Great things are happening in downtown Aurora! Please send updates for the August 2008 newsletter to info@auroradowntown.org.

July 4 10:00 am
City of Aurora’s Independence Day Parade

The City of Aurora’s annual Independence Day Celebration kicks off with the Fourth of July Parade on July 4. The parade steps off at 10 a.m. at the corner of River St. and Benton St. to Broadway, Galena Blvd., Stolp Ave., Downer Pl., and ends at Middle Ave. The parade program begins at 9:15 a.m. in front of the Paramount Theatre.

July 10 at 5:30 pm

Books and Bread Book Club

July 10th -  Trespass:  Living at the Edge of the Promised Land by Amy Irvine

at Tavern on the Fox, 24 N. Broadway

Upcoming Books…….

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

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.

July 11
DOWNTOWN ALIVE!
The third in the Downtown Alive! Friday night Festival Series features The Moods! A perennial favorite of our Downtown Alive patrons, you’ll definitely be in the mood with The Moods as they perform favorites from Motown, Blues, Pop, Rock & Roll topped off with a smattering of Jazz. The festival is FREE and includes a FREE KidZone with rides and activities, over a dozen Aurora area restaurants offering a very diverse menu, icy cold libations, a classic car and motorcycle show plus many more surprises. Bring a lawn chair (no coolers please) and kick back, relax and enjoy the music in historic downtown Aurora!
5 East Downer Place, Aurora
(630) 844-4731
www.downtownaliveaurora.com

July 12, 2008 11am – 3pm

Paramount Theatre NEW SUBSCRIBERS PRE-SALE

Planning to purchase 3 or more shows at the Paramount this season?  Join us for the NEW SUBSCRIBERS Pre-sale Party on Saturday, July 12 from 11am – 3pm in the Grand Gallery of the Paramount Theatre at 23 E. Galena Blvd..  This event is FREE to the public, no reservations are needed. Prizes and ticket Give-aways every 15 minutes! FREE Lunch! Be the first to order tickets with no service charges!  Staff will be on hand to answer all of your questions about the shows, ordering, seating and more!  Single Tickets on Sale Tuesday, July 15th.

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

 July 18
DOWNTOWN ALIVE!
The fourth in the Downtown Alive! Friday night Festival Series features American English! The Fab Five live on with these remarkable musicians who take their legendary music to the highest level possible. American English is the closest you will ever get to relive the authentic Beatles experience. The festival is FREE and includes a FREE KidZone with rides and activities, over a dozen Aurora area restaurants offering a very diverse menu, icy cold libations, a classic car and motorcycle show plus many more surprises. Bring a lawn chair (no coolers please) and kick back, relax and enjoy the music in historic downtown Aurora!
5 East Downer Place, Aurora
(630) 844-4731
www.downtownaliveaurora.com

July 19 at 8 pm

Willowfair

willowfair will be playing a concert at the Warehouse Church, 308 E. Galena Blvd.

June 28- July 31      

Artists Reception Date:  July 19, 2008, 7-9pm

Paramount Theatre’s Grand Gallery Art Showing:

All The World’s a Stage

Location: Grand Gallery, 23 E. Galena Blvd.

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.

Artists take a historical look at Chicago area theaters – both past and present – and explore the theatrical journey from vaudeville stages, through silent pictures to talking motion pictures and full circle back to live performances once again.  Artists include: Bruce Cutter, Don Elmi, Thomas Gessner, Bart Harris, Barbara Herring, Howard Jacobs, Debra Paulson, Russell Phillips, Bruch Sharp and Jack Siegel.

July 25- August 24, 2008

Opening Reception: July 25 from 5:00- 8:30 P.M

The Aurora Public Art Commission presents:

The 50th Annual Aurora Art League

Members Show, 2008

Admission to opening reception is free

Musical entertainment by the Papo Quartet

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

Regular 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.

July 28 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.

Saturdays June 21 through September 27 at 7:00 am to Noon

Farmer’s Market

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

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 – 9 pm 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 – 9 pm during Downtown Alive!

An exhibit exploring the history of portrait photography

August 2, 2008 1pm - 4pm

Paramount Theatre Academy of Performance

OPEN HOUSE

The Paramount Theatre in Aurora, IL is proud to introduce a new and exciting addition . . .

A full blown School of Performing Arts with group and private classes in dance, orchestra, band, voice, and acting! JOIN US FOR AN OPEN HOUSE, SATURDAY, AUGUST 2, 2008 FROM 1-4PM. See our New Facility!  FREE classes and entertainment!  Meet the faculty, Enjoy food, games, raffles & Fun!

The school will offer performance classes, whose combined disciplines will culminate in a show at the close of each semester.  Additionally, the school will include master classes along with Q&A opportunities with the actual performers and stars that entertain at the Paramount, as well as backstage tours. Our school will be located on the first floor of North Island Center at 8 East Galena Blvd., directly across from the theatre, making the Paramount a complete resource for both entertainment and arts education!

Our classes address all skill levels from toddler through teen and beyond. To learn more about the Paramount School of the Performing Arts, log on to our website at www.TheParamountTheatre.com, or call: 630-723-2485.