The Middletown Press (Middletown, CT)
Find food, music, shopping June 2 during First Friday
CHESTER >> Live music, a revamped store and restaurant, a pottery show, new jewelry collections, a sale on spring and summer scarves, cosmopolitans, wine tastings, French Fizz cocktails and art openings are all part of First Friday, June 2, from 5 to 8 p.m.
Homemade vin d’orange and orange-thyme cookies are being offered at the Perfect Pear while the former Elle Design, now Harvest Moon, will reveal its newly renovated space with a mixed media art opening, live music and wine tasting.
There are changes at Good Elephant, too, which has moved upstairs under new ownership while L&E has returned to the downstairs space and is celebrating by serving First Friday French Fizz cocktails, and complimentary bar snacks at the bar provided from 5 to 6:30 p.m.
The opening reception for a solo show of oil paintings of New England scenes by Rhode Island artist Vanessa Piche is being featured in Maple and Main’s Stone Gallery from 5:30 to 8 p.m. There will be wine and food. Guests can view the Spring exhibit and “Little Gems” show of 8x8 paintings.
At Leif Nilsson Spring Street Studio & Gallery, listen to Arrowhead play and view the Nilsson & Newton show, which closes after the weekend.
A “Dive into Summer” party is taking place at French Hen with the launching of a jewelry line from Spain, 10 percent off all Simon Pearce pieces and the serving of mini sparkling cosmopolitans.
Lark is offering springsummer scarves for $15 each and serving drinks and “something tasty” while BlackKat Leather is featuring a display of pottery by Julie Bonilla of Studio B Pottery in Haddam and serving wine.
Favorite rose wines will be served in a wine tasting from 5 to 7 p.m. at the Chester Package store.
Dina Varano collects beach and river stones to incorporate into her jewelry — her newest collection will be unveiled First Friday; wine will be served.
Members of the Chester Historical Society and those who join by Friday evening are invited the society’s opening reception from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. at the Chester Museum at the Mill, with the society’s summer-long exhibit: “Postcards and Three Notables.” Food and drink and a 10 percent discount in the gift shop are being offered.