What’s Happening in Amherst?
Photo: Shutterstock
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.
FRIDAY FEBRUARY 6: OPENING RECEPTION FOR THE NEW EXHIBIT WINTER GARDEN GROUP SHOW. 7 p.m. Gallery A3, 28 Amity Street 1D, Amherst Cinema Complex. Free and open to all. More info
FRIDAY FEBRUARY 6: BERGANZI/PENTLAND QUARTET. 8 p.m., The Drake, 44 North Pleasant Street. Bassist Sean Pentland and saxophonist Jerry Bergonzi lead a quartet. Album release show for Windward. The Pentland/Bergonzi Quartet is an intersection of generations and singular voices, where saxophone legend Jerry Bergonzi joins forces with bassist/composer Sean Pentland, pianist Julian Shore, and drummer, Richie Barshay. Pentland’s intricate and vivid writing is animated by the eminently individual sounds of the tenor master and younger stars, each prolific composers themselves. This project was spurred by the tragic and unexpected death of a friend andcolleague, Sebastian Nay, with whom Jerry and Sean were meant to reunite on a German tour. Tickets $17.85 in advance.
SATURDAY FEBRUARY 7: “WELFARE”: DOCUMENTARY DIRECTED BY FREDERICK WISEMAN. 11 a.m.., Amherst Cinema, 28 Amity Street. Amherst Cinema will screen the 1975 documentary “Welfare” on Monday, Feb. 2 at 6:30 p.m., and Saturday, Feb. 7 at 11 a.m. The movie, directed by Frederick Wiseman, is a direct look at the complexities of the welfare system and its intersections with housing, unemployment and medical problems. Both screenings will be introduced by Carolyn Anderson, professor emerita of communication at the University of Massachusetts Amherst and co-author of “Reality Fictions: The Films of Frederick Wiseman.” Tickets $12.25.
SATURDAY FEBRUARY 7: NATIONAL WOMEN IN SPORTS DAY CELEBRATION. 11:30 a.m. to 2:45 p.m., Amherst College Alumni Gym, 266 South Pleasant Street. Join Amherst Recreation and Amherst College Athletics for this event that invites girls and non-binary youth in grades 4-8 to a fun-filled day of sports and fitness! National Girls and Women in Sports Day (NGWSD) is dedicated to honoring the achievements of girls and women in sports and aims to recognize the power of sports and play in unlocking limitless potential. NGWSD at Amherst College will provide girls and non-binary youth in grades 4-7 with a unique and welcoming opportunity to explore various sports, play, and have fun together. The participants will be divided into smaller groups to enjoy different fundamental skills in a variety of sports (no previous experience necessary). The event will feature activities led by women’s sports teams, including: squash, golf, crew, track/cross country, soccer, field hockey, softball, and volleyball. Doors open at 11 A.M. for registration and snacks. The program will begin at 11:30 AM with a chat with current scholar-athletes followed by a dynamic stretch warm-up. Girls will then be divided into groups so they can try different sports and games through a continuous timed rotation. Parents are able to drop-off their children after 11:00 AM and pick them up at the conclusion of the event at 2:45 PM. All participants and their families are invited to cheer on the Amherst College Women’s Hockey team as they take on Colby College at 3pm in Orr Rink. Admission is free and free pizza will be provided! Register here.
SATURDAY FEBRUARY 7: VIGIL IN SUPPORT OF IRANIAN PROTESTORS AT MT. HOLYOKE COLLEGE. 4 p.m. North Rockefeller Dorm Common Room. Mt. Holyoke College. (interactive map). A vigil to support and honor Iranians this Saturday at 4 pm. The public is invited to join MHC students who will gather to show their support for Iranians and bring awareness to the ongoing protests in Iran and the 40,000+ Iranians who were massacred by the IRGC (Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps) in the past month.
