August 1 and 2

Downtown Alive! Rocks the Fox

American rock bands Blue Oyster Cult and Molly Hatchet and UK rockers UFO will take the stage for the last of Aurora’s free summer Downtown Alive!  The venue for Rocks the Fox will slide over one street from Downer Place to Galena Boulevard for the two-day event featuring the three headliners and three local tribute bands. 

Friday, Aug. 1 at 6:30 p.m. - AC/DC tribute band Problem Child

Friday, Aug. 1at 8:30 p.m. - Blue Oyster Cult

Saturday, Aug. 2 at 3:00 p.m. - DBL-SHOT

Saturday, Aug. 2 at 4:30 p.m. - ARRA

Saturday, Aug. 2 at 6:30 p.m. - Molly Hatchet 

Saturday, Aug. 2 at 8:30 p.m. - UFO

Free parking will be available at all municipal lots, curbside meters and the downtown Stolp Avenue Parking Deck. Fest-goers are encouraged to bring their own lawn chairs. No coolers are allowed.  For more information, call (630) 844-4731 or go to www.downtownaliveaurora.com.

August 6, 1st Wed. of the month, noon - 1:00 p.m.

Book Break - Lunchtime Book Discussion Group

Book of the month: My Sister's Keeper by Jodie Picoult

Location: The Main Library at 1 E. Benton Street. Multipurpose Room - Lower Level

Attendees are invited to bring a lunch and join in a book discussion over their lunchtime; dessert will be provided. Copies of the featured book are available in advance; call 630-264-4101.

August 7 at 9:00 a.m. - 12:00 noon

August 14 at 6:00 - 9:00 p.m.

Genealogy Assistance

Location: The Main Library at 1 E. Benton Street second floor, call 630-264-4101.

Get help with your family history project at these drop-in sessions.  Be sure to bring along any family papers that could provide useful information.

Fridays and Saturdays August 8 through August 30 at 8:00 p.m.

Early One Evening at the Rainbow Bar and Grill

Location: Riverfront Playhouse, 11-13 Water Street Mall
Early One Evening at the Rainbow Bar and Grill, the offbeat comedy by Bruce Graham, was directed by Riverfront veteran Shawn Dooley, and tells the story of the inhabitants of a tiny forgotten bar just off the exit ramp in a rural part of the United States. Six ordinary folks face themselves and each other in light of the terrifying discovery that something outside the doors is destroying much of the country, and they must decide how to spend what may be the last few hours of their lives. However, a visit from a mysterious stranger with a very strange proposal helps to decide the fate of humanity.
Tickets : $15 for adults and $12 for students and senior citizens. Advance tickets and reservations are available by calling the playhouse at (630) 897-9496.

August 9 at 2:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.

Basic PC Maintenance

Location: The Main Library is at 1 E. Benton Street, Multipurpose Room - Lower Level.  Call 630-264-4101.

Is your PC running slowly? Learn some simple tips to keep your PC running longer and faster. Tips for cleaning your computer, routine maintenance tasks and removing or preventing PC menaces such as spyware and viruses will be discussed.

August 9 at 3:00 p.m.

Fox River Academy of Music and Art Honors Piano Recital

Location: Backthird Audio, 67 S. Stolp Ave.

Live recordings of the recital will be available for purchase on CD immediately after the performance.

August 13 at 2:00 p.m.

Game Day! Hooray!

Location: The Main Library is at 1 E. Benton Street, Multipurpose Room - Lower Level.  Call 630-264-4101.

Ages 7-11 can play, win prizes, and learn new games.

August 14 at 5:30 pm

Books and Bread Book Club

August 14th - Where Have all the Leaders Gone? by Lee Iacocca

Upcoming Books…….

September 11th - People's History of the United States by Howard Zinn

October 10th - People's History of the United States by Howard Zinn

November 13th - The God of War:  A Novel by Marisa Silver

December 11th - Three Cups of Tea by Greg Mortensen and David Oliver Relin

The Books and Bread Book Club meets monthly at downtown Aurora restaurants at 5:30 pm. Contact Karen Christensen (kchristensen@aurora-il.org) to be added to the email list, and for location information.

August 16 from 2:00 p.m. - 3:30 p.m.

Create Your Own Superhero with Jared Day

Location: The Main Library is at 1 E. Benton Street, Multipurpose Room - Lower Level.  Call 630-264-4101.

Teens can learn to create their own superheroes with Jared Day, a self-taught artist and graphic novelist, who has exhibited at many art shows, showcases and contests including the 2004 Wizard World Chicago.

August 21 from 6:30 p.m. - 7:30 p.m.

Reading is Top Dog

Location: The Main Library is at 1 E. Benton Street, Multipurpose Room - Lower Level.  Call 630-264-4101.

Ages 6-10 can come practice reading your favorite story to our dog friends from the Fox Valley Therapy Dog Club.

August 23 from 1:00 p.m.  - 3:00 p.m.

