Great things are happening in downtown Aurora! Don't miss a thing!

Tiny Candle  7pm Friday, December 12 and Saturday, December 13 at Backthird Audio, 67 S. Stolp Ave.   An intimate evening of acoustic music and collaboration with six gifted Aurora songwriters. Piano and guitars, violin, cello and voices - plus who knows what else. Christmas music and original songs. A reception will follow with cookies and warm drinks for as long as you can stay. Seating is limited - order tickets and listen to music from those performing at www.tinycandle.com. 

Paramount Theatre December Events:
 
The Nutcracker returns to the Paramount Theatre
Saturday, December 6, 2008 at 1pm & 5pm
Tickets $29.50 Adult/$23.50 Child
Sugarplum fairies, nutcrackers and delightful dancers will dazzle you in this classic dream tale of The Nutcracker.  Offering all the ingredients for fantasy and wonder, this holiday favorite features spectacular costuming and sets with a cast of 65 local dancers as well as world-class guest artists. For tickets call the Paramount Theatre at 630-896-6666 or Ticketmaster. 
 
A Christmas Carol - A Paramount Tradition!
Sunday, December 7, 2008 at 3pm
$36.00 Adult/$20.00 Child
Monday, December 8, 2008 at 9am & noon
Monday matinees: $20 Adult/ $14 Child Sponsored by Citibank and Arts Midwest 
Every memorable detail of Dickens' classic novel A Christmas Carol springs to life from spine-chilling ghosts to heartfelt renditions of traditional British carols. A sell-out every year, come see why so many families have made this production a holiday tradition. For tickets call 630-896-6666 or Ticketmaster. Sponsored by Citibank.
 
Paramount Art Gallery Opening Reception
Friday, December 12, 2008 7-9pm
FREE
Need a break from the holiday hustle and bustle? Take a leisurely stroll through the second level of the Paramount Theatre Grand Gallery on Friday, December 12th. Enjoy soft Christmas music along with complimentary appetizers and cash bar as you stroll through and view the vibrant artwork of Joyce Reuland and stunning photography of Brian DeWolf. Artwork is available for purchase, and will be on display through the end of January.  
 
Jim Brickman plays the Paramount Theatre
Saturday, December 13, at 8pm Sponsored by Daily Herald 
$75.50 Gold Circle/$50.50/$45.50/35.50
Pre-Show Catered Dinner at 6pm $45 per person
Grammy Nominated Jim Brickman revolutionized the sound of "Adult Contemporary" music with his pop-style solo piano and romantic popular songs including chart-topping compositions "Valentine," "The Gift," "Love of My Life," and "Peace." A pre-show dinner catered by Enticing Cuisine is available before the show. For tickets call 630-896-6666 or Ticketmaster. Visit our online store at www.ParamountAurora.com to view a complete menu. Gift Certificates  are available in any denomination.  We'll even wrap and ship!
  
Wynonna brings A Classic Christmas Tour
to the Paramount Theatre
Saturday, December 20, 2008 at 8pm
Made possible by Rush-Copley Tickets: $75.50/$65.50
Pre-Show Catered Dinner at 6pm $45 per person
Wynonna is taking her critically acclaimed holiday album, A Classic Christmas, on the road this holiday season.  A pre-show dinner catered by Reulands is available before the show.  For tickets call 630-896-6666 or Ticketmaster. Visit our online store at www.ParamountAurora.com to view a complete menu. Gift Certificates are available in any denomination.  We'll even wrap and ship!

Aurora Public Library

The Main Library 1 E. Benton St.  

The library offers a number of regularly scheduled programs, click here for more information.   

Adult Book Discussion
December 3  12:00 p.m. - 1:00 p.m.
Location: Multipurpose Rm, Lower Level, 630-264-4101
Painted House by John Grisham, Bring your lunch, we'll provide the dessert!
 
Genealogy Assistance
December 4     9:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
December 11   6:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m.
Location:  Second Floor,  630-264-4101
Need help with your family history project?  Our informal drop-in sessions can help start your family tree or break down a brick wall that has stopped your research. Be sure to bring along any family papers that could provide useful information. Individual 2-hour appointments are also available.
 
Winter Holiday Storytime for Ages 3-5
December 16  10:30 a.m.
Location:  Multipurpose Rm, Lower Level, 630-264-4123
 
Drop-in Crafts for All Ages
December 29, 30  10:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Location:  Multipurpose Rm, Lower Level, 630-264-4123
 
Spanish Language Programs:
Our Lady of Guadalupe: A Rich and Colorful History
December 2  6:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m.
Location:  Multipurpose Rm, Lower Level, 630-264-4101
The Virgin of Guadalupe, whose Feast Day is celebrated on Dec. 12, is more than a religious symbol; her image is representative of a whole nation's identity. Miguel Arias, liturgy scholar and author of Saints of the Americas: Conversations with 30 Saints from 15 Countries, will talk of the Virgin's apparition, the religion of the Aztecs and the meanings of her image to help us understand how this came to happen.  
 
Spanish Storytime
December 6  3:00 p.m.
Location:Multipurpose Rm, Lower Level, 630-264-4101
Stories in Spanish for families with children age 4 & up.
 
