Get excited because Free First Thursdays return on March 2, 2023 with “Carnivale,” a night celebrating the culture of the African diaspora at the Montclair Art Museum. The event will include an art activity with Yard School of Art Instructor Mansa Mussa, a guided tour of vanessa german: …please imagine all the things i cannot say… by an expert in African/African American art, a market of Black-owned businesses, a performance by the Caribbean Ensemble from the Cali School of Music, and a major performance by the African dance group Kofago. All of this in addition to the Museum being open for free courtesy of TD Bank, as well as a cash bar and food trucks. Stay tuned for more information!

Program:

MASK-MAKING & BEADING WORKSHOP

5–9 p.m. | Geyer Studio

Decorate your own carnivale-inspired mask and create personal beaded jewelry with MAM art instructor Mansa Mussa.

AFRO-CARIBBEAN ENSEMBLE FROM THE JOHN J. CALI SCHOOL OF MUSIC

5–7:30 P.M. | Leir Hall

Enjoy uplifting music during the first half of Free First Thursday: Carnevale.

GUIDED TOUR OF VANESSA GERMAN:...PLEASE IMAGINE ALL THE THINGS I CANNOT SAY...

6–7 p.m. | Meet at Cornerstone Café

We will be offering a docent-led tour of our newest exhibition, vanessa german:...please imagine all the things i cannot say... The tour will meet at the Cornerstone Café at 6 p.m. and will be led by Cassandra Martin, one of MAM's docents.

MONTCLAIR BLACK COALITION'S POSTER CONTEST

6:15 p.m. | Leir Hall

Works submitted in the Montclair Black Coalition (MBC) Black History Month Poster Competition will be on display in the Museum’s Arcade Gallery. Winners of the student-centered competition will be acknowledged in a small ceremony at 7:30 p.m. on the Leir Hall stage.

KOFAGO DANCE ENSEMBLE

7:30 p.m. | Leir Hall

Enjoy a performance by Kofago Dance Ensemble, coming to MAM from Jamaica, NY. Kofago Dance Ensemble creates innovative works that draw from traditional dances from West Africa, Caribbean dance forms, as well as modern pieces based on West African and Caribbean principles of Movement and space.

The Period Project, run by the National Council of Jewish Women Essex, is asking for donations as part of their participation in Free First Thursday: Carnivale. They will have a table with information about their organization and donation boxes at the Nathaniel C. Harris Side Entrance. Learn more here.

Attendance is free, but space is limited. Advance registration is recommended.