Beginning Genealogy:  How to Get Started the Right Way

Location: The Main Library is at 1 E. Benton Street, Multipurpose Room - Lower Level.  Call 630-264-4101.

Genealogy and Local History Specialist Mary Ann Pirone will provide general information on how to start an ancestor search, discuss resources available at the library and give some helpful hints on what to do when you hit that proverbial brick wall.

August 24 at 8pm   

Foreigner

Location: Paramount Theatre, 23 E. Galena Blvd.

Celebrating their 30th anniversary, Foreigner is back -- more powerful and more explosive than ever with classic rock tunes like "Cold as Ice", "Hot Blooded", "Urgent", "Jukebox Hero", "Waiting for a Girl Like You" and “I Want to Know What Love Is".  With a lineup that includes original member Mick Jones and Jason Bonham, son of the late Led Zeppelin drummer John Bonham, Foreigner continues to captivate generation after generation of fans with their blustery blues and impeccably crafted pop.  This is a show that is sure to rock the house!   

Runtime: 75-90 min.  No Intermission

Ticket Prices:  $65.50/55.50   Pre-Show Party $150*

*Pre-Show Party Package Includes: Top price ticket, Pre-show reception with band, Signed CD and photo opportunity.

For tickets call 630-896-6666 or visit: www.TheParamountTheatre.com

August 25 at 7:30 pm

The Guild

Location: Backthird Audio, 67 S. Stolp Ave.

The Guild is a monthly get-together for musicians, producers, promoters - anyone involved in music at any level who's looking to connect with others in the area who are on the same road. They share a drink and socialize, then typically come together for a group conversation on a particular topic.

 August -September 2008       

Stuart Pearson and Carol Zak Grand Gallery Art Showings

Location: Grand Gallery, 23 E. Galena Blvd.

Artists Reception Date:  Friday, September 12, 2008, 7-9pm

Stuart Pearson hopes to re-awaken the interest of individuals to nature and to the concern for our planet earth through his photography.  His color and black & white photographs produced with a Wooden Field Camera using 4”x5” film consist mainly of local nature and rural scenes.

Carol Zack enjoys using vibrant color in her compositions and takes inspiration from the French impressionist painters.  Carol’s colorful portraits in oil pastel and torn tissue

paper create a unique perspective of integration of surface texture and form.

The Paramount is pleased to offer a visual Art Gallery, located on the 2nd floor of the Grand Gallery.  Meet the artists and join us for complimentary light appetizers and a cash bar on the designated reception dates.  Most artwork is available for purchase.  Support the Arts!  Call Melissa Mercado at (630)723-2485 with any questions you may have regarding the Art Gallery.  For further information, visit the Theatre’s website at www.TheParamountTheatre.com.

July 25- August 24, 2008

The Aurora Public Art Commission presents:

The 50th Annual Aurora Art League Members Show, 2008

Location: 20 E. Downer Pl., Aurora, IL 60506, third floor gallery

Gallery Hours: Wednesday~Sunday   Noon~4:00 P.M. 

Suggested Donations: $3.00 for Adults $1.50 for Students and seniors

Off street parking available at Downer & Stolp. For free parking, bring your ticket to the Museum Shop to be validated.

Formed in 1919, the Aurora Art League was one of the earliest arts groups to be created in the Fox Valley. The purpose of the association is to encourage and provide opportunities for those interested in all forms of the creative visual arts, to promote high artistic standards and to stimulate interest in and understanding of the fine arts.

Aurora Historical Society Exhibit, "Dinner Time"

Location: David L. Pierce Art & History Center, 20 E. Downer

Hours:  Wed-Sun, Noon to 4:00 and Friday’s 6 pm – 9om during Downtown Alive!

An exhibit on the history of food preparation and dining.

Aurora Historical Society Exhibit, "Arranged Truth: Dressing for the Photographer"

Location: David L. Pierce Art & History Center, 20 E. Downer

Hours:  Wed-Sun, Noon to 4:00 and Friday’s 6 pm – 9om during Downtown Alive!

An exhibit exploring the history of portrait photography.

Saturdays June 21 through September 27

from 7:00 am to Noon

Farmer’s Market

Location: Parking lot at the Aurora Transportation Center, 233 North Broadway

Fox Valley Academy of Music Auditions

The Fox Valley Academy of Music Performance, proud sponsor of The Fox Valley Philharmonic, Fox Valley Youth Symphony Orchestras, Fox Valley Flutes, Access to Music , and The Chamber Music Institute, announces its fall auditions during the month of August. All instrumentalists are encouraged to call our offices for more information or to schedule an audition. Become a part of the FOX! Call today. 630/879-8018 www.fvyso.org

Save the Date! September 12 from 7:30 pm- 10:00pm

Aurora Artwalk

An escape from the ordinary………For more information check out www.auroraartwalk.com

If you would like to add an event to next month's newsletter please email info@auroradowntwon.org.