What’s Happening In Amherst?

You can help us make our events calendar more useful by sending us your listings and including contact information and/or a link for more information. Send events listings to amherstindy@gmail.com.

IN PERSON ONGOING/MULTI-DAY EVENTS

EVERY SATURDAY THROUGH NOVEMBER 19. AMHERST FARMERS’ MARKET. Town Common 7:30 a.m – 1:30 p.m. Farm to table produce from local growers and producers. Food, music and events. More information including a list of vendors.

EVERY THURSDAY AND FRIDAY: FREE COVID VACCINE CLINICS. The Health Department has resumed its vaccine clinics at the Bangs Community Center, 70 Boltwood Walk from 12-2 p.m. on Thursdays. All residents, ages 12 and up who have not had a vaccine or booster in the past two months are eligible for and urged to get the new bivalent vaccines, which offer protection against the omicron variant of Covid-19. Registration for appointments is at https://www.amherstcovid19.org/vaccine . Walk-ins are also welcome.

UMass is offering bivalent Covid vaccines for ages 12 and older in Room 101 at the Campus Center on Thursdays from 12-4 p.m. and Fridays from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. and for those 12 and younger on Thursdays from 4-5:30 p.m. Appointments https://umass.my.site.com/covidtesting/s/vaccination  are recommended but not essential. To find other sites offering the bivalent vaccine, go to https://vaxfinder.mass.gov/ .

LAST FRIDAY OF EVERY MONTH : LAST FRIDAYS AT THE DRAKE POETRY SERIES HOSTED BY LYRICAL FAITH. 44 North Pleasant Street. Join us every last Friday of the month* for Last Fridays at The Drake hosted by Lyrical Faith for an unforgettable open mic and poetry night experience featuring award-winning spoken word artists from across the country. Come through for music, drinks, and artistic expression where poets take center stage to share new work, old work, or any work that helps them get free. Doors and bar open at 5PM. Early arrival is encouraged to get a slot on the sign-up sheet. The cover charge is $5 with a college ID or $10 general admission. More Information. Full Events Calendar at the Drake.

SECOND TUESDAY OF EVERY MONTH: OPEN MIC NIGHT AT THE DRAKE. 44 North Pleasant Street. Free event. Performers arrive by 5:30 p.m. Stage time: 6 p.m – 10 p.m. All ages. Younger performers will be slotted earler. All performers and styles of performances welcome, including but not limited to: music (of all kinds) – acoustic, folk, rock, hip hop, jazz, classical, etc…comedy, spoken word / readings, poetry,
dance, performance art. House rules and more information.

MONDAY SEPTEMBER 19- WEDNESDAY APRIL 3: FEINBERG LECTURE SERIES ON US IMPERIALISM – CONFRONTING EMPIRE. Events are online or hybrid. This free public lecture series brings together scholars, journalists, educators, writers, community organizers, and survivors of state violence to examine global histories of U.S. imperialism and anti-imperialist resistance.The series traces the history of U.S. imperialism from the conquest of North America to the creation of an overseas empire in the late 19th century and to the present day. It also offers a critical historical analysis of the various traditions and movements that have opposed U.S. empire, including Black radicalism, Marxism, revolutionary feminism, armed struggle, international solidarity, pacifism, and liberal, electoral, and diplomatic activism.  The series kicks off Monday, September 19 for the Keynote Address, US Policy In the Global South by Nobel Peace Laureate Dr. Rigoberta Menchú Tum, joined by journalists Vincent Bevins anAmy Goodman. 7 p.m. on Zoom.
Register here.
Full listing of series events and more information

FRIDAY SEPTEMBER 30 -SUNDAY MAY 14: 60 YEARS OF COLLECTING -AN ANNIVERSARY EXHIBITION CELEBRATING THE UNIVERSITY MUSEUM OF CONTEMPORARY ART PERMANENT COLLECTION. Bottom Floor of the UMass Fine Arts Center. Look here for gallery hours and additional information. Free. The exhibit can be viewed on line here.

THURSDAY NOVEMBER 3 -WEDNESDAY NOVEMBER 30: A LOOK THROUGH TWO LENSES AT GALLERY A3. Two artists toggle between representation and abstraction in photographs from Martha’s Vineyard and Cape Cod on exhibit at Gallery A3 in November. Gallery A3 is located at 28 Amity Steet 1D. Hours are 2:00 p.m.-7:00 p.m. Thursday-Sunday. Masking and social distancing are required. There will be a free online art forum (see below) on Thursday November 17 at 7:30 p.m. More information

MONDAY, NOVEMBER 21 THROUGH MONDAY DECEMBER 19: AMHERST POLICE DEPARTMENT HOLIDAY GIFT DRIVE. The APD will be collecting unwrapped toys, books, clothing, gift cards, and wrapping supplies to be distributed to the Amherst Survival Center, Jessie’s House, and the Bridge Family Resources Center for the holidays. Donations should be brought to the police station at 111 Main Street. For more information, contact Detective Marcus Humber at 413-259-3355 or humberm@amherstma.gov.

