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 17
May 1
NARRATIVIZING A MOMENT: A Guided Writing Workshop
7PM – 9 PM
Virtual
Through a series of guided writing prompts, you will be encouraged to write your experiences and learn storytelling techniques that will aid in your ability to access, write, and put shape to your personal memories.
May 4
May 17
May 1
Korean Fusion Cooking Class
6 PM – 8 PM
Unitarian Universalist Congregation
67 Church St., Montclair
Guided by Chef Carlos of Bloom, students will learn to make japchae, a Korean glass noodle stir fry with vegetables. As a special treat, participants will also enjoy cakes donated by Korean bakery chain Paris Baguette. This event is part of MPL's "Crying in H-Mart" Community Read.
May 6
May 17
May 17
Pushed to the Brink
10 AM – 11 AM
First Congregational Church, The Sanctuary
40 South Fullerton Ave., Montclair
What happens when athletes are pushed to the brink? In Matthew Salesses' The Sense of Wonder, when Won Lee, the first Asian American in the NBA, stuns the world in a seven-game winning streak, the global media audience dubs it “The
Pushed to the Brink
10 AM – 11 AM
First Congregational Church, The Sanctuary
40 South Fullerton Ave., Montclair
What happens when athletes are pushed to the brink? In Matthew Salesses' The Sense of Wonder, when Won Lee, the first Asian American in the NBA, stuns the world in a seven-game winning streak, the global media audience dubs it “The Wonder”—much to Won’s chagrin. In Jade Song’s Chlorine, Ren is a competitive swimmer whose obsession with water and chlorine and being pushed too hard to succeed turns her into a monster of her own making. Tracy O'Neill, author of The Hopeful, in which a figure skating prodigy races against nature's clock to get into the Olympics, leads the discussion. This event is co-presented by AAPI Montclair.
May 17
May 17
May 17
Author Event: Ava Chin, "Mott Street: A Chinese American Family's Story of Exclusion and Homecoming"
7 PM – 8 PM
Watchung Booksellers
54 Fairfield St., Montclair
Join Ava Chin in conversation with Marina Budhos for the release of her much anticipated memoir. Co-sponsored with AAPI Montclair.
May 19
May 19
May 19
Bollywood Dance Class
5:30 PM – 6:30 PM
Bradford Elementary School Playground
87 Mt. Hebron Rd., Montclair
Come join us for this family friendly outdoor Bollywood dance class. Bring a blanket and your dancing feet. Event will be held at the Bradford Elementary School playground
May 20
May 19
May 19
Korean Culture Festival
10 AM – 3:00 PM
27 Bay Ave., Bloomfield
Join us for Korean food, hanbok wearing, arts & crafts, nail art, K-POP dance, balloon art, face painting, vendors, bazaar, traditional dance and music performances and more!
May 20
May 19
May 20
AAPI Jazz Fest
12 PM – 10:00 PM
Express Newark
(Hahne & Co. Building)
54 Halsey St., Newark
The AAPI (Asian American Pacific Islander) Jazz Fest celebrates the pan-Asian jazz community and its ongoing, vital presence in the music world. We seek to honor the past, present, and future, highlighting the depth and breadth of the varied Asian
AAPI Jazz Fest
12 PM – 10:00 PM
Express Newark
(Hahne & Co. Building)
54 Halsey St., Newark
The AAPI (Asian American Pacific Islander) Jazz Fest celebrates the pan-Asian jazz community and its ongoing, vital presence in the music world. We seek to honor the past, present, and future, highlighting the depth and breadth of the varied Asian American artists and communities that are committed to expressing themselves through this unique art form and its derivations.
The AAPI Jazz Fest is a collaboration between Yardbird Entertainment and The Rutgers Institute of Jazz Studies in Newark to showcase 10 artists together with panel discussions on topics including Asian and Black intersectionality in music and jazz education.
May 21
May 19
May 20
Lantern Festival for Justice and Remembrance
6 PM – 9 PM
Edgemont Park
Valley Rd., Montclair
(Rain Date: June 4)
Help us light thousands of lanterns in remembrance of those harmed by violence and injustice, including anti-Asian hate. Let's stand together against all forms of hate and celebrate community and solidarity, and our shared goals of securing justice for all.
May 23
May 23
May 23
Screening with Director Q&A: "38 at the Garden"
7:30 PM
Cinema 505
505 Bloomfield Ave., Montclair
Frank Chi's 38-minute documentary, shortlisted for best documentary short in the 95th Academy Awards, tells the story of Jeremy Lin's landmark 2012 season with the New York Knicks, a phenomenal moment known as "Linsanity." After the screening, p
Screening with Director Q&A: "38 at the Garden"
7:30 PM
Cinema 505
505 Bloomfield Ave., Montclair
Frank Chi's 38-minute documentary, shortlisted for best documentary short in the 95th Academy Awards, tells the story of Jeremy Lin's landmark 2012 season with the New York Knicks, a phenomenal moment known as "Linsanity." After the screening, participate in a discussion with Frank Chi. Co-presented by AAPI Montclair.
May 25
May 23
May 23
Passages Taken
6 PM – 9 PM
Montclair Art Museum,
Leir Hall
3 S. Mountain Ave., Montclair
AAPI Montclair hosts a panel discussion at the Montclair Art Museum, to celebrate the work of Caren Choi, Ela Shah and Siona Benjamin. The discussion will explore the transcultural influences and the role of motherhood and community in their art.
May 27
May 23
May 27
Virtual Chinese Calligraphy Workshop
2 PM
Zoom
Chinese Calligraphy is the method of writing Chinese characters as an art form, combining purely visual art and interpretation of the literary meaning. In this workshop, you will learn how to use your brush and ink, the basic strokes, and have the opportunity to practice writing your own Chinese characters.
$50 per person, materials included.
May 30
May 23
May 27
Author Event: Lynnor Bontigao, "Sari-Sari Summers"
4 PM – 5 PM
Watchung Booksellers
54 Fairfield St., Montclair
Join us in celebrating AAPI month with children's book author Lynnor Bontagao, sharing her picture book Sari-Sari Summers. Co-presented with AAPI Montclair.
Limited Edition Treats and Offerings
Monthlong
Monthlong
Monthlong
APEM Creamery
870 Broad St, Bloomfield
We will be celebrating AAPI Heritage Month with each week highlighting regions of Asia. For more information follow @APEMcreamery.
Monthlong
Monthlong
Monthlong
Boba Bear Bilingual
15% off bilingual books and resources from Boba Bear Bilingual with code AAPI15 for all of May!
Monthlong
Monthlong
Monthlong
Butler and the Board Charcuterie
103 Forest St., Montclair
10% off any Wednesday Night Dinner using code AAPIMONTCLAIR23 on our website. Valid only for online purchases 5/1-31; not valid in store. No cash value.
Monthlong
Monthlong
Monthlong
Local Coffee
107 Watchung Ave, Montclair
Check out the winners of the Love Your Lunch art contest, which will be on display throughout the month of May.
Monthlong
Monthlong
Monthlong
The Eclectic Chic Boutique
547 Bloomfield Ave, Montclair
In store 20% off sale on all items from our AAPI owned vendors - Baby Pei Pei, Space Waraku, Choco Banana, Autumn and August, and Goods Again.
Monthlong
Monthlong
Monthlong
Use the code AAPIMAY when booking a portrait session and a portion of the session fee will be donated to AAPI Montclair. The booking must be made in May but the session can take place at any point until the end of 2023.
Monthlong
Monthlong
Monthlong
D'Moni
43 Watchung Plaza, Montclair
15% off all products purchased for the month of May if you mention AAPI Montclair.