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.

FRIDAY MARCH 20: TIM ERIKSEN AND PETER IRVINE. 8 p.m., The Drake, 44 North Pleasant Street. Tim Eriksen is a songwriter whose work has been covered by Alison Krauss, Bonny “Prince” Billy and Joan Baez, a ballad singer given the Jean Richie Musical Heritage Award. The long collaboration between Eriksen and percussionist Peter Irvine has included Bosnian ensemble Zabe I Babe and folk/noise trio Cordelia’s Dad. Tickets $20 in advance, $25 at the door. Full calendar of events here.

SATURDAY MARCH 21: FAMILY BEAVER STORYWALK AND PROGRAM. 10 a.m., Wentworth Farm Conservation Area (Old Farm Road entrance). Would you believe that beavers are some of nature’s most important engineers? Join the Hitchcock Center for a beaver Story/Walk for young ones. We’ll waddle through beaver habitat, reading the pages of a beaver-themed StoryWalk as we go. We’ll slap our tails, waddle like beavers, and sing a song about our favorite lodge-builders. Spend time in the outdoors engaging in early literacy and movement. Best for little explorers, ages 1-6 and their caregivers. Led by Katie Koerten of the Hitchcock Center.

SATURDAY MARCH 21: BOOK DISCUSSION OF BEAVERLAND. 3 p.m., Jones Library, 101 University Drive. Join Jones Library staff member Linda Wentworth for an in-depth discussion of our selected title. She will be joined by Town Conservation Agent Erin Jacque who will bring her beaver-related expertise to the discussion.

SATURDAY MARCH 21: Join local dance band the No-Nos and local Americana band On the Lam for an evening of music and dance to support the ACLU of Massachusetts. Shake it up and dance away the winter blues! Saturday, 7:00-10:00 PM at Munson Memorial Library.

SUNDAY MARCH 22: PYSANKY EGG DECORATING WORKSHOP. 12 to 3 p.m., Mill District Local Art Gallery, 91 Cowls Road. Try out the art of Pysanky and support our local community at this introductory workshop to benefit the Amherst Survival Center. 100% of ticket sales will go to the Survival Center. All materials provided. Workshop fee is $40. Register by March 21. Space is limited.

SUNDAY MARCH 22: PRESENTATION AND WORKSHOP – FINDING OUR PLACE IN THE CONNECTICUT RIVER(KWINITEKW) VALLEY. BEGINNING TO HEAL AFTER 400 YEARS OF SETTLER COLONIALISM. Presentation by Indigenous scholar Dr. Marge Bruchac followed by a workshop. UUSA meetinghouse (121 N. Pleasant St. 3-5 p.m. and on Zoom. Free and open to all. More info. Registration required. Register here.

SUNDAY MARCH 22: FILM SCREENING: THE MAN WITHOUT A WORLD WITH LIVE ORIGINAL MUSICAL ACCOMPANIMENT. 7 p.m., Yiddish Book Center, 1021 West Street. Join us for a special screening of The Man Without a Worldwith live original music composed and performed by world-renowned klezmer violinist Alicia Svigals and celebrated silent film pianist Donald Sosin. One of the most unusual and artistic films in American independent cinema, The Man Without a World is credited to Soviet director Yevgeny Antinov. Antinov is a persona created by acclaimed artist and filmmaker Eleanor Antin. The film offers a quirky, darkly comic portrait of a Polish shtetl whose residents must navigate crushing poverty and their own political, cultural, and religious divisions. Svigals and Sosin’s live score brings this imaginative silent film vividly to life. Seating is limited. Tickets.