SATURDAY FEBRUARY 7: MICHAEL NIX AT PIONEER VALLEY FOLKLORE SOCIETY SONG AND STORY SWAP. 7 to 9 p.m., First Church, 165 Main Street. Composer and multi-instrumentalist Michael Nix is the featured artist at the Pioneer Valley Folklore Society’s February Song and Story Swap. The monthly performance will take place at First Church, 165 Main St. in Amherst on Saturday, February 7, from 7-9 p.m. Admission is free, with a suggested minimum donation to the artist of $7.50. Free parking is available in the lot behind the church. At song and story swaps, people of all ages and experience levels gather to share traditional, newly written, or personal stories and songs. You can tell, sing, or lead everyone in singing, or request a song or a story. Listeners are welcome. The theme for the opening round of sharing for the February event is “looking forward, looking back.” Michael Nix is widely recognized for his mastery of the Banjar, a unique seven-string instrument of his own design that bridges the worlds of the classical guitar and the five-string banjo. His performances are a sophisticated blend of classical, folk, and jazz influences, delivered with a master’s touch.
SUNDAY FEBRUARY 8: CONVERSATION ON THE HEALTH OF OUR WATERSHED. 1:30 to 3 p.m., Amherst Regional High School Library. The League of Women Voters Amherst invites the public to join in an afternoon conversation with three local experts who have been advocating for the health of our watershed for many years: Joe Graveline, Spokesperson, Nolumbeka Project Coalition, David Bruhle, Nolumbeka Project president, Eve Vogel, UMass Amherst Earth, Geographic and Climate Science Professor Sarah Matthews cofounder of Western Mass Rights of Nature, and Nina Gordon-Kirsch River Steward at Connecticut River Conservancy. Come learn more about the current state of the Connecticut River and efforts to restore and improve this jewel of the Connecticut River Valley. Bring your friends, neighbors and questions. This is a great opportunity to learn from some amazingly talented people. Light refreshments will be served. If you aren’t able to attend, a link to the recording of the discussion will be available at lwvamherst.org. You can send questions in advance to: susanlowery522@gmail.comSponsored by the League of Women Voters of Amherst.
SUNDAY FEBRUARY 8: UMASS LION DRAGON CHINESE NEW YEAR PARADE. 2 to 4 p.m. Starting at the Amherst Fire Department, North Pleasant Street and stopping at Amherst’s downtown Asian restaurants. Come by and watch your favorite restaurants receive traditional lion’s dance blessings to bring luck, fortune, and prosperity in the new year. Sponsored by Amherst BID.
SUNDAY FEBRUARY 8: “THE MARRIAGE OF FIGARO.” 3 p.m., Bowker Auditorium, UMass. The Five College Opera will present “The Marriage of Figaro” (“Le Nozze di Figaro”) on Friday, Feb. 6 at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday, Feb. 8 at 3 p.m. The show will be sung in Italian with English supertitles. Five College Opera, as its name suggests, is a collaboration in which faculty members from the Five Colleges come together to produce an opera that music and theater students from those colleges can perform in. The group chose “Figaro” out of a number of other operas in part because the show is part of the classical opera canon, which means it would give the student performers “something that had longevity for their careers, a repertoire that they could take with them,” Interim chair of the Department of Music and Dance Jamie-Rose Guarrine said. Tickets $27, free for students.
TUESDAY FEBRUARY 10: PUBLIC MEETING ABOUT PUFFERS POND IMPROVEMENTS. 7:15 p.m. on Zoom. The Town of Amherst invites the community to participate in a virtual public meeting about the proposed Puffer’s Pond dam repair and other improvements. The Town of Amherst is currently in the early process of a statewide environmental review process for dam repairs and other improvements at Puffer’s Pond. The purpose of this public meeting is to give regulators and the public an overview of the project as well as an opportunity to ask questions. During the meeting, state officials from the Massachusetts Environmental Policy Act (MEPA) Office will explain the environmental review process, the Town will present the proposed Puffer’s Pond Project, and then regulators and the public will be able to give comments and ask questions. This project includes a variety of ideas to improve Puffer’s Pond, but they are not final plans. We want your input to help guide the future of Puffer’s Pond. Submit your feedback through the Puffer’s Pond Project Feedback Form. Comments on this project will also be welcome in writing to Alex Stryski [Alexander.strysky@mass.gov] by February 23, 2026. A Certificate on the project will be issued on March 2, 2026.
