What’s Happening in Amherst?
Photo: Istock
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 SEPTEMBER 11 THROUGH SUNDAY SEPTEMBER 13: 8TH ANNUAL FIVE COLLEGE NEW MUSIC FESTIVAL. Bezanson Recital Hall, UMass. This year’s festival, themed “Music Without Royalties,” will feature four free performances of new and recent works by 18 composers, performed by 38 musicians from the Five Colleges and beyond. The festival will include nine premieres and explore themes of power, politics and tyranny through works by composers including Berio, Davies and Schoenberg. Performances are scheduled for 7:30 p.m. Sept. 11, 2 and 7:30 p.m. Sept. 12, and 3 p.m. Sept. 13. For more information, visit https://www.5cnmf.org/
SUNDAY SEPTEMBER 13: MILES FOR MUSIC. The Drake and the Iron Horse are launching an 8.1 mile run, walk, or relay from downtown Amherst to downtown Northampton along the Norwottock Rail Trail with live music along the Norwottuck Rail Trail and a finish-line celebration at Taste of Northampton. Starts at the Drake, 44 N. Pleasant St. in Amherst. Learn more and register at https://www.runreg.com/miles-for-music.
SUNDAY SEPTEMBER 13: FREE MOVIES AT THE MILL DISTRICT “HAMILTON.” 3 p.m. Mill District tent, 91 Cowls Road. Hosted by Ancestral Bridges. Join us under the big white tent in North Square of the Mill District for our free Mill District movie nights. Bring a comfy chair or blanket and pillows. Curl up with a yummy treat from one of our neighboring businesses. Other shows: “Flashdance” 6 p.m. on Friday, October 2, and “Little Shop of Horrors” on Thursday, October 22.
SUNDAY SEPTEMBER 13: ED ARRON AND JEEWON PARK CELLO AND PIANO. 4 p.m., The Drake, 44 North Pleasant Street. Chamber at the Drake. A native of Cincinnati, Ohio, Mr. Arron made his New York recital debut in 2000 at the Metropolitan Museum of Art. Since that time, he has appeared in recital, as a soloist with major orchestras, and as a chamber musician, throughout North America, Europe and Asia. The 2025-26 season marks Mr. Arron’s 13th season as the artistic director of the Performing Artists in Residence series at the Clark Art Institute in Williamstown, Massachusetts. Praised for her “infectious exuberance” (The New York Times) and “deeply reflective playing” (Indianapolis Star), pianist Jeewon Park has garnered worldwide acclaim for her poetic lyricism and radiant musicality. A distinctive voice of her generation, she has captivated audiences across the globe as a soloist, chamber musician, and educator, with an extensive repertoire ranging from J.S. Bach’s Goldberg Variations and Beethoven’s Choral Fantasy to Paul Moravec’s Chamber Symphony and Aaron Jay Kernis’s Earth. Ms. Park is in her 13th season as the co-Artistic Director of the Performing Artists in Residence at the Clark Art Institute. Tickets $20 in advance, $25 at the door. See complete schedule here.
TUESDAY SEPTEMBER 15: THE US CONGRESS MIDTERMS AND DEMOCRACY: WHAT THE UMASS POLL REVEALS ABOUT THE 2026 ELECTIONS. 7 p.m., North Amherst Library Meeting Room, 8 Montague Road. Drawing on the latest findings from the UMass Poll, political scientist and UMass Poll co-director Ray La Raja will talk about the polling numbers in an historical and political context, with time for questions and discussion.
TUESDAY SEPTEMBER 15: NUALA KENNEDY AND ALAN MURRAY: TRADITIONAL CELTIC DUO. 8 p.m., The Drake, 44 North Pleasant Street. Nuala Kennedy is one of Ireland’s more beloved traditional singers whose repertoire ranges from starkly powerful ancient Irish language songs to singalong ballads and thoughtful folk songs. Alan Murray is a sought-after accompanist on guitar and bouzouki who performs songs from his native Scotland. Tickets $20 in advance, $25 at the door. See complete schedule here.
WEDNESDAY SEPTEMBER 16: COMMUNITY FEEDBACK SESSION FOR THE JONES LIBRARY. 6 to 7:30 p.m., UMass Downtown, 108 North Pleasant Street. The Jones Equity, Diversity and Inclusivity Committee (JEDI) is holding three community feedback sessions to gather feedback on how residents feel about belonging and security in the library space. Dr. Pat Romney and Angelica Castro will be facilitating the three listening sessions. The sessions are scheduled for September 9, September 16, and September 19. Childcare available (registration required for childcare). Refreshments provided.
