What’s Happening in Amherst?
Photo: Flckr.com. Creative Commons
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.
FRIDAY APRIL 17 THROUGH SUNDAY APRIL 19: ALTERED STATES EXHIBITION EXPERIENCE. Friday 6 to 8 p.m., Saturday 6 to 9 p.m., Sunday 5 to 7:30 p.m., UMass Student Union Art Gallery. Altered States is an exhibition and a full weekend of experience at the UMass Student Union Gallery. Two artists. Two visual languages. One source. Tyler Wcislo’s digital collages erupt with color, sacred geometry, and the raw exposure of interior states. Ross Gronvold’s sculptural works pull toward elemental silence — deeply textural, form arrived at through material intelligence. Both speaking from somewhere beyond the self and asking you to listen. Friday: Opening Reception and live music with Father Otter, Saturday: live music with Draiodoir, Sunday: contemplative movement and live sound.
SATURDAY APRIL 18: OPENING DAY OF THE AMHERST FARMERS’ MARKET. 8 to 1:30 p.m., Amherst Town Common, Boltwood Avenue. The Amherst Farmers Market is widely known 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 in Downtown Amherst. Saturdays from 8:00 am to 1:30 pm during the 2026 season of April 18 – November 21.
SATURDAY APRIL 18: 18TH ANNUAL EMPTY BOWLS FUNDRAISER FOR THE AMHERST SURVIVAL CENTER. 12 to 4 p.m., Amherst Survival Center, 138 Sunderland Road. Join us for the 18th Annual Empty Bowls, a beloved community tradition held during a milestone year as the Amherst Survival Center celebrates 50 years of serving our neighbors with dignity and compassion. Enjoy a delicious, hearty soup prepared by your favorite local restaurants while connecting with community leaders, special guest hosts, and live music. Choose a beautiful handmade bowl from hundreds generously crafted and donated by local artists — a meaningful keepsake and symbol of the collective care that has sustained our community for five decades. Alongside comforting soups, guests will enjoy fresh bread, salad, and dessert, with vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free options available so everyone can gather at the table. Tickets $50 per person.
CANCELLED DUE TO WEATHER. SUNDAY APRIL 19: CARS AND COFFEE AT THE MILL DISTRICT. 8:30 to 11:30 a.m., 91 Cowls Road. The free car show for all! 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.
SUNDAY APRIL 19: SNAKES FOR ADULTS WITH RAY PALMER. 1 to 2 p.m., Local Art Gallery and General Store, Mill District, 91 Cowls Road. Adults, learn about the creatures that inspire some of Ray Palmer’s beaded jewelry designs. Meet a friendly snake! Enjoy a slideshow exploring snakes’ lives, how to recognize different species, and tips on what to do when you meet one in the wild. Then, meet Naga, Ray’s very friendly pet corn snake. If you are interested, you may even get the chance to touch Naga. Free Fun! Donations to the artist accepted. For ages 16+.
SUNDAY APRIL 19: BOOK TALK: EL ILUMINADO: A MYSTERY OF SANTA FE WITH ILAN STAVANS. 2 p.m., Yiddish Book Center, 1021 West Street and on Zoom. A Santa Fe murder and a lost manuscript by a 16th century Crypto-Jew are mysteriously connected in El Iluminado, a detective graphic novel by Ilan Stavans. Stavans will talk about the newly released paperback edition and the amazing events that occurred after the original publication, including the real-life discovery of the long-lost memoir of Luis de Carvajal and its restoration to Mexico. Register. Free.
