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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
D'Moni
43 Watchung Plaza, Montclair
15% off all products purchased for the month of May if you mention AAPI Montclair.
AAPI Montclair is a grassroots 501(c)3 nonprofit that advocates for and uplifts Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders in the Montclair, NJ area and across New Jersey. We are a brave space to share experiences and help unify our voices to create action and representation for our community.