MONTCLAIR, NJ (November 23, 2021) — The Montclair Public Library will celebrate Kwanzaa with a series of events in December, starting with its inaugural Ujamaa Outdoor Winter Market on December 4. This celebration builds on the Library’s 32-year tradition of featuring Kwanzaa as the keystone of its winter programming.
“Ujamaa” is one of the seven principles of Kwanzaa, highlighting cooperative economics. In this spirit, the Ujamaa Outdoor Winter Market will feature culinary delights and products from local chefs, artisans, and entrepreneurs. In addition to holiday shopping and food trucks outside the Main Library, visitors can enjoy a series of free performances inside the building.
An iPad card-making class on December 15 and a virtual Kwanzaa program on December 26 (the first official day of Kwanzaa) will round out the Library’s offerings. See below for event details.
UJAMAA OUTDOOR WINTER MARKET
Saturday, December 4, 10 a.m. – 2 p.m.
Main Library (Plaza), 50 S. Fullerton Avenue
Browse and shop for culinary delights and products from local chefs, artisans, and entrepreneurs. A list of vendors and food trucks will be posted on montclairlibrary.org/ujamaa-outdoor-winter-market/. In addition, a series of free performances will take place inside and outside the Library.
Inclement weather date: December 11
FREE PERFORMANCES
ISLANDMAGIC
Balloon Twisting, Dec. 4, 10-11 a.m, Main Library (Lobby)
Reading Magic Show, Dec. 4, 11:15 a.m. – 12 p.m., Main Library (Auditorium)
Master magician ISLANDMAGIC will mesmerize with his fast moving card tricks, mind games, and beautiful white dove production in this Caribbean-infused show with soca and reggae beats. No registration required, but space is limited.
Kora Music by Salieu Suso, Dec. 4, 11-11:45 a.m., Main Library (Plaza)
Salieu Suso is a master player of the kora, a soothing, 12-stringed harp instrument originally from West Africa. Born into a family tradition of Jalis (musician-historians), he is also a composer, arranger, and teacher of West African music and culture. No registration required.
Live Music by Kassaye Selassie, Dec. 4, 12:30-1:30 p.m., Main Library (Auditorium)
Kassaye Selassie is a singer/songwriter and multi-instrumentalist from Bloomfield, NJ, influenced by Ethiopian and American jazz as well as Rhythm & Blues. Playing with several bands and as a solo performer over the years, he has performed at The Bitter End, Sullivan Hall, The Oakeside Mansion, and the illustrious Hammerstein Ballroom. No registration required, but space is limited.
DIGITAL HOLIDAY CARD DESIGN (ADULT SCHOOL CLASS)
Wednesday, December 15, 7-8:30 p.m.
Main Library, 50 S. Fullerton Avenue
Cost: $35
Instructor: Mansa Mussa
Have you ever thought about designing your own holiday greeting card for Kwanzaa, Christmas, or Hanukkah? Here’s your chance to do just that using your iPad, a photo app, and a little bit of imagination. Students must bring their own iPad and Perfect Image Pic Collage Maker, an app that can be purchased on Apple’s App Store. Registration required: https://asm.augusoft.net/index.cfm?method=ClassInfo.ClassInformation&int_class_id=46528&int_category_id=2&int_sub_category_id=5&int_catalog_id=0
KWANZAA LIVE WITH CULTURE QUEEN
Sunday, December 26, 2-2:45 p.m.
Virtual (Zoom)
Free
Kwanzaa expert Culture Queen will teach the seven principles of Kwanzaa through interactive music, movement, storytelling, and Black History themed games. This signature Culture Kingdom Kids program is appropriate for all ages and will leave participants feeling more inspired to incorporate Kwanzaa into their family traditions. Registration required: https://montclairlibrary.libnet.info/event/5811781
Register only once per family. Zoom link will be sent to registrants. If you miss the livestream, email youthservices@montclairlibrary.org for a recording link accessible through January 1.
About Kwanzaa at the Montclair Public Library
Founded by Dr. Maulana Karenga in 1966, Kwanzaa is the seven-day African American festival that celebrates culture, family, and community from December 26 to January 1. Since 1989, Montclair Public Library has hosted a Kwanzaa event. The event grew yearly and has become an important part of the Library’s winter programming, cultivated by former MPL staff members Brother Saalik Cuevas and Matilda Williams. The coronavirus pandemic required the Library to adapt in 2020 with the virtual program “Harambee! Songs and Stories for Kwanzaa with April Armstrong,” and in 2021 with a primarily outdoor Winter Market. 2021 will be the 32nd year of the Library celebrating Kwanzaa with the Montclair community.
About the Montclair Public Library
Founded in 1893, the Montclair Public Library serves the residents of Montclair, New Jersey. It has two facilities: the Main Library at 50 S. Fullerton Avenue and the Bellevue Avenue Branch at 185 Bellevue Avenue. The Library has been changing lives every day for over 125 years through words, ideas, and community building by providing unlimited opportunities for lifelong learning, discovery, and community engagement. In 2019, the Library had over 32,000 members, circulated more than 440,000 items, and saw nearly 330,000 visitors, making it one of the busiest municipal libraries in the state. Visit montclairlibrary.org for more information.
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CONTACT:
Jessica Trujillo, 973-744-0500 ext. 2230, jessica.trujillo@montclairlibrary.org