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 22nd – 26th).
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 22nd | 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.
NiCori Kids Performance Ensemble Class: JAMES & THE GIANT PEACH
Wednesday, September 22nd-December 11th | 5PM-6:30PM
NiCori Kids Performance Ensemble is dedicated to students ages 10-14 who love musical theatre. NiCori Studios & Productions will produce JAMES & THE GIANT PEACH which will feature the NiCori Kids Performance Ensemble. This skill-building course will focus on the core elements of musical theater with a specific focus on acting while singing. The class will culminate with performances of the musical JAMES & THE GIANT PEACH on December 10, and 11, 2021. No audition is required to be accepted into this program. Auditions for roles will happen on the first day of class, September 22nd. Audition materials will be provided. Learn more here.
Outdoor Yoga at Van Vleck House
Wednesday, September 22nd | 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 22nd | 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.
Jazz House Goes to the Movies with Montclair Film
Wednesday, September 22nd | 7PM-9PM
The Montclair Jazz Festival kicksoff with a Jazz film screening curated by Montclair Film’s Tom Hall, plus “Inside Scoop” Jazz Reception for Friends of the Festival. Learn more here.
Newark Downtown District Market
Thursday, September 23rd | 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.
Meditation Workshop
Thursday, September 23rd | 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.
Transitional Energy Exhibit at SOPAC
Opening Reception: Thursday, September 23rd | 5PM-8PM | On View Thursday, September 23rd-Nov. 21
Transitional Energy: Form, Shape, Color by Curtis Grayson, III is SOPAC’s newest exhibit for the fall season. The opening reception will take place on Sept. 23rd. Learn more here.
Green in Blue: Cocktails + Concert in a Garden
Thursday, September 23rd | 6PM-10PM
In a nod to Miles Davis’ ballad on his 1959 iconic album Kind of Blue, The Montclair Jazz Festival invites you to mix and mingle. There will be hors d’oeuvres and cocktails at the historic Van Vleck House + Gardens under the stars followed by an intimate all-star concert with musical direction by Christian McBride. Learn more here.
Beginners Flow Yoga
Thursday, September 23rd | 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.
Open Mic at Montclair Brewery
Thursday, September 23rd | 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.
Classes in Mixed-Media Abstract Art
Friday, September 24th | 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, September 24th + Saturday, September 26th | 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.
Burn Phase One: Origins and Activism with Antoinette Ellis Williams
Friday, September 24th + Saturday, September 25th | 5PM-8PM
The BURN Project is a multi-disciplinary visual, poetic, literary and ethnographic study on how history, socio-political, cultural, economic, and familial relationships shape identity, reality and healing Black American women. The project is divided into three phases (1) Origin and Activism, (2) Representation, Body, Beauty & Girlhood, and (3) Healing & Memory. The opening reception will be on Sept. 24th and an artist talk with Antoinette Ellis Williams will be on Sept. 25th. Williams is the Chair of the Women’s and Gender Studies Department at NJCU. Learn more here.
Dinner Under the Stars in Bloomfield Center
Friday, September 24th | 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.
Wild Child at The Wellmont Theater
Friday, September 24th | 7PM
Wild Child will play at The Wellmont Theater on Sept. 24th. Learn more here.
Live Music at Montclair Brewery
Friday, September 24th + Saturday, September 25th, + Sunday, September 26th | 7PM-9:30PM
Head over to Montclair Brewery for live music every weekend provided by local artists. Learn more here.
The Most Good 5K Sponsored by The Salvation Army
Saturday, September 25th-27th
The Salvation Army Montclair Citadel will host The Most Good 5K September 25th-27th and it will be a virtual race, as of right now. Organizers will announce if the race will also take place in person. When you sign up for the race, your money will help serve 50-60 lunches each Monday-Wednesday, provide safe, clean emergency shelter for families, a place for the homeless to shower, provide the toiletries and a change of clothes, provide case management for the homeless, and homeless prevention services to those needing assistance to stabilize their housing and more. Learn more here.
Diaper Drive-Thru Donation Event
Now-September 25th | 9AM-12PM
Moms Helping Moms Foundation, a nonprofit baby supply and diaper bank founded in Hoboken, is hosting a Diaper Drive-Thru Donation Event on Saturday, September 25th at the New Providence Presbyterian Church parking lot in New Providence. Learn more here.
