Calendar of Events
January 2026
Wednesday, January 21
2 – 3:30 p.m. | Van Fossan Theater
Bloomfield 250
Join us on January 21, as we kick off Bloomfield 250 with a lecture in honor of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. entitled “All Men Are Created Equal”. Guest speaker Danielle M. Conway will engage the audience in thoughtful conversation examining the Declaration of Independence’s most iconic phrase and what it means for our evolving and diverse nation.
Details
Tuesday, January 27
6 – 8 p.m. | Feliciano School of Business, Room 140
Navigating Loan Debt in Times of Crisis: How Financial Clarity Creates Confidence in Uncertainty
Join the Women’s Initiative Network (WIN) for this practical discussion and interactive session with financial strategist Karem A. Ospino, Founder & CEO of Ospino Consulting, who will share a practical framework for navigating debt challenges through the lens of financial leadership.
Details
Wednesday, January 28
2 – 3 p.m. | In Person – Leshowitz Recital Hall
Cali Midweek Series: Jazz Faculty Combos
Join us for the Cali Midweek Concerts at Montclair State University’s John J. Cali School of Music, where we bring a diverse array of musical performances and educational events every Wednesday in Leshowitz Recital Hall, Chapin Hall. Our concert series showcases the immense talent within our faculty, students and esteemed guest artists.
Details
Thursday, January 29
5 – 6 p.m. | Virtual – Zoom
AI & Ethics: Navigating Responsibility in the Age of Algorithms
This virtual workshop hosted by the ADP Center introduces core principles of AI ethics and their implications for education, policy and everyday use. Participants will examine case studies, identify risks and develop strategies for responsible, equitable and transparent AI integration.
Details
Saturday, January 31
8 – 10 p.m. | In Person – Alexander Kasser Theater 303, Auditorium
University Main Stage Opera – Die Zauberflöte (The Magic Flute)
A dragon to be vanquished. A magic flute that conquers hearts. A queen whose rage blazes among the stars. A secretive order holding the power of the sun. One of the most beloved operas of all time, Mozart’s Die Zauberflöte (The Magic Flute) is a dazzling adventure where fairy tale, comedy, and timeless wisdom meet. With music that soars from the hilarious to the sublime, it enchants audiences of all ages.
Details
February 2026
Sunday, February 1
3 – 5 p.m. | In Person – Alexander Kasser Theater 303, Auditorium
University Main Stage Opera – Die Zauberflöte (The Magic Flute)
A dragon to be vanquished. A magic flute that conquers hearts. A queen whose rage blazes among the stars. A secretive order holding the power of the sun. One of the most beloved operas of all time, Mozart’s Die Zauberflöte (The Magic Flute) is a dazzling adventure where fairy tale, comedy, and timeless wisdom meet. With music that soars from the hilarious to the sublime, it enchants audiences of all ages.
Details
Tuesday, February 3
4 – 5 p.m. | Virtual – Online
Getting Started with Canva
Discover the power of visual storytelling in this hands-on workshop! Learn how to create eye-catching presentations, social media graphics, and posters using Canva’s intuitive tools and templates. Perfect for students and educators looking to bring creativity and professionalism to their digital projects.
Register
February 3 – May 11 | Tuesday through Friday (select Saturdays and by appointment)
12 – 4 p.m. | George Segal Gallery
Carpe Diem: Select Alumni in the Visual Arts
Carpe Diem is a group exhibition, presented by Montclair State University’s Office of Alumni Engagement and Development and hosted by the University Galleries, features distinguished alumni working across media including painting, photography, video and sound.
Curated by Sally Morgan Lehman, who has taught in the Department of Art and Design at Montclair and is owner and director of Morgan Lehman Gallery in New York City, Carpe Diem highlights the breadth of artistic practices fostered at Montclair and the lasting impact of its visual arts alumni.
Featured artists include Flávia Berindoague ’13, Bisa Butler ’05, Jonathan Calm ’97, Kyle Coniglio ’10, Alyssa Fanning ’12, Allen Ginsberg (1943), Márta Kucsora (2005–06), Michael Manning ’11, Nancy Bergman Pantirer ’80, Tiffany Perez ’09, William Pope.L ’78 and Maria Valdivia ’24. Together, they represent multiple generations of Red Hawks who shape the local, national and international creative landscape as artists, educators and cultural leaders.
Details
Tuesday, February 3
5 – 7 p.m. | George Segal Gallery
Opening Reception – Carpe Diem: Select Alumni in the Visual Arts
Celebrate Montclair State University alumni at the opening of the exhibition Carpe Diem: Select Alumni in the Visual Arts. Remarks by Jonathan GS Koppell, President, and Rita Walters, Vice President for Development and Alumni Engagement at 6 pm.
Register
Wednesday, February 4
6:30 p.m. | Feliciano School of Business, Room 140
VOCES:The Benito Bowl: Politics & Protest in Bad Bunny’s Music
Join us for a powerful conversation on how Bad Bunny transforms global pop culture into a voice for Puerto Rico’s history, resistance, and diaspora at a moment when the attention turns toward Super Bowl LX. Hosted by and á, in partnership with the and , this event offers a layered exploration of culture, politics, and protest.
