Aurora music and market event offers ‘relaxing summer evening’
David Miller, of Aurora, is a fan of live music and wanted to listen to a few friends play in a band that was performing on Stolp Avenue in downtown Aurora on Wednesday evening.
“I’m friends with two guys in the band that are playing tonight — Saint Astro — and anytime you can get people out of the house and into the street it’s a good thing,” he said.
Music, food and a chance to browse at booths featuring homemade items were all part of the Music and Market on Stolp Avenue event in Aurora. The threehour event was the sixth and final in a series presented this year for the first time as a collaboration between the Aurora Downtown group and city of Aurora.
Aurora Downtown executive director Tina de Chaud, who recently took over her role with the group, said the new partnership resulted from combining two events, Art & Market with Wednesdays on the Plaza, and that “by combining the two together it became Music and Market.”
“We have the beautiful gazebo there on the river, so that’s where we have the music, which we combine with the vendors,” she said. “The partnership with the city has allowed us to offer a more collaborative and larger event.
“Aurora Downtown approached the city’s special events (group) and said, ‘Wouldn’t it make sense to close the street and bring the two things together?’ And the special events people thought it was an outstanding idea.”
Chaud said the event went well this summer.
“People like the music,” Chaud said. “They like the setup, and the setting itself is very appealing for having a relaxing summer evening.
“When I look around at the gazebo, we had easily 100 people last time enjoying the music, as well as people walking around on Stolp looking at the various vendors.”
One of the regular vendors at the event was Carisa Orlicz who sells all-natural vegan self-care items.
“I make all these items myself, and I’m here as well as the farmers market and the Society 57 Art & Market,” she said. “I’m here in Aurora because of the community. Everybody comes together and supports each other, and it’s a great time for everybody. It’s uplifting.”
Orlicz said throughout the six-week season of the event she saw steady foot traffic and the collection of people “is different from what the farmers market draws in.”
“You get different faces at both, and I’m looking to being back next year here,” she said.
Those in attendance Wednesday said they enjoyed having the opportunity to get out on a summer’s evening. Miller’s wife, Mary, said she “liked seeing the community out and about and being together.”
“I am a little sad summer is ending, but this is still a nice setting,” she said.
Diana Brizuela, of Rochelle, said this was her initial visit to the event after being invited by some local friends.
“This is my first time and I think the setup is cute,” she said. “I like seeing all the dogs walking around and the shops.”
Gerald Grimes admitted he had a ringside seat for the event as “I live right around the corner.”
“I’ve been living here three years and I just walk out the door,” he said. “A lot of people come. They’re kind, and you’ve got the river right here.
“I come and listen to music and enjoy all the things near me.”