What’s Happening in Amherst?
Photo: Shutterstock
by Art and Maura Keene
You can help us make our events calendar more comprehensive by sending us your listings and including contact information and/or a link for more information. Send events listings to amherstindy@gmail.com.
SINGLE DAY EVENTS
SATURDAY FEBRUARY 14 THROUGH SATURDAY FEBRUARY 21: WINTERFEST. Join us for this weeklong celebration on February 14 through February 21. Amherst Recreation, in collaboration with many community partners, will host a variety of free and affordable events for residents and visitors of all ages to embrace the winter season.
SATURDAY FEBRUARY 14: CHOCOLATE FESTIVAL AT PROVISIONS. 1 to 4 p.m., Provisions in the Mill District, 65 Cowls Road. Join us at Provisions Mill District on Valentine’s Day for our first Chocolate Festival! Spend the afternoon before your dinner reservation with us, sampling all different kinds of chocolate.
We’ll also have some mind-blowing beverage pairings for you to try. This festival is sure to be something sweet to do with your sweetheart! You may also like the following events from The Mill District: Next Wednesday, 18th February, 06:00 pm, A Trip to the Alps: Fondue and Alpine Beverages @ Provisions in The Mill District in Amherst
SATURDAY FEBRUARY 14: LOVE IS IN THE AIR FAMILY DANCE PARTY. 3 to 4:30 p.m., Center Dance, 321 Main Street. This open-house–style event is perfect for little movers and their grown-ups—come for the whole time or just stop by when it works for you. Dance together to great music, make a Valentine to take home, and snack on sweet treats. This event is free and open to all, with optional donations welcome to help cover snacks and art materials. Come spread the love, move your body, and celebrate winter with us! Free.
SATURDAY FEBRUARY 14: HEATED RIVALRY DANCE PARTY. 8 p.m., The Drake, 44 North Pleasant Street. Come dance to our favorite songs from the show reworked for the floor alongside timeless gay anthems. Tickets $25. !8 and over event.
SUNDAY FEBRUARY 15: BOOK TALK: MAKING AND UNMAKING LITERATURE IN THE WARSAW, LODZ, AND VILNA GHETTOS. 2 p.m., Yiddish Book Center, 1021 West Street and on Zoom. conversation with Professor Sven-Erik Rose on his new book, Making and Unmaking Literature in the Warsaw, Lodz, and Vilna Ghettos. The book is the first study devoted to how little-known but essential authors grappled with the destitution of ghetto existence by writing within, at the limits of, and against an array of literary scenarios, tropes, plot lines, and generic conventions, including those of nature lyric, modernist interior monologue, the realist social novel, the detective story, and the gothic horror tale. Rose’s readings of these literary works reveal how authors asserted their humanity by insisting on writing works of literature. Professor Rose will be joined by Hannah Pollin-Galay, (Pen Tishkach Chair of Holocaust Studies and director of the Institute for Holocaust, Genocide, and Memory Studies, UMass, Amherst), and David Mazower, the Yiddish Book Center’s research bibliographer and editorial director. Free. Registration required.
MONDAY FEBRUARY 16: TINY TUTTI CONCERT. 10:30 to 11:30 a.m., Munson Memorial Library, 1046 South East Street. Jones Library and Amherst Recreation are pleased to present Tiny Tutti! Tiny Tutti, created by singer-songwriter and educator Tutti Druyan, offers interactive children’s music experiences focused on kindness, curiosity, and belonging. Through original music, stories, and engaging content designed for young children, we will explore early learning concepts in a supportive, nurturing environment. This program is recommended for ages 0-6. This program is supported in part by a grant from the Amherst Cultural Council, a local agency that is supported by the Mass Cultural Council, a state agency.
MONDAY FEBRUARY 16: DR. ROSIE HELPS THE ANIMALS: INTERACTIVE READING AND STUFFY VET CLINIC. 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m., Munson Memorial Library, 1046 South East Street. Join the author of the STEM picture book Dr. Rosie Helps the Animals for a special interactive reading. Author Jennifer Welborn will share the real-life veterinary secrets behind the story, bringing the world of animal medicine to life for young readers. After the story, kids (ages 4–8) become “vets-in-training” at our Stuffy Vet Clinic. Bring your favorite stuffed animal from home and use a mini vet kit to diagnose and “treat” your patient. It’s a hands-on STEM experience where every child learns how to care for the animals they love. FREE.