FRIDAY FEBRUARY 11: CUPPA JOE WITH PAUL AFTER HOURS FEATURING POLICE CHIEF GABRIEL TING AND EMERGENCY COMMUNICATIONS CENTER SUPERVISOR JASON RUSHFORD. 5:30 to 7 p.m., Community Room, Amherst Police Station, 111 Main Street. Join us for coffee and conversation with Amherst Town Manager Paul Bockelman, Police Chief Gabriel Ting, and Emergency Communications Center Supervisor Jason Rushford. The Amherst Police Department consists of 46 sworn officers, a professional emergency communications center, and a dedicated support staff. Chief Ting and Supervisor Rushford will share updates on various initiatives within their departments, including 2025 statistics, the dispatch process, and community engagement efforts. This is a great opportunity to ask questions, learn more about public safety, and connect with your local leaders. This will be the first Cuppa’ Joe with Paul “After Hours” event. The goal is to host community engagement sessions on weeknights, in addition to the traditional Friday mornings, to ensure all residents have the opportunity to participate.
WEDNESDAY FEBRUARY 11: CARSIE BLANTON. 8 p.m., The Drake, 44 North Pleasant Street. You could talk about Carsie Blanton’s place in a tradition of folkie protest singers that extends from Woody Guthrie and Pete Seeger through Nina Simone and Joan Baez and on to Billy Bragg, and you’d be on solid ground. You could group Blanton with anti-folk artists from Michelle Shocked to Regina Spektor. You’d be good there, too. Or, hell, you could reference Poly Styrene, Kathleen Hanna, or Caroline Rose. And you’d be spot on once again. Or you could talk about Blanton as … well, Carsie Blanton. Outspoken. Honest. Not inclined to take herself too seriously. Tickets $35, $20 for students. Full calendar of events here.
THURSDAY FEBRUARY 12: CIRQUE FLIP FABRIQUE BLIZZARD. 7:30, Frederick Tillis Performance Hall, UMass. Quebec-based circus arts troupe Cirque Flip Fabrique is renowned around the world for its blend of astonishing feats and visual poetry. In Blizzard, Flip Fabrique takes you on a wild, poetic, and gentle journey through the dead of winter, inviting you to lose yourself in a moment of complete wonder. With performers at the peak of their art, Blizzard promises to blow away everything in its path. Tickets $30, $17.50-$20 for students.
THURSDAY FEBRUARY 12 AND FRIDAY FEBRUARY 13: HAMPSHIRE DANCE PROGRAM PRESENTS “HAZE: THE HEIGHTENED LIMINAL SENSE.” 7:30 p.m., Hampshire College Music and Dance Building, Main Dance Studio. The concert will feature dances by eight student choreographers who have engaged in extensive creative processes as a cohort in dialogue with one another. Their works engage a range of aesthetics, dance traditions, and subjects of inquiry. Tickets can be reserved with a suggested donation of $5-$20. Free tickets are available.
THURSDAY FEBRUARY 12: EMILY KING WITH KIMAYA DIGGS. 8 p.m., The Drake, 44 North Pleasant Street. Four-time Grammy nominated songwriter and singer Emily King has toured extensively, most recently headlining her European tour as well as performing alongside Norah Jones on her Visions tour and Jacob Collier on his North American Djesse Vol. 4 Tour. She is a cross-genre artist whose unmistakable, silky, lush vocals and joyous, magnetic stage presence continue to draw audiences worldwide. Tickets $37.75. Full calendar of events here.
FRIDAY FEBRUARY 13: CHOWDER BOWL COMPETITION TO BENEFIT THE FOOD BANK OF WESTERN MASSACHUSETTS. Noon, Applewood, 1 Spencer Drive. The Food Bank of Western Massachusetts will be the beneficiary of a competition to select a favorite chowder hosted by The Loomis Communities. The Chowder Bowl will take place simultaneously at all three Loomis Communities. It is free, with a suggested donation of a nonperishable food item to the Food Bank of Western Massachusetts, but no one will be denied admission. Attendees will vote for their favorite chowder. This is a reservation-based event to help each community plan attendance, and RSVPs can be made at www.LoomisCommunities.org/chowderbowl.
