Paul Cebar Tomorrow Sound performs riveting, joyful set at The Venue in Aurora

By Eric Schelkopf

One of the things that keeps bringing me back to The Venue in Aurora is that it likes to book acts that perform fresh, original music.

That certainly was the case when Paul Cebar Tomorrow Sound took the stage on Sept. 12. The band's sound incorporates an innovative blend of genres, including funk, soul and global rhythms.

And when you combine that with Cebar's honest and thoughtful lyrics, the show was one that brought joy to everyone who attended.

Here are a few highlights from the show. More videos are at youtube.com/@ericschel12/videos.

Paul Cebar Tomorrow Sound performs the song "Didn't Leave Me No Ladder" Sept. 12 at The Venue in Aurora.

  

Paul Cebar Tomorrow Sound performs the song "When We Sing" Sept. 12 at The Venue in Aurora.

 

Paul Cebar Tomorrow Sound performs the song "You Make Me Feel So" Sept. 12 at The Venue in Aurora.

Paul Cebar Tomorrow Sound performs its song "Baby Shake" Sept. 12 at The Venue in Aurora.

 

Fiestas Patrias returns to RiverEdge Park in Aurora Sept. 12 and 13

 

The 13th annual Fiestas Patrias – Aurora’s two-day celebration of Mexican music and culture – will take place at RiverEdge Park in Aurora on Sept. 12 and 13.

Proceeds from Fiestas Patrias will go towards funding scholarships that assist college-bound students of Hispanic descent who reside in Aurora. Scholarships are administered through the Community Foundation of the Fox River Valley. 

Gates will open at 3:30 p.m. Sept. 12. Opening acts include Aurora’s own Ballet Folklorico Quetzalcoatl at 4 p.m., Los Creyentes del Poder at 5 p.m., Grupo Furioso at 6:30 p.m., an onstage ceremony recognizing scholarship recipients at 7:45 p.m. and headliner Banda Carnaval at 8:30 p.m. 

Gates open at 3 p.m. Sept. 13. The Sunday schedule kicks off with roaming Mariachi at 2:45 p.m.; Los Aces Del Norte at 3:30 p.m., Parade of Nations at 4:30 p.m., Grupo Mandingo at 5:15 p.m., La Fiera de Ojinaga at 6:45 p.m., El Grito at 8 p.m. and La Maquinaria Norteña at 8:45 p.m.

Tickets are $20 per day for adults and $10 for children 12 and under. Those who plan to attend are encouraged to purchase tickets in advance at RiverEdgeAurora.com while supplies last. There is no guarantee tickets will be available for purchase during the festival.

More information is available at RiverEdgeAurora.com.

Alley Art Festival to celebrate its 16th and final year Saturday in downtown Aurora

Photo by J Weber

Alley Art Festival in Aurora will celebrate its 16th and final year from noon to 5 p.m. on Aug. 29. 

 

The free arts festival will bring nearly 100 local artists to downtown Aurora to showcase their handmade art. 

"Alley Art Fest has been a great way to meet artists and other people in the community," said longtime participating artist Meghan Schmid of Montgomery.

The popular, grassroots art festival will be staged on both pedestrian-friendly Water Street Mall and Downer Place between Stolp Avenue and Water Street. 

 

From 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., Downer Place will be closed to traffic east of Stolp Avenue.

“There will be an incredible lineup of talented local artists concentrated in one place for one afternoon," festival director Marissa Amoni said. "It’s not to be missed and it will be the last one." 

The annual festival will feature locally made art, jewelry, pottery, handmade goods, and more along with live music and food vendors. 

Singer-songwriter Lisa P. Medina will perform with cellist Adela Skowronski at noon in the Mundy Park pavilion off of Water Street Mall adjacent to The Venue. Belly dance troupes will perform at 2 p.m. 

 

Americana roots band Tank and the Beez will perform at 3 p.m. 

Aerialist Beth Stavros will present the captivating art of aerial sling until 3:30 p.m. on Downer Place. Aurora Film Society and Oswego High School’s Department of Fine Arts will also be set up on Downer Place. 

Strawberries BBQ, Polly Ann Cakes, Kool Kat Ice Cream, The Lovely Lemon, and Snow Cone Sisters will be available for purchase on Downer Place across from City Hall. 

Founded in 2010 by Amoni, Jenn Byrne, Lisa Gloria and Nate Miller, the festival exclusively showcases local artists residing within 30 miles of Aurora. 

 

Photo by J Weber

 

“It’s been a great, long run," Amoni said. "Alley Art Festival has become a community of artists, and that won’t end. I’m glad we can celebrate and honor what we’ve grown,” said. She included an explanation of the event's retirement on the website, she added.

For more information, including a list of participating artists, go to alleyartaurora.com.

Blues on the Fox opens RiverEdge Park for the season with high-powered energy

Guitarist Eric Gales performed on June 20 at RiverEdge Park in Aurora as part of Blues on the Fox.

 

By ERIC SCHELKOPF

After being closed last summer for major renovations, RiverEdge Park in Aurora reopened to the public on June 20 for the Blues on the Fox festival.

Given the top-notch talent of the artists on the bill, it was not surprising the stage was brimming with energy.

Here are a few highlights from the festival:

Musician Eric Gales performs June 20 at RiverEdge Park in Aurora as part of Blues on the Fox.

 

 

The Blues on the Fox festival on June 20 kicked off RiverEdge Park's season.

 

 

Musician Eric Gales performs June 20 at RiverEdge Park in Aurora as part of Blues on the Fox.

 

Musician Eric Gales performs his song "Baby, Baby" June 20 at RiverEdge Park in Aurora as part of Blues on the Fox.

 

 

Trombone Shorty performed June 20 at RiverEdge Park in Aurora as part of Blues on the Fox.
 

 

Trombone Shorty performs June 20 at RiverEdge Park in Aurora as part of Blues on the Fox.

 

 

Trombone Shorty performs his song "I'm Standing Here" – with guest musician Eric Gales on lead guitar – June 20 at RiverEdge Park in Aurora as part of Blues on the Fox.

 

Trombone Shorty performs his song "Here Come the Girls" June 20 at RiverEdge Park in Aurora as part of Blues on the Fox.

For more videos from the festival, go to youtube.com/@ericschel12/videos .