TUESDAY FEBRUARY 17: LITTLE BEAR NATURE WALK WITH THE HITCHCOCK CENTER. 10 to 11:15 a.m., Mill River Recreation Area, 95 Montague Road. Join Chrissy Larson, Hitchcock Center preschool educator, on a Little Bear Nature Walk! Little Bear Walks are a way for toddlers, preschoolers and their caregivers to explore nature in an age-appropriate way. During the walk, children borrow a backpack containing simple exploration tools. Chrissy will guide children to explore the winter woods, incorporating observation, inquiry, and sensory learning, imagination and play. Pre-registration is required, as supplies are limited. Register Here! FREE.
WEDNESDAY FEBRUARY 18: ICE AGE CREATURES AND MORE. 10 to 11 a.m., Beneski Museum of Natural History, Amherst College. Journey through time at the Beneski Museum of Natural History this WinterFest. Families will have the opportunity to walk in the footsteps of dinosaurs, discover fascinating facts about Ice Age mammals, and participate in interactive activities and crafts.
WEDNESDAY FEBRUARY 18: BLACK IS BEAUTIFUL: THE KWAME BRAITHWAITE STORY. 7 p.m., Amherst Cinema, 28 Amity Street. Photographer Kwame Braithwaite used his art as activism to capture the joy of Black American life, documenting jazz musicians, celebrities, everyday Harlem scenes, and more, while popularizing the phrase “Black is Beautiful, amplifying the movement that redefined Black pride. Post film discussion with Executive Producer Kwame S. Braithwaite and Billy McBride, Associate Athletic Director and Director of DEI at Amherst College. Free. Tickets available at the Amherst Cinema box office.
THURSDAY FEBRUARY 19: “A VOICE FROM THE ‘PRESENT PAST’: W.E.B. DU BOIS AND HIS LESSONS FOR OUR TIME:” A SPECIAL LECTURE BY PROFESSOR WHITNEY BATTLE-BAPTISTE. Noon to 1 p.m., W.E.B. DuBois Library, Room 2220, UMass and on Zoom. Dr. Du Bois has left us, but he has not died. The spirit of freedom is not buried in the grave of the valiant.” So said Martin Luther King Jr. on what would have been W. E. B. Du Bois’s 100th birthday. The spirit of Du Bois has given strength and purpose to scholars and advocates for social justice since his passing in 1963. His written work continues to inspire readers seeking a deeper understanding of the troubled history of race in this country. It also provides intellectual and philosophical frameworks for understanding global affairs and the continued international struggle for equality. Du Bois’s life as an activist continues to provide a shining example for those struggling for justice in our own time. This talk will describe how and why Du Bois remains such an important voice, despite being dead for over sixty years. It will explore the ways his life and words can help us find a way through our current moment of uncertainty and unrest. It will describe the work that is being done to promote and preserve his incredible legacy in places like Ghana, New York, Great Barrington, and right here at UMass Amherst. RSVP here. Livestream link. Free.
THURSDAY FEBRUARY 19: “JOE THE PRESSMAN: THE INCREDIBLE TRUE STORY OF AN ENSLAVED AFRICAN BOY WHO BECAME A HEROIC FREEDOM FIGHTER.” 5 to 7 p.m., 472 North Pleasant Street. The Slavery North Initiative at UMass will host a book launch for “Joe the Pressman: The Incredible True Story of an Enslaved African Boy Who Became a Heroic Freedom Fighter.” Authored by Charmaine A. Nelson, founding director of Slavery North and provost professor of art history at UMass Amherst, the children’s book explores the history of slavery in Canada. “Joe the Pressman” (Black Maple Magazine Publishing, January 2026) recounts the life of an African boy enslaved in the Caribbean, Philadelphia and Quebec City, where he worked as a pressman for the Quebec Gazette. Historical records document his repeated escape attempts and resistance to enslavement. “To date, Joe is the most outwardly resistant enslaved person known in Canadian history! His resistance forced the printer, William Brown, to document his existence across five fugitive slave advertisements and nine years of Joe’s life,” Nelson notes. “Today, we can speak Joe’s name because he refused to submit to slavery.”