FRIDAY FEBRUARY 13: ART EXHIBITION OPENING RECEPTION: ANTHONY DISCENZA’S DAEMONOMANIA. 5 to 7 p.m., Art Gallery, Harold F. Johnson Library Center, Hampshire College, 893 West Street. Encompassing a diverse range of appropriated materials, Discenza’s Daemonomania centers on how operative metaphors drawn from occult and supernatural belief inform our relationship to technology. Across a variety of media, the exhibition contemplates the complex entanglements of mass consumption, resource exploitation, thermodynamic expenditure, and wish fulfillment that mark our contemporary moment. Exhibition runs from Friday, February 6 through Saturday, March 21.
SATURDAY FEBRUARY 14 THROUGH SATURDAY FEBRUARY 21: WINTERFEST. Join us for this weeklong celebration on February 14 through February 21. Amherst Recreation, in collaboration with many community partners, will host a variety of free and affordable events for residents and visitors of all ages to embrace the winter season.
SATURDAY FEBRUARY 14: LOVE IS IN THE AIR FAMILY DANCE PARTY. 3 to 4:30 p.m., Center Dance, 321 Main Street. This open-house–style event is perfect for little movers and their grown-ups—come for the whole time or just stop by when it works for you. Dance together to great music, make a Valentine to take home, and snack on sweet treats. This event is free and open to all, with optional donations welcome to help cover snacks and art materials. Come spread the love, move your body, and celebrate winter with us! Free.
MONDAY FEBRUARY 16: TINY TUTTI CONCERT. 10:30 to 11:30 a.m., Munson Memorial Library, 1046 South East Street. Jones Library and Amherst Recreation are pleased to present Tiny Tutti! Tiny Tutti, created by singer-songwriter and educator Tutti Druyan, offers interactive children’s music experiences focused on kindness, curiosity, and belonging. Through original music, stories, and engaging content designed for young children, we will explore early learning concepts in a supportive, nurturing environment. This program is recommended for ages 0-6. This program is supported in part by a grant from the Amherst Cultural Council, a local agency that is supported by the Mass Cultural Council, a state agency.
MONDAY FEBRUARY 16: DR. ROSIE HELPS THE ANIMALS: INTERACTIVE READING AND STUFFY VET CLINIC. 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m., Munson Memorial Library, 1046 South East Street. Join the author of the STEM picture book Dr. Rosie Helps the Animals for a special interactive reading. Author Jennifer Welborn will share the real-life veterinary secrets behind the story, bringing the world of animal medicine to life for young readers. After the story, kids (ages 4–8) become “vets-in-training” at our Stuffy Vet Clinic. Bring your favorite stuffed animal from home and use a mini vet kit to diagnose and “treat” your patient. It’s a hands-on STEM experience where every child learns how to care for the animals they love. FREE.
TUESDAY FEBRUARY 17: LITTLE BEAR NATURE WALK WITH THE HITCHCOCK CENTER. 10 to 11:15 a.m., Mill River Recreation Area, 95 Montague Road. Join Chrissy Larson, Hitchcock Center preschool educator, on a Little Bear Nature Walk! Little Bear Walks are a way for toddlers, preschoolers and their caregivers to explore nature in an age-appropriate way. During the walk, children borrow a backpack containing simple exploration tools. Chrissy will guide children to explore the winter woods, incorporating observation, inquiry, and sensory learning, imagination and play. Pre-registration is required, as supplies are limited. Register Here! FREE.
WEDNESDAY FEBRUARY 18: ICE AGE CREATURES AND MORE. 10 to 11 a.m., Beneski Museum of Natural History, Amherst College. Journey through time at the Beneski Museum of Natural History this WinterFest. Families will have the opportunity to walk in the footsteps of dinosaurs, discover fascinating facts about Ice Age mammals, and participate in interactive activities and crafts.
