First Friday: Shopping, food, fun

Chester’s restaurants, galleries and shops are open at least until 8 p.m. with new works, music and collections

CHESTER >> New jewelry designs, a special martini made with fresh blood oranges, a local blues band, a new tea, new art shows, prosecco and treats — plus the giveaway of $525 in gift certificates.

All this and more is part of First Friday, April 7, when all of Chester’s restaurants, galleries and shops are open at least until 8 p.m. with new works, music and spring collections.

The winning card in the monthlong March Madness spending spree will be drawn at 6 p.m. at the Perfect Pear, where a new local tea line will be served with homemade Italian breadsticks,

Dina Varano will be introducing in her shop of the same name the third edition of her Talisman jewelry design that night.

And At the Good Elephant, a martini of Grey Goose vodka, fresh blood orange and grated ginger will be served.

Over at the Pattaconk Inn, the local blues band Ryan Newman will play on the patio from 7 to 10 p.m.

Strut Your Mutt will be serving wine, treats and cheese; the French Hen will be serving prosecco and treats; and Maple and Main will also be offering wine and unveiling its new spring exhibit.

At Lark, Erica Udoff, maker of Cellmates — cell phone bags in a variety of designs and materials — will be on hand to introduce her creations.

Chester is welcoming back on this First Friday the re-opening, after a winter rest, of C&G, which will showcase a new spring collections and offer 10 percent off everything that evening.

At Leif Nilsson’s studio starting on First Friday at 5 p.m. and going through the weekend, Leif will be giving half the proceeds from any sale to the Chester Rotary Club.

And, at Elle Design, there will be an opening reception on April 7 for two artists: Ellen Chappell, whose work celebrates and challenges America advertising and ideas, and Adi Dahlke, who will show new works in oil and gouache.

CONTRIBUTED PHOTO “Downtown Chester” by L. Malec.