Ha-blah-blah-ndo English
December 6, 20  10:30 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
Location: Multipurpose Rm, Lower Level, 630-264-4101
Improve your English in a casual and friendly setting. Join this conversation group where a tutor will engage you and other learners in topical conversations, games and role playing to develop your English language skills and confidence, no matter your level. Sessions are free so come as often as you need to reach your goal!

Riverfront Playhouse presents A Christmas Carol  Performances:
Friday & Saturday, Dec 12-13 at 8pm
Sunday, Dec 14 at 3pm
Friday & Saturday, Dec 19-20 at 8pm
Sunday, Dec 21 at 3pm

Reservations Strongly Recommended!
11-13 Water St. Mall
Downtown Auora    This holiday season, spend some quality time with the folks at Riverfront Playhouse in Aurora for their 16th annual production of A Christmas Carol. You've never experienced Dickens like this before!

Based on Charles Dickens' classic novel, the script, music and lyrics to the Riverfront's version of A Christmas Carol were written by Jack Schultz. "At the Riverfront, we have a reputation for presenting shows of a sort of off-beat nature, so we decided to create our own version of A Christmas Carol," said author Jack Schultz.
  For more information, call the Riverfront box office at (630) 897-9496 or visit the web-site at riverfrontplayhouse.com.

Books and Bread Book Club

December 11th at 5:30 pm
 

Three Cups of Tea by Greg Mortensen & David Oliver Relin

Upcoming Books:       

January 8, 2009 - Stalin's Children by Owen Matthews
February 12, 2009 - The Irregulars by Jennet Conant
March 12, 2009 - Hot, Flat, and Crowded by Thomas L. Friedman
 
The Books and Bread Book Club meets monthly at downtown Aurora restaurants at 5:30 pm. Contact  Karen Christensen  to be added to the email list, and for location information.

Aurora Historical Society
Galleries & Museum Store in the David L. Pierce Art & History Center, 20 E. Downer Shop for the Holidays at the Museum Store!
Open extended hours, Dec. 1-24, Wednesday thru Sunday, Noon to 5:30.

Now Available! Vintage Aurora -- In Color 2009 Calendar Featuring twelve color images of vintage Aurora, 1940s-1970s Just $12.95 plus tax

Current Exhibit
Party Favors: Collecting Political Memorabilia Open October 18, 2008 - January 18, 2009 An exhibit of political buttons, ribbons, posters, and other memorabilia, from the 1850s to the present. Items from the Historical Society's own collections, plus a number of local collectors.

Admission to galleries: Adults, $3.00; Seniors & Students, $1.50; Children under 12 & AHS Members, Free.
Free Admission for the Holidays, starting December 12th.

For Information, Call (630) 906-0650 or visit www.aurorahistory.net

Article Public Art Commission

The Aurora Public Art Commission Presents: Winter Garden of Youth Art 2008   Dates: December 12, 2008~January 11, 2009
Opening Reception with Santa:  Friday, December 12, 2008
Time: 5:00~7:00 P.M., free admission to reception
Admission to Art and History Center: Free during this exhibit.
Location: Aurora Public Art Commission Gallery
20 E. Downer Place, 3rd floor, Aurora
Hours: Wed.~Sun. Noon~4:00 P.M.
Phone: (630) 906-0654
Musical entertainment by John Papadolias and Dave Bowers
 
The Aurora Public Art Commission Gallery will host the 11th annual Winter Garden of Youth Art, an exhibit of art by Aurora school children from K~12th grade. This year 20 Aurora schools will participate, each entering five art works for a total of 100.

Aurora Regional Fire Museum

A family of festive holiday mice have invaded the Aurora Regional Fire Museum.  The museum's north bunkroom -- home to Aurora's real "north pole" (the brass fire pole that served the north-side of the old Central Fire Station) -- has been transformed with the holiday exhibit, "All I want for Christmas... is a Fire Engine under the Tree".  

This temporary holiday exhibit includes more than five hundred (all different) firefighting Christmas ornaments, from the collection of John and Barbara Nolan, displayed on three nine-foot tall Christmas trees.  Some ornaments are whimsical -- featuring cartoon characters -- while others are more realistic and boast working sirens and flashing lights.  There are more than one hundred versions of Santa dressed in firefighting gear, at least fifty firefighting snowmen, and another one hundred fire engines of every size and shape.

The Aurora Regional Fire Museum features five pieces of fire apparatus and an award winning interactive exhibit in a fully restored vintage firehouse.   The museum is located at the corner of New York (Rt 25) and Broadway in downtown Aurora, IL.  Free parking in the lot behind the museum.   

Open Thursday- Saturday 1-4 pm

Suggested donation: $5.00 for adults, $3.00 for children.

SciTech Hands On Museum

For more great things happening in downtown Aurora check out: 

Aurora Area Convention and Visitors Bureau
Aurora Historical Society
Aurora Public Art Commission
Aurora Regional Fire Museum
Backthird Audio
Main Library Mayor's Office of Special Events
Paramount Theatre
Riverfront Playhouse
SciTech Hands on Museum Trinity Episcopal Church