SUNDAY APRIL 19: ORGAN CONCERT BY VIRTUOSO ORGANIST CHRIS HOULIHAN. 3 p.m., South Congregational Church, 1066 South East Street. Widely acknowledged as one of the brightest stars in the new generation of American organists, Christopher Houlihan will perform on the oldest working Casavant organ in the United States on Sunday, April 19, at 3 p.m. at South Congregational Church in Amherst. Houlihan has established an international reputation as a “passionate and intelligently virtuoso musician” (Gramophone) and hailed for his “glowing, miraculously life-affirming performances” (Los Angeles Times). His recital is the first event in the South Church’s 2026 Arts & Social Justice Series. Houlihan’s program will showcase the unique features and tonalities of South Church’s 1896 Casavant Organ, Opus 74. The Northampton firm Messrs. Czelusniak et Dugal, Inc., rebuilt and installed the organ in 2012 and is an underwriter of the recital. The suggested donation is $20 per person. Reservations are strongly recommended. Call (413) 253-2977 or email office@amherstsouthchurch.org (please include full name, phone, and number of attendees).
MONDAY APRIL 20 THROUGH SUNDAY MAY 10: RACIAL EQUITY HABIT-BUILDING CHALLENGE. Over the 21 days of the challenge (April 20 – May 10), you’ll receive daily email prompts, including short readings, videos, and reflection questions, designed to build the skill, will, and courage to advance racial equity in our food system and beyond. It’s 10-15 minutes a day, at your own pace. This is the 12th year of the Challenge, now hosted by the Interaction Institute for Social Change (IISC). More than 30,000 people have participated since 2015! This year, The Jones Library is IISC’s inaugural institutional sponsor. Register for free as an individual, using the code JONESLIBRARY100 at checkout.
TUESDAY APRIL 21: THE LISTENING ROOM, EPISODE 18: MAD MADRIGALS AND MORE. 11 a.m., Bezanson Hall, UMass. Music History Professor Emiliano Ricciardi and Director of Choral Studies Lindsay Pope host this free Listening Room lecture/recital, featuring the Chamber Choir in small group madrigal performances. Free and open to all.
TUESDAY APRIL 21: OFFICE HOURS WITH REP. 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 have a time-sensitive or private matter, Representative Domb’s office can be reached via email at mindy.domb@mahouse.gov or by phone at (413) 335-1362 or (617) 722-2060. Please include your name, address, and contact information when reaching out to the office. Rep. Domb holds community office hours every month in the district and meets regularly with residents. She will also be at Town Hall on Friday, April 24, from 4 to 5 p.m.
WEDNESDAY APRIL 22: FLAVAS OF DAVID: DAVID PICCHI AND FRIENDS. 7 p.m., The Drake, 44 North Pleasant Street. David Picchi has been performing and teaching music since 2001. As an electric and double bass player, he has been called to play on many recording projects and is known for his ability to perform with a variety of lineups in many genres, and for any anudience. He can currently be seen performing with jazz ensemble FlavaEvolution, pop/soul/r and b acts such as Fever, and solo. Free Concert. Full calendar of events here.
THURSDAY APRIL 23: PERCUSSION ENSEMBLE. 7:30 p.m., Tillis Hall, UMass. The UMass Percussion Ensemble, led by Professor Ayano Kataoka performs a free concert with both the performance and seating on the Tillis stage.
THURSDAY APRIL 23: “MARIS GOES TO COLLEGE. 8 p.m., The Drake, 44 North Pleasant Street. Rising pop artist MARIS brings her “MARIS Goes To College” spring tour to The Drake in Amherst. The nationwide run, which wraps May 3, follows a surge of momentum around her latest single “Body Is On Fire,” which has racked up nearly 500,000 stream. According to a press release, MARIS is known for her bold, ‘80s-tinged sound and dynamic live shows. The artist continues to gain attention from outlets like Paper Magazine and Rolling Stone as she emerges as one of pop’s rising stars.The April 23 show features performer Louisa Stancioff, who was born and raised in rural Maine. Tickets $15 in advance, $18 at the door. Full calendar of events here.
