Whether you’re heading out or staying in — this week’s Montclair + beyond events guide has got you covered with kid-friendly activities, performances, and much more happening. Check out this list of all the virtual and in-person events happening in Montclair, Bloomfield, and beyond this weekend {April 21st – April 27th}.
Disclaimer: Events are subject to change. For the most up-to-date info, please contact the host directly.
Virtual Events
Candidates Night Hosted By Verona’s Young Voters
Wednesday, April 21st | 7:00PM-9:00PM
Learn about Verona’s town council candidates at this youth-led forum. Register here.
Film Club Hosted by The Montclair Public Library
Wednesday, April 21st | 7:00PM-9:00PM
If you love films, this is the club for you! See assigned movies {which are mostly on Netflix, but may include Amazon Prime, Hulu, and On Demand} then join classmates to talk about themes, plot, characters, acting, directing, cinematography, costumes, score, trailers, and/or viewer’s expectations. Register here.
Free Community Knitting Virtual Class
Wednesday, April 21st | 7:00PM-9:00PM
Join a free community knitting virtual class every Wednesday from 7:00PM to 9:00PM. All fiber crafts are welcome. Register here.
Learn More About NJ SNAP for Spanish Speakers
Thursday, April 22nd | 11:00AM-12:00PM
NJ SNAP {Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program} is New Jersey’s food assistance program that can help you buy groceries. Learn more about NJ SNAP and how to apply. This is a free event, but you must register to attend. This event is geared toward Spanish speakers but all are welcome to attend. Register here.
Lunch and Learn: Putting Your Best Financial Foot Forward in 2021 Hosted by The Newark Museum of Art
Thursday, April 22nd | 12:00PM-1:00PM
Learn what is new in the tax code and hear tips and techniques to make the most of your resources to support your family and give back to charities you care about in this free lunch hour Zoom meeting. Register here.
Housing Series Workshop: Financial Literacy
Thursday, April 22nd | 5:00PM-6:00PM
This virtual workshop is offered as part of a six-class series covering topics that address obtaining and sustaining housing goals. It’s free for Montclair residents and municipal employees. Register here.
Organizing Happy Hour: De-clutter and Sell Your Home Faster
Thursday, April 22nd | 5:00PM
Join Space Composer for this interactive live segment to help you sell your home. You will learn the importance of presenting your home ‘the right way’ to potential buyers, and there will be a forum at the end of the segment for those with questions. Watch here.
DIY Recycled Paper-Making Environmental Demonstration
Thursday, April 22nd | 6:00PM-7:00PM
Join an environmental center naturalist for a demonstration on how you can turn your household paper waste into beautiful paper. This event is for families or elementary-age children. Learn more here.
Jersey Fresh Open Mic Series: Special Edition Featuring Student Performers
Thursday, April 22nd | 7:00PM
You’re invited to NJPAC’s virtual open mic! Every week, they are spotlighting up-and-coming talent from all over New Jersey via Facebook Live. On April 22nd, they’re shining the spotlight on young creatives from the Arts Education programs. Register here.
Art Face-Off: Battle of the Wards Hosted by The Newark Museum of Art
Thursday, April 22nd | 7:00PM-8:00PM
Art Face-Off is an audience-juried art competition between five artists, each representing a Newark ward, who will compete in a final round on April 22nd at 7:00PM. This virtual event will be hosted by Dupré “DoItAll” Kelly and “DJ MD” Marcy DePina. The live audience will vote for the work they like best. There can only be one winner! Register here.
Virtual Trivia Night Hosted by SOPAC
Thursday, April 22nd | 7:30PM
Get ready to test your knowledge during Virtual Trivia Night with SOPAC. This will be an informal, fun competition to see who has the greatest knowledge of general, holiday, and seasonal trivia. There will be prizes for the winners. Virtual Trivia will run for approximately one hour. Costumes, fun hats, decorations, or special, virtual Zoom backgrounds are encouraged. Sign up here.
Beginning Ukulele Hosted by The Montclair Public Library
Friday, April 23rd | 1:30PM-2:30PM
In this beginner’s ukulele class, you will learn basic chords and strums, and some fun, easy songs. No music background or experience necessary. You will also listen to some ukulele luminaries from the past and present: Ukulele Ike, Roy Smeck, Tiny Tim, and Jake Shimabukuro. Students should bring their own ukulele to the virtual class. Register here.
