Happy Autumn MG Readers! Whether you’re heading out or staying in, this week’s Montclair, Bloomfield, and beyond events guide has you covered with kid-friendly activities, performances, farmers’ markets, and much more happening in the neighborhood. Check out this list of all the virtual and in-person events happening in Montclair, Bloomfield, and beyond this weekend (September 29th – October 3rd).
Disclaimer: Events are subject to change and some may be weather dependent. For the most up-to-date info, please contact the host directly.
Local Montclair (+ Beyond) Events
South Orange Downtown Farmer’s Market
Wednesday, September 29th | 2PM-7PM
Check out the South Orange Farmers Market every Wednesday in the Sloan St. Lot from 2PM-7PM. Please remember to bring your reusable shopping bags with you. Learn more here.
Outdoor Yoga at Van Vleck House
Wednesday, September 29th | 6PM-7PM | Every Wednesday in September
Join an outdoor yoga session at Van Vleck House every Wednesday at 6PM. This class welcomes all levels from beginner to experienced yogis. Please note mats will be spaced at least 6 feet apart, and participants required to practice social distancing and wear a mask at all times except while practicing on your mat. In case of inclement weather, the class will be cancelled and participants will be notified. Registration is required by the Tuesday before class. Learn more here.
Fall Cornhole League at Montclair Brewery
Wednesday, September 29th | 7PM-8PM | Every Wednesday
Join the second season of Montclair’s own cornhole league hosted at Montclair Brewery, Wednesday nights 7-8PM. Learn more here.
Watchung Booksellers Presents Farah Jasmine Griffin: “Read Until You Understand”
Wednesday, September 29th | 7:30PM
Farah Jasmine Griffin will read from her book “Read Until You Understand: The Profound Wisdom of Black Life and Literature” at Watchung Booksellers on Sept. 29th at 7:30PM. Learn more here.
Newark Downtown District Market
Thursday, September 30th | 11AM-3PM | Every Thursday in September
The NDD Downtown Market is a newly imagined version of the NDD Common Greens Farmers Market and will be back at the PSE&G Plaza on Thursdays through September 30th. Learn more here.
Newark’s Halsey Fest
Thursday, September 30th | 11AM-8PM
Stop by the Halsey Fest on September 30th, the small community festival with an impact. Come and meet local businesses, be entertained by local bands and DJs, play and interact with arts, games, and much more. Learn more here.
Meditation Workshop
Thursday, September 30th | 11:30AM | Every Thursday
Join Bindu Bhatt for a virtual meditation session. No experience necessary. Bindu has practiced meditation for over 30 years and would like to share her insights with you. Learn more here.
Sweet T’s Southern Eatery Grand Opening Ribbon Cutting
Thursday, September 30th | 3PM
Stop by Sweet T’s Southern Eatery on Sept. 30th at 3PM for th grand opening celebration at 387 Bloomfield Ave in Montclair. Learn more here.
BCB Bank’s Business Networking Event
Thursday, September 30th | 4PM-7PM
Join BCB Bank on Sept 30th from 4PM-7PM for an outdoor business networking event at 200 Valley St. in South Orange. Learn more here.
Latin American Responses to the Holocaust at Kean University
Thursday, September 30th | 6PM
Beginners Flow Yoga
Thursday, September 30th | 6PM | Every Thursday
This class, hosted by the Union Public Library, will lead you through the foundations of yoga postures, body awareness and alignment, relaxation of the mind and a connection with the breath. You will learn how to improve muscle strength, promote flexibility, and build your own yoga program specific for your mind and body. Learn more here.
Montclair Film Festival Tickets Now Available
Friday, October 1st | 10AM
Tickets for the Montclair Film Festival will go on sale for the general public starting on Oct. 1st at 10AM. The Festival will take place on Oct. 21-30. Learn more here.
Montclair Brewery at Highland Park Farmer’s Market
Friday, October 1st | 11AM
Montclair Brewery will be at the Highland Park Farmer’s Market located on Main Street at 212 Raritan Ave. Learn more here.