MONDAY FEBRUARY 19: OPENING RECEPTION: THE PEACE BIRDS PROJECT. 5 to 7 p.m., Frost Library, Amherst College. Enjoy an evening of art, music, refreshments, poetry readings, and paper-folding demos at an opening reception for the Peace Birds Project, an evolving community installation made with many, many hands and hearts. Organized by JuPong Lin and Mona Shiber.
THURSDAY FEBRUARY 19: SUNNY JAIN’S WILD WILD EAST. 8 p.m., The Drake, 44 North Pleasant Street. You know Sunny Jain as the founder and leader of the unruly, oversized, genre-mashing, and always infectiously fun, Brooklyn-based band Red Baraat. Like Red Baraat, Wild Wild East draws from Jain’s identity as a first-generation South Asian American and as a global musician. Jain’s music with this project taps his family’s immigration story and his far-reaching musical roots. And it finds Jain recasting the immigrant — steeped in the courage to leave a familiar homeland for a new beginning — as the modern-day cowboy and cowgirl. Jain sources musical inspiration from the scores of Bollywood classics and Spaghetti Westerns, Indian folk traditions, jazz improvisation, and rollicking psychedelic and surf guitar styles. Tickets $35, $20 for students. Full calendar of events here.
FRIDAY FEBRUARY 20: LITTLE BEAR NATURE WALK WITH THE HITCHCOCK CENTER. 10 to 11:15 a.m., Mill River Recreation Area, 95 Montague Road. Join Chrissy Larson, Hitchcock Center preschool educator, on a Little Bear Nature Walk! Little Bear Walks are a way for toddlers, preschoolers and their caregivers to explore nature in an age-appropriate way. During the walk, children borrow a backpack containing simple exploration tools. Chrissy will guide children to explore the winter woods, incorporating observation, inquiry, and sensory learning, imagination and play. Pre-registration is required, as supplies are limited. Register here! FREE.
SATURDAY FEBRUARY 21: SIXTH ANNUAL FIRE AND ICE WINTER FESTIVAL. 3 to 6 p.m. The culminating event to Amherst’s week-long Winter Fest 2026. Experience the beauty of ice sculptures and luminaria. Sponsored by Amherst BID, Amherst College, and Amherst Recreation.
SATURDAY FEBRUARY 21: THIRD ANNUAL W.E.B. DU BOIS POETRY SLAM. 5 to 8 p.m., Furcolo Hall, UMass. Join us for the third annual W. E. B. Du Bois Poetry Slam, part of the Black Artistic Freedom Conference 2026. RSVP here.
TUESDAY FEBRUARY 24: OFFICE HOURS WITH REPRESENTATIVE MINDY DOMB. 12:30 to 1:30 p.m., Amherst Survival Center, 138 Sunderland Road. This is an opportunity for constituents of the Third Hampshire District to speak to the Representative and her team and to share concerns and thoughts on state legislation, and to seek assistance. There is no need to schedule an appointment; constituents can stop by anytime during the hour to speak to Representative Domb or a member of her staff. If this is an urgent matter, please do not wait for office hours; you may want to call (413) 335-1362 or (617) 722-2060. If you are unable to attend at these times or if you have a time-sensitive or private matter, Representative Domb’s office can be reached via email at mindy.domb@mahouse.gov or via phone at (413)335-1362 or (617) 722-2060. Please include your name, address, and contact information when reaching out to the office.
TUESDAY FEBRUARY 24: DISCUSSION OF THE VOICE OF HIND RAJAB. 7 p.m. on Zoom. Western Mass Jewish Voice for Peace (JVP). Is sponsoring free tickets for community members and local organizers to see The Voice of Hind Rajab now showing at Amherst Cinema. See the film now through February 19, then join JVP for an on-line discussion. Reserve a ticket for the film and find a showtime that works for you. Find a free ticket.
WEDNESDAY FEBRUARY 25: EMPOWERING YOUTH! THE GAME OF REAL LIFE. 1:45 to 3:30 p.m., Large Activity Room, Bangs Community Center, 70 Boltwood Walk. Designed for middle and high school students, this interactive session aims to assist students in career exploration, life management, and financial literacy. This event is part of the Youth Empowerment Programming led by the Town of Amherst Department of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion. Inspired by the classic “Game of Life” board game, participants will be assigned a career, face unexpected life challenges, and develop essential financial skills to manage their money. Students will learn to plan a budget, understand banking, manage debt, and handle taxes — empowering them for a successful future! Food and refreshments will be provided. Registration is strongly encouraged. Register here.