MONDAY MARCH 23: AUDITIONS, THE MISSOULA CHILDREN”S THEATER PRODUCTION OF THE SECRET GARDEN. 4 p.m. Amherst Regional Middle School Auditorium, 170 Chestnut Street. Amherst Community Theater will hold auditions for The Missoula Children’s Theater’s production of The Secret Garden. Auditions will be held at the Middle School on Monday, March 23 at 4 p.m. The production will go from rehearsal to stage in just one week, with two performances scheduled for Saturday, March 28, at 1:30 p.m. and 4:00 p.m. Auditions are open for everyone in grades K-12. More info

WEDNESDAY MARCH 25: DROP-IN ACTIVITIES AND BEAVER TRIVIA WITH MASSMAMMALS. 3 p.m., Jones Library, 101 University Drive. Kids of all ages are invited to meet students from Amherst College MassMammals Watch and learn amazing facts about beavers. We will have trivia, coloring sheets, and activities in celebration of our On the Same Page.

WEDNESDAY MARCH 25: BUILDING HOMES, BUILDING FUTURES. 6 to 8 p.m., Old Chapel, UMass. A community conversation around Way Finders’ Building Homes. Building Futures.report. housing study to take a particular dive into Hampshire County data within the report. The event details are here: https://www.wayfinders.org/event/hampshire-county-housing-forum/. The event is open to the public, and we welcome anyone who’s interested in learning about the state of housing in the county, and ways we can work together to advance development. It’s also the kickoff for PVPC’s regional housing plan update, so it’ll be a great opportunity to provide community input for that as well!

WEDNESDAY MARCH 25: ON THE SAME PAGE WITH LEILA PHILIP.  7 p.m., Munson Memorial Library Hall, 1045 South East Street. Join us for an exciting in-person evening with author Leila Philip, as she reads from and discusses her book Beaverland. Books will be available for purchase and signing, thanks to Amherst Books.

WEDNESDAY MARCH 25: NORTHAMPTON JAZZ WORKSHOP WITH JAZZ VOCALIST GIACOMO GATES. 7:30 p.m., The Drake, 44 North Pleasant Street. Giacomo Gates is truly an entertainer for all ages and styles. Audiences enjoy the interaction on the bandstand between him and his musicians, the spontaneity, the humor, the stories about the music and composers along with their relation to everyday life. $10 cover, $5 for students, free for jam participants. Full calendar of events here.

THURSDAY MARCH 26: SENIOR SIPS IN DOWNTOWN AMHERST. 4 to 6 p.m., Protocol, 1 East Pleasant Street. Join local seniors 60+ to connect with neighbors, discover local happenings, and learn about available resources! Snacks will be provided; attendees are responsible for their own beverages.This event is sponsored by the Amherst Council on Aging (COA), Amherst Business Improvement District (BID), Friends of the Amherst Senior Center, and Amherst Neighbors.

THURSDAY MARCH 26: IMMIGRATION RIGHTS AND WHAT BYSTANDERS CAN DO: A JUDY BROOKS CONVERSATION. 7 p.m. on Zoom. Hear Ariana Keigan, Associate Director of the Pioneer Valley Workers Center, and Javier Luengo-Garrido, Deputy Field Director ACLUMassachusetts in this League of Women Voters of Amherst program.

FRIDAY MARCH 27: TEEN ART HANG: BEAVERS. 2 p.m., Jones Library, 101 University Drive. Join s for an early release day Teen Art Hang. We’ll be meeting from 2 to 3:30 p.m. and, in honor of Beaverland (the 2026 On the Same Page book), we’ll be enjoying some snacks and using watercolors to capture the essence of the industrious beaver!

FRIDAY, MARCH 27: ONE-YEAR ANNIVERSARY OF UMASS DOWNTOWN. 3 to 6 p.m., UMass Downtown, 108 North Pleasant Street. Come celebrate one year with us! Stop by, say hello, enjoy some sweet treats, and discover everything UMass Downtown has to offer. The first 50 guests receive a free UMass Downtown tote bag! Enter to win our grand prize—an overnight stay and breakfast at the Inn on Boltwood and more.