THURSDAY FEBRUARY 19: “A VOICE FROM THE ‘PRESENT PAST’: W.E.B. DU BOIS AND HIS LESSONS FOR OUR TIME:” A SPECIAL LECTURE BY PROFESSOR WHITNEY BATTLE-BAPTISTE. Noon to 1 p.m., W.E.B. DuBois Library, Room 2220, UMass and on Zoom. Dr. Du Bois has left us, but he has not died. The spirit of freedom is not buried in the grave of the valiant.” So said Martin Luther King Jr. on what would have been W. E. B. Du Bois’s 100th birthday. The spirit of Du Bois has given strength and purpose to scholars and advocates for social justice since his passing in 1963. His written work continues to inspire readers seeking a deeper understanding of the troubled history of race in this country. It also provides intellectual and philosophical frameworks for understanding global affairs and the continued international struggle for equality. Du Bois’s life as an activist continues to provide a shining example for those struggling for justice in our own time. This talk will describe how and why Du Bois remains such an important voice, despite being dead for over sixty years. It will explore the ways his life and words can help us find a way through our current moment of uncertainty and unrest. It will describe the work that is being done to promote and preserve his incredible legacy in places like Ghana, New York, Great Barrington, and right here at UMass Amherst. RSVP here. Livestream link. Free.
THURSDAY FEBRUARY 19: SUNNY JAIN’S WILD WILD EAST. 8 p.m., The Drake, 44 North Pleasant Street. You know Sunny Jain as the founder and leader of the unruly, oversized, genre-mashing, and always infectiously fun, Brooklyn-based band Red Baraat. Like Red Baraat, Wild Wild East draws from Jain’s identity as a first-generation South Asian American and as a global musician. Jain’s music with this project taps his family’s immigration story and his far-reaching musical roots. And it finds Jain recasting the immigrant — steeped in the courage to leave a familiar homeland for a new beginning — as the modern-day cowboy and cowgirl. Jain sources musical inspiration from the scores of Bollywood classics and Spaghetti Westerns, Indian folk traditions, jazz improvisation, and rollicking psychedelic and surf guitar styles. Tickets $35, $20 for students. Full calendar of events here.
FRIDAY FEBRUARY 20: LITTLE BEAR NATURE WALK WITH THE HITCHCOCK CENTER. 10 to 11:15 a.m., Mill River Recreation Area, 95 Montague Road. Join Chrissy Larson, Hitchcock Center preschool educator, on a Little Bear Nature Walk! Little Bear Walks are a way for toddlers, preschoolers and their caregivers to explore nature in an age-appropriate way. During the walk, children borrow a backpack containing simple exploration tools. Chrissy will guide children to explore the winter woods, incorporating observation, inquiry, and sensory learning, imagination and play. Pre-registration is required, as supplies are limited. Register here! FREE.
SATURDAY FEBRUARY 21: SIXTH ANNUAL FIRE AND ICE WINTER FESTIVAL. 3 to 6 p.m. The culminating event to Amherst’s week-long Winter Fest 2026. Experience the beauty of ice sculptures and luminaria. Sponsored by Amherst BID, Amherst College, and Amherst Recreation.
SATURDAY FEBRUARY 21: THIRD ANNUAL W.E.B. DU BOIS POETRY SLAM. 5 to 8 p.m., Furcolo Hall, UMass. Join us for the third annual W. E. B. Du Bois Poetry Slam, part of the Black Artistic Freedom Conference 2026. RSVP here.
TUESDAY FEBRUARY 24: OFFICE HOURS WITH REPRESENTATIVE MINDY DOMB. 12:30 to 1:30 p.m., Amherst Survival Center, 138 Sunderland Road. This is an opportunity for constituents of the Third Hampshire District to speak to the Representative and her team and to share concerns and thoughts on state legislation, and to seek assistance. There is no need to schedule an appointment; constituents can stop by anytime during the hour to speak to Representative Domb or a member of her staff. If this is an urgent matter, please do not wait for office hours; you may want to call (413) 335-1362 or (617) 722-2060. If you are unable to attend at these times or if you have a time-sensitive or private matter, Representative Domb’s office can be reached via email at mindy.domb@mahouse.gov or via phone at (413)335-1362 or (617) 722-2060. Please include your name, address, and contact information when reaching out to the office.
