What’s Happening in Amherst?

by Art and Maura Keene

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

SINGLE DAY EVENTS (more or less)

SUNDAY JULY 20: SING FOR DEMOCRACY. 3 to 4 p.m., South Church, 2066 South East Street. More information forthcoming we hope.

TUESDAY JULY 22: VIRTUAL FORUM ON EXHIBIT ON NORTH AMERICAN INDIGENOUS PICTURE BOOK ARTISTS. 6 to 8 p.m., Eric Carle Museum, 125 West Bay Road. The Carle is developing an exhibition celebrating and centering North American Indigenous picture book artists and their contributions to children’s literature. Curating the exhibition is Dr. Lee Francis IV, Ph.D. (Pueblo of Laguna) aka Dr. IndigiNerd, Founder of the Indigenous Imagination Workshop, Indigenous Comic Con, Native Realities, and Red Planet Books and Comics. Dr. Francis will be in MA next week, and we welcome members of the Indigenous community to join us online at: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/dsud2oFKRquetzVcU_zRsA

WEDNESDAY JULY 23: CHARTER REVIEW LISTENING SESSION. 7 p.m., Bang’s Center Large Activity Room, 70 Boltwood Walk. The Charter has been in place for several years, enough time for town residents to have seen how this system of government operates.  Is it working? How can it be improved? Has it lived up to the values that its proponents said it embodied: citizen participation, “representativeness” (demographics and interests); effective, deliberative, and efficient structures; accountability and transparency; a clear voice for Amherst; avoidance of big-money politics; a culture of tolerance and respect; strategic and long-term planning? If not, what changes are needed?

WEDNESDAY JULY 23: JAZZ IN JULY’S CLUB JAZZ. 7 p.m. Marriot Center, 11th floor, UMass Campus Center. Featureing vocalists and instrumental combos in a relaxed club atmosphere. Suggested donation: $10. More information

THURSDAY JULY 24: MATT BLUM: THE VILLAIN U.S. TOUR. 8 p.m., The Drake, 44 North Pleasant Street. Matt Blum returns with a new LP, The Villain—a striking resurgence that combines the artist’s trademark blend of searing and wry lyricism with novel boldness and slight camp amongst a backdrop of textured indie rock, alt-rock and pop instrumentation. The listener is left not with easy answers, but invitations. Welcome to your Villain era. Tickets $20, $22 at the door. See full calendar here.

FRIDAY JULY 25 THROUGH SUNDAY JULY 27: LEAGUE OF WOMEN VOTERS OF AMHERST GIANT BOOK SALE. 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. (10 to 4 on Saturday and Sunday), Fort River Elementary School gym, 70 South East Street. Mark your calendars for the League of Women Voters of Amherst annual giant book sale. Thousands of gently used books at unbeatable prices. The sale continues from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. July 25-27 and August 2-3. Leftover day is Monday, August 4 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. when everything must go.

FRIDAY JULY 25: SUMMER ART OPENING AT THE MILL DISTRICT. 5 to 7 p.m., Mill District General Store and Local Art Gallery, 91 Cowls Road. Join for this free reception to celebrate all the exhibiting artists and welcome the following to the gallery: Aaron Wood, Barb Prescott, David Dickinson, Gretchen Holesovsky, Harold Dumas, Kerry St. Laurent, Marie Budness, and Ravneet Marwaha.

FRIDAY JULY 25: SUMMER MUSIC CONCERT SERIES: UMASS JAZZ IN JULY ALL STARS’ CONCERT. 5 to 8 p.m., Town Common. The Amherst Business Improvement District (BID) is proud to announce the 2025 summer music series line-up. Support local shops, retail, and experiences and enjoy a taste of our global gastronomy by sitting down to dinner al fresco or getting your favorite meal to-go and bringing it to The Common to enjoy. In addition, local beer, wine, and cider will be sold to patrons 21+ and non-alcoholic beverages will be available.