THURSDAY THROUGH SUNDAY SEPTEMBER 17, 19, and 20. AUDITIONS FOR AMHERST COMMUNITY THEATER’S “FROZEN.” Visit www.amherstacts.org/auditions for an audition appointment. Disney’s stage adaptation of Frozen follows royal sisters Elsa and Anna in Arendelle. When Elsa’s ice powers spiral out of control during her coronation, she flees, plunging the kingdom into an eternal winter. Anna embarks on a quest with new friends to find her, emphasizing themes of sisterhood, self-acceptance, and modern emotional honesty over traditional fairy-tale romance. Actors, singers, and dancers ages 7-107 are encouraged to audition! For nine performances in January 2027. Visit amherstacts.org/auditions or contact producer@amherstacts.org
THURSDAY SEPTEMBER 17: 13th ANNUAL BLOCK PARTY. 5 to 9 p.m., North Pleasant Street, downtown Amherst. This beloved community event promises an evening of fun, entertainment, and celebration of all things Amherst. The Annual Block Party is a cherished tradition, drawing thousands of residents and visitors to our dynamic downtown. This year’s event will feature an exciting lineup of live music and performances, showcasing local talent and captivating acts. Attendees can look forward to aerialists, acrobats, stilt walkers, jugglers, and a variety of street performers that will delight audiences of all ages. In addition to the entertainment, local restaurants and retailers will line both sides of North Pleasant Street. Downtown Amherst boasts a diverse array of dining options and unique shops and services, making it the perfect destination for a night out. Whether you’re enjoying a meal, discovering a new favorite store, or simply soaking in the lively atmosphere, there’s something for everyone at the Block Party. This event is FREE and open to all!
FRIDAY SEPTEMBER 18: CUPPA JOE WITH PLANNING AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT DIRECTOR JEFF BAGG. 8 to 9:30 a.m., Izote Latin and American Kitchen, 460 West Street. Join us for coffee and conversation with Amherst Town Manager Paul Bockelman and Planning & Economic Development Director Jeff Bagg. The Town is facilitating several planning and economic development initiatives that Jeff will share information and answer questions about. These include the Hampshire Campus Zoning Study, Affordable Housing Projects, Downtown Design Standards, Open Space and Recreation Plan, East Amherst Historic District, and more. The “Cuppa’ Joe with Paul” events are monthly and rotate locations around Town. Each time, Paul is joined by a different Town department head or official who provides insights into their area of focus. Residents and others are welcome to share their concerns, offer suggestions, or just get to know each other.
FRIDAY SEPTEMBER 18: UMASS AMHERST LIBRARIES FALL RECEPTION: “W.E.B. DU BOIS REBEL WITH A CAUSE:” AN EVENING WITH DIRECTOR RITA COBURN. 6 p.m., Bromery Center for the Arts. The University of Massachusetts Amherst Libraries will celebrate the recent PBS documentary film, “W.E.B. Du Bois: Rebel With A Cause,” with the film’s director Rita Coburn at the University Libraries Annual Fall Reception. Coburn will be joined by scholars and collaborators Karida Brown and Whitney Battle-Baptiste to share how archival discoveries, scholarship and partnership with the Robert S. Cox Special Collections & University Archives Research Center (SCUA) helped shape the film’s portrait of Du Bois’ life and legacy. The event is free and open to the public, though registration is required.
FRIDAY SEPTEMBER 18: THE BELAIR LIP BOMBS. 8 p.m., The Drake, 44 North Pleasant Street. Indie rock quartet from Australia that have been building a loyal following since they first formed eight years ago. Fans in Melbourne and beyond have been magnetized to the group’s earnestness and ultra-sticky power-pop song structures. Tickets $18 in advance, $20 at the door. See complete schedule here.
SATURDAY SEPTEMBER 19: SPECIAL FALL TREE PLANTING. 9 a.m., Amherst Regional Middle School, 170 Chestnut Street. On Saturday, the Amherst Public Shade Tree committee will participate in MassImpact, UMass’s annual day of service. The public is welcome to join students in planting trees along High Street and North Whitney. Meet at Amherst Regional Middle School at 9 am, and bring a shovel if possible. Please note that this planting is in lieu of APSTC’s monthly Second Saturday planting.
SATURDAY SEPTEMBER 19: POP UP JEWELRY SALE TO BENEFIT FRIENDS OF AMHERST SENIOR CENTER. 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., Amherst Farmers Market, Town Common. Gently used jewelry donated by our members.
SATURDAY SEPTEMBER 19: COMMUNITY FEEDBACK SESSION FOR THE JONES LIBRARY. 10 to 11:30 a.m., Bangs Community Center, 70 Boltwood Walk. The Jones Equity, Diversity and Inclusivity Committee (JEDI) is holding three community feedback sessions to gather feedback on how residents feel about belonging and security in the library space. Dr. Pat Romney and Angelica Castro will be facilitating the three listening sessions. The sessions are scheduled for September 9, September 16, and September 19. Childcare available (registration required for childcare). Refreshments provided.
