Each venue offers their own spin on entertainment with free admission & refreshments, food & beverage specials and discounted merchandise to contribute to this monthly community celebration. Activities include exhibit receptions, art making & live music. First Friday is organized by Downtown Auburn BID & Auburn’s Historic & Cultural Sites Commission.
First Friday Event Highlights
Unveiling of Blueprint II Dream Mural
At 5PM, come celebrate downtown Auburn’s latest public art project, being installed on the east exterior wall of Underground Bottle Shop, on John Street. The mural dimensions are 4’ H x 16’ W and theme is “dream,” transcribed in the various languages that represent Auburn’s diverse resident base. https://www.facebook.com/events/195694054545098/
BluePrint II is a leadership and civic engagement program for junior high school students. Each program year, small groups form and collaborate with teachers and community leaders to complete various projects. For the mural, BPII leaders included Jeff Alberici, Matt Drastal and Sue Muldoon, and the BPII team members are Jack Bennick, Tommy Cesario, Zack Crosby, Cameron Daddabbo, Jackson Siddall and Jimmy Vasile.
The Dream Muralist is artist Dawn Jordan; she created the design with the BPII students and led them through the artistic process. Rick Petrone is the contractor who is installing the mural, and Jesse Kline is the Project Manager, handling communication & work details with all the partners and property & business owners, plus managing the budget, and providing promotion.
This mural was supported by various sponsors that included community residents, organizations and businesses. They included Maxine & Gino Alberici, Auburn Downtown BID, Auburn Public Theater, R&M Real Estate and the Bartolotta Family, Harriet Tubman Center for Justice & Peace, Janie Hutchinson, Sue Muldoon, Joan Muldoon & Bob Gallager, and Whitings Wallpaper & Paints.
Try the Y for FREE
Time: 5AM – 9:30PM
Location: Auburn YMCA-WEIU, 27 William Street
Details: Come enjoy fitness/aquatic classes, weight & cardio equipment or play racquetball or basketball. 315.253-5304 http://auburnymca.org/
Free BEER & Music at OSTERIA Salina
Time: 11AM – close
Location: 16 – 20 State Street
Details: Enjoy a free draft beer with pizza purchase, plus music by Paolo & Felice 6 – 9PM.
315.258-9070 http://osteriasalinaauburn.com/
POETRY & Family FILM at APT
Time: 2 – 5:30PM
Location: Auburn Public Theater, 8 Exchange Street
Details: Poetry reading; discussion about Emily Dickinson 2 – 4PM, toddler cartoon, ” Wallace & Gromit – A Grand Day Out; the Wrong Trousers,” 5PM. 315.253-6669 http://auburnpublictheater.org/
TASTING at Auburn Discount Liquor
Time: 3 – 6PM
Location: 21 Seminary Street
Details: Complimentary wine & tequila tasting. 315.252-3747 www.auburndiscountliquor.com
Grand OPENING at Good SHEPHERD’S
Time: 3 – 10PM
Location: 132 Genesee Street
Details: View artwork by Sandra Shutter, plus First Firkin beer releases & music by Modus Operandi
7 – 9:30PM. 315.406-6498 www.shepsbeer.com
Happy Hour at A.T. Walley’s
Time: 4PM – close
Location: 119 Genesee Street
Details: Enjoy $3 domestic beers, $5 cocktails & complimentary appetizers. 315.282-7314 www.atwalley.com
Emerging ARTIST Exhibit at Cayuga Museum
Time: 5 – 8PM
Location: 203 Genesee Street
Details: View new exhibits featuring artwork by Kevin Burke, and “1918: A Century Later.”
315.253-8051 http://cayugamuseum.org/
NPS & New Exhibit at Seward House
Time: 5 – 8PM
Location: Seward House Museum, 33 South Street
Details: Collage art exhibit by Candy Lucas & music by Mark Nanni on the garden stage, plus tours of the Dining & Drawing rooms. 315.252-1283 http://www.sewardhouse.org/
Discounts & MUSIC at MOONDOG’S Lounge
Time: 5PM – close
Location: 24 State Street
Details: Half-off first drink plus live music with Mike Fedorchuk 6 – 8PM and Honky Tonk Hindooz 9 – 12PM. 315.253-3339 http://moondoglounge.com/
TASTING & Art at Underground BOTTLE SHOP
Time: 5 – 8PM
Location: 29 East Genesee Street
Details: BluePrint II Mural unveiling outside, plus sister’s exhibit with Janet & Cynthia, and beverage tasting. 315.252-5696 http://www.undergroundbottleshop.com/
BEER Discount at PARKER’S
Time: 6 – 9PM
Location: Parker’s Grille & Tap House, 129 Genesee Street
Details: Buy any burger and a domestic beer is $2, includes Bud, Blue Light & Coors Light.
315.252-6884 http://www.parkersgrille.com/
Students & Seniors Exhibit at SCHWEINFURTH
Time: 5 – 8PM
Location: SMAC, 205 Genesee Street
Details: Visit new exhibits “Made in NY” and “The Accidental Immigrant” artist talk with Tom Hall at 6PM. 315.255-1553 http://www.schweinfurthartcenter.org/
Win a REGENERATIONS Gift Certificate
Time: 5 – 8PM
Location: 101 Genesee Street
Details: Shop Auburn’s newest boutique for upcycled home furnishings & décor, gifts, art, funky clothing & more! Enter to win $25 gift certificate. 315.406-0097 www.regenerations2.com
Opendore Project at the PHOENIX Building
Time: 6:30 – 7:30PM
Location: Phoenix Building, 2 South Street
Details: Presentation by Guy Garnsey & Larry Bell on restoring the historic Opendore house in Sherwood. 315.252-2481
MUSIC at REFINERY
Time: 5 – 8PM
Location: Refinery @ Hilton Garden Inn, 74 State Street
Details: Patio opening party for the season, plus bottle & draft beer specials. 315.252-5511 http://www.refineryrestaurant.com/
For more information please contact the BID 315.252-7874. If you have questions regarding specific details, please contact the participating sites directly.