SATURDAY JULY 26: AMHERST COMMUNITY BAND CONCERT. Qunicy Jones Tribute. Sweetser Park, Downtown Amherst, 6-7 p.m. In the event of rain the concert will be relocated to the St. Brigid’s Parish Center.

THURSDAY JULY 31: BODILY PRESS POETRY READING. 7 p.m., Amherst Books, 8 Main Street.  Eliot Cardinaux (Wandering Subject & Starlings), poet and founding editor of the local impring The Bodily Press, will host two other poets published by the press: Andrew Mossin, aughor of A Common World and Patrick Pritchet, author of Brief Mercy of This Life in addition to reading himself. This celebrates the release of new titles by each poet. 

FRIDAY AUGUST 1: SUMMER MUSIC CONCERT SERIES: BAD NEWS JAZZ ORCHESTRA AND HENDERSON BLUES BAND. 5 to 8 p.m., Town Common. The Amherst Business Improvement District (BID) is proud to announce the 2025 summer music series line-up. Support local shops, retail, and experiences and enjoy a taste of our global gastronomy by sitting down to dinner al fresco or getting your favorite meal to-go and bringing it to The Common to enjoy. In addition, local beer, wine, and cider will be sold to patrons 21+ and non-alcoholic beverages will be available.

FRIDAY AUGUST 1: ALEX ROHAN WITH SPECIAL GUEST PRIDEFALLS. 8 p.m., The Drake, 44 North Pleasant Street. Massachusetts independent artist and songwriter Alex Rohan has always had a passion for music. He began singing at a young age and taught himself to play guitar. He started to perform publicly as a teen ager. Critics call his songwriting a mix of reggae and alternative. He also pays homage to other genres with songs of a country feel with folk inspired melodies. Tickets $15 in advance, $20 at the door. See full calendar here.

SATURDAY AUGUST 2: JEFFREY LEWIS AND THE VOLTAGE. 8 p.m., The Drake, 44 North Pleasant Street. Songwriter and comix artist Jeffrey Lewis began recording homemade cassettes in New York City in 1998. His critically acclaimed, unusual and word-dense songs lead to him signing to Rough Trade Records in 2001. He created a brilliant style of scuzzy urban indie-rock-folk, and has played all over the world, both solo and with bandmates. Tickets $15 in advance, $20 at the door. See full calendar here.

SATURDAY AUGUST 2 TO SUNDAY AUGUST 3: LEAGUE OF WOMEN VOTERS OF AMHERST GIANT BOOK SALE. 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Fort River Elementary School gym, 70 South East Street. Mark your calendars for the League of Women Voters of Amherst annual giant book sale. Thousands of gently used books at unbeatable prices. Leftover day is Monday, August 4 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. when everything must go.

SATURDAY AUGUST 9: JONES LIBRARY KIDS’ SUMMER READING CELEBRATION. 10:30 a.m., The Drake, 44 North Pleasant Street. Come celebrate the end of summer reading with a live Free to Be You and Me dance party! Joshua Sitron will be providing piano accompaniment to classic kids’ songs from the landmark “Free to Be You and Me” album with dance party breaks between singing. Joshua will be taking requests for everyone to read and sing along with in this pop-up karaoke party. Get your summer reading log checked to earn tickets to our grand prize drawing. Made possible thanks to The Friends of the Jones Libraries and the Drake.

SATURDAY AUGST 16: AMHERST COMMUNITY BAND CONCERT. Featuring band classics. Sweetser Park, Downtown Amherst, 6-7 p.m. In the event of rain the concert will be relocated to the St. Brigid’s Parish Center.

ONGOING AND MULTI-DAY EVENTS

EVERY MONDAY EXCEPT HOLIDAYS: AUTOHARP WORKSHOPS. 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., Senior Center, Bangs Center, 70 Boltwood Walk. Join Marie Hartwell-Walker and autoharp players throughout the country who participate on Zoom. Participants on Zoom also welcome.

EVERY TUESDAY: RACIAL JUSTICE VIGIL 4:00 p.m. -4:30 p.m., downtown Amherst in front of the Bank of America.

