The weekend of August 14 opens with a free art reception on Bloomfield Avenue and a CreativeMornings talk at Lackawanna Station, then builds into one of the busiest Saturdays Montclair has seen this summer: the Montclair Jazz Festival Downtown Jamboree takes over Lackawanna Plaza all day, the Vintage & Record Fair runs in the same complex, Kinfolk BBQ sets up at Montclair Brewery that evening, and Laughs on the Books closes the night at Montclair Book Center. Here’s what’s worth your time August 14 through 16.
Montclair Jazz Festival Downtown Jamboree at Lackawanna Station
Saturday, August 15, noon to 10 p.m. | Lackawanna Station, 1 Lackawanna Plaza | Free
The 17th annual Montclair Jazz Festival takes over Lackawanna Plaza on Saturday with an all-day Downtown Jamboree and Block Party, headlined by Dianne Reeves, the Christian McBride Big Band with Bilal, Patrice Rushen, Spanish Harlem Orchestra and Take Me to the River New Orleans All Stars featuring Cyril Neville. The day opens at noon with Jazz House Kids student and faculty performances before the headliners take the stage, and the Block Party runs 8 to 10 p.m. to close things out. The festival drew more than 25,000 people to downtown Montclair last year and remains free to attend. Artistic director Christian McBride has called August 15 “the day of dates.” For the full schedule and everything you need to know about this year’s festival, read our full Montclair Jazz Festival guide
CreativeMornings Montclair: Georgia Varidakis Simoes on Palm
Friday, August 14, 9:30 to 11 a.m. | Lackawanna Station, 1 Lackawanna Plaza | Free
CreativeMornings Montclair, the only New Jersey chapter of the global breakfast lecture series, hosts Georgia Varidakis Simoes on Friday morning. Simoes curates the Montclair Flea at Lackawanna Station and works as a jeweler; her talk follows the global monthly theme of “Nakhlah,” the Arabic word for palm. Free coffee and bagels from Bagel Supreme. Doors open at 9:30; the speaker takes the stage around 10. Lackawanna Station is ADA accessible and NJ Transit accessible from Bay Street Station. Register at CreativeMornings.
Unrecyclable: Look Again — Opening Reception at The Space
Friday, August 14, 5 to 8 p.m. | The Space, 356 Bloomfield Ave., 2nd floor | Free, all ages
West Orange artist Andrew Borg spent nearly two years saving the plastics, foams and composite packaging that carry no recycling code and typically disappear into the trash without a thought. The result is an assemblage exhibition opening Friday at The Space, culminating his year as Artist in Residence. Visitors are invited to make their own assemblage works during the reception using materials provided by the gallery. The show runs through August 22.
Vintage & Record Fair at Lackawanna Station
Saturday, August 15, noon to 8 p.m. | Lackawanna Station, 1 Lackawanna Plaza | $20 early access
Lackawanna Station is trading its regular flea market format for something more focused this weekend: a dedicated vintage and record fair running a full eight hours. Expect retro clothing, antique furniture, vinyl records and collectibles from dealers who loaded in Friday and will be set up through Sunday. The early access ticket at $20 gets you in before the crowds and before the record bins are picked through.
Kinfolk BBQ at Montclair Brewery
Saturday, August 15, 5 to 10 p.m. | Montclair Brewery, 101 Walnut St. | Free
Kinfolk BBQ brings slow-smoked Southern barbecue to Montclair Brewery Saturday evening: Texas brisket, North Carolina pulled pork, Memphis ribs and wings, paired with the brewery’s full tap list. Five hours, no cover.
Laughs on the Books VIII at Montclair Book Center
Saturday, August 15, 8 to 9:30 p.m. | Montclair Book Center, 221 Glenridge Ave. | Tickets required, BYOB
Laughs on the Books has sold out seven times at Montclair Book Center, and the eighth installment is back Saturday night with a lineup of comics from Netflix, late night television and Dry Bar. Organizer Zach McMahon describes it as an intimate show in one of New Jersey’s best independent bookstores. Doors at 7:30 p.m.; late arrivals may not be seated. BYOB. Tickets are limited.
For the full list of upcoming events in Montclair, visit montclairpod.com/events.
Image credit: Vintage and Record Fair
