What’s Happening in Amherst?

by Art and Maura Keene

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

SINGLE DAY EVENTS (more or less)

SATURDAY JUNE 28: BURN THE JUKEBOX. 8 p.m., The Drake, 44 North Pleasant Street. Partnered with Live Nation, the band embarked on their first headlining national tour in 2024, performing at legendary venues. They recently opened for the Struts in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, captivating fans with a dynamic performance that showcased their evolving sound. Tickets $20 in advance, $25 at the door.

SATURDAY JUNE 28: SPEAKEASY FUNDRAISER. 6 to 9 p.m., Amherst Woman’s Club, 35 Triangle Street. The Amherst Woman’s Club is sponsoring a 1920’s speakeasy-themed fundraiser open to the public with registration. Guests will enter through a secret side door using a password. Wine and appetizers will be served. Period dress is encouraged. Ask Me Now, a local jazz band will perform. Half of the money raised will go to community organizations and the rest to help maintain the historic clubhouse.

SUNDAY JUNE 29: THE SURFRAJETTES. 8 p.m., The Drake, 44 North Pleasant Street. When not on tour, this quartet  from Toronto is busy woodshedding in their secret beach hut, sewing new miniskirts, debating vintage gear, and daydreaming about performing in a Quentin Tarantino movie. The band achieved viral online notoriety from their home-made performance videos. Tickets $20 in advance, $25 at the door.

MONDAY JUNE 30: CHARTER REVIEW LISTENING SESSION. 7 p.m., Bang’s Center Large Activity Room, 70 Boltwood Walk. The Charter has been in place for several years, enough time for town residents to have seen how this system of government operates.  Is it working? How can it be improved? Has it lived up to the values that its proponents said it embodied: citizen participation, “representativeness” (demographics and interests); effective, deliberative, and efficient structures; accountability and transparency; a clear voice for Amherst; avoidance of big-money politics; a culture of tolerance and respect; strategic and long-term planning? If not, what changes are needed? The committee has scheduled two more sessions: Tuesday July 8 is a zoom-based meeting, and the last in-person session will be on Wednesday, July 23 at 7 pm at the Bangs Center Large Activity Room.

THURSDAY JULY 3: TOWN OF AMHERST FIREWORKS AND INDEPENDENCE DAY CELEBRATION. 5:30 p.m. onward at McGurik Stadium south lawn at UMass. This free event features dazzling fireworks, live entertainment, tasty food vendors, and a range of family-friendly activities. View all the details including parking info at www.amherstma.gov/fireworks and in the Indy. Festivities begin at 5:30 p.m., offering ample time for food, fun, and socializing before the fireworks display lights up the night sky at dark. Food, beverages, and novelty items will be available for purchase. Attendees are encouraged to bring blankets and chairs. Restrooms will be conveniently available on site. 

THURSDAY JULY 3: SUNSET MUSIC SERIES AT THE ERIC CARLE MUSEUM: BEN MALNYOSK PLUS 2. 5 to 8 p.m., Eric Carle Museum of Picture Book Art, 125 West Bay Road. The Eric Carle Museum of Picture Book Art announced its new Sunset Thursdays series, a collaboration with the Northampton Jazz Festival. Guests are encouraged to bring blankets, lawn chairs, and picnic dinners. For a full list of performers and for more information about Sunset Thursdays and other summer programming at the Eric Carle Museum, visit carlemuseum.org/visit/events/summer-carle. The concerts are free.

SATURDAY JULY 5: READING FREDERICK DOUGLASS TOGETHER: “WHAT TO THE SLAVE IS THE FOURTH OF JULY?” 3 p.m., South Congregational Church, 1066 South East Street. The Town of Amherst will sponsor the Reading Frederick Douglas Together event that will take place on July 5 at 3 p.m. in the South Congregational Church. During the event, community volunteers will read portions of Douglass’s 1852 “What to the Slave is the Fourth of July?” speech, followed by small group discussions and refreshments. All are welcome to join in this important community gathering! Parking will be available in the South Congregational Church lot and in the lot on the South Amherst Common. Free transportation to the event will be provided by the Town of Amherst. 