SATURDAY APRIL 25: 14TH ANNUAL AMHERST SUSTAINABILITY FESTIVAL. 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., Town Common. Mark your calendars for the 14th Annual Amherst Sustainability Festival! Coinciding with the regularly scheduled Amherst Farmer’s Market, this FREE and family-friendly event brings together local farmers, environmental vendors, advocacy groups, live entertainment, hands-on demonstrations, sustainable crafts, and much more. Festival highlights include Environmental Vendors: Meet and learn from a variety of businesses and organizations dedicated to sustainability and environmental protection, including renewable energy vendors, energy-efficiency product suppliers, advocacy groups, and sustainable artisans. Live Entertainment: Enjoy a lineup of local musicians and artists providing dynamic performances throughout the event. Demonstration Area: Participate in hands-on learning experiences with experts in various fields. Activities Around the Common: Attendees can also check out performances by Henry the Juggler, an electric vehicle display with test drives, sustainable crafts, and the Amherst Fire Department’s hybrid ambulance. For more details about the event, including the full schedule of activities and list of vendors, visit our website: https://www.amherstma.gov/…/Sustainability-Festival.
THURSDAY APRIL 23: RETURN OF ARTS NIGHT PLUS: A CELEBRATION OF THE ARTS IN AMHERST. 5 to 8 p.m., downtown Amherst. The BID and Cultural District are excited to re-launch Amherst Arts Night Plus, a multidisciplinary celebration of creative community in Amherst. Downtown businesses transform into art galleries, creating a vibrant celebration of the arts while driving foot traffic to downtown shops and restaurants.
FRIDAY APRIL 24: OFFICE HOURS WITH REP. MINDY DOMB. 4 to 5 p.m.,1st floor, Town Hall, 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. Rep. Domb holds community office hours every month in the district and meets regularly with residents. She will also be at the Amherst Survival Center on Tuesday, April 21, from 12:30 p.m. to 1:30 p.m.
FRIDAY APRIL 24: SPRING ART OPENING AT THE LOCAL ART GALLERY. 5 to 7 p.m.. Local Art Gallery and General Store, Mill District, 91 Cowls Road. Come celebrate the over 30 local artists who are exhibiting in the Local Art Gallery this Spring Quarter at this FREE reception. Please join us in celebrating the current collection of art on exhibit and available for purchase by over 30 local artists! Don’t miss this wonderful evening of conversation, art, and complementary light refreshments. Live piano music from Avi Steinhardt. Please RSVP.
FRIDAY APRIL 24 AND SATURDAY APRIL 25: HOLLER GHOSTS. 8 to 9:30 p.m., Holden Experimental Theater, Webster Hall, Amherst College. “All of us, from Adam to now, are worthy of capital punishment.” Amherst College THDA department presents Holler Ghosts, an original devised project by Aaron Williams ‘26, on April 23, 24, and 25 in the Holden Experimental Theatre. What happens when the place you call home won’t take you back? An exploration of inheritance, gender, love, and religion in the American Ozark region, Holler Ghosts allows us to remember and relive everything we feel we’ve left behind, while trying to push to a kind of future. Holler Ghosts draws on real experiences of queer and trans people in the South to tell stories of finding who you are and who you love in a place that doesn’t always see all of you. Directed by Aaron Williams ‘26, featuring Lyla Wood ‘28, Lucy Jones ‘27, Alfie Cooper ‘26, and Luca Thies ‘29. Set and costume design by Caspian Rabaia ‘24. Tickets. Free.
SATURDAY APRIL 25: UMASS DASH AND DINE. 9 a.m., Horseshoe, University Drive, UMass. UMass Dining is excited to host the 15th Annual 5K Dash & Dine on Saturday, April 25th, 2026.