SATURDAY SEPTEMBER 19: SOURCE TO SEA CLEAN UP. 9:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. Join us for the 30th Anniversary of Source to sea cleanup of the Connecticut River Watershed. Join us to remove trash from our waterways, riverbanks, and communities across the 410-mile Connecticut River watershed in NH, VT, MA, and CT. All ages welcome. Sign up here and you will receive more information. Hard work, real fun, true impact.
SATURDAY SEPTEMBER 19: TRAVEL SKETCHING AND VISUAL NOTETAKING WITH SCOTT HENDERSON. 10:30 a.m. to 1 p.m., Local Art Gallery in the Mill District, 91 Cowls Road. Explore a new way of journaling your travels with Scott Henderson at The Local Art Gallery on Saturday, Sept. 19 from 10:30am – 1pm. This is NOT an art class, NO drawing skill required! Learn how to capture your adventures using sketched notes to your travel journals. This session emphasizes process over perfection and encourages a personal, expressive approach to drawing. You provide travel sketchbook & drawing implements. Scott provides instruction, and refreshments. $40. Ages 16+. Register.
SUNDAY SEPTEMBER 20: STORIES OF ENSLAVEMENT AND FREEDOM: READING FREDERICK DOUGLASS TOGETHER. 2 p.m., Porter-Phelps-Huntington Museum, 130 River Drive, Hadley. In commemoration of the six people enslaved at Forty Acres: Zebulon Prutt, Sezor Phelps, Margaret (Peg) Bowen, and her daughters and granddaughters Roseanna, Phillis, and Phillis, this program incorporates live music, storytelling, and a communal reading of Frederick Douglass’s influential address “What to the Slave is the Fourth of July?“. Led by emcee Anika Lopes, with music by The Amherst Gospel Choir’s Jacqui Wallace, dramatic readings by Dr. Ousmane Power-Green and Olivia Haynes, this outdoor, participatory program brings together past and present for healing and restoration. In the weeks following the event, PPH will host A Reading Frederick Douglass Together Book Club, withsessions facilitated by Dr. Ousmane K. Power-Greene on October 10th and Dr. Nick Bromell on November 7th at 12:15pm. Book club materials will be available for pick up at the event and online, and sessions will be held at the Hadley Public Library. https://www.pphmuseum.org/events
SUNDAY SEPTEMBER 20: APPLICATIONS DUE FOR 2ND ANNUAL “ALL ABOUT AMHERST” CIVIC ACADEMY. The Town of Amherst is excited to announce the second annual All About Amherst: Civic Academy, a dynamic program designed to give residents an inside look at how local government operates and how they can actively participate in shaping the community. Interested residents should submit a Civic Academy Application by Sunday, September 20. During this free 8-week program, participants will explore the inner workings of Amherst’s government as they learn about day-to-day Town operations, talk directly with Town staff, and follow along for behind-the-scenes tours. Participants will not only leave with a stronger understanding of Amherst, but also with the tools necessary to become impactful and civically engaged community members. Sessions take place on Wednesday evenings, 6 to 8 p.m., from September 30 through November 18. The week of Veteran’s Day, the session will be held on Tuesday, November 10.
MONDAY SEPTEMBER 21 THROUGH SUNDAY SEPTEMBER 27: EMILY DICKINSON POETRY MARATHON. Virtual and hybrid program at the Emily Dickinson Museum, 220 Main Street. Part of the 2026 Tell It Slant Poetry Festival. Come read with us and join in for the week-long Emily Dickinson Poetry Marathon! An Emily Dickinson Museum tradition, the Marathon is a group reading of all 1,789 poems by Emily Dickinson over the course of 7 sessions. For this year’s hybrid Festival, some sessions will take place in-person and others online. For the Marathon, we will be reading from Ralph Franklin’s The Poems of Emily Dickinson: Reading Edition. Register for the festival here.
TUESDAY SEPTEMBER 22: HAMPSHIRE CAMPUS ZONING STUDY LISTENING SESSION. 6 to 8 p.m., Eric Carle Museum, 125 Bay Road. Join the Town of Amherst in-person for a short presentation and conversation about zoning options for the Hampshire Campus property. This listening session is an opportunity for community members to learn more and share their input on future Hampshire Campus Zoning. All are welcome! !Register Here! This event is part 1 of a two-part series. The second session will be a Design Workshop held on Thursday, September 24. Participants are encouraged to attend both events if possible. Learn more and register for the second event. The Hampshire Campus Zoning Study seeks to gather property information and community input that will guide new zoning. The information gathered will provide an understanding of the areas that are developable, the capacity of infrastructure (i.e. water, sewer, roadways), housing market demands, opportunities for economic development, and community goals. It is important to note that Hampshire College owns the land and will be making its own decisions about the ultimate disposition of the property and the timeline for making those decisions.