IN PERSON SINGLE DAY EVENTS

SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 12: INAUGURAL HARM REDUCTION TEACH IN AT HAMPSHIRE COLLEGE. On 9 a.m.–5 p.m., Hampshire will hold its first “Harm Reduction Teach-In” for the Five College community in Franklin Patterson Hall. A variety of local organizations and activists, as well as Hampshire student and staff speakers will present activities and resources. The event will include workshops, speakers, a film screening, and discussions centered around harm reduction, principles of practice, and resources available to the community. 

SATURDAY NOVEMBER 12: MILL DISTRICT HOLIDAY MARKET. Noon – 4 p.m. Mill District General Store. 91 Cowls Road. Locally made gifts by more than 40 artists and makers. Open house at the provisions general store with wine tasting and cheeses from Parish Hill Creamery. Open exchange table for unused art supplies. Rain date: Sunday.

SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 13: ROOM DEDICATION CEREMONY HONORING THE MEMORY OF THREE LOCAL ACTIVISTS. Media Education Foundation, 60 Masonic Street, Northampton. State Senator Jo Comerford, State Representative Lindsay Sabadosa, and Northampton Mayor Gina-Louise Sciarra will be on hand to help the Media Education Foundation (MEF) formally dedicate its newly reopened and renovated Masonic Street community room in memory of three beloved local activists on Sunday, November 13. The community room, which has been closed for eight years and is in the final stages of being rebuilt with state-of-the-art multimedia capabilities, will be named after the late progressive organizers Frances Crowe (1919-2019), Marty Nathan (1952-2022), andGreg Speeter (1943-2012). The dedication ceremony is open to the public and will be held inside the community room at 60 Masonic Street beginning at 4 p.m.

MONDAY NOVEMBER 14: RIBBON CUTTING FOR NORTH LANDFILL SOLAR ARRAY. 12:30-1:30 p.m. 740 Belchertown Road.

TUESDAY NOVEMBER 15: FIRST ANNUAL ELLSBERG LECTURE – THE HUMAN TOLL OF AMERICA’S AIR WARS BY PULITZER PRIZE WINNER AZMAT KHAN. 7 p.m. UMass Student Union Ballroom and on Zoom. In recent American wars, the United States traded many of its troops on the ground for an arsenal of aircraft, high flying drones, and precision weapons, often directed by controllers thousands of miles away. Successive U.S. administrations have boasted America’s air wars are the “most precise” in the history of warfare, replete with pledges of transparency and accountability. Investigative reporter Azmat Khan set out to test those claims on the ground in Iraq, Syria, and Afghanistan, and within confidential troves of documents she obtained through years-long lawsuits against the Department of Defense. In this lecture, Khan will detail the culmination of her findings and the pattern of impunity within this new way of war.  Zoom registration and more information.
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WEDNESDAY NOVEMBER 16, 2022: CELEBRATION OF LIFE FOR THE MERRY MAPLE. 4:30 -5:30 p.m. Amherst Town Common. Amherst’s beloved “Merry Maple” tree is scheduled to be removed from the town common later this month. Please join the Amherst Public Shade Tree Committee to commemorate the life of this tree. This will be an inclusive, family-friendly event where we can gather in celebration under the tree’s branches one last time, and share memories, snacks, and music. All are welcome. Leave your thoughts or favorite Merry Maple memories in our digital guestbook by clicking here. Please contact Britt Crow-Miller, member of the APSTC, at bcrowmiller@gmail.com with questions. 

THURSDAY NOVEMBER 17: SCREENING DOCUMENTARY FILM RIOTSVILLE USA WITH PRODUCER SARAH ARCHAMBAULT IN PERSON. 7 p.m. Amherst Cinema 28 Amity Street. One-night-only presentation of Riotsville, U.S.A. The appearance is part of the Bellwether Film Series. Following the film, Archambault will talk with Bellwether programmer George Myers and take questions from the theater audience. Tickets to Riotsville, U.S.A. are free for Amherst Cinema Members. All other tickets are regular admission prices. Tickets are available at the box office and online: https://amherstcinema.org/films-and-events/riotsville-usa. More information

SATURDAY NOVEMBER 19: FEMINIST ART GALLERY BENEFIT. Jones Library, 43 Amity Street. 3:30-4:30 p.m. A showing and silent auction of feminist community art work benefitting the Abortion Rights Fund of Western Massachusetts. Sponsored by Generation Ratify Amherst. $5-$10 suggested donation/family group.