FIRST TUESDAY OF EVERY MONTH: COUNCIL ON AGING SENIOR LUNCH. Noon. Bangs Center, 70 Boltwood Walk.

FIRST TUESDAY OF EVERY MONTH. RAINBOW COFFEE HOUR. 10-11 a.m. Amherst Senior Center, Bangs Center, 70 Boltwood Walk. The Rainbow Coffee Hour is a new LGBTIA+ social coffee group for ages 50 and above. Join us for this welcoming space to socialize. No format, no agenda, just community. The July coffee hour will be held on July 11, due to July 4 being the first Tuesday of the month.

EVERY WEDNESDAY : CAFE. Bangs Community Center, 70 Boltwood Walk. 10 a.m. – 12 p.m. Are you or a loved one experiencing memory loss? At the Amherst Senior Center, we understand memory changes and have developed a new program based on the popular Memory Café format. Our Café offers fun, relaxation, and of course, snacks. This program is perfect for caregivers, people with mild memory loss, or anyone in the community who enjoys good conversation and strong coffee. Each Café opens with a coffee and conversation hour, followed by a group activity. Join us on Wednesday, November 30th for a performance by our special musical guests, “Healing Hearts with Harmony” at 11:00am. Come for the coffee, stay for the connections! Email seniorcenter@amherstma.gov or call 413-259-3060 with questions. 

EVERY WEDNESDAY: WEEKLY WEDNESDAY MARKET. 10 to 11:30 a.m., Bangs Community Center, 70 Boltwood Walk. Since its launch in May 2024, the Wednesday Market has served over 700 community members. The Market is open to all, and there’s no registration and no questions asked. Just come and enjoy. We distribute fresh produce, dairy, prepared food, and delicious treats. 

EVERY WEDNESDAY IN APRIL: DROP-IN VACCINE CLINIC. 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., Amherst Public Health Department, Bangs Center, 70 Boltwood Walk. Free flu and COVID shots while supplies last. Individuals over 65 are eligible for a COVID booster this spring. Protect yourself and others. Stay healthy! For more information, email publichealth@amherstma.gov or call 413-259-3077.

EVERY WEDNESDAY: BEGINNER BIRDING. 9:00-9:30 a.m. Notch Visitor Center, 1500 West Street. For ages 12 and up. An easy, level, 1/4-mile guided hike to discover more about birds: their behaviors, needs, habitats and significance. Listen, observe, sketch, photo or journal. Free

LAST WEDNESDAY OF EVERY MONTH (EXCLUDING JULY AND JANUARY): NORTHAMPTON JAZZ WORKSHOP. The Drake. 44 North Pleasant Street. 7:30 p.m. Free (donations accepted). Featuring the Green Street trio with a special guest. Featured set at 7:30 followed by an open jam session. Bring your axe. Full calendar of events here.

LAST WEDNESDAY OF EVERY MONTH: CRAFT AND CONVERSE. Mill District General Store and Local Art Gallery, 91 Cowls Road. 6:30 p.m.-8 p.m. Are you tired of creating in solitude? Looking to connect with other artistic individuals? Grab your sketchbook, knitting bag, or water color gear and join our monthly coworking group! Craft and converse, hosted by Easthampton artist Kaia Zimmerman, is held the last Wednesday of every month from 6:30 to 8:00 p.m. This welcoming, intentional space is designed for community members to come together for a casual, social evening while pursuing their own creative projects. Drop-ins welcome, but registration encouraged for any weather-related changes in schedule. Bring your own arts or crafts project (BYOA) to work on. Ages 16+.

WEDNESDAYS, THURSDAYS, AND SATURDAYS JUNE THROUGH NOVEMBER: AMHERST MOBILE MARKET. Wednesdays 3 to 6 p.m. in North Amherst, Thursdays 3 to 6 p.m. at Colonial Village, and Saturdays 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at East Hadley Road. The Amherst Mobile Market not only makes affordable produce available within walking distance of residents who struggle to access healthy food, but also puts decision-making in the hands of low-income, BIPOC community members and builds the capacity of those community members to take on leadership roles.