FRIDAY MARCH 27: AFGHAN DINNER EXPERIENCE.  6 to 8 p.m., Masuda’s Café, 55 Kellogg Avenue. Indulge in an authentic three-course Afghan meal that will leave your taste buds asking for more. Limited tables of 2 to 6 persons available. $55/ person. Tax and gratuity included. Tickets can be purchased at www,masudascafe.com or at the café during business hours. 

FRIDAY MARCH 27: SALAR NADER: THE AFGHAN MUSIC PROJECT. 7:30 p.m., the Drake, 44 North Pleasant Street. As a standard-bearer of Afghan traditional music in the U.S., table virtuoso Sala Nader curates a program of the rich and varied legacy of classical compositions and folk melodies of this ancient Central Asian nation. Tickets $28 ($22 seniors and Amherst College students) sold through amherst.universitytickets.com beginning March 13. All tickets for March 6 remain valid. Full calendar of events here.

SATURDAY MARCH 28: THE MISSOULA CHILDREN”S THEATER PRODUCTION OF THE SECRET GARDEN. 1:30 p.m. and 4:00 p.m. Amherst Regional Middle School Auditorium. More info here and here.

SATURDAY MARCH 28: NO KINGS/NO DICTATORS RALLY. Noon-12:30 Beginning at Kendrick Park followed by a march to the Town Common. Rally at the Common –1 to 2:30 p.m., Amherst Town Common. We have the power and are claiming it together. No Thrones. No Crowns. No Kings. What began in 2025 as a single day of defiance has become a sustained national resistance to tyranny, spreading from small towns to city centers and across every community determined to defend democracy. Our peaceful movement is bigger than ever.When our families are under attack, and costs are pushing people to the brink, silence is not an option. We will defend ourselves and our communities against this administration’s unjust and cruel acts of violence.On March 28th, rise up, take to the streets, and say it loud: no thrones, no crowns, no kings. We’re not watching history happen—we’re making it. Join us. Bring your signs, flags & banners! NO KINGS IN AMERICA! HANDS OFF! WE THE PEOPLE! ICE OUT FOR GOOD, DE-ICE America, Stop the Shakedown! We are Not For Sale! No Endless Wars! Event is rain or shine. An Indivisble event. There will be more than 3000 No Kings events across the nation including in a dozen other Western Mass Communities.  National event web page.  More info

SATURDAY MARCH 28: DOWNTOWN DESSERT CRAWL. 3-6 p.m. Various downtown restaurants. Sponsored by the Business Improvement District. More info

SATURDAY MARCH 28: WMUA BATTLE OF THE BANDS. 8 p.m., The Drake, 44 North Pleasant Street. Local artists from the 5 colleges will compete for fame (campus bragging rights) and fortune ($250). Tickets $15 in advance, $20 at the door. Full calendar of events here.

SUNDAY MARCH 29: VERY HUNGRY CATERPILLAR DAY. 12 to 4:30 p.m., Eric Carle Museum of Picture Book Art, 125 West Bay Road. Join us for art-making, a museum-wide scavenger hunt, films, and storytime. Guests can also meet the Very Hungry Caterpillar in our Great Hall! Schedule
12:00 – 3:00 pm – Riff’s Food Truck onsite
1:30 – 2:15 pm – Meet The Very Hungry Caterpillar!
2:30 – 3:00 pm – Special Caterpillar Storytime (Auditorium)
3:30 – 4:15 pm – Meet The Very Hungry Caterpillar!
Ongoing – Museum scavenger hunt, films, coloring, and art-making in the Art Studio!
Free with Museum admission and free for Museum Members.

THURSDAY APRIL 2: CARLE AFTER DARK. 4 to 8 p.m., Eric Carle Museum of Picture Book Art, 125 West Bay Road. As part of The Carle After Dark series, step into an evening of enchantment inspired by our “Sprites, Spells, and Splashes: Magical Beings in Picture Book Art” exhibition! Dress up in a mystical fairy costume, enjoy live music with Aidan Higgins, woodwinds musician. Plus, make your own fairy house! Live music is sponsored by Northampton Jazz Fest.This event is free with Museum admission.