City Verses: Jazz and Poetry Virtual Performance Hosted By NJPAC
Friday, April 23rd | 7:00PM
Poetry meets jazz in this free online performance! Join NJPAC for a soul-stirring exploration of blues, lineage and the work of Black female poets, featuring poems layered with jazz music to reveal unexpected dimension and meaning. If you love poetry, or if you love jazz, you’ll love what magic unfolds when these two expressive art forms play together. Register here.
Virtual Creative Play: Floral Landscapes Hosted by The Newark Museum of Art
Saturday, April 24th | 10:00AM-11:00AM
Some artists choose to create works of art out of usual material, however, some artists use everyday or found objects to create. Observing such treasures will give you inspiration to make our own works of art with recycled/reused/repurposed materials. Register here.
Sleep Support Group Hosted By Montclair Baby
Saturday, April 24th | 10:30AM-11:30AM
Come and connect with other moms where you can share your victories and challenges in regards to your baby/kid’s sleep. The workshop is led by Sandra Ochoa, founder of Happy Nest, Certified Holistic Sleep Consultant + Postpartum Doula. Register here.
Art History Virtual Trivia Night Hosted by Hermanitas Design
Saturday, April 24th | 6:00PM
Come test out your art history knowledge with Hermanitas Design. Bring your friends and have cocktails ready to play and have a chance to win some prizes. Register here.
Run Toward a Better Future Virtual 5k or 1 Mile Run/Walk
Now-Sunday, April 25th
Complete a virtual 5k or 1-mile walk/run to support Waves of Education. With your help, they hope to raise at least $30,000 which will be put toward building a primary school in central Uganda. Sign up here.
Holistic Lamaze Course Hosted By Montclair Baby
Now-Thursday, April 29th | 7:30PM-9:30PM
This virtual course, Holistic Childbirth Education, is inspired by the book, Birthing from Within and based on The Six Care Practices that Support Normal Birth. It is a compassionate, evidence-based approach to birth preparation and a great alternative to hospital-based classes. Register here.
Dylan’s Dinosaur Stomp Virtual 5k To Benefit the Dylan Flinchum “Rock On” Foundation
Now-Saturday, May 8th
Celebrating 10 years of “Stomping” out MLD {Metachromatic leukodystrophy}, The Rock On Foundation is hosting a virtual 5K event. All runners, walkers, skippers, joggers are welcome to attend. Register here.
Virtual Caterpillar Walk/Run For Fibromyalgia
Now-Monday, May 31st
Register for the Virtual Caterpillar Walk/Run for Fibromyalgia to raise awareness + funds for people living with the condition. Register here.
In-Person Events
Earth Day Vape Waste Recycling Program at Garden State Hemp
Starting Thursday, April 22nd
Starting on Earth Day, you can come and recycle your used vape cartridge tanks {that you got anywhere} and you’ll receive a 10% discount on a new CBD cartridge at Garden State Hemp. Learn more here.
Exclusive Viewing Dinner of Hell’s Kitchen Season 19
Thursday, April 22nd | 7:30PM
Attend an exclusive viewing dinner of the new season of Hell’s Kitchen at MC Hotel’s Allegory in Montclair, located at 690 Bloomfield Avenue. Show participants and chefs will be in attendance. The viewing dinners will be offered until both chefs are eliminated, or crowned victorious. To book, call Allegory at 973-329-5600. Learn more here.
The Montclair Farmers’ Market
Saturday, April 24th | 8:00AM-1:00PM
The market takes place every Saturday at the Walnut Street Train Station located at 86 Walnut Street in Montclair. The Montclair Farmers’ Market brings you an array of local farmers and food artisans offering fresh fruits + vegetables, meats, poultry, fish, cheeses, gluten-free baked goods, prepared foods, condiments, and so much more. Learn more here.
Family Roller Skating at Branch Brook Park
Saturday, April 24th | Multiple Times Available
Head over to Branch Brook Park for some family roller skating every week. It’s open to all ages. Tickets must be purchased in advance. The Branch Brook Park Roller Skating Rink is located at 7th Avenue in Newark. Sign up here.