WEDNESDAY FEBRUARY 25: CHRIS SMALLS LECTURE – “FROM AMAZON TO GAZA: ORGANIZING, SOLIDARITY AND CIVIC COURAGE”. 7:00 to 8:30 p.m. in the Great Hall of Old Chapel on the UMass Campus.
Smalls is the The Ellsberg Initiative for Peace and Democracy Activist-in-Residence for 2026. More info
WEDNESDAY FEBRUARY 25: HOUSTON PERSON AND THE NORTHAMPTON JAZZ WORKSHOP. 7:30 p.m., The Drake, 44 North Pleasant Street. With his robust sound and swinging style, tenor saxophonist Houston Person has kept the hard bop and organ-soaked soul-jazz traditions alive. Featured set at 7:30, followed by a jazz jam session. Bring your axe to sit in! Cover $10, $5 for students. Full calendar of events here.
THURSDAY FEBRUARY 26: BECOMING A BELOVED COMMUNITY. 5:30 to 8 p.m., Large Activity Room, Bangs Community Center, 70 Boltwood Walk. Help shape the future of Amherst! Join the Town of Amherst Department of Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion (DEI) for a community conversation with their partners at Community Heart & Soul. Community Heart & Soul is a resident-driven process that invites people from across Amherst to share what they love most about their community, envision the future they want, and explore how to get there — together. Community Heart & Soul brings the community together to reflect on what matters most to them. Through guided conversation, participants help shape a collective vision that informs future planning and community development. All individuals, organizations, and businesses are welcome to participate and help shape Amherst’s future. A meal will be provided. Please register for the event so we can plan accordingly. Register here. Free and open to the public.
THURSDAY FEBRUARY 26: HEAT PUMP INFORMATION PROGRAM. 6:30 to 8 p.m. on Zoom. Join this virtual information session to learn more about the Amherst Heat Pump Incentive Program! The Amherst Heat Pump Incentive Program provides financial assistance, expert guidance, and education to help homeowners install energy-efficient heat pump systems which provide clean heating and cooling. Heat pumps are a cost-effective and environmentally friendly alternative to traditional heating and cooling systems. Eligible homeowners can receive up to $3,500 in financial incentives to offset the cost of installation. This information session will be facilitated by representatives from our partners at CET who will explain the benefits of heat pumps, the Town’s financial incentives, and how the program works. We’ll also hear testimony directly from a resident who recently participated in this program! There will be a Q&A session at the end of the presentation.
FRIDAY FEBRUARY 27: OFFICE HOURS WITH REPRESENTATIVE MINDY DOMB. 4 to 5 p.m., Town Hall, First floor, 4 Boltwood Avenue. This is an opportunity for constituents of the Third Hampshire District to speak to the Representative and her team and to share concerns and thoughts on state legislation, and to seek assistance. There is no need to schedule an appointment; constituents can stop by anytime during the hour to speak to Representative Domb or a member of her staff. If this is an urgent matter, please do not wait for office hours. You may want to call (413) 335-1362 or (617) 722-2060. If you are unable to attend at these times or if you have a time-sensitive or private matter, Representative Domb’s office can be reached via email at mindy.domb@mahouse.gov or via phone at (413)335-1362 or (617) 722-2060. Please include your name, address, and contact information when reaching out to the office.
FRIDAY FEBRUARY 27: PAUL TAYLOR DANCE COMPANY. 8 p.m., Frederick Tillis Performance Hall, UMass. The Paul Taylor Dance Company has been a presence in Fine Arts Center seasons since 1978. One of the most revered and dynamic ensembles in modern dance, the company has been innovating and transforming dance since 1954. With a history of multidisciplinary collaborations, passionate expression, and thrilling athleticism, the company continues boldly into the future under Artistic Director Michael Novak. For this performance, the company will bring us a classic work by its founder, Speaking in Tongues (1988) along with How Love Sounds, a 2025 commission by Hope Boykin, who currently serves as artistic advisor for art education at the Kennedy Center and whose celebrated career as a dancer included Complexions Contemporary Ballet, Philadanco, and the Alvin Ailey Dance Theater. Tickets start at $40, Students $20.
THURSDAY MARCH 5: CARLE AFTER DARK: SPLASHES AND SPELLS. 4 to 8 p.m., Eric Carle Museum of Picturebook Art, 125 West Bay Road. As part of The Carle After Dark series, join us for an evening of live music with Rob Fontana and Vernon David, color mixing, potions, and alchemy-inspired creations. Free with museum admission.