WEDNESDAY FEBRUARY 25: EMPOWERING YOUTH! THE GAME OF REAL LIFE. 1:45 to 3:30 p.m., Large Activity Room, Bangs Community Center, 70 Boltwood Walk. Designed for middle and high school students, this interactive session aims to assist students in career exploration, life management, and financial literacy. This event is part of the Youth Empowerment Programming led by the Town of Amherst Department of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion. Inspired by the classic “Game of Life” board game, participants will be assigned a career, face unexpected life challenges, and develop essential financial skills to manage their money. Students will learn to plan a budget, understand banking, manage debt, and handle taxes — empowering them for a successful future! Food and refreshments will be provided. Registration is strongly encouraged. Register here.
WEDNESDAY FEBRUARY 25: HOUSTON PERSON AND THE NORTHAMPTON JAZZ WORKSHOP. 7:30 p.m., The Drake, 44 North Pleasant Street. With his robust sound and swinging style, tenor saxophonist Houston Person has kept the hard bop and organ-soaked soul-jazz traditions alive. Featured set at 7:30, followed by a jazz jam session. Bring your axe to sit in! Cover $10, $5 for students. Full calendar of events here.
THURSDAY FEBRUARY 26: BECOMING A BELOVED COMMUNITY. 5:30 to 8 p.m., Large Activity Room, Bangs Community Center, 70 Boltwood Walk. Help shape the future of Amherst! Join the Town of Amherst Department of Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion (DEI) for a community conversation with their partners at Community Heart & Soul. Community Heart & Soul is a resident-driven process that invites people from across Amherst to share what they love most about their community, envision the future they want, and explore how to get there — together. Community Heart & Soul brings the community together to reflect on what matters most to them. Through guided conversation, participants help shape a collective vision that informs future planning and community development. All individuals, organizations, and businesses are welcome to participate and help shape Amherst’s future. A meal will be provided. Please register for the event so we can plan accordingly. Register here. Free and open to the public.
THURSDAY FEBRUARY 26: HEAT PUMP INFORMATION PROGRAM. 6:30 to 8 p.m. on Zoom. Join this virtual information session to learn more about the Amherst Heat Pump Incentive Program! The Amherst Heat Pump Incentive Program provides financial assistance, expert guidance, and education to help homeowners install energy-efficient heat pump systems which provide clean heating and cooling. Heat pumps are a cost-effective and environmentally friendly alternative to traditional heating and cooling systems. Eligible homeowners can receive up to $3,500 in financial incentives to offset the cost of installation. This information session will be facilitated by representatives from our partners at CET who will explain the benefits of heat pumps, the Town’s financial incentives, and how the program works. We’ll also hear testimony directly from a resident who recently participated in this program! There will be a Q&A session at the end of the presentation.
FRIDAY FEBRUARY 27: OFFICE HOURS WITH REPRESENTATIVE MINDY DOMB. 4 to 5 p.m., Town Hall, First floor, 4 Boltwood Avenue. This is an opportunity for constituents of the Third Hampshire District to speak to the Representative and her team and to share concerns and thoughts on state legislation, and to seek assistance. There is no need to schedule an appointment; constituents can stop by anytime during the hour to speak to Representative Domb or a member of her staff. If this is an urgent matter, please do not wait for office hours. You may want to call (413) 335-1362 or (617) 722-2060. If you are unable to attend at these times or if you have a time-sensitive or private matter, Representative Domb’s office can be reached via email at mindy.domb@mahouse.gov or via phone at (413)335-1362 or (617) 722-2060. Please include your name, address, and contact information when reaching out to the office.
FRIDAY FEBRUARY 27: PAUL TAYLOR DANCE COMPANY. 8 p.m., Frederick Tillis Performance Hall, UMass. The Paul Taylor Dance Company has been a presence in Fine Arts Center seasons since 1978. One of the most revered and dynamic ensembles in modern dance, the company has been innovating and transforming dance since 1954. With a history of multidisciplinary collaborations, passionate expression, and thrilling athleticism, the company continues boldly into the future under Artistic Director Michael Novak. For this performance, the company will bring us a classic work by its founder, Speaking in Tongues (1988) along with How Love Sounds, a 2025 commission by Hope Boykin, who currently serves as artistic advisor for art education at the Kennedy Center and whose celebrated career as a dancer included Complexions Contemporary Ballet, Philadanco, and the Alvin Ailey Dance Theater. Tickets start at $40, Students $20.
