by Mary-Devon Dupuy

It’s not Second Saturday quite yet, but even people in the arts scene know that everything happens a little differently on Friday the 13th. Tonight, the May Gallery (2839 N. Robertson, suite 105) presents “Multi-Sensorial May,” an event where guests can enjoy a communal hammock, mood-inspired artisanal cocktails, and DJ’s bringing house, ambient, reggae and more until 3am.

Designer and builder Keene Kopper says that the gallery and residency is still in its soft-opening phase, with the grand opening planned for October. The party tonight is a fundraiser as much as it is a celebration.

“I’ve had a series of fundraising events over the summer to raise money for exhibitions and also for a cataloguing program that I’m going to be running here,” he said.

Every year, Kopper plans to publish two catalogues that will include the four exhibitions shown. The first one will document the artist’s residency program, and the second will be devoted to the following exhibitions of the season.

Tonight, local textile artist Katie Lerin will bring her large-scale lounger.

“She wove together this giant hammock made of rope," Kopper said. "She took really long sticks like they were knitting needles, they’re several feet long." The hammock is broken into three parts, and it will hang suspended from the ceiling.

“We’ve sat probably about eight people on it before,” Kopper said.

The cocktails, art exhibitions, and music will act as individual components of a larger experience. “It’s oriented in a way so that when you sit on the hammock, you can view Wesley Stokes’ video,” Kopper explained.

Stokes’ film, “Passion OV,” will be shown on a full wall, 12ft. tall and 20ft. wide. There’s no sound, so guests can enjoy the music and the visuals simultaneously.

Mixologist Sam Kane of the Alchemy Lounge has crafted “contextual pairings.” Kopper said that the cocktails are meant to steer the crowd’s mood.

“I have a bit of a culinary background myself, so food has always been tied together with creativity and arts in general. We [Kane and Kopper] started talking about art and mixing up drinks, how flavor profiles interact with people,” Kopper explained. “I invited him to look at the exhibition and come up with some drinks that use the art as a starting point for the flavor profiles.”

Cocktails include “Twentieth Century,” a drink meant for the patio. “Lucid Dream,” was created to facilitate viewers as they absorb Stokes’ Passion OV, and “Papa Doble,” was crafted for those lounging in Lerin’s hammock. Finally, the “Deconstructed Bellini,” was designed to get guests feeling loose and ready to dance.

Dance they will. Christopher Joseph, otherwise known as “Flexx Seal,” will be spinning modern house, techno, and bass music. Philippe Landry will bring the solid dub/roots/reggae, and Kim Herbert of Little Baby Witch Fingers will be dj-ing a variety of ambient electronic environmental music.

Entry is free, but Kopper and Kane ask that guests donate what they deem to be an appropriate amount for every cocktail ordered. Since the event is RSVP only, those interested must respond via email to themayspace@gmail.com or through the event's Facebook page by 4  p.m. today.