What’s Happening in Amherst?

by Art & 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.

SATURDAY SEPTEMBER 27: ANNUAL FORT RIVER CLEAN-UP. 9:30 a.m. to noon, Groff Park, 83 Mill Lane. The Annual Fort River Cleanup in Amherst will be held on September 27 at Groff Park from 9:30 a.m to Noon. The cleanup starts at 10 a.m. and coffee and snacks will be served beginning at 9:30 a.m. The event is part of the Connecticut River Conservancy’s 29th Annual Source to Sea Cleanup. This free, family-friendly event is a chance for our community to come together, clean up our beloved local river, and celebrate the natural beauty of the Fort River Watershed. Register for the event here. Volunteers of all ages and abilities are welcome! 

SATURDAY SEPTEMBER 27: ST. BRIGID’S CATHOLIC CHURCH CENTENARY CELEBRATION. 4:30 to 8 p.m., 122 North Pleasant Street. St. Brigid’s Catholic Church is marking the centennial of the opening of its church building Saturday, with a Mass being celebrated by Bishop William Byrne, followed by a reception that evening. Coming exactly 100 years after the church was dedicated as St. Bridget’s by then Bishop Thomas M. O’Leary of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Springfield, Saturday’s events are part of a weeklong celebration. Saturday’s mass is at 4:30 p.m. at the church, with the reception afterward at the Monsignor Lane Pastoral Center, 43 North Prospect St.

SATURDAY SEPTEMBER 27: MARC RIBOT: MAP OF A BLUE CITY (RECORD RELEASE).  8 p.m., The Drake, 44 North Pleasant Street. Marc Ribot released “Map of a Blue City” in May on New West Records. The record features Ribot’s imaginative guitar playing and leads to what may be his definitive statement as an instrumentalist, as a songwriter, and even as a singer. The record showcases songs colliding disparate traditions: roots, bossa nova, no wave, noise, free jazz, and sounds that have no genre associations. Tickets $25 in advance, $30 at the door. See full calendar here.

SUNDAY SEPTEMBER 28: NORTH AMHERST COMMUNITY FARM FARM COMMUNITYMEETING. 2:30 p.m., North Amherst Library, 8 Montague Road. There is an emerging consensus among the NACF leadership that the future of our farm should be entrusted to multiple farming enterprises. Also, we share the goal of enhancing community engagement. We are considering a community garden, a cut-flower farm business, and nut and fruit trees. Come hear the possibilities.

SUNDAY SEPTEMBER 28: ST. BRIGID’S CATHOLIC CHURCH CENTENARY CONCERT II AND ORGAN DEDICATION. 4 to 6 p.m., 122 North Pleasant Street. St. Brigid’s Parish invites you to the 100th Anniversary celebration of the Dedication of the Church. Bring your family, friends, and neighbors to join us in commemorating this milestone.

MONDAY SEPTEMBER 29: SCREENING OF “THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA” AT AMHERST CINEMA. 7 p.m., Amherst Cinema, 28 Amity Street. Celebrate Silent Movie Day with a special screening of “The Phantom of the Opera.” One of the most lavish productions of the silent cinema era and a forerunner of the American horror film, THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA has inspired countless remakes and imitations. But none of its successors can rival the mesmerizing blend of romance and mystery that haunts
every frame of the Lon Chaney original. This edition presents the 1929 theatrical version, restored from archival 35mm elements by Film Preservation Associates. It is
highlighted by the Technicolor Bal Masque sequence (in which the Phantom interrupts the revelry wearing the scarlet robes of the Red Death), as well as meticulously hand-colored sequences (replicating the Handschiegl Color Process). 93 mins │ Directed by Rupert Julian, Lon Chaney, Ernest Laemmle. Tickets are available through Amherst Cinema’s website, or in person at the Amherst Cinema box office.