MONDAY NOVEMBER 21: UMASS SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA AND PERCUSSION ENSEMBLE IN CONCERT 7:30 p.m. Tillis Performance Hall on the UMass Campus. Program includes: Carlos Chavez: Tambuco, Takashi Yoshimatsu: Bird Rhythmics, Op. 109, Ottorino Respighi: Pines of Rome.Tix: $10 General public; $5 students, seniors & UMass employees. UMass students free with ID; ticket required

WEDNESDAY NOVEMBER 23: ANNUAL COMMUNITY MEAL CELEBRATING NATIVE AMERICAN HERITAGE AND GIVING THANKS FOR OUR COMMUNITY. Amherst Survival Center, 138 Sunderland Road. 12 p.m. – 3 p.m. Please join us for a special meal featuring some popular Native American recipes in addition to classic Thanksgiving dishes. Great food, live local music, and community!

THURSDAY NOVEMBER 29: TENOR SAXOPHONIST HOUSTON PERSON. 7 p.m.at the Drake, 44 North Pleasant Street. Tix $10. Students $5. A special presentation of the Northampton Jazz Workshop featuring two sets of Person with the Green Street Trio. With his robust sound and swinging style, tenor saxophonist Houston Person has kept the hard bop and organ-soaked soul-jazz traditions alive. Emerging from organist Johnny “Hammond” Smith‘s group, Person established his reputation as one of the Big Boss tenors in the Gene Ammons style with albums like 1968’s Blue Odyssey, 1969’s Goodness!, and 1970’s Person to Person! More Information and the full November calendar at the Drake.

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 2: LIGHTING OF THE NEW MERRY MAPLE. 3-7 p.m. on the North Common. The Amherst Area Chamber of Commerce and the Business Improvement District are sponsoring the lighting of the Merry Maple on December 2. Because the large tree that was used for the ceremony most years from 1966 until last year will be cut down this month because of disease , a smaller tree will be lit this year. This “mini Merry Maple” was used for the annual festivities from 1995 to 2015 because the original tree was deemed to be too large. Cider and doughnuts will be served at the tree lighting. The UMass Minutemen Marching Band will be escorted down North Pleasant Street by Santa Claus, and the Middle School chorus will also perform. In addition, the fire station will hold an open house and the Amherst History Museum will host Santa Claus.

MONDAY DECEMBER 5:SPECIAL COVID VACCINE CLINIC WITH $75 GIFT CARD. The Massachusetts Vaccine Equity Initiative, in collaboration with the Amherst Health Department, is sponsoring a COVID-19 vaccine clinic on Monday December 5, from 2 to 6 p.m. at the Bangs Center, 70 Boltwood Avenue. The clinic is open to everyone from age 6 months and up who needs a first vaccine or booster dose. Pfizer, Moderna, and Johnson & Johnson vaccines will be available, including the new Pfizer and Moderna bivalent boosters which offer protection from some of the Omicron variants.The timing of the vaccine clinic will provide protection in time for the end-of-the-year holidays, because it takes about two weeks to develop a full immune response. As a special incentive, the Department of Public Health will award a $75 gift card to everyone who is vaccinated at the clinic. More information

ONLINE EVENTS – ONGOING/MULTI-DAY

MONDAY SEPTEMBER 19- WEDNESDAY APRIL 3: Feinberg Lecture Series On US Imperialism: Confronting Empire Events are online or hybrid. This free public lecture series brings together scholars, journalists, educators, writers, community organizers, and survivors of state violence to examine global histories of U.S. imperialism and anti-imperialist resistance.The series traces the history of U.S. imperialism from the conquest of North America to the creation of an overseas empire in the late 19th century and to the present day. It also offers a critical historical analysis of the various traditions and movements that have opposed U.S. empire, including Black radicalism, Marxism, revolutionary feminism, armed struggle, international solidarity, pacifism, and liberal, electoral, and diplomatic activism.  The series kicks off Monday, September 19 for the Keynote Address, US Policy In the Global South by Nobel Peace Laureate Dr. Rigoberta Menchú Tum, joined by journalists Vincent Bevins and Amy Goodman. 7 p.m. on Zoom.
Register here.
Full listing of series events and more information

FRIDAY SEPTEMBER 30 -SUNDAY MAY 14. 60 YEARS OF COLLECTING -AN ANNIVERSARY EXHIBITION CELEBRATING THE UNIVERSITY MUSEUM OF CONTEMPORARY ART PERMANENT COLLECTION. Bottom Floor of the UMass Fine Arts Center. Look here for gallery hours and additional information. Free. The exhibit can be viewed on line here.

ONLINE SINGLE DAY EVENTS

THURSDAY NOVEMBER 17: FREE, GALLERY A3 ART FORUM ONLINE. 7:30 p.m. on Zoom. Photographers Eric Broudy and LArry Rankin will comment on their exhibit work at Gallery A3 and introduce photographer Stephen Petegorsky who will show some of his work and then discuss and illustrate the topic of “Photographing Artwork,” welcoming questions from the audience. Petegorsky’s creative work includes black and white landscapes, Polaroid emulsions lifted onto panels covered with gold leaf, color images of taxidermed animals, and photographs documenting efforts to assist people with disabilities in developing countries. His specialized commercial work features photography of artworks and legal photography. See the gallery website (www.gallerya3.com) to register for this online event, which is free and open to the public.