SATURDAY MARCH 7: PETER BERNSTEIN QUARTET. 8 p.m., The Drake, 44 North Pleasant Street. Peter Bernstein has been playing and recording since 1990. His recordings have featured musicians such as Brad Mehldau, Christian McBride, Greg Hutchinson, Jimmy Cobb, Bill Stewart, Larry Grenadier, Gerald Clayton, Sullivan Fortner, Peter Washington, Doug Weiss, and Joe Farnsworth, among other. His latest recording is “Better Angels” and features Brad Mehldau, Vincente Archer, and Al Foster. He is appearing at the Drake as part of the Northampton Jazz Festival with Aaron Goldberg, Vincent Archer, and Joe Farnsworth. Tickets $30 in advance, $35 at the door. Full calendar of events here.
MONDAY MARCH 9: “BELFAST, MAINE:” A DOCUMENTARY DIRECTED BY FREDERICK WISEMAN. 6:30 p.m. March 9 and 11 a.m. Saturday, March 14, Amherst Cinema, 28 Amity Street. BELFAST, MAINE is a film about ordinary experience in a beautiful old New England port city. It is a portrait of daily life with particular
emphasis on the work and the cultural life of the community. New 4K
restoration. This Spring the Amherst Cinema will present four films by one of the most respected and influential documentarians in film history. Tickets $12.25.
SATURDAY MARCH 14: “BELFAST, MAINE:” A DOCUMENTARY DIRECTED BY FREDERICK WISEMAN. 11 a.m., Amherst Cinema, 28 Amity Street. BELFAST, MAINE is a film about ordinary experience in a beautiful old New England port city. It is a portrait of daily life with particular emphasis on the work and the cultural life of the community. New 4K restoration. This Spring the Amherst Cinema will present four films by one of the most respected and influential documentarians in film history. Tickets $12.25.
ONGOING AND MULTI-DAY EVENTS
EVERY MONDAY EXCEPT HOLIDAYS: AUTOHARP WORKSHOPS. 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., Senior Center, Bangs Center, 70 Boltwood Walk. Join Marie Hartwell-Walker and autoharp players throughout the country who participate on Zoom. Participants on Zoom also welcome.
EVERY TUESDAY: RACIAL JUSTICE VIGIL We Stand for Peace and Justice Amherst. 4-4:30 p.m. in the center of town in front of the Bank of America Building (1 S. Pleasant St.) Join Amherst community members from various affiliations, who come together every Tuesday to stand out in downtown Amherst for social justice, peace, and in support of our immigrants neighbors in danger. We often sing while standing together, accompanied by a guitar or drum. More info
FIRST TUESDAY OF EVERY MONTH: COUNCIL ON AGING SENIOR LUNCH. Noon. Bangs Center, 70 Boltwood Walk.
FIRST TUESDAY OF EVERY MONTH. RAINBOW COFFEE HOUR. 9:30-11 a.m. Amherst Senior Center, Bangs Center, 70 Boltwood Walk. The Rainbow Coffee Hour is a LGBTIA+ social coffee group for ages 50 and above. Join us for this welcoming space to socialize. No format, no agenda, just community. More information
SUNDAYS AND TUESDAYS FEBRUARY 1-17: THE BEFORE TRILOGY. 1:30 p.m. Sunday February 1, 8, and 15 and 7p.m. Tuesday February 3, 10, and 17, Amherst Cinema, 28 Amity Street. Follow Jesse and Celine as they meet on a train and spend a night wandering the city in Vienna, then reconnect nine years later in Paris, and finally as a married couple on vacation in Greece. Richard Linklater’s marvelous trilogy: “Before Sunrise,” “Before Sunset,” and “Before Midnight” starring Ethan Hawke and Julie Delpy. Tickets.
EVERY WEDNESDAY : CAFE. Bangs Community Center, 70 Boltwood Walk. 10 a.m. – 12 p.m. Are you or a loved one experiencing memory loss? At the Amherst Senior Center, we understand memory changes and have developed a new program based on the popular Memory Café format. Our Café offers fun, relaxation, and of course, snacks. This program is perfect for caregivers, people with mild memory loss, or anyone in the community who enjoys good conversation and strong coffee. Each Café opens with a coffee and conversation hour, followed by a group activity. Join us on Wednesday, November 30th for a performance by our special musical guests, “Healing Hearts with Harmony” at 11:00am. Come for the coffee, stay for the connections! Email seniorcenter@amherstma.gov or call 413-259-3060 with questions.