TUESDAY SEPTEMBER 30: OPENING RECEPTION: “MEMORY AND HYBRIDITY IN DIASPORIC SPACES. 2:30 to 3:30 p.m., Herter Hall 17, UMass. The Edwin C. Gentzler Translation Center will celebrate International Translation Day with an opening reception for “Memory and Hybridity in Diasporic Spaces,” an exhibition by UMass graduate student Bo Kim, on Tuesday, Sept. 30, from 2:30-3:30 p.m. in Herter 17. The opening will include refreshments and a conversation with the artist about the work on view. The exhibition, on view until Jan. 30, explores the art of translating a personal archive through drawing, painting, photography and archival materials, employing traditional Korean artistic techniques alongside contemporary approaches to investigate how memory and hybridity shape cultural identity. 

TUESDAY SEPTEMBER 30: THE POLITICS OF CHOCOLATE. 7 to 8:15 p.m. on Zoom. It’s hard not to smile when there’s chocolate nearby, but behind the deep, rich taste, there’s a whole world of serious (and fascinating) issues. Dive into the world of chocolate, exploring its entanglements with child labor, its aspirations with women-owned cooperatives and the Fair Trade movement, and its intrigues, including corporate espionage. Register via Zoom. RECORDING NOTE: This program will be recorded. All registrants will receive the recording via email within 48 hours of the program. About the presenter: Victoria Kichuk has eaten chocolate in and from many different countries – the U.S., Canada, Mexico, the Bahamas, Switzerland, Belgium, Germany, Italy, France, England, Poland, the United Arab Emirates, Australia, Japan, China, and more. She once walked 11 miles through San Francisco – yes, with all those hills… in one day… in order to visit all of their chocolate shops. Sponsored by Friends of the Jones Library.

WEDNESDAY OCTOBER 1: HORMONES AND HEALTHSPAN: ESSENTIAL INFORMATION FOR AN EMPOWERED MENOPAUSE. 5 to 7 p.m., North Amherst Library, 8 Montague Road. Join Vanessa Ross, Certified Nurse Midwife and Menopause Society Certified Provider, for this workshop that will cover hormonal changes during perimenopause and menopause, their impact on mental and physical health, and management strategies including hormone therapy and nonhormonal options. Vanessa will discuss the history and safety of hormone therapy, as well as beneficial lifestyle habits and self-care practices. Participants will gain knowledge to make informed health choices to enhance their healthspan during and after menopause.

WEDNESDAY OCTOBER 1: DISCOVER THE UNKNOWN WORLD OF BEAVERS. 7 p.m., on Zoom. Few animals can change entire landscapes like beavers can. The American Beaver is an incredible wetland engineer and can be found throughout Massachusetts transforming their habitats. This online presentation will cover beaver family life, range, lodge and dam maintenance, and how they contribute to the biodiversity of open spaces. Led by Maura Genova, Director of Mass Audubon’s Ipswich River Nature Camp. Register via Zoom.
RECORDING NOTE: This program will be recorded. All registrants will receive the recording via email within 48 hours of the program. Sponsored by Friends of the Jones Library.

THURSDAY OCTOBER 2: MASSIVE DESK CONCERT SERIES. 7-8 p.m. UMass Downtown, 108 North Pleasant Street. Get to know some MASSively talented up-and-coming UMass musicians in this chill concert series. Artist line-up coming soon! Presented in partnership with the UMass Songwriting and Production Club, the MASSive Desk Concert Series is free and open to all.

THURSDAY OCTOBER 2: BALLET HISPANICO. 7:30 p.m. Frederick Tillis Performance Hall, Fine Arts Center, UMass. We kick off an incredible dance series with an engaging, uplifting, and awe-inspiring performance from a company that has been part of the Fine Arts Center’s programming since our inaugural season in 1975-1976. The largest Latino cultural organization in the United States, Ballet Hispánico engages audiences with the work of Latino and Latina choreographers, opens a platform for new cultural dialogue, and nurtures inspiring young dancers of all ages. Tickets start at $40, $20 for students.