Details
Thursday, February 5
1 – 2 p.m. | Virtual
Are You LinkedIn? Building Your Digital Brand
Learn how to make your LinkedIn profile stand out and showcase your professional story. In this workshop, you’ll explore strategies to build your digital brand, connect with industry professionals, and use LinkedIn to open doors to future opportunities. Perfect for anyone ready to take their online presence to the next level!
Register
Saturday, February 7
4 – 7 p.m. | In Person – Alexander Kasser Theater
PEAK Performance: Magnificent Bird / Book of Travelers
Experience two distinct works by acclaimed songwriter and performer Gabriel Kahane in one unforgettable day. In this duo of intimate solo musical plays, composer Gabriel Kahane blends songwriting and storytelling for a singular, poignant theatrical event. Book of Travelers recounts the strangers he met on a 9,000-mile train journey through a divided America, and Magnificent Bird chronicles a year he spent entirely off-line, and the unexpected turbulence of living quietly. These two concept albums offer a relentless self-inquiry — and a searing portrait of a world in flux. PROMO: 25% off tickets using code Holiday 25-26 before February 1!
Details
Monday, February 9
5:30 – 7 p.m. | George Segal Gallery
Art Forum with Sally Morgan Lehman
Art Forum is a speaker series featuring artists, designers, art historians, curators and art critics from around the world presenting their work and ideas in an open forum, hosted by the Department of Art & Design. Curator Sally Morgan Lehman will lead a walkthrough of the exhibition Carpe Diem: Select Alumni in the Visual Arts.
Register
Thursday, February 12
7:30 – 8:30 p.m. | Alexander Kasser Theater 303, Auditorium
PEAK Performance: Camille A. Brown & Dancers: I AM
Five-time Tony-nominated choreographer and director Camille A. Brown deepens her explorations of Black joy in Camille A. Brown & Dancers’ I AM. With captivating live and original music, I AM launches new queries into the possibilities of imagination — and boldly investigates the future. Inspired by a narrative within HBO’s Lovecraft Country and the rhythms of the movie Drumline, Brown’s 2025 New York Times Critics’ Pick breaks boundaries and “takes her signature interweaving of African diasporic dance forms to new heights.” PROMO: 25% off tickets using code Holiday 25-26 before February 1!
Details
Monday, February 16
4 – 6 p.m. | In Person – University Hall, Room 1050
Heirs and Architects of a Great Legacy: Black History Month Alumni Event and Panel
The Office of Alumni Engagement is proud to host this special Black History Month event in collaboration with the Black Alumni Advisory Council and in partnership with the African American Caucus and the African American Studies Department at Montclair State University. In partnership with the African American Caucus and the African American Studies Department at Montclair State University, this special Black History Month event celebrates our history while providing tools to elevate your career. Join us for a unique opportunity to connect and network with accomplished alumni across diverse industries, united by the strength of family and community legacy. Hear from a panel of professionals who will share valuable insights to guide your career journey. Additionally, the African American Studies Program and the African American Caucus will be honoring two guests with Black Achievement Awards. All alumni and students are welcome!
Details and Registration
Tuesday, February 17
10 – 11:30 a.m. | In Person – Dickson Hall 178 – Cohen Lounge
The International Political Economy of Information and Communication Technologies
Research talk by Dr. Aarushi Bhandari, Department of Sociology, Davidson College
Details
Wednesday, February 18
10 a.m. – 3:30 p.m. | In Person – Student Center 250ABC – Ballrooms A, B and C
FCE+I Creators Marketplace #1 – 2026
MSU student vendors, flea market style setup.
Details
Wednesday, February 18
2 – 3 p.m. | In Person – Leshowitz Recital Hall
Cali Midweek Series: Strings Studio Recital
Join us for the Cali Midweek Concerts at Montclair State University’s John J. Cali School of Music, where we bring a diverse array of musical performances and educational events every Wednesday in Leshowitz Recital Hall, Chapin Hall. Our concert series showcases the immense talent within our faculty, students and esteemed guest artists.
Details
Thursday, February 19
8 a.m. – 7 p.m. | In Person – Student Center 250ABC – Ballrooms A, B and C
Blood Drive Campaign
Hosted by the Department of Occupational Health
Details
Thursday, February 19
7:30 p.m. | In Person – Alexander Kasser Theater
PEAK Performances: An Evening With Jason Robert Brown featuring Carrie St. Louis and Nasia Thomas
Brown is the Tony Award-winning Broadway composer/lyricist best known for his acclaimed scores to Parade (1999 and 2023), and the modern classic, The Last Five Years. He is also a major concertizer. Brown has Sondheim’s intelligence and craft, but musically is more pop/rock and jazz-influenced. He’s Broadway’s Billy Joel! Come have a rockin’ good time with Brown and his band of musicians and singers, including Wicked’s Carrie St. Louis and SIX’s Nasia Thomas! PROMO: 25% off tickets using code Holiday 25-26 before February 1!