WEDNESDAY SEPTEMBER 23: MEET AND GREET COFFEE HOURS FOR SENIORS. 10 to 11 a.m., Atkins Farms Country Market, 1150 West Street. Take a break with us and celebrate the official beginning of fall!. Coffee, tea, and apple cider donuts will be provided. Sponsored by the Friends of the Amherst Senior Center and the Amherst Council on Aging.
WEDNESDAY SEPTEMBER 23: COLLEGE PREPAREDNESS WORKSHOP. 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. (early release day), location to be determined. Learn about admissions (the common application and personal essay), and financial services (options that exist to finance college). Finding the college that fits you: every college is different. Discover how to identify the schools that align best with your goals and needs. Learn how others have successfully navigated the process of choosing a major. For middle school and high school students. In partnership with UMass and Amherst College. Pizza and snacks will be served. Register here.
WEDNESDAY SEPTEMBER 23: CRAIG’S DOORS 15TH YEAR CELEBRATION. 4 to 6 p.m., Mill River Recreation Area, 95 Montague Road For the past 15 years Craig’s Doors has served our neighbors experiencing homelessness, providing a safe place to belong combined withe access to essential shelter, food, and support for thousands of people at the most vulnerable times of their lives. We’d love for you to join us as we celebrate this milestone and the community of supporters who have helped make our work possible. Light refreshments will be provided. . RSVP. In the event of a weather cancelation, notification will be sent be email to all those who have RSVP’s. The rain date is Wednesday, September 30.
THURSDAY SEPTEMBER 24: SENIOR SIPS AT BISTRO 63. 4 to 6 p.m., Bistro 63, 63 North Pleasant Street. Join us to connect with friends and neighbors 60+ in beautiful downtown Amherst. Snacks are provided. Attendees are responsible for their own beverages. Sponsored by Amherst Neighbors, Amherst Council on Aging, and the Friends of the Amherst Senior Center.
THURSDAY SEPTEMBER 24: HAMPSHIRE CAMPUS ZONING STUDY DESIGN WORKSHOP. 5:30 to 8:30 p.m., Eric Carle Museum, 125 West Bay Road. Join the Town of Amherst in-person for hands-on design workshop. A series of fun, interactive activities will help us refine ideas for how new zoning of the Hampshire Campus can support Amherst’s housing, economic, and community goals. This design workshop is an opportunity for community members to explore zoning scenarios and provide direct input on future Hampshire Campus Zoning. All are welcome! Register Here! This event is part 2 of a two-part series. The first event is a Listening Session on Tuesday, September 22. Participants are encouraged to attend both events if possible. Learn more and register for the first event. The Hampshire Campus Zoning Study seeks to gather property information and community input that will guide new zoning. The information gathered will provide an understanding of the areas that are developable, the capacity of infrastructure (i.e. water, sewer, roadways), housing market demands, opportunities for economic development, and community goals. It is important to note that Hampshire College owns the land and will be making its own decisions about the ultimate disposition of the property and the timeline for making those decisions. The Zoning Study is being conducted by a team of contracted experts who will assist the Town with gathering data, organizing information, hosting community engagement sessions, and sharing important updates throughout the process.
FRIDAY SEPTEMBER 25: OFFICE HOURS WITH REP. MINDY DOMB. 4 to 5 p.m., Amherst Town Hall, first floor, 4 Boltwood Avenue. This is an opportunity for constituents to speak to Rep. Domb and her team and to share concerns and thoughts on state legislation and to seek assistance. There is no need to schedule an appointment. Stop by anytime during the hour. If you are unable to attend at these times or if you have a time sensitive or private matter, Rep. Domb’s office can be reached via email at mindy.domb@mahouse.gov.
FRIDAY SEPTEMBER 25: OPEN MIC NIGHT AT TELL IT SLANT POETRY FESTIVAL FEATURING JOAQUIN ZIHUATANEJO. 7 p.m., hybrid program at the Emily Dickinson Museum, 220 Main Street. Bring your poems to Emily Dickinson’s garden! Readers will have 5 minutes each to make us feel “physically as if the top of [our] head[s] were taken off!” (Emily Dickinson to Thomas Wentworth Higginson, 16 August 1870). Open mic sign-ups are handled in advance via a Google Form, and selected readers will be notified. The last day to sign up will be September 13. All readers must be available to read in-person. Enter the reader lottery.
SATURDAY SEPTEMBER 26: FOUR TOWNS MEETING FOR THE REGIONAL SCHOOLS. 9 a.m., New Shutesbury Public Library, 66 Leverett Road. Regional Agreement Revision: Unlike traditional fall Four Towns meetings that focus strictly on upcoming budgets, this session will begin formal discussions on revising the regional agreement between Amherst, Leverett, Pelham, and Shutesbury. Changes to the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) funding formula have disallowed previous cost-increase guardrails, leading to significant assessment increases for smaller towns like Leverett and Pelham.