Newark Porch Fest
Saturday, September 25th | 12PM-6PM
Newark Porch Fest is a free neighborhood festival in Forest Hill, Newark featuring live music, visual arts, and food trucks. Learn more here.
Third Annual Oktoberfest at Montclair Brewery
Saturday, September 25th | 12:30PM-10:30PM
Head over to Montclair Brewery to celebrate the Third Annual Oktoberfest. Indulge in the Blue Stripe Oktoberfest Dunkel Lager, Claremont Pilsner, Buzz Ale Belgian Blond ale, Frog Hollow Orange Wheat, and a few other special German-style and local-inspired craft brews. Music all day long with local bands. Learn more here.
The Montclair Jazz Festival’s Downtown Jamboree Grand Finale
Saturday, September 25th | 1PM-9PM
The Montclair Jazz Festival invites you to a jam-packed exciting day of free inspiring live music on four stages featuring an array of musicians, local artisan food and craft vendors, and family activities zone. Learn more here.
Aging in Montclair Presents A Sisterhood of Stories
Saturday, September 25th | 2PM
Join Aging in Montclair for A Sisterhood of Stories, a virtual discussion with guest speaker Kyra Peralt, a Montclair resident, children’s game designer, and founder of what has become an international phenomenon: “The Traveling Diary.” Email AIM at aginginmontclairAIM@gmail.com by September 23rd to receive a zoom link.
Southside Johnny and The Asbury Jukes at The Wellmont Theater
Saturday, September 25th | 7PM
Southside Johnny and The Asbury Jukes will play at The Wellmont Theater on Sept.25th. Learn more here.
Maplewood Village’s Latin Restaurant Week
Now-September 25th
Enjoy Latin-inspired food and drink in the Village during Hispanic Heritage Month Latin Restaurant Week! Sept. 19th-25th, with a DJ dance party on Sept. 24th. Learn more here.
Hispanic Heritage Month 5K
Now-October 17th | In-person meet-up on Sept. 26th | 8:30AM
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.
Saturday Skate Sesh with Boardroom Skate
Saturday, September 26th | 10AM-12PM | Every Saturday
Join Boardroom Skate for a skate session every Saturday at Rand Courts. Beginners are welcome. Learn more here.
Chinese Cooking Classes with Chef Gilley
Saturday, September 26th | 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.
Music at the Mansion: Corinna Sowers Adler
Saturday, September 26th | Every Saturday | 7PM-9:30PM
Join internationally-acclaimed vocalist Corinna Sowers Adler for a live performance presented by Nicori Studios and Productions. Performances occur every Saturday. Learn more here.
Family Roller Skating at Branch Brook Park
Saturday, September 26th | 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.
Motown Sunday Brunch at Sweet Southern Eatery
Sunday, September 27th
Head over to Sweet Southern Eatery every Sunday for live music during brunch. 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
Storytime on the Green at Watchung Booksellers
Friday, September 24th | 4PM | Every Friday
Bring a Blanket and join Watchung Booksellers for Storytime on the Green with Sarah Thomas who will read from her book Kalamata’s Kitchen. Learn more here.
Listen on the Lawn
Tuesday, September 28th | 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, September 28th | 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, September 29th | 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, 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.
Free Community Knitting Virtual Class
Wednesday, September 29th | 7PM-9PM | Every Wednesday
Join a free community knitting virtual class every Wednesday. All fiber crafts are welcome. Register here.
Ways to Give Back Locally
Big Brother Big Sister Essex {500 Broad Street, Newark}
Serving Hudson, Essex, and Union Counties, this chapter of Big Brother Big Sister is looking for volunteers who are ready to make a positive impact on the lives of “littles” in the community. With a time, commitment of just about four hours per month, a world of difference can be made for the students involved in the program. ‘Bigs’ are asked to engage with ‘littles’ through age-appropriate activities and conversation that will showcase more of what the world has to offer. Learn more here.
Covenant House New Jersey {330 Washington Street, Newark}
For anyone interested in working with young people and have lots of skills to offer, Covenant House needs support. Direct service volunteers can lead workshops and courses such as yoga, meditation, music, fitness, job readiness, parenting, and more. Volunteers must commit to at least 6 months of consistent service to help foster a stable environment for those benefiting from the services. Learn more here.
House of Love Soup Kitchen/Pantry {589-95 Central Avenue, Newark}
Completely run by volunteers, the House of Love Soup Kitchen 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.
