This May will be the most exciting AAPI Heritage Month celebration that Montclair has ever seen!
In honor of AAPI (Asian American and Pacific Islander) Heritage Month in May, we partnered with local organizations to create a calendar of can’t-miss cultural events and retail offerings that celebrate and lift up our community. Join us in learning more about AAPI flavors and experiences all around Montclair and beyond.
Cultural Events and Performances
May 1
May 1
May 1
Mandala Mania
with Anna Muñiz
(Multiple Sessions)
Montclair Art Museum
3 S. Mountain Ave., Montclair
Family art-making activity inspired by Saya Woolfalk's artwork.
May 1
May 1
May 1
4 PM – 10 PM
CM Chicken
537 Bloomfield Ave., Montclair
10% of dinner/pick-up sales will benefit Heart of Dinner, who works to fight food insecurity and isolation experienced by Asian American seniors in NYC.
May 3
May 1
May 3
Bollywood Dance Class
8:15 PM
Talium Taekwondo
387 Pompton Ave., Cedar Grove
AAPI Montclair and Kulture Kool in association with BollyX brings you a one time bollywood-inspired dance class that combines exhilarating choreography and calorie-burning workout with the hottest, upbeat music from Bollywood. Follow @kulturekool @aapimontclair for more information and to sign up.
May 5
May 1
May 3
Dumpling Demo & Tasting
Butler and the Board Charcuterie
103 Forest St, Montclair
Follow @butlerandtheboard for event info.
May 7
May 12
May 7
Asian & Black Solidarities: Shared Histories
and Futures in America
10:45 AM
First Congregational Church, The Sanctuary
40 S. Fullerton Ave, Montclair
A panel moderated by scholar Mia Charlene White, featuring authors Daphne Palasi Andreades, Albert Samaha, and Kavitha Rajagopalan. Presented by Montclair Literary Festival in collaborarion with the AAPI Coalition of Essex County.
May 7
May 12
May 7
Film Screening
The Eternals
Noon
505 Cinemas
505 Bloomfield Ave, Montclair
Tickets $10 / $8 for Montclair Film members
May 12
May 12
May 12
The New Asian American Literary Voices
6:30PM
Adult School Department of the Montclair Public Library
50 S. Fullerton Ave, Montclair
Jafreen Uddin, lifelong Montclair resident and Executive Director of the Asian American Writers’ Workshop (AAWW), will lead a conversation focused on the rise of creative ecosystems designed to develop and supp
The New Asian American Literary Voices
6:30PM
Adult School Department of the Montclair Public Library
50 S. Fullerton Ave, Montclair
Jafreen Uddin, lifelong Montclair resident and Executive Director of the Asian American Writers’ Workshop (AAWW), will lead a conversation focused on the rise of creative ecosystems designed to develop and support writers and creators of the Asian American diaspora and to help publish and market their works in the literary marketplace.
$20 (Montclair Residents receive 50% discount)
May 14
May 12
May 12
Asian American Heritage Month & Jewish American Heritage Month
11 AM – 12 PM
Montclair Art Museum
3 S. Mountain Ave., Montclair
Tour highlighting artists whose ancestral homeland is the continent of Asia.
May 14
May 14
May 14
After Hula: Kahiko
& 'Auana Styles with
Na Pua Mai Ka Lani Nuioka
Noon
Montclair Public Library
50 S. Fullerton Ave, Montclair
Na Pua Mai Ka Lani Nuioka performs and teaches hula dancing, the culture of Hawaii and the spirit of aloha. Learn about the ancient Kahiko hula style which incorporates hand percussion instruments, and the contempora
After Hula: Kahiko
& 'Auana Styles with
Na Pua Mai Ka Lani Nuioka
Noon
Montclair Public Library
50 S. Fullerton Ave, Montclair
Na Pua Mai Ka Lani Nuioka performs and teaches hula dancing, the culture of Hawaii and the spirit of aloha. Learn about the ancient Kahiko hula style which incorporates hand percussion instruments, and the contemporary 'Auana hula style which incorporates storytelling through movement and music.
May 15
May 14
May 14
Crochet Workshop:
Amigurumi Kawaii Cutie!
1 PM – 4 PM
Yarnia
127 Watchung Ave, Montclair
In the tradition of Japanese Kawaii culture, crochet a cute amigurumi bunny. The word amigurumi is a blend of the words ami (編) meaning crocheted or knitted, and nuigurumi (ぬいぐるみ) a small, stuffed doll. Crocheting the bunny includes basic amigurumi shapin
Crochet Workshop:
Amigurumi Kawaii Cutie!
1 PM – 4 PM
Yarnia
127 Watchung Ave, Montclair
In the tradition of Japanese Kawaii culture, crochet a cute amigurumi bunny. The word amigurumi is a blend of the words ami (編) meaning crocheted or knitted, and nuigurumi (ぬいぐるみ) a small, stuffed doll. Crocheting the bunny includes basic amigurumi shaping and invisible decreasing in single crochet plus some simple embroidery.
Class fee is $50 and does not include the materials kit.
A portion of the proceeds from this class will be donated to AAPI Montclair.
