On July 10, Montclair celebrates Bastille Day, and there’s a lot happening around it in and just outside town. The anchor event is Friday night at Kip’s Castle. Beyond that, the International Food & Dance Festival takes over Lackawanna Station on Sunday, a community cafecito kicks off Friday morning at Libélula, and there’s a fitness class series and live jazz to round out the weekend. Here’s what’s worth your time July 10 through 12.
Bastille Day Garden Party at Kip’s Castle
Friday, July 10, 6 to 10 p.m. | Kip’s Castle, 22 Crestmont Road, Verona | $125 non-members, must be 21+
L’Alliance New York’s annual Bastille Day Garden Party is this year moving to Kip’s Castle in Verona for the first time, and the setting alone makes it worth the short drive. The 1913 medieval Norman-inspired estate overlooks the New York City skyline, which is about as good a backdrop as you’ll find for a summer evening in Essex County.
The evening includes a summer-inspired buffet by Cuisine Boulud, desserts by Montclair-based pastry chef Janelle Manning, wine and cocktails, and live music by Nuage Rhythm, a band blending Parisian jazz and American standards from the Golden Age. Dancing follows dinner. Each guest receives one complimentary raffle ticket for a chance to win two Air France tickets from New York to Paris.
L’Alliance also has a French Shopping Day Passport Crawl running through downtown Montclair on Saturday, July 11, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., if you want to extend the Bastille Day theme into the weekend.
International Food & Dance Festival at Lackawanna Station
Sunday, July 12, 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. | Lackawanna Station, 1 Lackawanna Plaza | Free
The Summer of Soccer’s biggest community event of the run takes over Lackawanna on Sunday with food, music and dance representing the full range of cultures that make up Montclair and the 48 nations playing in this World Cup. Local cultural organizations, community groups and food vendors will be set up throughout the building, with performances woven in throughout the day. The festival received a New Jersey World Cup Community Initiative Grant through Choose New Jersey and the N.J. Economic Development Authority. No tickets, no registration, just show up.
Fit Fridays with FitLoft at Lackawanna Station
Friday, July 10, 10 to 10:45 a.m. | Lackawanna Station, 1 Lackawanna Plaza | $10
Lackawanna Station is running a Friday morning fitness series throughout July, with a different class and instructor each week. July 10 is Long + Lean with Kara. Classes are 45 minutes; bring your own mat. Tickets are $10 and must be reserved in advance. Details on The Montclair Pod events page.
Community Cafecito at Libélula
Friday, July 10, 8:30 to 10 a.m. | Libélula Bakery and Kitchen, 5 N. Fullerton Ave. | Free, RSVP required
Latinos of Montclair hosts its quarterly morning gathering at Libélula. No agenda, no program, just coffee and conversation. Whether you’re new to the organization or have been involved for years, it’s a low-key way to connect with neighbors before the weekend kicks off. RSVP required for capacity.
Jazzboat Live at Montclair Brewery
Sunday, July 12, 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. | Montclair Brewery, 101 Walnut St. | $5 cover
Jazzboat closes out the weekend at Montclair Brewery with two hours of R&B, soul, bebop and straight-ahead swing. The $5 cover goes directly to the band. A good reason to linger after the food festival winds down.
For everything coming up in Montclair, visit montclairpod.com/events.
Image credit: L’Alliance New York