This event is open to both students and the community with the goal to raise funds for the Amherst Survival Center. We hope you join us for lunch immediately after the run/walk. $15 UMass and Five College Students, $25 UMass faculty and Staff, $30 general public. Runners, walkers, wheelchairs, strollers welcome. Prizes to top 3 finishers in each division.Event schedule
09:00am | Begin check in at the top of the Southwest Horseshoe
10:00am | Fun Run for children 8 and under
11:00am | Race begins
11:30am | Award Ceremony
12:00pm | Lunch
Sign up now runumass.com
SATURDAY APRIL 25: RAPTORS, RODENTICIDES AND RICARDI: RESCUE AREA WILDLIFE FROM RODENTICIDES. 10 a.m. to 12 p.m., Hitchcock Center, 845 West Street, or on Zoom. Raptors, foxes, and other predators balance Massachusetts’ ecosystems. But shocking numbers of these iconic creatures have been sickened and killed after eating poisoned rodents. Mass Audubon’s Rescue Raptors team has partnered with a local group of wildlife advocates, Save the Raptors Connecticut River and Quabbin Valley, and Tom Ricardi’s Birds of Prey Rehabilitation Center in Conway, MA to offer this free hybrid program to educate the public about this issue. Join us to learn about the harms of rodent poisons, wildlife-safe rodent control options, and how to get involved. This event is co-sponsored by Mass Audubon, Kestrel Land Trust, the Hitchcock Center for the Environment, and the Amherst Conservation Department. Register here.
SUNDAY APRIL 26: BIG BROTHERS BIG SISTERS 16TH ANNUAL DAFFODIL RUN (5K and 10K). Town Common. Registration begins at 8:30 a.m. The celebration begins at 9:00 a.m. at the Amherst Town Common, with complimentary breakfast for participants (see below for schedule). Our warm-up begins at 9:30 with the timed and certified 10k beginning promptly at 10:00 and the 5K at 10:15. Arrive no later than 9:00 to ensure a smooth registration and check-in process. You’ll want to bring funds because the race also features a 50/50 raffle as well as a raffle for some great prizes. An area to store your personal items will be presided over by our sponsors. This community event has become the first marker of spring for the town of Amherst and draws hundreds of people to the area to participate and cheer on their family and friends. The post-race party includes music and tasty food offered from local favorites. There will be yellow kites for flying on the Common, entertainment, and (weather permitting) picnic-style games. The Daffodil Run helps sustain the power of youth mentoring through Big Brothers Big Sisters by connecting adult mentors with young people in our community. Once matched, they go on to build a meaningful, positive relationship that empowers the potential inherent in each child. Register here.
SUNDAY APRIL 26: AMHERST RUBBISH ROUNDUP. Noon to 2 p.m., Various sites. The Town of Amherst is excited to announce our upcoming Rubbish Roundup on Sunday, April 26th! This community cleanup event aims to bring residents together for a fun and impactful day of cleaning and beautifying our beloved town. We invite all town residents and groups to participate, including community organizations, businesses, families, neighborhood associations, student clubs, and religious communities. Whether you sign up as an individual or with a group, this is a wonderful opportunity to meet your neighbors and make a positive impact on our community. Together, we can make our town cleaner, greener, and even more beautiful than it already is. .Clean Up Sites: Mill River Recreation Area – North Amherst, Town Hall/North Common – Central Amherst, Groff Park – South Amherst, Kiwanis Field & Belchertown Rd, Other areas as suggested on sign up form. Sign up by April 19: amherstma.gov/RubbishRoundup2026.
SUNDAY APRIL 26: ORCHESTRA AND CHOIRS PERFORM THE VERDI REQUIEM. 4 p.m., Tillis Hall, Fine Arts Center, UMass. The UMass Symphony Orchestra joins with the Chamber Choir, Chorale, Mt. Holyoke College Choirs, Illumine Ensemble and solists to present Verdi’s masterwork. Tickets $17, $7 for students.
TUESDAY APRIL 28: CHAPEL JAZZ ENSEMBLE. 7:30 p.m., Bezanson Hall, UMass. The Chapel Jazz Ensemble, led by Professor Thomas Giampietro, performs big band tunes at a free concert. Free and open to all.