FRIDAY OCTOBER 3: OPENING RECEPTION FOR PERSPECTIVES:JOIN THE POLITICAL AND THE PRESONAL AT GALLERY A3. Gallery A3 is located at 28 Amity Street 1D. Gallery hours are Thursday–Sunday, 2:00 p.m.–7:00 p.m. In PERSPECTIVES Join the Political and the Personal at Gallery A3, Rochelle Shicoff and Diane Steingart invite viewers into their diverse visual worlds. Shicoff’s series of paintings express her responses to the current conflict in Gaza while Steingart’s process-driven paintings explore an inner world of emotions, memories, and dreams. More information

FRIDAY OCTOBER 3: MORRISEY BLVD.: 8 p.m., The Drake, 44 North Pleasant Street. Morrisey Blvd. is a sibling trio from New Bedford, Massachusetts known for their heartfelt lyrics and high-energy live shows. Their music dives into themes like heartbreak, growth, and learning to let go. Grand View Point opens.  Tickets $15 in advance, $18 at the door. See full calendar here.

SATURDAY OCTOBER 4: TERRY KITCHEN AT SONG AND STORY SWAP. 7 p.m., First Church, 165 Main Street. Singer Songwriter Terry Kitchen will be featured at the Pioneer Valley Folklore Society’s October Song and Story Swap. Parking is available in the lot behind the church. There is no admission fee – a hat is passed during the guest artist’s performance for donations, all of which go to the artist with a suggested minimum donation of $7.50. Attendees at this Song and Story Swaps will be invited to contribute a song or story on the topic of “Dreams” during an opening round of sharing.

SATURDAY OCTOBER 4: LISTENING SESSION. AMHERST YOUTH SPEAK TO PROGRESSIVE CANDIDATES FOR TOWN COUNTI AND SCHOOL COMMITTEE. The event will be held on the Amherst North Common on Saturday, October 4 from 3-4 p.m. No experience is required to attend, and light refreshments and snacks will be served. Organizers emphasized that they want to share perspectives of all young people and that includes high school and college students. More information

SATURDAY OCTOBER 4: EMO NIGHT BROOKLYN. 8 p.m., The Drake, 44 North Pleasant Street. Welcome to Emo Night Brooklyn, a late-night DJ based dance party blasting the best emo and pop punk jams. We may even invite some of your favorite artists and bands to surprise you and join the party. Get ready to scream your lungs out, mosh, and dance to your favorite songs with all of your favorite people and experience the awesomeness that is Emo Night Brooklyn. 18+ event. Tickets $20 in advance, $25 at the door. See full calendar here.

TUESDAY OCTOBER 7: WILDWOOD REMEMBERS: FREDERICK LAW OLMSTED, CEMETERIES, AND THE GARDENESQUE. 7-8 p.m. UMass Downtown, 108 North Pleasant Street. Join us for the first installment of our three-part series: Wildwood Remembers – UMass Connections to Wildwood Cemetery. Dr. Ethan Carr, Professor of Landscape Architecture and Regional Planning, and Rebecca Fricke, General Manager of Wildwood Cemetery, will discuss Frederick Law Olmsted, Cemeteries, and the Gardenesque. Free and open to all. More information

TUESDAY OCTOBER 7: WATER FROM YOUR EYES: IT’S A BEAUTIFUL PLACE. 8 p.m., The Drake, 44 North Pleasant Street. “It’s a Beautiful Place” opens with zero-gravity instrumental “One Small Step”—a fitting prelude for what is one giant leap for New York duo Water from Your Eyes. The album is a gleaming megalopolis, a satellite view of eras and musical forms, a reframing of the y2k songbook that is at once awe-struck and mindful of its place in the vastness. Tickets $20 in advance, $25 at the door. See full calendar here.

WEDNESDAY OCTOBER 8: “PHOTOGRAPHIC JUSTICE: THE CORKY LEE STORY.” 7 p.m., Amherst Cinema, 28 Amity Street.  Amherst Cinema presents a screening of the documentary, PHOTOGRAPHIC JUSTICE: THE CORKY LEE STORY. The screening will be followed by a panel discussion with Director Jennifer Takaki and Executive Producer George Hirose, and moderated by C.N. Le, Senior Lecturer of Sociology and Director of the Asian & Asian American Studies Certificate Program at UMass Amherst.This event is presented in partnership with the Office of Equity andInclusion at the University of Massachusetts Amherst. Tickets are available through Amherst Cinema’s website, or in person at the Amherst Cinema box office.

