YMCA Montclair Run 2026

school of rock 3

Inside School of Rock, Fashion World Fiction and Another Big School Budget Meeting

May 7, 2026

Photo: School of Rock Montclair

This week, we are celebrating Montclair as a “Creative Island.” We sit down with legendary drummer Kevin March (Guided by Voices, The Dambuilders) to discuss his journey from Brooklyn to the heart of the Montclair music scene and his mission to help the next generation find their “Honest Noise.” We also explore the high-stakes world of fashion with former Vogue editor and author Caroline Palmer, whose debut novel Workhorse is taking the literary world by storm.

But it’s not all rock stars and fashion icons—we have some heavy lifting to do in the local news department. We investigate the “toxic garbage snow” and break down the staggering $179.8 million school budget proposal that includes a massive tax hike and deep cuts to student programs.

Guest: Kevin March (Guided by Voices / School of Rock)

Kevin March has played with everyone from The Breeders to Jeff Buckley, but his journey to Montclair is one of “kismet.”

  • The “Brooklyn West” Transition: Moving here in 2012, Kevin describes Montclair as a creative sanctuary where everyone—from filmmakers to drummers—is connected.
  • The Teacher’s Mirror: We discuss his tenure as GM of School of Rock Montclair since 2015, where he taught stars like Blue DeTiger. “My whole thing is showing them potential they might not see in themselves,” Kevin says.
  • The Dambuilders & GBV: Kevin tells the story of joining Guided by Voices in 2001 without an audition and his recent reunion shows with his 90s alt-rock band, The Dambuilders.
  • Rocking for Inclusion: The moving story behind his nonprofit, which recently saw their inclusive band perform on the legendary stage of the Stone Pony.
  • New Project: The Honest Noise: A sneak peek at Kevin’s upcoming solo work—a project aimed at fine-tuning the creative “antenna” we all carry.

Guest: Caroline Palmer (Workhorse)

Former Vogue and Amazon Fashion editor Caroline Palmer joins us to talk about the “spell” of the fashion industry and the discipline required to transition into the writing life.

  • The “Unlikable” Narrator: Caroline discusses the New York Times review of Workhorse and why she wanted a protagonist who didn’t need a tragic excuse to make bad choices.
  • The Montclair Migration: A hilarious look back at her move from Brooklyn, which involved a literal bus for Brooklyn moms that served cocktails on the way to New Jersey.
  • The 4:30 AM Routine: How a mid-pandemic career crisis turned a 20-year dream into a movie-optioned reality. Her advice for local writers? “Just start.”

“What the Hell is Going On With That?”: The Toxic Snow Fiasco

It started with February’s 19-inch blizzard. We investigate why the town dumped massive piles of salt, chemicals, and road debris in Essex and Erie Parks.

In The News: The $179.8M School Budget

The Board of Education held its vote on the 2026–27 spending plan, and the numbers are staggering.

  • The Tax Hit: The average homeowner is looking at an estimated $851 increase in school taxes, not including the one-time tax payment to cover the previous debt.
  • The Cuts: 32 teaching positions gone, freshman sports eliminated, and the German program phased out.
  • The “Why”: A 19% jump in employee benefits ($5.3 million) and a debt service spike are driving the levy.

One Big Thing: The Bellevue’s 104th Birthday

This Saturday, May 9th, The Bellevue Theatre is throwing itself a birthday party from 10 AM to 2 PM.

  • The Bash: Face painting, photo booths, and party favors.
  • The Screenings: Catch The Sound of Music (10 AM), Sing (10:30 AM), and Grease (11 AM).

Links & Resources

The Toxic Snow Fiasco

School Budget & Local News