SATURDAY MARCH 7: PETER BERNSTEIN QUARTET. 8 p.m., The Drake, 44 North Pleasant Street. Peter Bernstein has been playing and recording since 1990. His recordings have featured musicians such as Brad Mehldau, Christian McBride, Greg Hutchinson, Jimmy Cobb, Bill Stewart, Larry Grenadier, Gerald Clayton, Sullivan Fortner, Peter Washington, Doug Weiss, and Joe Farnsworth, among other. His latest recording is “Better Angels” and features Brad Mehldau, Vincente Archer, and Al Foster. He is appearing at the Drake as part of the Northampton Jazz Festival with Aaron Goldberg, Vincent Archer, and Joe Farnsworth. Tickets $30 in advance, $35 at the door. Full calendar of events here.
MONDAY MARCH 9: “BELFAST, MAINE:” A DOCUMENTARY DIRECTED BY FREDERICK WISEMAN. 6:30 p.m. March 9 and 11 a.m. Saturday, March 14, Amherst Cinema, 28 Amity Street. BELFAST, MAINE is a film about ordinary experience in a beautiful old New England port city. It is a portrait of daily life with particular
emphasis on the work and the cultural life of the community. New 4K
restoration. This Spring the Amherst Cinema will present four films by one of the most respected and influential documentarians in film history. Tickets $12.25.
SATURDAY MARCH 14: “BELFAST, MAINE:” A DOCUMENTARY DIRECTED BY FREDERICK WISEMAN. 11 a.m., Amherst Cinema, 28 Amity Street. BELFAST, MAINE is a film about ordinary experience in a beautiful old New England port city. It is a portrait of daily life with particular emphasis on the work and the cultural life of the community. New 4K restoration. This Spring the Amherst Cinema will present four films by one of the most respected and influential documentarians in film history. Tickets $12.25.
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 We Stand for Peace and Justice Amherst. 4-4:30 p.m. in the center of town in front of the Bank of America Building (1 S. Pleasant St.) Join Amherst community members from various affiliations, who come together every Tuesday to stand out in downtown Amherst for social justice, peace, and in support of our immigrants neighbors in danger. We often sing while standing together, accompanied by a guitar or drum. More info
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
SUNDAYS AND TUESDAYS FEBRUARY 1-17: THE BEFORE TRILOGY. 1:30 p.m. Sunday February 1, 8, and 15 and 7p.m. Tuesday February 3, 10, and 17, Amherst Cinema, 28 Amity Street. Follow Jesse and Celine as they meet on a train and spend a night wandering the city in Vienna, then reconnect nine years later in Paris, and finally as a married couple on vacation in Greece. Richard Linklater’s marvelous trilogy: “Before Sunrise,” “Before Sunset,” and “Before Midnight” starring Ethan Hawke and Julie Delpy. Tickets.
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
EVERY WEDNESDAY IN FEBRUARY AND MARCH: SOUTH CHURCH SUPPER AND CALMING, CANDLELIGHT MUSICAL SERVICE. 5:30 p.m. supper, 6 to 6:30 p.m. service, South Church, 1066 South East Street. South Church is offering a special series of community suppers and calming, candlelit, musical services every Wednesday in February and March. You can come for just the supper, just the service, or both! 5:30 p.m.: A friendly community supper with soup, salad, and bread fresh from the famous South Church kitchen. Vegetarian & gluten-free options, donation optional. RSVP’s for supper appreciated but not required, email office@amherstsouthchurch.org .6:00–6:30 p.m.: Calming, candlelit, musical service based on the practices of the Taizé Community in France, including live music, prayer, and time for quiet reflection. It’s like yoga for the soul! The Taizé Community was formed to promote peace and understanding
after WWII. All are welcome.