EVERY WEDNESDAY: WEEKLY WEDNESDAY MARKET. 10 to 11:30 a.m., Bangs Community Center, 70 Boltwood Walk. Since its launch in May 2024, the Wednesday Market has served over 700 community members. The Market is open to all, and there’s no registration and no questions asked. Just come and enjoy. We distribute fresh produce, dairy, prepared food, and delicious treats.
EVERY WEDNESDAY: BEGINNER BIRDING. 9:00-9:30 a.m. Notch Visitor Center, 1500 West Street. For ages 12 and up. An easy, level, 1/4-mile guided hike to discover more about birds: their behaviors, needs, habitats and significance. Listen, observe, sketch, photo or journal. Free
EVERY WEDNESDAY IN FEBRUARY AND MARCH: SOUTH CHURCH SUPPER AND CALMING, CANDLELIGHT MUSICAL SERVICE. 5:30 p.m. supper, 6 to 6:30 p.m. service, South Church, 1066 South East Street. South Church is offering a special series of community suppers and calming, candlelit, musical services every Wednesday in February and March. You can come for just the supper, just the service, or both! 5:30 p.m.: A friendly community supper with soup, salad, and bread fresh from the famous South Church kitchen. Vegetarian & gluten-free options, donation optional. RSVP’s for supper appreciated but not required, email office@amherstsouthchurch.org .6:00–6:30 p.m.: Calming, candlelit, musical service based on the practices of the Taizé Community in France, including live music, prayer, and time for quiet reflection. It’s like yoga for the soul! The Taizé Community was formed to promote peace and understanding
after WWII. All are welcome.
LAST WEDNESDAY OF EVERY MONTH (EXCLUDING JULY AND JANUARY): NORTHAMPTON JAZZ WORKSHOP. The Drake. 44 North Pleasant Street. 7:30 p.m. Free (donations accepted). Featuring the Green Street trio with a special guest. Featured set at 7:30 followed by an open jam session. Bring your axe. Full calendar of events here.
LAST WEDNESDAY OF EVERY MONTH: CRAFT AND CONVERSE. Mill District General Store and Local Art Gallery, 91 Cowls Road. 6:30 p.m.-8 p.m. Are you tired of creating in solitude? Looking to connect with other artistic individuals? Grab your sketchbook, knitting bag, or water color gear and join our monthly coworking group! Craft and converse, hosted by Easthampton artist Kaia Zimmerman, is held the last Wednesday of every month from 6:30 to 8:00 p.m. This welcoming, intentional space is designed for community members to come together for a casual, social evening while pursuing their own creative projects. Drop-ins welcome, but registration encouraged for any weather-related changes in schedule. Bring your own arts or crafts project (BYOA) to work on. Ages 16+.
EVERY THURSDAY: STITCH CIRCLE. 4 to 6 p.m. Mill District Local Art Gallery and General Store, 91 Cowls Road. Grab your needles, venture to the General Store, and join us for our first Stitch Circle. Knitters, quilters, embroidery artists, and crocheters are all invited. Free.
FIRST AND THIRD FRIDAY OF EVERY MONTH: VETERAN’S COMMUNITY BREAKFAST FOR ALL -8 a.m – 9 a.m. Large Activity Room, Bangs Center, 70 Boltwood Walk. At each breakfast (bagel/donut/coffee), a veteran or veteran ally, will tell his or her personal story regarding military service. Generation after generation reveals that those going to war to defend our country come back spiritually and morally wounded, regardless of the bodily consequences of combat. We want to bring veterans together for food and friendship to help coalesce a spirit of camaraderie to enable authentic, veteran-oriented communities to flourish. WELCOME: Veterans, Spouses, Caregivers, Amherst Community Members. Let’s Build a Thriving Veterans Community. There are 387 Veterans in town! Sponsored by CRESS. FOR MORE INFORMATION: CALL THE CRESS OFFICE, (413) 259-3370 OR GENE HERMAN, VIETNAM VETERAN, (240) 472-7288 – CRESS VETERAN’S OUTREACH VOLUNTEER.