May 19
May 14
May 19
Revisiting the Fall of Saigon, 47 Years Later
6:30PM
Adult School Department of the Montclair Public Library
50 S. Fullerton Ave, Montclair
Explore the stories and histories of Vietnamese refugees and their first-hand accounts of April 30, 1975 known as the Fall of Saigon; the ending of a 20 year civil war in Vietnam and the beginning of a m
Revisiting the Fall of Saigon, 47 Years Later
6:30PM
Adult School Department of the Montclair Public Library
50 S. Fullerton Ave, Montclair
Explore the stories and histories of Vietnamese refugees and their first-hand accounts of April 30, 1975 known as the Fall of Saigon; the ending of a 20 year civil war in Vietnam and the beginning of a mass refugee exodus to countries like America. Presented by Vietnamese Boat People podcast and nonprofit.
$20 (Montclair Residents receive 50% discount)
May 20
May 14
May 19
Lantern Festival for Justice and Remembrance
7 PM – 9 PM
Edgemont Park
Valley Rd, Montclair
(Rain Date: May 21)
Join AAPI Montclair as we illuminate the park with thousands of lanterns to remember those killed and harmed by violence and injustice, including anti-Asian hate. We stand together against all forms of hate and celebrate community a
Lantern Festival for Justice and Remembrance
7 PM – 9 PM
Edgemont Park
Valley Rd, Montclair
(Rain Date: May 21)
Join AAPI Montclair as we illuminate the park with thousands of lanterns to remember those killed and harmed by violence and injustice, including anti-Asian hate. We stand together against all forms of hate and celebrate community and solidarity, and our shared goals of securing justice for all.
May 21
May 21
May 21
Film Screening
Shang Chi: The Legend
of the Ten Rings
Noon
505 Cinemas
505 Bloomfield Ave, Montclair
Tickets $10 / $8 for Montclair Film members
May 21
May 21
May 21
Biwanko: Japanese Taiko Drum Performance and Workshop
Noon
Montclair Public Library
50 S. Fullerton Ave, Montclair
Experience a live performance of Japanese Taiko drumming as performed by young students. This powerful and soulful art will inspire people of all ages and will include a brief learning workshop. Formed by Japanese families in Be
Biwanko: Japanese Taiko Drum Performance and Workshop
Noon
Montclair Public Library
50 S. Fullerton Ave, Montclair
Experience a live performance of Japanese Taiko drumming as performed by young students. This powerful and soulful art will inspire people of all ages and will include a brief learning workshop. Formed by Japanese families in Bergen County with the purpose of passing Japanese traditions down to their children, Biwanko’s mission is to educate people about the Osuwa Daiko style of Taiko drumming while demonstrating the beauty of this sacred Japanese music. Learn more at www.biwanko.org.
May 22
May 21
May 22
South Asian Soiree
2 PM – 8 PM
Montclair Brewery
101 Walnut St., Montclair
South Asian cultural appreciation night with food by Brick Lane and special performances.
May 22
May 21
May 22
Self-Defense Class
2:30 PM – 4 PM
North South Jiu Jitsu
113 Walnut St., Montclair
Self-defense class sponsored by AAPI Montclair for our members and allies, with emphasis on situational awareness and disengagement. Registration details coming soon.
May 24
May 24
May 24
Evening with Jeff Yang and Phil Yu, authors of Rise: A Pop History of Asian America from the Nineties to Now
6:30 PM – 8:00 PM
Vanguard Theater
180 Bloomfield Ave., Montclair
In-person event and book-signing presented by AAPI Montclair and the Montclair Public Library, moderated by Michelle Germinario. Attend in person or livestream on Zoom.
May 27
May 24
May 24
Film Screening
In the Same Breath
Q&A with director Nanfu Wang
7:30 PM
The Clairidge
486 Bloomfield Ave, Montclair
Tickets $10 / $8 for Montclair Film members
May 28
May 24
May 28
Film Screening
Kubo and the Two Strings
Noon
505 Cinemas
505 Bloomfield Ave, Montclair
Tickets $10 / $8 for Montclair Film members
Limited Edition Treats and Offerings
May 19–22
May 19–22
May 19–22
APEM Creamery
870 Broad St, Bloomfield
Asian flavor week featuring limited edition flavors: Thai Iced Tea, Black Sesame, Lychee Lemonade, Vietnamese Iced Coffee, Mango Lassi, and Buko Pandan. For more information follow @APEMcreamery.
Monthlong
May 19–22
May 19–22
Butler and the Board Charcuterie
103 Forest St., Montclair
Special offering: Housemade chicken & shiitake mushroom dumpling sausage
A portion of proceeds from May will benefit Heart of Dinner who works to fight food insecurity and isolation experienced by Asian American seniors in NYC.
Monthlong
May 19–22
Monthlong
Illuminate Food
113 Grove St., Montclair
Follow @illuminate_food for more information and a special recipe and ingredient bundle with a portion of proceeds benefitting an AAPI organization.
Monthlong
May 19–22
Monthlong
The Little Daisy Bake Shop
626 Valley Rd., Montclair
Special treats celebrating AAPI Heritage Month throughout May.
Monthlong
Monthlong
Monthlong
Local Coffee
107 Watchung Ave, Montclair
Local is proud to help raise AAPI visibility in May: keep an eye on our chalkboard for funny and interesting quotes celebrating AAPI heritage and culture!
Monthlong
Monthlong
Monthlong
Teglia Pizza Bar
438 Bloomfield Ave, Montclair
Special offering: Limited edition Kimchi Pizza
Monthlong
Monthlong
Monthlong
Watchung Booksellers
54 Fairfield St., Montclair
Curated selection of AAPI authors and books for adults and children.