WEDNESDAY OCTOBER 8: CANDIDATE FORUM FOR DISTRICT 1 AND AT-LARGE TOWN COUNCIL CANDIDATES. 6:15 to 9 p.m., Amherst Regional High School Library, 21 Mattoon Street. These forums are sponsored by the League of Women Voters and each forum is scheduled for 7:00-9:00pm at the Amherst Regional High School Library and preceded at 6:15 by a meet and greet with the candidates–light refreshments available.  The schedule is Wednesday, October 8– District 1 and At Large Candidates, Wednesday, October 15– Districts 2,3 & 4 Candidates. Thursday, October 23– School Committee Candidates Each candidate will answer questions submitted by Amherst voters. .  Audience members are encouraged to submit questions either in advance by emailing them to lwva@lwvamherst.org (by the day before the forum) or those in attendance can write their questions on index cards provided, which will be read to the candidates. The events will be recorded and available on You Tube.  

THURSDAY OCTOBER 9: MASSIVE DESK CONCERT SERIES. 7-8 p.m. UMass Downtown, 108 North Pleasant Street. Get to know some MASSively talented up-and-coming UMass musicians in this chill concert series. Artist line-up coming soon! Presented in partnership with the UMass Songwriting and Production Club, the MASSive Desk Concert Series is free and open to all.

THURSDAY OCTOBER 9: OPEN MIC NIGHT AT THE DRAKE WITH TANK HOOD. 6 p.m., The Drake, 44 North Pleasant Street. Sign-ups start at 5:30 p.m., five-minute slots. Be respectful—we will not tolerate any discriminatory content or depictions of graphic violence. Host Tank Hood has toured the country in a jamband and performed or recorded with many artists. Free admission. See full calendar here.

SATURDAY OCTOBER 11: WALKING TOUR: BRUTALIST UMASS: CAMPUS ARCHITECTURE AS SANCTUARY. 2 to 3:30 p.m., Lincoln Campus Center Lower Level. Tour Guides: Timothy M. Rohan, Ph. D., Chair and Associate Professor, History of Art and Architecture Department, University of Massachusetts Amherst, and Ludmilla Pavlova-Gillham, FAIA, Senior Campus Planner and Architect. Tour: Join us for a special tour that invites the UMass community and the public to experience our campus through the eyes of the students. See it not just as a place of learning or a collection of buildings, but as a living sanctuary. Explore the campus as a “third place” — where students find support, belonging, and community — through the highlighting of three iconic Brutalist buildings: The Lincoln Campus Center (Marcel Breuer, 1970) – the social heart of campus, The W.E.B. DuBois Library (Edward Durell Stone, 1972) – an academic sanctuary, and The Randolph W. Bromery Center for the Arts (Kevin Roche, 1973) newly renovated, a cultural haven, now featuring the beautifully renovated Arts Bridge. Discover how these architectural landmarks and surrounding spaces shape the core of UMass Amherst. This will be a unique opportunity to experience the campus not just as it is, but as it feels. Free and open to the public. Register here.

SUNDAY OCTOBER 12: UNRWA GAZA 5K. 10 a.m., Groff Park, Mill Lane. Valley Families for Palestine is organizing a local 5K run/walk at Groff Park. We are participating as a virtual team in the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) 2025 NYC 5K for Palestine, raising funds to make mental health care accessible for all Palestinian refugee children in Gaza. Join us to raise money for mental healthcare for Palestine refugee children in Gaza.

WEDNESDAY OCTOBER 15: CANDIDATE FORUM FOR DISTRICT 1 AND AT-LARGE TOWN COUNCIL CANDIDATES. 6:15 to 9 p.m., Amherst Regional High School Library, 21 Mattoon Street. These forums are sponsored by the League of Women Voters and each forum is scheduled for 7:00-9:00pm at the Amherst Regional High School Library and preceded at 6:15 by a meet and greet with the candidates–light refreshments available.  The schedule is Wednesday, October 15– Districts 2,3 & 4 Candidates. Thursday, October 23– School Committee Candidates Each candidate will answer questions submitted by Amherst voters. .  Audience members are encouraged to submit questions either in advance by emailing them to lwva@lwvamherst.org (by the day before the forum) or those in attendance can write their questions on index cards provided, which will be read to the candidates. The events will be recorded and available on You Tube.  