Details
February 19-28
Department of Theater and Dance: Peter and the Starcatcher ’26
In Person – Life Hall Studio Theatre 1200
Based on the novel by Dave Barry and Ridley Pearson, Peter and the Starcatcher upends the century-old story of how a miserable orphan on a ship bound for Rundoon came to be “The Boy Who Would Not Grow Up.” In a wildly theatrical and action-packed prequel to Peter Pan, this imaginative adventure is filled with music, mermaids, marauding pirates and unlikely heroes. Peter and the Starcatcher playfully explores the depths of greed and despair as they test the bonds of friendship, duty and love.
Details
Friday, February 20
8:30 a.m – 12:30 p.m. | In Person – University Hall 7100 – President’s Dining Room, University Hall 7500 – Conference Center
4th Annual Legislative Breakfast
The Legislative Breakfast unites policymakers, advocates, survivor leaders and community stakeholders to drive meaningful dialogue and action on human trafficking law, policy and practice.
This year’s theme, “Human Trafficking at the Intersection of Sports,” highlights the urgent issues hidden behind the spectacle of global sporting events such as the FIFA World Cup. From labor exploitation in stadium construction and hospitality to increased sex trafficking during major tournaments, the convergence of sports and trafficking demands both urgent attention and policy-driven solutions. All are welcome; please register.
Details
Sunday, February 22
3 – 5:30 p.m. | In Person – Alexander Kasser Theater
PEAK Performances: RENT live in concert
Experience the iconic music of RENT like never before. In this sweeping symphonic concert produced by AMP Worldwide, a powerhouse ensemble of vocalists and instrumentalists brings Jonathan Larson’s groundbreaking rock musical to life. Featuring the full score — including “Seasons of Love,” “La Vie Bohème” and “Take Me or Leave Me” — this electrifying performance celebrates the enduring spirit of love, loss and chosen family. PROMO: 25% off tickets using code Holiday 25-26 before February 1!
Details
Wednesday, February 25
2 – 3 p.m. | In Person – University Hall 1140 – The Commons
Podcasting 101: Launch Your Voice
Ready to share your voice with the world? This workshop covers the essentials of creating, recording, and publishing your own podcast, from planning your content to using tech tools for editing and distribution. Learn how to craft compelling stories and build an audience through the power of sound.
Details
Thursday, February 26
3 – 4 pm | In Person – University Hall 1140 – The Commons
3D Printing 101: The Future of Learning
Discover how ideas come to life— layer by layer! In this workshop, participants will explore the basics of 3D design and printing, turning digital concepts into real-world creations. Learn how this cutting-edge technology is transforming classrooms, sparking creativity and shaping the innovators of tomorrow.
Details
Thursday, February 26
7:30 – 9:30 pm | In Person – L. Howard Fox Studio Theatre
Department of Theatre and Dance | Passage ’26
A fantasia inspired by E.M. Forster’s novel A Passage to India, PASSAGE is set in the fictional Country X, which is a neocolonial client of Country Y. A local doctor from Country X and a visiting teacher from Country Y begin to forge a friendship that is challenged after a fateful trip to a local attraction, exposing the complexities of cultural misunderstanding and power imbalances. A meditation on colonization, the mutability of political borders and the elusive nature of true understanding.
Details
March 2026
Monday, March 2
6 – 7 pm | George Segal Gallery
A Cross-Generational Conversation with Alumni Artists
This multi-generational panel celebrates the distinguished women alumni of Montclair. Featuring exhibiting artists Nancy Pantirer ’80, Tiffany Perez ’09 and Maria Valdivia ’24 in conversation about their careers and creative practices, moderated by curator Sally Morgan Lehman.
Register
Wednesday, March 11 – Saturday, April 18
7:30 – 9:30 p.m. | In Person – Alexander Kasser Theatre 303 – Auditorium
Department of Theatre and Dance | The Elementary Spacetime Show ’26
A highly inventive new musical by César Alvarez and Emily Orling, The Elementary Spacetime Show tells the story of Alameda: a young girl who enters a liminal void somewhere in between life and death. Alameda must pass through the eight existential trials of a cosmic Vaudevillian game show to discover the possibility that her darkness is a gift. Her journey is set to a kaleidoscopic contemporary score that bravely handles teenage suicide with both sensitivity and vibrant showmanship, blending sly humor with emotional nuance
Details
Friday, March 20
7:30 p.m. | In Person – Alexander Kasser Theatre
John J. Cali School of Music | University Wind Symphony & Cali Alumni Concert Band Spring 2026
Join us in a concert celebrating Dr. Thomas McCauley’s 20th year as Director of University Bands! The program will feature the University Wind Symphony and a concert band comprised of alumni from the past 20 years. The program will also include the winner of the 2025-2026 Wind Symphony Concerto Competition.
Details