SATURDAY SEPTEMBER 26: SALSA IN THE PARK. 6 to 9:30 p.m., Mill River Recreation Area, 95 Montague Road. Get ready for Salsa in the Park! Join us under the pavilion for outdoor dancing, great music, and food. Rain or Shine! Hosted by: Salsa con Tacos Dance. Sponsored by: Amherst Recreation. Funded by: Amherst Cultural Council & Mass Cultural Council.Schedule:
6:00 PM – 7:00 PM: Free Salsa Rueda de Casino Lesson by Celadry
7:00 PM – 9:30 PM: Free Latin Dance Social (Salsa, Bachata, Merengue) with DJ Picu
SATURDAY SEPTEMBER 26: HEADLINER NIGHT AT TELL IT SLANT POETRY FESTIVAL. 7 p.m., hybrid program at the Emily Dickinson Museum, 220 Main Street. Join us on Emily Dickinson’s lawn or virtually for a celebration of creativity and poetry! Our headlining poets, Victoria Chang and Samyak Shertok will read from their work and discuss their poetic practice and inspiration. Q&A to follow. Registration required.
SUNDAY SEPTEMBER 27: CREATING TINY ART: HAIKU AND WATERCOLOR LANDSCAPE WORKSHOP. 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., Kestrel Headquarters, 37 Bay Road. Whether or not you have any experience with these creative expressions, join usfor a small-group Haiku poetry and watercolor landscape painting workshop to create miniature pieces of art inspired by nature. This event will be held at Kestrel Land Trust’s headquarters in Amherst, and co-led by Kristin DeBoer and Nancy Pick. Participants will create three or more tiny paintings and write some haikus. We will use Plum Brook Pond at Sweet Alice Conservation Area and the Mount Holyoke Range as our inspiration. Painting supplies and journals for writing will be provided. No experience necessary. Just bring your imagination and a creative spirit! Register here. Donation suggested.
SUNDAY SEPTEMBER 27: CASTING AWAY FEAR: BUILDING SHELTER FOR ALL: A NEW YEAR’S GATHERING FOR IMMIGRATION JUSTICE. 1:30 to 3:30 p.m., Groff Park Pavilion, Mill Lane.
As in past gatherings, we will include ritual, stories and songs that focus on immigration justice. The event will include a short walk to the Mill River for a Tashlich ceremony where we will cast away fear and commit ourselves to justice and building a welcoming community. We hope that many of you will consider joining us and inviting others you know who may be interested. Feel free to share the flyer below, attached in pdf and png versions. Registration is encouraged so we can get a sense of numbers, but not required. Register at tinyurl.com/tashlich-sukkot-gathering. This event is open to all who share our concerns about how our immigrant neighbors’ lives are being torn apart.
WEDNESDAY SEPTEMBER 30: ABRAHAM BURTON AND THE NORTHAMPTON JAZZ WORKSHOP. 7:30 p.m., The Drake, 44 North Pleasant Street. For the past three decades, world-renowned saxophonist and educator Abraham Burton has been a prominent figure on the jazz scene. He has been showcased as a soloist on two Grammy award winning albums. Cover $10 at the door, $5 for students. Jam session to follow the main set. See complete schedule here.
FRIDAY OCTOBER 2: OPENING RECEPTION, VARIATIONS/SENSATIONS ART EXHIBIT BY JANET W WINSTON. Gallery A3, 28 Amity Street. 5-7 p.m. Gallery hours: Thursday through Sunday 2 to 7 p.m.
TUESDAY OCTOBER 6: COME TOGETHER: BEATLES IMMERSIVE SING-ALONG BENEFIT. 7 p.m., The Drake, 44 North Pleasant Street. A fundraiser for Amherst Regional Performing Arts. 100% of proceeds support ARHS Performing Arts. Guided by ARHS vocal Maestro Todd Fruth, we’ll learn, practice and perform two epic Beatles songs in three-part harmony. All voices welcome. No experience required. All you need is Love. Chips and drinks and an intermission cookie sale. $20 donation suggested. See complete schedule here.
SUNDAY OCTOBER 11: APPLE HILL STRING QUARTET. 4 p.m., The Drake, 44 North Pleasant Street. Chamber at the Drake. Called “dashing and extraordinary” by The Strad Magazine, the Apple Hill String Quartet are the Artistic Directors and resident musicians at the Apple Hill Center for Chamber Music, winner of the CMAcclaim award from Chamber Music America. The Quartet serves as the Music Directors for Apple Hill’s Summer Chamber Music Workshop in Nelson, New Hampshire, cultivating connection and understanding among people of diverse backgrounds, cultures, playing levels, and ages through music performance and education centered around the values of acceptance, inclusivity, creative expression, and encouragement. Tickets $20 in advance, $25 at the door. See complete schedule here.