5 Mile Race to bRUNch
Sunday, April 25th
Sign up now for The 2nd Annual 5 mile race to bRUNch hosted by Montclair Running Co. + lululemon Montclair featuring Montclair Bread Co. doughnuts, bread, breakfast treats, and more. Register here.
Documentary Photo Exhibit Presented By SOPAC
On View Now-May 7th
Curated for SOPAC by Jeremy Moss, this exhibition is presented in the windows of SOPAC. Kristen Emack, from the US, showcases Cousins, a story about the photographer’s daughter and niece and their intimate and spiritual knowledge that is both ordinary and extraordinary. Jason Houston, from the US, for Last Wildest Place exploring the Purús/Manu region in southeastern Peru, one of the most remote, inaccessible, and important areas of the Amazon and home to perhaps the highest concentration of isolated “uncontacted” tribes on Earth. Herb & Milly Iris Gallery is located at SOPAC. Register here.
Cherry Blossom Photo Session at Branch Brook Park
Now-Sunday, May 12th | 8:00AM-6:00PM
Book a Cherry Blossom Photo Session at Branch Brook Park with Nabi Photography. Sessions run from 8AM-6PM on weekdays + weekends. Branch Brook Park is located at Park Avenue and Lake Street in Newark. Sign up here.
Spring In Living Color at Westfield Garden State Plaza
Now-Sunday, June 6th
Spring is in full bloom at the Garden State Plaza Mall! The Floral Escape presents “Spring In Living Color”. A series of 5 floral activations designed for you to capture memorable moments. Learn more here.
Point of Action: New Art Installation at Crane Park
Ongoing
Head over to Crane Park for a new art installation! Montclair residents and artists Nina Cooke John and Charlie Spademan are bringing the 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.
Fragile Freedoms Exhibit at the Montclair Art Museum
Now-June 13th
The Montclair Art Museum is hosting the exhibit Fragile Freedoms. Dream Act by Maggie Meiners is on display now until June 13th. Tickets to the museum must be reserved prior to entering and Fridays from 11AM to 12PM are reserved for immunocompromised persons as well as seniors. MAM’s artwork can be enjoyed virtually on the website as well. Learn more here.
Tour Van Vleck House and Gardens
Open daily | 9:00AM-6:00PM
Take a free tour of Van Vleck House and Gardens which is a beautiful oasis in the heart of Montclair. A center for horticulture, education, music, art, and quiet contemplation, the gardens are open to the public for their enjoyment and the house is available to non-profits for meetings and events. Van Vleck House and Gardens is located at 21 Van Vleck Street in Montclair. Learn more here.
Kid-Focused Events
Freeform Virtual Teen Book Club Hosted by The Montclair Public Library
Thursday, April 22nd | 6:00PM- 7:00PM
Join a virtual teen book club and discuss what you’re reading {or watching, playing, or listening to}. This month, the discussion will center on poetry. This event is for teens in grades 6-12. Register here.
Virtual School Performance of Charlotte’s Web Presented By SOPAC
Now-Friday, April 23rd | Virtual
SOPAC will host a virtual performance of Charlotte’s Web. Charlotte’s Web is based on E.B. White’s loving story of the friendship between a pig named Wilbur and a little gray spider named Charlotte. Register here.
Virtual Writing Sessions for Middle Schoolers Hosted by Montclair High School Students
Friday, April 23rd | 4:00PM
Montclair High School is offering a free virtual journaling and creative writing class for middle schoolers taught by six MHS students + friends who are all juniors and have all taken classes in journaling with local teacher, Rachel Bernstein. Register here.
#MURALSFORJUSTICE Hosted by Newark Arts
Saturday, April 24th | 11:00AM-5:00PM
On Saturday, April 24th the City of Newark, the ACM Graphic Design Program and New Arts Justice at Rutgers University-Newark, and various partners will join together in an action to repaint and preserve our social justice community ground murals #MuralsforJustice. This call to repaint is a way to come together and reinforce that Newark is dedicated to racial justice and the protection of our communities. Sign up here.
