Do you enjoy a stroll downtown at twilight? Do you enjoy looking at beautiful and interesting art? Are you inquisitive and enjoy visiting with those who create art? Do you enjoy a great evening out with good friends, great fellowship with talented people? And, of course, do you enjoy music?

If you answered yes to even one of those questions, put Friday, May 9, from 5 until 7 p.m. on your calendar. That’s the date and time that the Brookhaven Regional Arts Guild will host its first Art Walk and reception. At 7:30 p.m. that same evening Brookhaven Little Theatre presents its third production of the season, “The Music Man.”

Local artists will be working at their easels or at their workstation, temporarily set up on West Cherokee Street around The Haven Theater for the two hours of the Walk. Three stores will be opening and hosting an artist and his or her works in their stores: Roxy Magnolia, Touch of Sass and Catt’s Closet.

“We sincerely thank these three merchants and hope that in years to come that number will increase,” said Sue Minter, president of BRAG.

A reception honoring the artists of BRAG will be held in the foyer of the Haven Theater during the Art Walk and ending promptly at 7 p.m. when the doors of the John Landress Auditorium in the theater open for seating.

Minter explained that Brookhaven is the perfect small town to draw visitors and has so much to offer everyone, so instituting an Art Walk will give locals and those passing through a look at the massive talent in all areas of the arts in this part of the state.

Nancy Hanks-Myers, Guild publicity chairman, says she has hopes that one day in the future Brookhaven will become an arts destination. “Not in my lifetime maybe, but someone has to get things rolling and we felt the time was right.”

Greg Russell of BLT and Minter had discussed a collaboration between the two groups for several months, and the opening of “The Music Man” presented the perfect opportunity.

“Both organizations have a keen interest in the arts and each has much to offer our community,” said Russell. “A collaboration of this kind can only help us educate our community as to the importance of art and music in the fabric of our lives.”

A silent art auction will also begin during the Art Walk and continue through the run of the play. BRAG artists are donating time and talent to benefit the two organizations. The auction is open to all who attend the five performances of “The Music Man.” Proceeds from the auction will benefit the Save the Haven Fund and BRAG.

“We are collecting some wonderful pieces from our members. Some even depict the artist’s rendition of certain groups or scenes from the musical.” Minter said that the hope is to have at least 20 pieces up for bid if not more.

Rules for the bidding are contained in the program and will be posted in the foyer of the Haven.

“If you remember the ‘Wreath for the Stars’ silent auction in the BLT Christmas production you will have the general idea of how this auction will work,” said Minter.

The play performances are May 9, 10 and 11 and May 16 and 17. The Friday and Saturday performances begin at 7:30 p.m. with doors opening at 7 p.m. The Sunday matinee is at 2 p.m. with doors opening at 1:30 p.m. Reserve seats are required and tickets are now on sale at the Brookhaven-Lincoln County Chamber of Commerce.

Russell said that tickets will also be on sale at the door, but theatergoers take the chance of the performance being sold out if they wait to get their tickets. Tickets are $10 each.

“I suggest you get your tickets early and avoid making a trip downtown only to find that there are no tickets left for the night you plan to attend the play,” said Russell.

Friday, May 9, is going to be a fun, entertaining evening, say both Minter and Russell. Art in many forms will be on parade, so those interested should save the date for the Art Walk.

“I would call it an annual event, but we hope to be able to do more than one a year as time goes on,” Minter stated.

Questions concerning the Art Walk can be directed to Minter at (601) 757-8550 or Hanks-Myers at (601) 833-3144. For information on the BLT production, call (601) 669-1878. BRAG is the arts arm of the Brookhaven Trust.