Featured Events in Montclair in May, 2025 (May Updated)

In collaboration with the Malcolm X Estate, this powerful biography for young readers is a modern classic in the making, written by #1New York Times-bestselling, National Book Award-winning author Ibram X. Kendi. Published 100 years after his birth, Malcolm Lives! is a ground-breaking narrative biography of one of the most influential Americans of all time. Dr. Kendi expertly crafts a propulsive telling of Malcolm X’s life—from birth to death. He provides context for both Malcolm’s choices—and those around him—not just painting an intimate picture of a famous figure, but of the social and political landscape of America during the civil rights movement. Ultimately, Malcolm's true legacy is a journey toward anti-racism. Just like history, Malcolm lives. With short, evocative chapters, exclusive archival documents, photographs from the Malcolm X Collection at the NYPL Schomburg Center, and extensive backmatter,this is a thoughtful and accessible, must-read for all Americans. Dr. Ibram X. Kendi is a National Book Award-winning author of books for adults and children, including New York Times bestsellers like Stamped From the Beginning, Stamped for Kids, How to Raise an Anti-Racist, and Goodnight Racism. Dr. Kendi is the Andrew W. Mellon Professor in Humanities at Boston University, and the director of the BU Center for Antiracist Research. He lives in Boston, Massachusetts. For this event, we are partnering with Dr. Kendi and Youth Justice Network. The Youth Justice Network provides services for young people to access the opportunities they’ve been systemically denied, so they have tools they need to make radical change in their lives and communities. You can purchase a copy of the book here. Information Source: Watchung Booksellers | eventbrite

Welcome to the Montclair Dance Festival! Come join us at Montclair State University for a day filled with amazing performances and talented dancers. Get ready to be mesmerized by a variety of dance styles all in one place. Whether you're a seasoned dancer or just love to watch, this event is perfect for everyone. So grab your friends and family and let's celebrate the art of dance. Amphitheater • Free Tickets • 2:00-5:30pm Established & Emerging Artists • Studios • Schools REGISTER ON EVENTBRITE Kasser Theater • $25 • 7:30pm Featured NJ Professional CompaniesPURCHASE AT MONTCLAIRDANCEFESTIVAL.COM/KASSER PERFORMANCES BY: Ady Arts Center • Alexandra Williamson & Rebecca McGowan Ava Rakowski & Molly Weidmaier • Bridget Ryan • Carolyn Dorfman Dance Claire Porter • Cleo Mack • DanceWorks Studios • Delise Fusaro Extensions Dance Project • Freespace Dance • Grooves Unlimited Ian Kent and Company • Jason Samuels Smith Kelly Guerrero • Kiana Rosa Fischer • Kyle Marshall • Leanna Cotton Maxine Steinman • Maywood Dance Center • McKenzie Brewer Middlesex County Magnet School • Morris County Vocational School Nai-Ni Chen • Nimbus Dance Works • New Jersey Ballet • Opus/The Company Robert Mark Dance• Rock Dance Collective • Roxey Ballet Sharon Miller Academy of Performing Arts • Sheep Meadow Dance Theatre Starz Performing Arts Academy • Steven Camacho • Sukanya Umoja Dance Company • Union County APA Montclair, NJ has been a long-standing cultural hub in the tri-state area. Culturally and artistically, Montclair stands apart. This rich backdrop set the stage for the founding of the Montclair Jazz Festival in 2010 and the Montclair Film Festival in 2012. Today, both of these annual events have grown and flourished and become destinations for a broad audience. It is within this great artistic tradition that we announce the first MONTCLAIR DANCE FESTIVAL, to be produced by Freespace Dance Inc. Freespace Dance, under the artistic direction of Donna Scro Samori and the managing direction of Lisa Grimes Arndt, will bring its 21-year history as a professional dance company and NJ arts education leader to the development of the festival. In recognition of their unique ability to curate and produce this project, FSD has received a $25,000 Special Project Grant from the New Jersey State Council on the Arts. This matching grant challenges the founders to raise an additional $25,000 within the next four months to demonstrate a clear commitment to the festival's viability. We would love your financial support. Our dreams for the festival are far-reaching, but today our goal is simple - raise the matching funds we need, with contributions large and small, to bring the first Montclair Dance Festival to life. Information Source: eventbrite

Information Source: L'Atelier Montclair - Annual Fashion Show MSU | eventbrite

Author of Big Science for Growing Minds: Constructivist Classrooms for Young Thinkers and co-author of Schools Re-imagined: Unifying the Science of Learning with the Art of Teaching Children are natural scientists, engineers, mathematicians, and poets. This interactive session explores how classroom provocations encourage problem-solving, expansive thinking, and student agency. Participants will engage with children's literature, water, pipettes, and color tabs—then analyze their learning through the lens of big ideas such as: Structure & Function Cause & Effect Stability & Change Order & Organization Don’t miss this opportunity to connect, learn, and celebrate! We look forward to seeing you there. We invite you to gather with Reggio inspired educators sharing and reflecting on their teaching practice. Light dinner included along with door prizes. Doors open at 5:30. Information Source: New Jersey Educators Exploring the Practices of Reggio Emilia | eventbrite