WEDNESDAY APRIL 29: UMASS FOUNDERS’ DAY DU BOIS LIBRARY TOUR. 11 a.m. to 12p.m., DuBois Library, UMass. Join Outreach Archivist Caroline White and Senior Campus Planner and Architect Ludmilla Pavlova-Gillham, FAIA, LEED AP BD&C on a “top to bottom” collections and architecture tour of the W. E. B. Du Bois Library. The tour is sponsored by the UMass Amherst Libraries and UMassBRUT, the grassroots UMass system’s modernist buildings advocacy group and highlights the history of the building complex and how the library tower, podium and collections have (and have not) changed, and emphasizes the public spaces that support the UMass mission of teaching, research and outreach. Many other Founders Day Events.
WEDNESDAY APRIL 29: WALKING TOUR OF THE UMASS CAMPUS. 1 to 2:30 p.m., Bromery Center for the Arts Plaza, 151 Presidents Drive, UMASS. Join Senior Campus Planner and Architect Ludmilla Pavlova-Gillham, FAIA, LEED AP BD&C on a walking tour that highlights campus core facilities around the Campus Pond and the historical, brutalist and green buildings that surround it. The tour is sponsored by Campus Planning and UMassBRUT, the grassroots UMass systemÕs modernist buildings advocacy group. The tour begins at the South lobby of the Randolph W. Bromery Center for the Arts and will follow an accessible path around the campus pond, discussing the architecture of the Bromery Fine Arts Center, Whitmore Hall, Herter Hall, Goodell, Old Chapel, South College, W.E.B. DuBois Library, Student Union, Lincoln Campus Center and Integrative Learning Center buildings, and ends at the Olver Design Building. Many other Founders Day events.
WEDNESDAY APRIL 29: TROMBONE CHOIR AND BRASS ENSEMBLES. 7:30 p.m., Bezanson Hall, UMass. The Trombone Choir, directed by Greg Spiridopoulos, performs a free concert, along with other brass ensembles.
THURSDAY APRIL 30: SENIOR SIPS. 4 to 6 p.m., The Oyster Bar, 51 North Pleasant Street. This event is an opportunity for those 60+ to engage with friends and neighbors, discover local happenings, and learn about available resources. Snacks provided. Attendees are responsible for their own beverages.
THURSDAY APRIL 30: PHOSPHORESCENCE CONTEMPORARY POETRY SERIES. 6 p.m. on Zoom. Featured poets this month are Matthew Johnson and Oak Morse. To Emily Dickinson, phosphorescence was a divine spark and the illuminating light behind learning — it was volatile, but transformative in nature. Produced by the Emily Dickinson Museum, the Phosphorescence Contemporary Poetry Series celebrates contemporary creativity that echoes Dickinson’s own revolutionary poetic voice. The Series features established and emerging poets whose work and backgrounds represent the diversity of the flourishing contemporary poetry scene. Join us on a Thursday evening each month to hear from poets around the world as they read their work and discuss what poetry and Dickinson mean to them. Register. Free, but registration required.
THURSDAY APRIL 30: HAZARD MITIGATION PLAN PUBLIC MEETING. 6:30 to 8 p.m., Town Room of Town Hall, 4 Boltwood Avenue and on Zoom. Join this hybrid meeting to learn about the Town of Amherst’s Draft Hazard Mitigation Plan and for a final chance to provide public feedback. At this meeting, the Town of Amherst will present the draft Hazard Mitigation Plan. Attendees will learn about the town’s preparations for natural hazards and the impacts of climate change. Municipal officials and consultants will be available to answer questions and respond to input about this project. The meeting provides an opportunity for community members to share feedback that will be incorporated into the final plan. All members of the public, representatives from surrounding communities, and other interested parties are invited to attend the event. The Draft Hazard Mitigation Plan will be shared shortly so it can be reviewed ahead of the meeting.
THURSDAY APRIL 30: INTERNATIONAL JAZZ DAY CELEBRATION. 7:30 p.m., Bezanson Hall, UMass. Special free evening concert celebrating the power of jazz as a force for peace, dialogue and mutual understanding featuring Music, Band, Chamber Music, Faculty Performance, with guest artists. Performances will also be live-streamed.