Classes in Mixed-Media Abstract Art
Friday, October 1st | 1PM
Every Friday, Award-winning Roseland artist Evan Stuart Marshall will teach a class on mixed-media abstract art. The topics covered include design and composition, classic abstract layouts, working with shapes, intuitive painting, and more. Learn more here.
All Points West Distillery Tour + Tasting
Friday, October 1st + Saturday, October 2nd | 5PM-9PM
Join All Points West every Friday and Saturday for a 20-minute tour with spirit samples and a house cocktail. A 10% discount on bottles and additional cocktails are included with the ticket. Learn more here.
Dinner Under the Stars in Bloomfield Center
Friday, October 1st | 6PM-10PM
The Bloomfield Center Alliance invites you to come out for al fresco dining and live entertainment on Washington Street in Bloomfield Center every Friday through October 8th. Learn more here.
Whose Line is it Anyway? at The Wellmont Theater
Friday, October 1st | 7PM
Whose Line is it Anyway? will be at The Wellmont Theater on Oct. 1st. Learn more here.
Live Music at Montclair Brewery
Friday, October 1st + Saturday, October 2nd, + Sunday, October 3rd | 7PM-9:30PM
Head over to Montclair Brewery for live music every weekend provided by local artists. Learn more here.
10th Annual 4 Miler
Saturday, October 2nd
Run the 10th Annual 4 Miler on Saturday, Ocotber 2nd at Garret Mountain in Woodland Park, where all the proceeds directly support St. Joseph’s Children’s Hospital, specifically the Child Life Department. Partake in a walk or a run to raise money for children and their families who are under the hospital’s care. The cost to participate is $25 for a 4 mile run (USA Track and Field Certified) or 1.5 mile walk and $5 for a kids dash. Learn more here.
Backpacks for Life 7th Annual Bocce Ball Tournament
Saturday, October 2nd | 9AM
Join Backpacks For Life on Saturday October 2nd for its 7th Annual Bocce Ball Tournament. In addition to raising funds for supporting veterans, there will be food, drinks, music, cigars and more. Learn more here.
Sea Turtle Race 5k + Family Fun Walk
Saturday, October 2nd | 8:30AM
The 3rd Annual Montclair Sea Turtle Race Run will take place on October 2nd at Orange Reservoir, 9 Cherry Lane in West Orange. The race will travel on a USATF certified course around the Orange Reservoir in West Orange. This year’s race is nicknamed the “Cold Stun Run” to bring awareness to the sick sea turtles that are cold-stunned from failing to migrate south before the temperature becomes too cold. The 5K race will start at 8:30AM with a 1.7 mile Family Fun Walk starting at 8:35AM. Refreshments will be available after the race at Clipper Pavilion. Discounted admission to the Turtle Back Zoo will be available to participants that present their race IDs at the zoo admission ticket booth.
North Jersey Women’s March: Together We Rise
Saturday, October 2nd | 10AM
Join the North Jersey March for Women’s Rights, including reproductive freedom, on Oct. 2nd at 10AM outside of Montclair’s Municipal Building at 205 Claremont Ave. Learn more here.
Saturday Skate Sesh with Boardroom Skate
Saturday, October 2nd | 10AM-12PM | Every Saturday
Join Boardroom Skate for a skate session every Saturday at Rand Courts. Beginners are welcome. Learn more here.
Halcyon Fall Annual Seafood Festival
Saturday, October 2nd, + Sunday, October 3rd | 11:30AM
Head over to Halcyon for the Halcyon Fall Annual Seafood Festival on Oct 2nd and 3rd located at 114 Walnut Street Montclair. No reservations necessary. Learn more here.
Succeed2Gether’s Montclair Literary Festival
Saturday, October 2nd + 3rd
The Fifth Annual Succeed2gether’s Montclair Literary Festival will take place on Saturday, October 2 and Sunday, October 3. ‘The Fonz’ Henry Winkler opens the festival at 10AM with a hybrid event discussing his journey from being a dsylexic child to a Hollywood superstar and children’s author. All of the events on Saturday are free. E Street band member Stevie Van Zandt will close the festival with an in-person event on Sunday, October 3 at 5PM. There will also be a headline online event with Irish author Colm Tóibín on Sunday, October 3 at 2PM. Proceeds from all events benefit Succeed2gether, a Montclair-based non-profit 501(c) organization that addresses unequal access to educational resources for low-income families and children from Montclair and Essex County. Learn more here.