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+.
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.
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.
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.
SUNDAYS AND TUESDAYS FEBRUARY 1-17: THE BEFORE TRILOGY. 1:30 p.m. Sunday February 1, 8, and 15 and 7p.m. Tuesday February 3, 10, and 17, Amherst Cinema, 28 Amity Street. Follow Jesse and Celine as they meet on a train and spend a night wandering the city in Vienna, then reconnect nine years later in Paris, and finally as a married couple on vacation in Greece. Richard Linklater’s marvelous trilogy: “Before Sunrise,” “Before Sunset,” and “Before Midnight” starring Ethan Hawke and Julie Delpy. Tickets.
NOW THROUGH SATURDAY FEBRUARY 28: WINTER GARDEN- A GROUP EXHIBIT AT GALLERY A3. The month of February is short, but nights are long, temperatures are low, and winter seems to go on forever. To counter these dark times, Gallery A3 presents WINTER GARDEN, a group show of work by members of this local fine art cooperative gallery. Paintings, prints, photographs, collage, and mixed media, mostly two-dimensional but some three-dimensional pieces, the art collectively aims to suggest and to celebrate the new light and cycling life of a garden.There will be an opening reception at the gallery from 5-7 p.m. on Friday, February 6, and a free, online art forum on Thursday, February 19 at 7:30 p.m. (register here). Gallery A3 is located at 28 Amity Street 1D in the Amherst Cinema Complex. Gallery hours are Thursday through Sunday, 2-7 p.m. More info
NOW THOUGH THURSDAY MARCH 21: ART EXHIBITION – ANTHONY DISCENZA’S DAEMONOMANIA. Heter Art Gallery at Harold F. Johnson Library Center, Hampshire College, 893 West Street. Encompassing a diverse range of appropriated materials, Discenza’s Daemonomania centers on how operative metaphors drawn from occult and supernatural belief inform our relationship to technology. Across a variety of media, the exhibition contemplates the complex entanglements of mass consumption, resource exploitation, thermodynamic expenditure, and wish fulfillment that mark our contemporary moment.
NOW THROUGH APRIL: SPRITES, SPELLS, AND SPLASHES: MAGICAL BEINGS IN PICTURE BOOK ART. Eric Carle Museum of Picture Book Art. The Eric Carle Museum opens its new exhibition on Saturday, November 22. The show includes picture book artwork of fantasy creatures like mermaids, fairies and wizards from more than 40 classic and contemporary books. “From the brownies of the British Isles to the djinns of the Middle East, magical beings abound in folklore. These creatures exist in a parallel world within and alongside humans,” said Isabel Ruiz Cano, associate curator. “Picture book art can be a powerful bridge between cultures, a keeper of stories, and a source of wonder that allows us to see the invisible. Although we may not always be able to spot these creatures, the artists in this exhibition bring their mysterious forms to light.” The museum is open Wednesday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Sunday from 12 to 5 p.m.
NOW THROUGH MONDAY APRIL 27: MABEL LOOMIS TODD EXHIBIT TO BENEFIT THE EMILY DICKINSON MUSEUM. Mill District Local Art Gallery, 91 Cowls Road. The Mill District is pleased to announce its newest front window gallery installation: The Mabel Loomis Todd Exhibit. The exhibit presents a rarely seen collection of Todd’s paintings created for a book of her father’s poetry. Learn more about the exhibit.
SATURDAY FEBRUARY 14 THROUGH SATURDAY FEBRUARY 21: WINTERFEST. Join us for this weeklong celebration on February 14 through February 21. Amherst Recreation, in collaboration with many community partners, will host a variety of free and affordable events for residents and visitors of all ages to embrace the winter season.
MONDAY FEBRUARY 16 THROUGH SATURDAY FEBRUARY 21: POKEMON WEEK AT THE JONES. 101 University Drive. Celebrate February school break week with drop-in Pokémon activities around the kids’ room. Explore self-directed activities ranging from art projects to scavenger hunts. Work on our community Pokémon coloring sheet, design your own Pokémon cards, and check out some books!