FRIDAY MAY 1: FULL MOON HIKE TO MOUNT NORWOTTUCK. 6:30 to 10 p.m., Kestrel Land Trust House, 37 Bay Road. Hiking at night can change your perspective of what it means to spend time outdoors. Come experience a guided night hike on Friday, May 1st, 6:30-10:00 PM, for a moon-rise climb to the top of Mount Norwottuck on the Mount Holyoke Range. The full moon in May is called the Flower Moon. This hike, is in partnership with Adventure East. Register. $40, $32 for members.
FRIDAY MAY 1: BILL T. JONES/ARNIE ZANE COMPANY. 8 p.m., Tillis Performance Hall, UMass Fine Arts Center. Contemporary dance’s legendary innovators perform a pair of their most acclaimed works, “Collage Revisited” and “Story/”. Tickets start at $40, $20 for students.
SATURDAY MAY 2: BREAKFAST AND BIRDING WITH EXPERT DAN ZIOMEK. 7 to 10 a.m., Foxcroft Farm, 908 South East Street. Celebrate spring with birdsong, good company, and nourishing food! Join us on Saturday, May 2nd, at Foxcroft Farm in Amherst to explore and learn about migratory and resident birds. Local ornithologist and birding expert birder Dan Ziomek will lead us on a stroll around hay fields and beaver ponds to look for the season’s avian visitors. Registration required. Sliding scale.
SATURDAY MAY 2: GALA CELEBRATING 50 YEARS OF AMHERST MEDIA. 6 to 10 p.m., UMass Student Union Ballroom. Celebrate 50 years of Amherst Media with dinner and dancing. US Representative Jim McGovern will be honored with the Jean Haggerty Award for Community Engagement and Social Justice. Emceed by Monte Belmonte and featuring hip hop artist and activist Tem Blessed. Tickets $100 includes a full catered meal.
SATURDAY MAY 2: “WE MET AT GROSSINGER’S”: PIONEER VALLEY JEWISH FILM FESTIVAL. 8 p.m., Yiddish Book Center, 1021 West Street. We Met at Grossinger’s is a nostalgic, immersive journey through the Jewish Catskills—once known as the Borscht Belt—told through the rise and fall of its most beloved resort: Grossinger’s Resort and Hotel, the real-life inspiration for Dirty Dancing. Built by three generations of trailblazing women, Grossinger’s Resort and Hotel stood at the center of a world Jews built for themselves after being shut out of America’s mainstream resorts and clubs. At its heart was Jennie Grossinger, the formidable matriarch who transformed a humble boarding house into an iconic institution. A refuge for Jews and other marginalized communities, Grossinger’s became—quite literally—a stage for the transformation of Jewish American identity and the evolution of American entertainment. This engaging film brings to life a mid-century cross-communal phenomenon that united immigrants, sports legends, politicians, comedians, and movie stars—among them Jackie Robinson, Eddie Fisher, and Eleanor Roosevelt—around a lasting belief that inclusivity, creativity and leisure lie at the heart of what it truly means to be American. (Print source: Bungalow Entertainment) Director: Paula Eiselt | USA | Documentary | 2025 | English | 104 minutes. Tickets $14.
WEDNESDAY MAY 6: “THE SOUNDMAN:” NEW ENGLAND PREMIERE. 7 p.m., Amherst Cinema, 28 Amity Street. On the eve of the German invasion in 1940 Belgium, a tender attachment forms between a gifted young radio apprentice and a rising Jewish actress, their hopes colliding with a world edging toward war. Inside Brussels’s famed Flagey Building, 18-year-old Berre—an introverted talent with a magical ear—rises from intern to sound engineer, crafting transportive live radio drama soundscapes that captivate Elza, a luminous on-air performer seeking joy in uncertain times. As their fragile bond deepens amid air-raid sirens and rising antisemitism, the radio studio becomes a haven where imagination and escape push back the gathering darkness. Through lyrical visuals, sumptuous period detail, and breathtaking use of sound, this singular prewar tale delivers an immersive WWII-era drama unlike any other. (Print source: Atlanta Jewish Film Festival). Post-film discussion with Simon Sibelman, Professor Emeritus of French and Holocause Studies at University of Wisconsin Oshkosh. Part of the Pioneer Valley Jewish Film Festival. Tickets.
