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.
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.
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.
Dumpling Demo & Tasting
Butler and the Board Charcuterie
103 Forest St, Montclair
Follow @butlerandtheboard for event info.
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.
Film Screening
The Eternals
Noon
505 Cinemas
505 Bloomfield Ave, Montclair
Tickets $10 / $8 for Montclair Film members
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)
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.
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.
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.
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)
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.
Film Screening
Shang Chi: The Legend
of the Ten Rings
Noon
505 Cinemas
505 Bloomfield Ave, Montclair
Tickets $10 / $8 for Montclair Film members
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.
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.
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.
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
Film Screening
Kubo and the Two Strings
Noon
505 Cinemas
505 Bloomfield Ave, Montclair
Tickets $10 / $8 for Montclair Film members
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.
AAPI Montclair is a grassroots nonprofit with over 600 Asian American and Pacific Islander members in the Montclair, NJ area. Our mission is to create a more inclusive Montclair by uplifting the varied experiences of its Asian American and Pacific Islander communities, advocating for AAPI rights and representation, and promoting awareness and education around AAPI culture and history. Our advocacy is supported by events including the Lantern Festival for Justice and Remembrance and large-scale cultural celebrations of Diwali and Lunar New Year.