THURSDAY OCTOBER 15: THE FIRST AMENDMENT IS DANGEROUS: THAT IS WHY WE SHOULD SUPPORT IT. 7 p.m., North Amherst Library Meeting Room, 8 Montague Road. Austin Sarat, the William Nelson Cromwell Professor of Jurisprudence & Political Science at Amherst College, reviews the history and purposes of the first amendment and current threats to it.
THURSDAY OCTOBER 15: ART FORUM ONLINE WITH JANET W. WINSTON. 7:30 p.m. online. anet will present an Art Forum Online, at 7:30 pm, looking at variations in style, scale, and media over the years in the three themes she explores in the exhibit: butterflies, Mayan architecture (and other structural forms), and the landscape of Cape Cod. The program is supported in part by a grant from the Amherst Cultural Council, a local agency, which is supported by the Massachusetts Cultural Council, a state agency. In paintings and prints, Janet W. Winston revisits and reinterprets themes that have held great meaning for her over the years, with expressive variations depicting the Mayan ruins in the Mexican Yucatan, the fluttering movement of butterflies, and the rolling dunes of Cape Cod. A precision of line and a joyous profusion of color characterize all her work, but her artistic trajectory suggests an arc leaning towards abstraction. Register for the online event at www.gallerya3.com
FRIDAY OCTOBER 16: “FEED THE SPIRIT:” GALA CELEBRATING 50 YEARS OF COMMUNITY IMPACT OF THE AMHERST SURVIVAL CENTER. 6 to 9 p.m., UMass Student Union Ballroom. Feed the Spirit will bring together longtime supporters, community members, and civic leaders for an evening of gratitude and celebration. The event will honor the leaders who have guided the ASC’s growth while looking ahead to the future. Guests can expect food, cocktails, music, and community connection, along with a Fund-a-Need Appeal supporting the ASC’s programs, including the food pantry, community meals, free health clinic, and other essential resources for individuals and families in need. According to Executive Director Carleen Basler, “As federal policies increasingly restrict access to benefit programs and everyday costs continue to rise, the percentage of Massachusetts households relying on emergency food programs has jumped to 56%. We are delighted to mark this milestone anniversary for the Amherst Survival Center, but more than a celebration, this is a sober reminder that our work is even more critical today than when we began.” Since its founding in 1976, the Amherst Survival Center has grown into a vital community hub, offering food, health care, and essential resources to more than 13,000 neighbors each year. Feed the Spirit is an opportunity to reflect on the history, celebrate the legacy, and help ensure the ASC is able to continue fulfilling its mission for years to come.Tickets starting at $75 are available now at www.amherstsurvival.org/feedthespirit. Sponsorship opportunities are also available for community partners interested in supporting the event.
SUNDAY OCTOBER 18: HITCHCOCK HARVEST: CREATING COMMUNITY RESILIENCE. 3 to 6 p.m., Hitchcock Center, 845 West Street. Join us to support the Hitchcock Center. Enjoy a harvest meal, libations, music, silent auction, and community connection. Wander through interactive stations inspired by the petals of our Living Building—Place, Water, Energy, Health and Happiness, Materials, Equity and Beauty—and discover how the Hitchcock Center and other local businesses and innovators are shaping a hopeful resilient future. Also, help us celebrate PV Squared who we are recognizing with the Resilient Community Award. Tickets $60.
SATURDAY NOVEMBER 14: UMASS CHILLY CHALLENGE FOR A VIOLENCE-FREE COMMUNITY. 10: 30 a.m. to 12 p.m., Puffers Pond, State Street. Each fall we gather to plunge into chilly water to raise awareness & funds for critical services for survivors and a violence-free community. Whether you’re cheering from the shore, going all in, or anything in between, all are invited to join us! This year, we will be crowning two “Chilly Champions” for the people who raise the most funds and the most awareness (by getting others to sign up too). Champions will receive bragging rights and a special photo op. Learn more when you sign up! Warm drinks & chili are provided, along with a DJ, games, and a photo op in the Chilly Champion’s Ice Throne. Registration $10-$25 for students, $25-$100 for community members.
SUNDAY NOVEMBER 15: PICKLEBALL TOURNAMENT TO BENEFIT THE FRIENDS OF THE JONES LIBRARY. Hatfield Rally House, 255 West Street, North Hatfield. The Friends of the Jones Libraries is excited to host its third annual Pickleball Tournament. Proceeds of the Tournament support programs and services of the three branches of the Jones Library. This is This is a recreational friendly tournament, open to anyone 18 years or older, following USA Pickleball Rules (PDF). The Tournament is a Round Robin with up to 32 players per Session. In each Session there will be a 1st Place Prize Winner and a 2nd Place Prize Winner. Your player number will be drawn when you arrive to play. There are also free raffle prizes. Food and beverages will be provided. With 32 players, the games will be held on 8 indoor courts. Everyone will play a minimum of 7 rounds, each round with a different partner. You will have 12 minutes to play a game to 11 points (or more, if necessary, to win by two points). Once time is called, whichever side is ahead is the winner.
