The Aurora Downtown group’s monthly First Fridays event in downtown Aurora Friday evening will include the annual Stolp Block Party from 6 to 10 p.m. on Stolp Avenue.
The block party has been part of the August First Fridays event since 2017. This year, Lynne Jordan and The Shivers will be the headlining musical act at 8 p.m. at Millennium Plaza gazebo. The Instinct will open for them at 6 p.m., event organizers said.
Stolp Avenue will be closed from Downer Place to Galena Boulevard during the event, which is free to enter.
A handful of local artists curated by If These Walls Could Talk will set up on the south end of Stolp Avenue. Local nonprofits will also be part of the event, according to a press release from Aurora Downtown.
Food trucks Grumpy Gaucho, Strawberries BBQ, Home Run Hot Dogs and Lemonade, Wurst Kitchen, Holy Pierogi, My Funnel, Chills Italian Ice and Tapville Social will take part Friday evening.
On Water Street Mall, Community Advocacy Awareness Network will host a Business Entrepreneur Unity Expo from 5 to 10 p.m. with a variety of vendors and activities to support the community, according to the release.
Throughout downtown, the First Fridays event lineup includes more than 30 venues participating.
Yellow Bird Books, 34 S. Stolp Ave., will feature “D’Light of the Bug: Whimsical Watercolors” featuring local artist Lisa Lentz Manning at the Stolp Block Party with original watercolors, prints, stickers, and T-shirts available for sale from 6 to 10 p.m.
The Nolan Gallery, 33 S. Stolp Ave., will have Dulce Havana and Stillness exhibitions plus wearable art from 7 to 10 p.m.
Pure Skin Solutions, 26 S. Stolp Ave., will feature Ebony Sade Art from 5 to 9 p.m.
Aurora Historical Society|Aurora Public Art at The David L. Pierce Art and History Center, 20 E. Downer Place, will feature “Here Comes the Bride” showcasing vintage wedding fashions on the first floor and a Steve Banks solo exhibit of contemporary pop art on the third floor from 6 to 9 p.m.
The ArtBar at Two Brothers Roundhouse, 205 N. Broadway, will feature the art show “Why am I like this?” from 7 to 11 p.m.
Sergio Furniture and Catrinas Aurora, 36 W. Downer Place, will feature handmade Mexican art from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.
Artesan Lofts Art Gallery, 2 S. Stolp Ave., will have “Comic & Illustration,” a collaboration with local artists, from 6 to 9 p.m.
French 75 Gallery and Lounge, 56 E. Galena Blvd., will feature select works by Martin Mondrus and a specialty craft cocktail from 4 p.m. to midnight.
The G.A.R. Museum, 23 E. Downer Place, will have live music by The Town Band from 5 to 9 p.m.
Zen Loft Wellness Center, 6 W. Downer Place, upstairs, will have on open jam hosted by Mo Pippy Music with musicians of all styles, ages and skill levels welcome from 8 to 10 p.m.
Ballydoyle Irish Pub, 28 W. New York St., will have live music and margarita specials until 1 a.m.
The Venue, 21 S. Broadway, will have a show by Colleen Wild & The Haunted from 8 to 11 p.m.
Wyckwood House Boutique and Cocktail Bar, 80 S. River St., will have live music by Steve Mast and summer cocktails from 5 to 9 p.m.
Tavern on Broadway, 24 N. Broadway, will have live music by Michael Rawls from 8 to 10 p.m.
Altiro Latin Fusion, 1 S. Stolp Ave., will have live music by Damian Rivero from 6 to 9 p.m.
Aurora Tap House, 134 W. Downer Place, will have karaoke from 9 p.m. to 1 a.m.
Superjumbo, 102 E. Galena Blvd., will have a Yetee Street Fighter 6 collection launch from noon to 8 p.m.
Zen Loft Wellness Center, 6 W. Downer Place, upstairs, will have a belly dance performance by Magnolia Dance Collective at 7:30 p.m., plus local vendors, local art for sale and more from 5 to 10 p.m.
The Perch, 31 W. Downer Place, third floor, will feature inspirational magnets and a $1 sale from 5 to 8 p.m.
ASU Cycles, 14 W. Downer Place, Suite 10, will feature sales on bikes, clothes, e-bikes, skateboards and more from 6 to 8 p.m.
Endiro Coffee, 29 W. New York St., will have live music featuring Invisible Cartoons and root beer horchata floats for sale from 5 to 9 p.m.
The Cotton Seed Creative Exchange, 64 S. River St., will feature DJ GAB spinning music, Izzy’s Fine Designs henna, SUKI Finds vintage clothing, nuEra cannabis consultation and Banana Pudding Twist from 5 to 9 p.m.
Santori Public Library, 101 S. River St., will have a Unity Expo with children’s games, activities and more, including a new Bookmobile-themed and Warhol-inspired art installation, from 6 to 8 p.m.
The Cornucopia Tea and Gift Shop, 63 S. Broadway, will offer an introduction to health and wellness teas from 5 to 10 p.m.
Society 57, 100 S. River St., will offer cocktails and sushi pop up Little Lelani from 6 to 9 p.m.
FNBO, 140 S. River St., Suite 112, will have a pop-up by The Wood Crafters by Luz & Juan plus a back to school raffle from 5 to 9 p.m.
For more information and a map of First Fridays locations, go to www.auroradowntown.org.