SATURDAY OCTOBER 18: 53^RD ABC WALK/FALL FOLIAGE AND CIDER RUN. 10 a.m., Town Common. The 5k Fall Foliage and Cider Run is a community celebration of Amherst A Better Chance, a residential high school program that prepares academically talented young men of color from educationally underserved school districts for college and future leadership roles. Run or walk to support Amherst A Better Chance. The walk/run starts at Amherst Town Common, partly circles Amherst College campus and enters the woodlands of The Amherst College bird sanctuary, highlighted by a beautiful view over the Pelham Hills. Finally, it follows the Norwottuck Rail Trail back to the campus. Upon completion, runners and walkers are invited to enjoy a cup of cider and healthy snacks while we await the results and then award prizes. Register.

SUNDAY OCTOBER 19: “EVA’S PROMISE”. 2 p.m., Yiddish Book Center, 1021 West Street. This powerful documentary tells the story of Heinz Geiringer’s hidden artwork and his sister Eva’s vow to recover it—revealing a legacy overshadowed by the better-known story of Anne Frank, who posthumously became Eva’s stepsister. Purchase tickets

TUESDAY OCTOBER 21: VACCINE CLINIC FOR SENIORS. 2 to 5 p.m., Bangs Center, 70 Boltwood Walk. Covid-19 vaccines for people age 65 and over and flu vaccine for all ages. Register at http://northamptonma.gov/2219/vax or call 413-259-3077 or email publichealth@amherstma.gov

WEDNESDAY OCTOBER 22: ECONOMIST NANCY FOLBRE ON THE IMPACT OF TRUMP’S POLICIES ON FAMILIES. Pelham Town Library, 7 p.m. Nancy Folbre, UMass Professor of Economics emerita, will speak on the impact of President Trump’s recent social policies on individuals, families, and our communities.in the Ramsdell Room of the Pelham Town Library. Parking is nearby. This forum is sponsored by the Pelham Town Democratic Town Committee and is open to all people regardless of political outlook or party affiliation. Her talk on this occasion if entitled, “Trump, Family, and the Care Economy.”  

THURSDAY OCTOBER 23: CANDIDATE FORUM FOR DISTRICT 1 AND AT-LARGE TOWN COUNCIL CANDIDATES. 6:15 to 9 p.m., Amherst Regional High School Library, 21 Mattoon Street. These forums are sponsored by the League of Women Voters and each forum is scheduled for 7:00-9:00pm at the Amherst Regional High School Library and preceded at 6:15 by a meet and greet with the candidates–light refreshments available.  The schedule is Thursday, October 23– School Committee Candidates Each candidate will answer questions submitted by Amherst voters. .  Audience members are encouraged to submit questions either in advance by emailing them to lwva@lwvamherst.org (by the day before the forum) or those in attendance can write their questions on index cards provided, which will be read to the candidates. The events will be recorded and available on You Tube.  

SATURDAY OCTOBER 25: PUMPKIN PAINTING FOR AMHERST SURVIVAL CENTER. 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., Local Art Gallery at the Mill District, 91 Cowls Road. Join us in The Local Art Gallery for drop-in, Free, Family-Friendly Pumpkin Painting on Saturday, October 25 from 11am-2pm. RSVP. We will provide all the materials while supplies last. While we are using tempura paint, be sure to wear clothes you don’t mind getting paint on. Prepare to take home your wet pumpkin with some newspapers! Great for all ages! Children under 14 must be actively supervised at all times. Help us to support Amherst Survival Center (ASC). Donate directly to Amherst Survival Center: https://amherstsurvival.org/donate

SATURDAY OCTOBER 25: HALLOWEEN PAWTY AT THE AMHERST DOG PARK. 2 to 4 p.m., Amherst Dog Park, Old Belchertown Road. The 4^th annual Halloween dog costume “pawty” is set for October 25. Bring your spooky and adorable dogs. Prizes for best dog costumes and best dog/human duo for both big and little dogs. Also raffles, food, and lots of fun. Suggested donation $5. Rain date is Sunday, October 26.