Session I
- Mixed Gender Intermediate, Level 3.0-3.4, 8:30 am – 10:45 am: The player has good mobility; good stamina; able to sustain medium length rallies; has some understanding of pickleball strategy; and successfully implements various shots.
Session II
- She/Her/They Advanced Intermediate, Level 3.5-3.9, 10:45 am – 1:00 pm: The player has very good pickleball footwork; very good mobility to cover the court; very good hand-eye coordination, as well as very good quickness for hands and feet; has command of many shots consistently; and is able to sustain medium to long rallies.
Session III
- Mixed Gender Intermediate, Level 3.0-3.4, 1:00 pm – 3:15 pm (limited to 16 players)
- He/Him/They Advanced Intermediate, Level 3.5-3.9, 1:00 pm – 3:15 pm (limited to 16 players): The player has very good pickleball footwork; very good mobility to cover the court; very good hand-eye coordination, as well as very good quickness for hands and feet; has command of many shots consistently; and is able to sustain medium to long rallies
Session IV
- She/Her/They Advanced Intermediate, Level 3.5-3.9, 3:15 pm – 5:30 pm (limited to 16 players)
- Mixed Gender Advanced, Level 4.0+, 3:15 pm – 5:30 pm (limited to 16 players): The player has excellent pickleball footwork, mobility, and hand-eye coordination, as well as quick hands and feet; has excellent stamina; understands and implements strategies at game speed; consistently employs all shots; and can sustain long rallies of varied pace.
Registration $60. Registration closes on October 31.
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
TUESDAYS, THURSDAYS, SATURDAYS, AND SUNDAYS: DROP IN PICKLEBALL. 8 a.m. to noon, Mill River Recreation Area, 95 Montague Road. Drop-in to play pickleball at Mill River Recreation Area. Nets are available on-site to put up and play! Free and open to the public. Sponsored by Amherst Recreation.
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 : CAFE. Bangs Community Center, Room 101, 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. Pastries provided generously by Atkins Farms Country Market. 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 Wednesdays, 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.
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.
EVERY FRIDAY IN JULY, BEGINNING JULY 10: SUMMER CONCERT SERIES. 5 to 8 p.m., Town Common. Kick off your weekends with live music on the Amherst Town Common! The Summer Music Concert Series returns Friday, July 10 and continues on July 17, 24, and 31 from 5–8 PM. Free and open to all, these concerts feature local and regional artists bringing the community together for music, dancing, and summer fun.
Bring your lawn chairs, picnic blankets, friends, and family, and enjoy a variety of live music performances under the summer sky. Free. Sponsored by the Amherst Business Improvement District.
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.
SUNDAYS SANDLOT BASEBALL. 4 to 6 p.m., Amherst Regional Middle School field, Chestnut Street. Get your bat, gum, and cleats ready to play some sandlot baseball! Every Sunday, from 4:00 PM – 6:00 PM, at the Amherst Middle School field you are invited to play with enthusiasts of the sport. Remember, this is for fun, open to all skills levels! $5 Drop-In Fee. Remember, this is for fun, open to all skills levels!
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 SEPTEMBER 13: 8TH ANNUAL FIVE COLLEGE NEW MUSIC FESTIVAL. Bezanson Recital Hall, UMass. This year’s festival, themed “Music Without Royalties,” will feature four free performances of new and recent works by 18 composers, performed by 38 musicians from the Five Colleges and beyond. The festival will include nine premieres and explore themes of power, politics and tyranny through works by composers including Berio, Davies and Schoenberg. Performances are scheduled for 7:30 p.m. Sept. 11, 2 and 7:30 p.m. Sept. 12, and 3 p.m. Sept. 13. For more information, visit https://www.5cnmf.org/
NOW THROUGH THE END OF SEPTEMBER: EXHIBIT BY LOCAL ARTIST AMY DAWN KOTEL Monday through Friday 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.,Town Hall, 4 Boltwood Avenue. Amy Dawn Kotel is a multidisciplinary artist whose creative path spans dance, puppetry, education, and fitness, all of which inform her vibrant fine art practice. Bursting with color, movement, and imagination, Kotel’s work invites viewers into richly layered worlds where countless forms converge to create expansive landscapes, dreamlike narratives, and unexpected connections. After years working in movement-based and community-centered arts, Kotel returned to visual art as a primary outlet, using drawing, painting, collage, and upcycled fabric sculpture to explore her inner world. Her work is characterized by bold color, dynamic movement, and intricate compositions built from small shapes that form larger images. Blending elements of nature, abstraction, and surrealism, her pieces often oscillate between expressing emotional depth and imagining beauty, inviting viewers into a space that is at once playful, heartfelt, and introspective. In addition to Kotel’s large art life, she is also a mom, wife, community organizer, tree hugger, and educator.