Chinese Cooking Classes with Chef Gilley
Saturday, October 2nd | 5PM | Recurring
Enjoy an authentic Chinese culinary experience led by Chef Gilley. In these live online cooking classes, you’ll experience training from Chef Gilley as you prepare a variety of classic Chinese recipes completely from scratch. Learn more here.
Family Roller Skating at Branch Brook Park
Saturday, October 2nd | Multiple Times Available | Every Saturday
Head over to Branch Brook Park for family roller skating every week. It’s open to all ages. Tickets must be purchased in advance. Sign up here.
Bloomfield Center’s Restaurant Week
Sunday, October 3rd
Bloomfield Center’s Restaurant Week is here! Whether you’re out dining with friends, or opening up some delicious takeout at home, make sure to snap a photo to possibly win a gift card to your favorite spot. Learn more here.
Church of the Holy Spirit’s Celebration of Pets
Sunday, October 3rd | 1PM-4PM
The Church of the Holy Spirit will host a Celebration of Pets on Sunday, October 3rd from 1-4PM at Verona Town Hall Square, 600 Bloomfield Avenue. Spend an afternoon in the outdoor Verona Town Square to honor your four-footed, winged, and finned friends by recognizing their importance in our lives and the joy they bring us. There will be pet-orientated vendors, crafts-people, pet adoptions, pet blessings and more. There will also be activities for kids, music by DJ Automatic Entertainment, food vendors, a pet parade at 2:30PM with prizes and a photo booth. The event is free – attend with or without a pet. Learn more here.
Broadway on Bloomfield at Vanguard
Sunday, October 3rd | 7PM
New Jersey natives natives Jelani Remy and Joshua Morgan, stars of Broadway’s “Ain’t Too Proud” come home for a special night of cabaret and post-show talkback. Learn more here.
Motown Sunday Brunch at Sweet Southern Eatery
Sunday, October 3rd
Head over to Sweet Southern Eatery every Sunday for live music during brunch. Learn more here.
Hispanic Heritage Month 5K
Now-October 17th
Sign up for the Hispanic Heritage Month 5K. Log solo miles at a time and date you choose between September 15th-October 17th. Latinos Run is teaming up with Fleet Feet and On Footwear to bring you a hybrid 5K with virtual and in-person fun run options. The group will host an in-person meet-up and celebration on September 26th at 8:30AM. Learn more here.
Transitional Energy Exhibit at SOPAC
On View Now-Nov. 21st
Transitional Energy: Form, Shape, Color by Curtis Grayson, III is SOPAC’s newest exhibit for the fall season. Learn more here.
Tech/Know/Future/ From Slang to Structure Exhibition Now Open at Montclair State University Galleries
On View Now-December 11th
The Montclair State University Galleries will present the exhibition Tech/Know/Future/ From Slang to Structure from September 14 through December 11, 2021. The new exhibition is the Galleries’ first in-person offering in nearly two years due to the coronavirus pandemic. Tech/Know/Future/ From Slang to Structure is a critical response to technological systems within art addressing the issues of identity, history and abstraction, placing the viewer at the intersection of the past, present and future. Learn more here.
MAM Premieres New Exhibits
Ongoing
Head over to Montclair Art Museum for the opening event of four exhibits including Color Riot! How Color Changed Navajo Textiles. With Diné perspectives and the technical mastery of weavers at the heart of Color Riot!, this exhibition, featuring 70 bold artworks from 1860–1930 and the present, celebrates the courage and vision to experiment. Learn more here.
Essex County to Administer Covid-19 Booster Shots
Ongoing
Essex County announced that it will administer booster shots to those who are immunocompromised, by appointment only, at its vaccination centers at Kmart in West Orange and Essex County College in Newark. According to the CDC and the FDA, people are considered to have a compromised immune system if they are fighting a disease, undergoing medical treatments or have received an organ transplant. Appointments can be made at EssexCOVID.org or 973-877-8456. Learn more here.