EVERY THURSDAY : AMHERST ARTISANS’ MARKET.  3 to 7 p.m., front lawn of the Amherst History Museum, 67 Amity Street. The Amherst Artisans’ Market features local artists, crafters and food vendors.

EVERY THURSDAY: STITCH CIRCLE. 4 to 6 p.m. Mill District Local Art Gallery and General Store, 91 Cowls Road. Grab your needles, venture to the General Store, and join us for our first Stitch Circle. Knitters, quilters, embroidery artists, and crocheters are all invited. Free.

THURSDAYS JULY 3 THROUGH AUGUST 31: LIVE JAZZ AND GLOBAL MUSIC AT THE ERIC CARLE MUSEUM. 5 to 8 p.m., Eric Carle Museum of Picture Book Art, 125 West Bay Road. The Eric Carle Museum of Picture Book Art announced its new Sunset Thursdays series, a collaboration with the Northampton Jazz Festival. The first performers in the series are Ben Malnyoski Plus 2 on Thursday, July 3, and Ryan Hollander and Allan Bezama on Thursday, July 10. Guests are encouraged to bring blankets, lawn chairs, and picnic dinners. Music is free with a museum admission. For a full list of performers and for more information about Sunset Thursdays and other summer programming at the Eric Carle Museum, visit carlemuseum.org/visit/events/summer-carle. The concerts are free.

EVERY FRIDAY: HANDS OFF OUR STUDENTS STANDOUT. 4 pm – 5:30 p.m., Kendrick Park, Amherst. https://www.mobilize.us/mobilize/event/778646/

FRIDAYS JUNE 27 THROUGH AUGUST 1: SUMMER MUSIC CONCERT SERIES. 5 to 8 p.m., Town Common. The Amherst Business Improvement District (BID) is proud to announce the 2025 summer music series line-up. June 27: Harvest and Rust: A Neil Young Experience and Willy Nelson songs with Matt York. July 11: Special triple feature in partnership with Amherst Cultural Council LeFever, Lonesome Brothers, and BR413. July 18: The Gems Tones and Masala Jazz. July 25: UMass Jazz in July Program All Stars Concert. August 1: Bad News Jazz Orchestra and the Henderson Blues Band. Support local shops, retail, and experiences and enjoy a taste of our global gastronomy by sitting down to dinner al fresco or getting your favorite meal to-go and bringing it to The Common to enjoy. In addition, local beer, wine, and cider will be sold to patrons 21+ and non-alcoholic beverages will be available.

FIRST AND THIRD FRIDAY OF EVERY MONTH: VETERAN’S COMMUNITY BREAKFAST FOR ALL -8 a.m – 9 a.m. Large Activity Room, Bangs Center, 70 Boltwood Walk. At each breakfast (bagel/donut/coffee), a veteran or veteran ally, will tell his or her personal story regarding military service. Generation after generation reveals that those going to war to defend our country come back spiritually and morally wounded, regardless of the bodily consequences of combat. We want to bring veterans together for food and friendship to help coalesce a spirit of camaraderie to enable authentic, veteran-oriented communities to flourish. WELCOME: Veterans, Spouses, Caregivers, Amherst Community Members.  Let’s Build a Thriving Veterans Community.  There are 387 Veterans in town! Sponsored by CRESS. FOR MORE INFORMATION:  CALL THE CRESS OFFICE, (413) 259-3370  OR GENE HERMAN, VIETNAM VETERAN, (240) 472-7288  –  CRESS VETERAN’S OUTREACH VOLUNTEER.

EVERY SATURDAY THROUGH NOVEMBER 23: AMHERST FARMERS’ MARKET. 8 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., Town Common. Established in 1972, the Amherst Farmers’ Market is widely recognized as one of the best places for local food, fun, and community offering farm to table produce and selections from your local growers and Valley producers. Come out for the food, music, events, and community offerings.