NOW THROUGH SUNDAY JANUARY 3: “MY BEAUTIFUL, PITIFUL AGE:” THE 20TH CENTURY THROUGH THE THOMAS P. WHITNEY COLLECTION. Mead Art Museum, Amherst College. The multipart exhibition at the Mead Art Museum and the Amherst Center for Russian Culture will offer the first in-depth exploration of the Thomas P. Whitney Collection of art and rare books. Exhibition materials will be shown in galleries in both locations throughout the 2026-2027 academic year: A graduate of Amherst College, Thomas P. Whitney (1917–2007, Class of 1937) worked as an economic analyst and then as a diplomat and journalist in Moscow from 1944 to 1953. Upon returning to the United States, he became known as an expert in Soviet affairs and a translator of Russian literature. Driven by a special interest in Russian-speaking networks of thought and visual art, he assembled a library of rare books, manuscripts, and periodicals that formed an intellectual whole with his art holdings. The literary materials established the Amherst Center for Russian Culture in 1991, followed a decade later by the gift to the Mead of approximately 700 artworks by over 160 artists from the Russian Empire and Soviet Union. Today, these holdings remain one of the most comprehensive North American collections of art and literary materials from that region. The art collection encompasses the late Russian Empire and the Soviet Union while tracing artists’ global trajectories across the territories of present-day Russia, Ukraine, Belarus, the Baltic states, Germany, France, the United Kingdom, the United States, and beyond. Holdings include Orthodox icons from various periods and regions, as well as the artwork of important late 19th- and early 20th-century figures like Léon Bakst, Alexandre Benois, and Nicholas Roerich; radical modernists including Vassily Kandinsky, Kazimir Malevich, Naum Gabo, Alexander Archipenko, Sonia Delaunay, Natalia Goncharova, Alexandra Exter; as well as major Soviet nonconformists like Vladimir Veisberg, Oskar Rabin, and Ülo Sooster. The collection combines paintings, drawings, prints, sculptures, rare books, and manuscripts, with a special focus on the dialogue between visual art and literature.
SEPTEMBER 17, 19, and 20. AUDITIONS FOR AMHERST COMMUNITY THEATER’S “FROZEN.” Visit www.amherstacts.org/auditions for an audition appointment. Disney’s stage adaptation of Frozen follows royal sisters Elsa and Anna in Arendelle. When Elsa’s ice powers spiral out of control during her coronation, she flees, plunging the kingdom into an eternal winter. Anna embarks on a quest with new friends to find her, emphasizing themes of sisterhood, self-acceptance, and modern emotional honesty over traditional fairy-tale romance. Actors, singers, and dancers ages 7-107 are encouraged to audition! For nine performances in January 2027.
MONDAY SEPTEMBER 21 THROUGH SUNDAY SEPTEMBER 27: EMILY DICKINSON POETRY MARATHON. Virtual and hybrid program at the Emily Dickinson Museum, 220 Main Street. Part of the 2026 Tell It Slant Poetry Festival. Come read with us and join in for the week-long Emily Dickinson Poetry Marathon! An Emily Dickinson Museum tradition, the Marathon is a group reading of all 1,789 poems by Emily Dickinson over the course of 7 sessions. For this year’s hybrid Festival, some sessions will take place in-person and others online. For the Marathon, we will be reading from Ralph Franklin’s The Poems of Emily Dickinson: Reading Edition. Register for the festival here.
THURSDAY OCTOBER 1 THROUGH SATURDAY OCTOBER 31: VARIATIONS/SENSATIONS ART EXHIBIT BY JANET W WINSTON. Gallery A3, 28 Amity Street. Gallery hours: Thursday through Sunday 2 to 7 p.m. Opening reception Saturday, October 2, 5 to 7 p.m. In paintings and prints, Janet W. Winston revisits and reinterprets themes that have held great meaning for her over the years, with expressive variations depicting the Mayan ruins in the Mexican Yucatan, the fluttering movement of butterflies, and the rolling dunes of Cape Cod. A precision of line and a joyous profusion of color characterize all her work, but her artistic trajectory suggests an arc leaning towards abstraction. “My inspiration comes from nature, from the smallest of delicate butterflies to rolling sandy dunes or distant mountains in dry hot climates where colors change from whiter light to dark-colored shadow,” Janet explains. Her particular interest in butterflies comes from a stint as a scientific illustrator in Entomology and what she describes as “a magical trip to the wintering sites of the Monarch butterflies in central Mexico.” The architectural geometry of the ancient Mayan ruins in the Yucatan also intrigued her, appearing in early large paintings as well as later, smaller prints.