THURSDAY MAY 7: MOBILE DENTAL CLINIC RETURNS. SPOTS AVAILABLE. 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Appointment required. Call 413-259-3060 Services offered include blood pressure screening, oral cancer screening, clinical assessment, and teeth cleaning. Referrals given if additional work is needed. MassHealth: free, other or no insurance: $80, denture rate: $30 All participants leave with a goodie bag and info sheet explaining and next steps. This service is part of Amherst’s Open Government to the MAX! initiative.
THURSDAY MAY 7: NORTH AMHERST COMMUNITY FARM: UMASS PERMACULTURE DESIGN CLASS PRESENTATION. 3 to 5 p.m., North Amherst Library. Members of the North Amherst community are invited to a public meeting at the North Amherst Library to hear a recommendation regarding the future of the North Amherst Community Farm. Students in the UMass Permaculture Design class will present the results of their analysis and design recommendations. The NACF Board is interested in feedback on the recommendations from community members.
THURSDAY MAY 7: THE WAILERS. 8 p.m., The Drake, 44 North Pleasant Street. The Wailers celebrate 50 years of Rastaman Vibration marking a defining moment in reggae history and honoring one of Bob Marley & the Wailers’ most influential albums. This special tour highlights select cuts from Rastaman Vibration alongside the timeless classics that continue to unite audiences across generations. Tickets $35 in advance, $40 at the door. Full calendar of events here.
FRIDAY MAY 8: SPRING GARDEN DAY 2026. Two sessions, 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. and 1:30 to 4:30 p.m., Emily Dickinson Museum, 280 Main Street. Come celebrate the beauty of spring during Garden Day at the Emily Dickinson Museum! As spring temperatures arrive in Amherst, Emily’s garden begs to be tended. Join Museum staff and fellow volunteers to aid in the cultivation and growth of the historic Dickinson family landscape. On Garden Day, participants will help to weed, divide older perennials, plant new perennials and annuals, edge flower beds, and more! Register for one or both sessions.
SATURDAY MAY 16: THE EMILY DICKINSON POETRY WALK 2026. 10 a.m., The Emily Dickinson Museum, 280 Main Street. Honor of the 140th anniversary of the poet’s death, join the Emily Dickinson Museum for the annual Poetry Walk through downtown Amherst, the town she called “paradise.” This year’s Walk explores Amherst’s cultural landscape and its significance to the poet herself. Take the walk at your own pace, but be sure to head to Dickinson’s grave in West Cemetery in time for the 12pm final poems and a lemonade toast to our favorite poet! The Walk takes approximately 40 minutes to complete. Participants begin at the Homestead at any time between 10am and 11am to pick up their Poetry Walk map and daisies to lay at the grave. The Walk stations close at 11:45am so that all participants can make it to the final stop at noon in West Cemetery. Free, Registration required.
SUNDAY MAY 17: ULYSSES STRING QUARTET. 4 p.m., The Drake, 44 North Pleasant Street. The Ulysses Quartet has been praised for their “textural versatility, grave beauty, and the kind of chemistry many quartets long for, but rarely achieve” (the Strad), as well as their “avid enthusiasm [with] chops to back up their passion” (San Diego Story), delivered with a blend of exuberance and polished artistry” (The Buffalo News). The quartet “promise to bring as much sophistication, imagination and vitality to Beethoven’s other quartets as they will to music by a panoply of composers from long ago and today” (Gramophone). Tickets $20 in advance, $25 at the door. Students $5.
WEDNESDAY MAY 20: SAY GOODBYE TO WILDWOOD WALKING TOUR. 4 p.m., Wildwood Elementary School, 71 Strong Street. The final community walkthroughs of the Wildwood Elementary School building are coming up this spring. Principal Estes will lead tours on March 18, April 15, and May 20 at 4 p.m., offering community members a chance to take a last look, ask questions, and reflect on the building that has meant so much to so many.
