, 140 S. River St. STE 112, will be open with wellness, giveaways, and refreshments from 5 to 9 p.m.
• McCarty Mills Taproom and Bottleshop, 140 S. River St. Unit 108, will host RKNTCO and CUPS Bra Drive from 5 to 10 p.m.