This photo by Jason Arthur will be part of “Documenting Downtown: A Photo Show” presented by Aurora Downtown and Metropolitan Coworking at the First Fridays event Feb. 2. (CREDIT: Jason Arthur)

First Fridays kicks off its new season Friday with an event that will feature 10 gallery openings and more than 20 venues open with art, music and more in downtown Aurora.

The Aurora Public Art Commission will host “Nevertheless: Women Depicting Women” from 5 p.m.to 8 p.m. at the David L. Pierce Art and History Center, 20 E. Downer Place The invitational show curated by new public art director Jen Evans features 10 female artists.

“Documenting Downtown: A Photo Show” opens at Metropolitan Coworking, 14 W. Downer Place, Suite 16, from 6 to 9 p.m. The show will feature eight local photographers who work to capture the essence of downtown Aurora. The East Aurora High School Jazz Ensemble will perform from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the site.

The traveling Hmong American Voices Exhibit opens at Santori Public Library, 101 S. River St., from 5:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. The exhibit discusses Hmong history, material culture and explores what it means to be Hmong American. First Hmong Alliance Church Choir will perform beginning at 5:30 p.m. in the Dunham Atrium.

Also at First Fridays, there will be pop-up shops at Aurora Regional Fire Museum and All Spoked Up, and a free trolley from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m.

Art openings, live music and more are featured at First Fridays on Feb. 2 including:

If These Walls Could Talk, 32 S. Stolp Ave., opens “Essence: Amanda Meyer,” conceptual photography from artist Amanda Meyer, 7 p.m. to 10 p.m.

Aurora Regional Fire Museum, 53 N. Broadway, opens “Images of the Aurora Fire Department: Photographs by Jim DeSomer” from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m.

The ArtBar, 205 N. Broadway, is back in the tavern at Two Brothers Roundhouse with the Euphoria Show and in the lounge with Josh Schultz, 6 p.m. to midnight.

Fox Art Studio, 9 S. Stolp Ave., opens “Jim Zimmer: Recent Collage Work” and “Dada Soul Face,” 6 p.m. to 9 p.m.

Gallery 1904, 1 E. Benton St., opens “Identity/PEOPLE,” 6:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.

The Web, 134 W. Downer Place, features Aurora artist Josue Paiz, 6 p.m. to 1 a.m.

Endiro Coffee, 29 W. New York St., features art by Marisa Muro in the Brick Gallery and live music by Olivia Ports, 6 p.m. to 9 p.m.

River’s Edge Cafe, 14 W. Downer, Suite 18, is open until 9 p.m. with Ben and Jecelyn Shankin.

Gremlen Recording Studios, 130 W. Downer Place, hosts a karaoke night and open house, 6 p.m. to 9 p.m.

Gillerson’s Grubbery, 33 W. New York St., welcomes Sweetwater Brewery starting at 6 p.m. The brewery is giving out free glassware with draft purchase.

AKA Dance, 14 W. Downer Place, hosts Family Game Night, 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.

Culture Stock, 43 E. Galena Blvd., is open with Respect the Mic, a spoken word open mic, 9 p.m. to 10:30 p.m.

SciTech, 18 W. Benton St., opens “Frozen Fractals Student Art Show,” featuring artwork by Rosary and Marmion students. The traveling exhibit “Climate Change Oceans: Acid vs. Life” opens as well, 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.

Oddlots Gallery at Holbrook Mill, 121 W. Benton St., hosts “1000 Words” by Jean Hess. Misty River Music Makers performs at 7 p.m. The events will run from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m.

Indie Studio Space, 105 E. Galena Blvd., hosts a member showcase with Bruce Jones, founder of Naperville Photo Club, 5 p.m. to 8 p.m.

Zen Loft Wellness Center, 6 W. Downer Place, is open with $5 mini classes, demos, massage, and more, 6 p.m. to 9 p.m.

All Spoked Up, 14 W. Downer Place, Suite 12, hosts pop-up shop vendors Wheatley Design and Studio88, 5 p.m. to 9 p.m.

Christian Science Reading Room, 34 S. Stolp Ave., is open with free kids crafts, 6 p.m. to 9 p.m.

First Fridays maps are available at all venues. For more information, go to www.auroradowntown.org.

First Fridays is sponsored by Aurora Downtown, a nonprofit group of business and property owners downtown.

SOURCE: city of Aurora news release