Create & Care Day Hosted by Newark Arts
Sunday, April 25th | 11:00AM-5:00PM
On Sunday, April 25th, Four Corners Public Arts will spend the day creating and caring for their sites of focus {Treat Place, Beaver St, and surrounding areas}. Join FCPA artists alumni and supporters to touch up murals, and collaborate on a community artwork. Sign up here.
Girls in Gears Bike Program
Starting Sunday, April 25th-Sunday, June 27th | 9:30AM-11:00AM
Gear up for life with Girls in Gear! Join Bike & Walk Montclair for an eight-week program for any rider who identifies as a girl ages 10-13 and wants to build confidence on and off their bikes. This is a weekly meeting that will focus on a mix of emotional development, conversations, and riding skills. Bike & Walk Montclair is a volunteer-run advocacy group in town promoting safe streets for all. Sign up here.
Illustration for Teens Hosted by Montclair Art Museum
Now-June 2nd | 4:30PM- 6:00PM
Students explore visual strategies for communicating concepts and individual expression with a professional illustrator. In addition to technique-based instruction, there will be a variety of assignments reflective of the range of approaches and possibilities in the field of illustration. Students must provide their own materials. Register here.
Take and Make Saturdays
Now-June 12th | 11:00AM-4:00PM
Register for a craft project each week, pick it up on Saturday during the library’s Public Browsing Hours, and do it at home! While supplies last. One kit per child. Sign up here.
Dungeons and Dragons Club at West Orange Library
Now-June 18th | 3:15PM-5:15PM
DnD features role-playing, storytelling, strategic thinking, math skills, problem-solving, and teamwork all rolled into one. The event is open to teens living in West Orange. Sign up here.
Upcoming Weekday Events
NJ Tri-County CycleNation
Monday, April 26th-May 26th
The American Stroke Association, a division of the American Heart Association, is hosting CycleNation to raise awareness + funds to change the statistics. The digital experience will take place during May, American Stroke Month, where participants can ride solo or create a team to “rack up their miles”. Learn more here.
April Earth Month Activities – Wild Edible Plant Walks
Monday, April 26th-Friday, April 30th | 4:00PM-5:00PM
Celebrate Earth Month with a plant walk to learn about wild, edible plants. All programs are held outside. The event is located at the Essex County Environmental Center at 621 Eagle Rock Avenue in Roseland. Learn more here.
Gender and Pronoun Terminology Explained
Tuesday, April 27th | 7:30PM-8:45PM
This virtual event, presented in partnership with Garden State Equality and the Trans Affirming Alliance, will help participants better understand why and how gender terminology and personal pronouns matter. This is an issue that is new to many people, and you will learn how to navigate it with sensitivity, respect, and better understanding. Register for free today. Sign up here.
Ways to Give Back Locally
Jazz House Kids {347 Bloomfield Avenue}
Founder Melissa Walker was prepped to be a lawyer before opportunities in music kept showing up all around her. She attributes her ability to follow her heart and be a jazz artist to great mentors in her life. Now, through Jazz House Kids, Melissa is providing students the opportunities she had by mentoring them. Learn more here.
Mental Health Association of Essex and Morris {33 South Fullerton Avenue}
Mental health is often highly stigmatized in society and the media. Mental Health Association of Essex and Morris is working to reverse this stigma and provide support to those living with mental illness as well as the caregivers. Through advocacy, education, prevention, early intervention, treatment, and services, the organization is working to achieve its mission. Learn more here.
Montclair Fund for Women {41 Watchung Plaza}
Originally known as the Young Colored Women’s Christian Association, this organization was founded by African American women who came to Montclair in search of education, employment, and opportunity. As time passed, the organization not only changed its name, it joined forces with women of all backgrounds and became a prominent force in the community. Learn more here.
Covenant House New Jersey
Covenant House began more than 40 years ago when six young runaways were given shelter from a snowstorm, in the Lower East Side of Manhattan. In 1989, Covenant House began its work in New Jersey by providing basic services to homeless youth on the streets of Newark and Atlantic City. Learn more here.
Junior League of Montclair-Newark
The Junior League of Montclair-Newark {JLMN} is a volunteer organization of women committed to Promoting Volunteerism, Developing the potential of women, and Improving the community through the effective action and leadership of trained volunteers. Learn more here.