TUESDAY JULY 8: CHARTER REVIEW LISTENING SESSION. 7 p.m. on Zoom. The Charter has been in place for several years, enough time for town residents to have seen how this system of government operates.  Is it working? How can it be improved? Has it lived up to the values that its proponents said it embodied: citizen participation, “representativeness” (demographics and interests); effective, deliberative, and efficient structures; accountability and transparency; a clear voice for Amherst; avoidance of big-money politics; a culture of tolerance and respect; strategic and long-term planning? If not, what changes are needed? Zoom link to be posted on here.

THURSDAY JULY 10: SUNSET MUSIC SERIES AT THE ERIC CARLE MUSEUM: RYAN HOLLANDER AND ALLAN BEZAMA. 5 to 8 p.m., Eric Carle Museum of Picture Book Art, 125 West Bay Road. The Eric Carle Museum of Picture Book Art announced its new Sunset Thursdays series, a collaboration with the Northampton Jazz Festival. Guests are encouraged to bring blankets, lawn chairs, and picnic dinners. For a full list of performers and for more information about Sunset Thursdays and other summer programming at the Eric Carle Museum, visit carlemuseum.org/visit/events/summer-carle. The concerts are free.

FRIDAY JULY 11: SUMMER MUSIC CONCERT SERIES: TRIPLE FEATURE WITH LEFEVER, LONESOME BROTHERS, AND BR413.  5 to 8 p.m., Town Common. The Amherst Business Improvement District (BID) is proud to announce the 2025 summer music series line-up. Support local shops, retail, and experiences and enjoy a taste of our global gastronomy by sitting down to dinner al fresco or getting your favorite meal to-go and bringing it to The Common to enjoy. In addition, local beer, wine, and cider will be sold to patrons 21+ and non-alcoholic beverages will be available.

FRIDAY JULY 18: SUMMER MUSIC CONCERT SERIES: THE GEMS TONES AND MASALA JAZZ. 5 to 8 p.m., Town Common. The Amherst Business Improvement District (BID) is proud to announce the 2025 summer music series line-up. Support local shops, retail, and experiences and enjoy a taste of our global gastronomy by sitting down to dinner al fresco or getting your favorite meal to-go and bringing it to The Common to enjoy. In addition, local beer, wine, and cider will be sold to patrons 21+ and non-alcoholic beverages will be available.

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

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

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

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

ONGOING AND MULTI-DAY EVENTS

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

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

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

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

SECOND TUESDAY OF EACH MONTH: ARTIST SOCIAL AND CRITIQUE. 6 to 8 p.m., Local Art Gallery, Mill District, 91 Cowls Road. All local artists, both beginners and established, are invited to attend our Artist Social and Critique that meets every 2nd Thursday of the month in The Local Art Gallery from 6-8pm. Help us create a safe space for a supportive and constructive artistic feedback while expanding your connections to other artists. Artist social time from 6 to 6:30 p.m., Artist critique from 6:30 to 8 p.m. Share digital images by emailing to gallery@cowls.com in advance. For information, contact Shannon Borrell at gallery@cowls.com or 413-835-0966.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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


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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

NOW THROUGH JUNE 30: PAINTINGS BY LOCAL ARTIST CELESTE SZE. Town Hall Art Gallery, 4 Boltwood Avenue. 8 a.m. – 4 :30 p.m. M-F. Focusing on themes of Native American and the American West.

NOW THROUGH SUNDAY JULY 13: YIDSTOCK: THE FESTIVAL OF NEW YIDDISH MUSIC. Yiddish Book Center, 1021 West Street. Concerts feature: The Klezmatics, Thursday July 10 at 7:30 p.m. (sold out); Eleanor Reissa, Friday, July 11 at 2 p.m.; ReynHartsik (Yoshie Fruchter and R. Deborah Sacks Mintz, Friday, July 11 at 5 p.m.; Michael Winograd Plays TANZ, Saturday, July 12 at 8 p.m.; Two Strings with Jake Shulman-Ment & Abigale Reisman, Sunday July 13 at 12 p.m.; Joanne Borts: Lush & Hora, Sunday, July 13 at 3 p.m.; and The Great Yiddish-American Songbook with Frank London’s Yinglish Orchestra and Singers, Sunday July 13 at 7:30 p.m. Purchase in person tickets here.  Livestream pass also available.

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

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