SATURDAY MAY 23 AND SUNDAY MAY 24: 6th ANNUAL ODENOG POWOW. Beginning at 11 a.m. on Saturday and 5 p.m. on Sunday. Amherst Regional High School, 21 Mattoon St. Come out for another wonderful powwow full of singing, dancing, food, vendors, and more. We are honored to have this opportunity for members of so many different communities to come together in celebration of Native American, First Nations, and Indigenous American cultures. The Odenong Powwow is free, open to the public, and in a disability-accessible space. All ages are welcome to this fun, family-friendly, and educational cultural event! More info
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
WEDNESDAYS APRIL 1, 8, AND 15: THE HEART OF THE SEASON: SPRING. 6 to 8 p.m., Hitchcock Center, 845 West Street. Explore the seasonal themes of spring through the lenses of Chinese medicine and other Earth-based spiritual practices. In this three-week class, Dave Eyerman will guide participants in understanding how this season affects their body, emotions, and energy through a mix of teaching, group discussion, time outdoors, and guided meditation. Sliding scale registration cost, $60 to $90 for the series.
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: IRISH MUSIC AT THE HARP. 4 to 7 p.m., The Harp, 163 Sunderland Road. Banish the cold and damp of the past months with Irish music. There may be Fiddle, Flute, Tin Whistle, Guitar, Mandolin, Banjo, Bagpipes, Bouzouki, Bodhran and ?. It’s always a surprise who shows up. Jigs, Reels, Hornpipes, Flings, Polkas, Slides, and Waltz’ from around the Celtic world. Food, drink, friendship and a relentless cacophony of rhythmic tones. Undeterred by the chaos and heartbreak of our troubled world, As a favorite jig of mine says, We’re always Happy to Meet and Sorry to Part. Who knows? .it might help banish misfortune for a moment. And, you may find out what a Luachrachan is. Or how to pronounce “Cuil Aodh.” I hope to see you.
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.
EVERY SATURDAY FROM APRIL 18 THROUGH NOVEMBER 21: AMHERST FARMERS’ MARKET. 8 to 1:30 p.m., Amherst Town Common, Boltwood Avenue. The Amherst Farmers Market is widely known 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 in Downtown Amherst. Saturdays from 8:00 am to 1:30 pm during the 2026 season of April 18 – November 21
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 APRIL THROUGH OCTOBER: CARS AND COFFEE AT THE MILL DISTRICT. 8:30 to 11:30 a.m., 91 Cowls Road. The free car show for all! 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 APRIL 19: ALTERED STATES EXHIBITION EXPERIENCE. Friday 6 to 8 p.m., Saturday 6 to 9 p.m., Sunday 5 to 7:30 p.m., UMass Student Union Art Gallery. Altered States is an exhibition and a full weekend of experience at the UMass Student Union Gallery. Two artists. Two visual languages. One source. Tyler Wcislo’s digital collages erupt with color, sacred geometry, and the raw exposure of interior states. Ross Gronvold’s sculptural works pull toward elemental silence — deeply textural, form arrived at through material intelligence. Both speaking from somewhere beyond the self and asking you to listen. Friday: Opening Reception and live music with Father Otter, Saturday: live music with Draiodoir, Sunday: contemplative movement and live sound.
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.
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 SUNDAY MAY 10: RACIAL EQUITY HABIT-BUILDING CHALLENGE. Over the 21 days of the challenge (April 20 – May 10), you’ll receive daily email prompts, including short readings, videos, and reflection questions, designed to build the skill, will, and courage to advance racial equity in our food system and beyond. It’s 10-15 minutes a day, at your own pace. This is the 12th year of the Challenge, now hosted by the Interaction Institute for Social Change (IISC). More than 30,000 people have participated since 2015! This year, The Jones Library is IISC’s inaugural institutional sponsor. Register for free as an individual, using the code JONESLIBRARY100 at checkout.