Montclair Film’s Virtual Cinema
Ongoing
Montclair Film’s Virtual Cinema is the best way to watch the latest movies from home while supporting the non-profit organization. Films in the Virtual Cinema are new, independent releases, available for rent at home before becoming available on other platforms, featuring new indies, documentaries, foreign films, and restored classics, with new selections available every Friday. Learn more here.
Point of Action: New Art Installation at Crane Park
Ongoing
Montclair residents and artists Nina Cooke John and Charlie Spademan bring this installation to Montclair at no cost to the township for about four to six weeks. Crane Park is located at 1-9 Greenwood Avenue in Montclair. Learn more here.
Tour Van Vleck House and Gardens
Open daily | 9AM-6PM
Take a free tour of Van Vleck House and Gardens, a center for horticulture, education, music, and art. The gardens are open to the public and the house is available to non-profits for meetings and events. Learn more here.
Kid/Teen Focused Events
Listen on the Lawn
Tuesday, October 5th | 11AM | Every Tuesday
Join The Montclair Public Library for an in-person storytime on the lawn at the Bellevue Avenue Branch. Rain dates are scheduled for Thursdays at the same time. Social distancing required. Registration is not required but is recommended for scheduling updates. Learn more here.
Cuentitos: Bilingual Spanish Storytime (ages 2-5)
Tuesday, October 5th | 4PM
Join The Montclair Public Library for a fun, bilingual Spanish story time session with live music. Children’s books will be read in Spanish and English along with an acoustic guitar and songs in Spanish. Spanish speakers and non-Spanish speakers are invited to join. Learn more here.
Upcoming Weekday Events
South Orange Downtown Farmer’s Market
Wednesday, October 6th | 2PM-7PM | Every Wednesday
Check out the South Orange Farmers Market every Wednesday in the Sloan St. Lot from 2PM-7PM. Please remember to bring your reusable shopping bags with you. Learn more here.
Outdoor Yoga at Van Vleck House
Wednesday, October 6th | 6PM-7PM | Every Wednesday in September
Join an outdoor yoga session at Van Vleck House every Wednesday at 6PM. This class welcomes all levels from beginner to experienced yogis. Please note mats will be spaced at least 6 feet apart, and participants required to practice social distancing and wear a mask at all times except while practicing on your mat. In case of inclement weather, the class will be cancelled and participants will be notified. Registration is required by the Tuesday before class. Learn more here.
Free Community Knitting Virtual Class
Wednesday, October 6th | 7PM-9PM | Every Wednesday
Join a free community knitting virtual class every Wednesday. All fiber crafts are welcome. Register here.
Open Mic at Montclair Brewery
Thursday, October 7th | 7:30PM-9:30PM
Stop by Montclair Brewery for an open mic night. Share your music, comedy, poetry, or drama. The event is family-friendly and all ages are welcome. Learn more here.
Ways to Give Back Locally
Latino Mental Health Association of New Jersey | Montclair, New Jersey
Right before the turn of the century, this organization committed itself to address the needs of the Latinx community here in New Jersey. Since that time, the organization has supported both mental health professionals and the Latinx community at large through training, treatment, mentorship, advocacy work, and the development of resources. Any interested in learning more about its services or looking to donate can log onto the website here.
National Association of Hispanic Real Estate Professionals | Northern New Jersey Chapter
This national organization has made itself available to real estate agents in various areas of the country. Its north New Jersey chapter is dedicated to championing homeownership for Latinx individuals in this covering region. Thanks to the Board of Directors, community events that support both homeowners, as well as Hispanic real estate professionals, are available. Information on the organization’s mission and upcoming events can be found via the website.
House of Love Soup Kitchen/Pantry | 589-95 Central Avenue, Newark
The House of Love Soup Kitchen is run completely by volunteers and serves about 30 persons every Tuesday for two hours. In addition to a hot nutritious meal, guests receive spiritual guidance, connection to resources of other non-profits in the area, and ‘care packages’ of perishable and non-perishable goods. Learn more here.