SUNDAY OCTOBER 26: YIDDISH BOOK CENTER OPEN HOUSE. 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Yiddish Book Center 1021 West Street. October marks the second anniversary of the Yiddish Book Center’s landmark exhibition Yiddish: A Global Culture. To celebrate, we’re hosting a full day of activities, including pop-up performances, public tours, a scavenger hunt, and the launch of the exhibition’s catalog, Yiddish: A Global Culture: Bold Lives, Boundless Creativity (White Goat Press). Learn more.

SATURDAY NOVEMBER 8: HOLIDAY ARTS MARKET AT THE MILL DISTRICT. 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., 91 Cowls Road. Join us for a festive celebration of creativity at our Annual Holiday Arts Market. Local artists, makers, food vendors, and community partners contribute to this beloved North Amherst tradition. (Rain date: Sunday, November 9).

SUNDAY NOVEMBER 9: FRIENDS OF THE JONES LIBRARIES PICKLEBALL TOURNAMENT. Bay Road Multisport Center. Registration is now open for the second annual tournament. Register now through October 11 for one of 6 divisions for all levels. Information and registration  here. $60 a person.

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. 9:30-11 a.m. Amherst Senior Center, Bangs Center, 70 Boltwood Walk. The Rainbow Coffee Hour is a LGBTIA+ social coffee group for ages 50 and above. Join us for this welcoming space to socialize. No format, no agenda, just community. More information

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: 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.

THURSDAYS SEPTEMBER 11 THROUGH OCTOBER 2: INTRODUCTORY DRAWING WITH DAVID DICKINSON. 10:30 a.m. to 12 p.m., Mill District Local Art Gallery, 91 Cowls Road. If you have been craving an in-depth class to learn drawing basics, this is the class for YOU! Students will learn via lectures demonstrations, and homework. Join accomplished artist and instructor, David Dickinson, at The Local Art Gallery Thursday mornings this fall for an Introductory Drawing Class. This class will meet four times on Thursday mornings: 9/11,
9/18, 9/25, 10/2 from 10:30am-12pm. Deadline to sign up: September 1, 2025. Limited seating .$100, includes supplies. Ages: 14+.

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.

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

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 DECEMBER 1 : A SOMETHING OVERTAKES THE MIND: A MULTIMEDIA VISUAL ART AND POETRY INSTALLATION BY LIGIA BOUTON AND MATT DONOVAN. Tuesday through Sunday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Emily Dickinson Museum, 280 Main Street. A Something Overtakes the Mind is a multimedia visual art and poetry installation created by Ligia Bouton and Matt Donovan for the Emily Dickinson Museum. Through explorations of domestic objects, biographical details, found poetry, and community testimonials, the exhibition seeks to find new ways of engaging with the poet’s life and legacy. The exhibition, free to the public during museum open hours, will be installed in the ground floor of the Homestead in the house’s woodshed, laundry room, and kitchen. Visitors to the installation must first check in at the carriage house tour center.

NOW THROUGH FRIDAY DECEMBER 5: NATURAL HISTORY COLLECTIONS: STRANGE BUT TRUE. 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Morrill Science Center II, 627 North Pleasant Street. The UMass Natural History Collections presents: Strange but True. From the world’s smallest “elephant” to the world’s largest brain, meet some of our most interesting specimens. Weekdays, 9am to 5pm, until December 5.

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.

THURSDAY OCTOBER 2 THROUGH SATURDAY NOVEMBER 1: NEW AT GALLERY A3: PERSPECTIVES JOIN THE POLITICAL AND THE PERSONAL In PERSPECTIVES Join the Political and the Personal at Gallery A3, Rochelle Shicoff and Diane Steingart invite viewers into their diverse visual worlds. Shicoff’s series of paintings express her responses to the current conflict in Gaza while Steingart’s process-driven paintings explore an inner world of emotions, memories, and dreams. The exhibit at Gallery A3 opens on Thursday, October 2 and will run through Saturday, November 1. There will be an opening reception at the gallery on Friday, October 3 from 5-7 p.m. There will be a free Art Forum Online on Thursday, October 16, at 7:30 p.m. Pre-register here. Gallery A3 is located at 28 Amity Street 1D. Gallery hours are Thursday–Sunday, 2:00 p.m.–7:00 p.m. More Information