SATURDAYS AND SUNDAYS: LIVE JAZZ AND GOOD EATS AT THE BLACK SHEEP. 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., Black Sheep Deli, 79 Main Street. Frist and third Saturdays: Masala Jazz, Second, Fourth and Fifth Saturdays: Simmer Music Presents, Sundays: the Catalytics. Tip Jar..

THIRD SUNDAY OF EVERY MONTH MAY THROUGH OCTOBER: CARS AND COFFEE AT THE MILL DISTRICT. 8 to 11:30 a.m., Mill District, Cowls Road. Cars and Coffee is back—and it’s bigger than ever! This FREE community event invites car lovers of all ages to enjoy an exciting morning filled with cool cars, coffee, and family fun. Spectators get a free drip coffee token and information on entering our raffle for a $50 gift certificate to the Mill District General Store and Local Art Gallery. There will also be an on-site playground and coloring activities to keep the kids entertained. Trophies awarded for the top cars in several categories. Pre-register your vehicle here.

NOW THROUGH SUNDAY JULY 27: “THE COMEUPPANCE”: A COMEDY FROM SIVERTHORNE THEATER COMPANY.  7:30 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays, 2 p.m. Saturdays and Sunday. Mainstage Theater, Hampshire College. Directed by Cordelia Winter Dwyer. From Tony and Obie award-winning playwright Branden Jacobs-Jenkins (An Octaroon, Gloria, Appropriate), this electrifying comedy is a meditation on impermanence, nostalgia, and isolation. Fueled by adult jungle juice and pot, five former high school classmates who call themselves “The Multi-Ethnic Reject Group” swap memories and confront past resentments at an unforgettable porch pre-party to their 20-year reunion. Tickets. The 2 p.m. show on July 19 is a mask-only show. Masks are provided at the theater.

NOW THROUGH AUGUST 2: CALL AND RESPONSE: PAINTINGS BY EVE PYE. Gallery A3, 28 Amity Street 1D. Gallery hours are Thursday–Sunday, 2:00–7:00 p.m. There will be a free, in-person art forum on Thursday July 17 at 7:30 p.m at the gallery. More information

NOW THROUGH SEPTEMBER 7: PORTRAITS IN RED: MISSING AND MURDERED INDIGENOUS PEOPLE BY NAYANA LAFOND. D’Amour Museum of Fine Arts, Springfield Museums. In her powerful series of portraits, artist and activist Nayana Lafond sheds light on the crisis affecting Indigenous peoples, particularly women, who are eleven times more likely to go missing than the national average. Each portrait depicts a missing or murdered Indigenous person, a family member, or an advocate, rendered in shades of gray and marked by a vivid red handprint—the only color visible to spirits—to raise awareness, inspire action, and honor the lives and stories of those impacted by this crisis. Lafond, a citizen of the Métis Nation of Ontario, graduated from Amherst High School and lives in Western Massachusetts. After studying at the Massachusetts College of Art, she became a full-time painter and has served as a curator and community arts organizer for over twenty years. Visit her website.

NOW THROUGH SUNDAY JANUARY 4: RETROSPECTIVE: THE ART OF GRACE LIN: MEETING A FRIEND IN AN UNEXPECTED PLACE. Eric Carle Museum, 125 West Bay Road. Grace Lin’s first picture book, The Ugly Vegetables, was published in 1999 to glowing praise. Twenty-five years later, she has created more than 30 titles, including board books, early readers, and middle grade novels, garnering Caldecott, Newbury, and Geisel honors along the way. Lin is a dedicated advocate for diversity in children’s book publishing, with a popular TEDx talk, “The Windows and Mirrors of Your Child’s Bookshelf” and created the video essay, “What to do when you realize classic books from your childhood are racist?” for PBS News Hour and New England Public Radio. This career retrospective of more than 80 works celebrates all aspects of Lin’s creativity with original art, sketches, manuscripts, and videos.