SATURDAYS AND SUNDAYS: LIVE JAZZ AND GOOD EATS AT THE BLACK SHEEP. 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., Black Sheep Deli, 79 Main Street. Frist and third Saturdays: Masala Jazz, Second, Fourth and Fifth Saturdays: Simmer Music Presents, Sundays: the Catalytics. Tip Jar.
SUNDAYS AND TUESDAYS FEBRUARY 1-17: THE BEFORE TRILOGY. 1:30 p.m. Sunday February 1, 8, and 15 and 7p.m. Tuesday February 3, 10, and 17, Amherst Cinema, 28 Amity Street. Follow Jesse and Celine as they meet on a train and spend a night wandering the city in Vienna, then reconnect nine years later in Paris, and finally as a married couple on vacation in Greece. Richard Linklater’s marvelous trilogy: “Before Sunrise,” “Before Sunset,” and “Before Midnight” starring Ethan Hawke and Julie Delpy. Tickets.
NOW THROUGH SATURDAY FEBRUARY 21: WINTERFEST. Join us for this weeklong celebration on February 14 through February 21. Amherst Recreation, in collaboration with many community partners, will host a variety of free and affordable events for residents and visitors of all ages to embrace the winter season. Full schedule of events here.
NOW THROUGH SATURDAY FEBRUARY 28: WINTER GARDEN- A GROUP EXHIBIT AT GALLERY A3. The month of February is short, but nights are long, temperatures are low, and winter seems to go on forever. To counter these dark times, Gallery A3 presents WINTER GARDEN, a group show of work by members of this local fine art cooperative gallery. Paintings, prints, photographs, collage, and mixed media, mostly two-dimensional but some three-dimensional pieces, the art collectively aims to suggest and to celebrate the new light and cycling life of a garden.There will be an opening reception at the gallery from 5-7 p.m. on Friday, February 6, and a free, online art forum on Thursday, February 19 at 7:30 p.m. (register here). Gallery A3 is located at 28 Amity Street 1D in the Amherst Cinema Complex. Gallery hours are Thursday through Sunday, 2-7 p.m. More info
NOW THOUGH THURSDAY MARCH 21: ART EXHIBITION – ANTHONY DISCENZA’S DAEMONOMANIA. Heter Art Gallery at Harold F. Johnson Library Center, Hampshire College, 893 West Street. Encompassing a diverse range of appropriated materials, Discenza’s Daemonomania centers on how operative metaphors drawn from occult and supernatural belief inform our relationship to technology. Across a variety of media, the exhibition contemplates the complex entanglements of mass consumption, resource exploitation, thermodynamic expenditure, and wish fulfillment that mark our contemporary moment.
NOW THROUGH APRIL: SPRITES, SPELLS, AND SPLASHES: MAGICAL BEINGS IN PICTURE BOOK ART. Eric Carle Museum of Picture Book Art. The Eric Carle Museum opens its new exhibition on Saturday, November 22. The show includes picture book artwork of fantasy creatures like mermaids, fairies and wizards from more than 40 classic and contemporary books. “From the brownies of the British Isles to the djinns of the Middle East, magical beings abound in folklore. These creatures exist in a parallel world within and alongside humans,” said Isabel Ruiz Cano, associate curator. “Picture book art can be a powerful bridge between cultures, a keeper of stories, and a source of wonder that allows us to see the invisible. Although we may not always be able to spot these creatures, the artists in this exhibition bring their mysterious forms to light.” The museum is open Wednesday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Sunday from 12 to 5 p.m.
NOW THROUGH MONDAY APRIL 27: MABEL LOOMIS TODD EXHIBIT TO BENEFIT THE EMILY DICKINSON MUSEUM. Mill District Local Art Gallery, 91 Cowls Road. The Mill District is pleased to announce its newest front window gallery installation: The Mabel Loomis Todd Exhibit. The exhibit presents a rarely seen collection of Todd’s paintings created for a book of her father’s poetry. Learn more about the exhibit.
MONDAY FEBRUARY 16 THROUGH SATURDAY FEBRUARY 21: POKEMON WEEK AT THE JONES. 101 University Drive. Celebrate February school break week with drop-in Pokémon activities around the kids’ room. Explore self-directed activities ranging from art projects to scavenger hunts. Work on our community Pokémon coloring sheet, design your own Pokémon cards, and check out some books!