May Daze/First Friday on the way

Art, music and lots of hats cap festivities

CHESTER — Art openings, live music, margaritas, tequila, new jewelry and dress lines, a book signing and lots of hats are all happening on the annual May Daze/First Friday celebration in Chester on Friday, May 4, from 5 to 8 p.m.

There will be art openings with refreshments for newly created 8x8 paintings at Maple and Main and for the Asian influenced work by 22 children from Montessori Circle of Friends at Harvest Moon. Also on tap is an art opening at Blackkat Leather for the work of Connecticut-based photographer Derek Hayn and an opening at Leif Nilsson’s Gallery for his new spring paintings.

There will also be live music at Leif ’s performed by Arrowhead and at the Pattaconk Inn by Groove Machine.

Dina Varano will in-

troduce the Raw Gemstone Collection, a new line of her jewelry at her place while Cait Clark will show, for the first time, her new line of spring dresses. At Cummings and Good, it’s “Hat’s Off” — 15 percent off all fascinators, fedoras, caps and chapeaux.

Stop at The French Hen for mini margaritas

and at Perfect Pear for tequila since it’s since its almost "Cinco de Mayo" and get 10 percent off Perfect Pear’s “Make your own tortilla class,” May 19.

Lark is hosting author/ illustrator Matthew Goldman aka Constant Waterman who has written a number of books including “Landmarks You Must Visit in Southeast Connecticut.”

Contributed photo The village of Chester welcomes visitors to its May Daze/First Friday event, held monthly and featuring art, music, food and shopping opportunities. Above, a painting by Claudia Van Nes.