THURSDAY APRIL 2: KIDS THAT FLY. 8 p.m., The Drake, 44 North Pleasant Street. Kids That Fly is a group formed in 2018 at the University of Connecticut. The crew has had a lot of influence from other Connecticut musicians such as Rivers Cuomo of Weezer. Their broad collective musical taste includes the Black Keys, the 1975, The Killers, and Catfish and the Bottlemen—keeping them tied to a more alternative rock sound. Tickets $20 in advance, $25 at the door. Full calendar of events here.

TUESDAY APRIL 7: ARPS MUSIC FUNDRAISER WITH YASU AND FRIENDS. 7 p.m., The Drake, 44 North Pleasant Street. Spread the joy of music and make a difference in our community. Together we can ensure that our children continue to have access to the wonderful benefits of music education. Your support will go directly towards much needed supplies, new instruments, repairs, sheet music, etc. For the past five years, Yasu & Friends has brought their vibrant, original sound to the Pioneer Valley, blending rock, funk, and J-pop influences. Free. Donations accepted. Full calendar of events here.

FRIDAY APRIL 10: ART FOR THE COMMON GOOD: A STATEWIDE CONVENING ON ARTS, HEALTH, AND WELLBEING. 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Student Union, UMass. The Fine Arts Center is bringing together changemakers from across Massachusetts for a statewide convening on arts, health, and wellbeing. We would love for you to be a part of it. Together, we’ll explore how arts and creativity can support healing, strengthen communities, and advance whole-person wellbeing. The program features a keynote by Jill Sonke, research director at the University of Florida’s Center for Arts in Medicine, who will share insights on the growing field of neuroarts and the expanding role of arts prescribing in healthcare. Two panel conversations will highlight Massachusetts-based research and cross-agency policy development, connecting large ideas to practical, actionable pathways forward. Among the panelists are Robbie Goldstein, commissioner of the Massachusetts Department of Public Health, and Eliza Lake, director of health policy and strategic initiatives at the Executive Office of Health and Human Services. Tasha Golden, a singer/songwriter turned behavioral scientist who partnered in the creation of Mass Cultural Council’s Culture Rx program, will lead an inspirational closing conversation on “The Healing Power of Curiosity.” Throughout the day, you’ll have opportunities to connect with peers, hear artists’ stories, learn about emerging research and policy developments, and gain tools to support arts and wellness initiatives in your communities. Free. Preregistration required.

SATURDAY APRILL 11: GLOBAL VILLAGE FESTIVAL. 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Amherst-Pelham Regional High School, 21 Mattoon Street. The festival will feature a vibrant array of activities, including international cuisine from various cultures, live performances showcasing traditional music and dance, and local vendors representing diverse crafts and products. By fostering a welcoming atmosphere, the Amherst Global Village Festival aims to bring together individuals from all backgrounds, encouraging dialogue and understanding while highlighting the rich tapestry of global cultures in a fun and engaging environment. Sponsored by the Human Rights Commission, the Black Businesses of Amherst Area, The Town of Amherst, the Amherst Area Chamber, BID, and Amherst Public Schools.

SATURDAY APRIL 11: AMHERST LITERARY WALK. 11 a.m. to 7:30 p.m., downtown Amherst. Join Mass Center for the Book, Amherst Business Improvement District, and local businesses for a day of literary events throughout downtown Amherst to celebrate our rich community of writers and readers.

SUNDAY APRIL 12: “TURNER AND CONSTABLE.” 7 p.m., Amherst Cinema, 28 Amity Street. Amherst Cinema will screen “Turner & Constable,” a movie about legendary British painters (and rivals) J.M.W. Turner and John Constable. Celebrating the 250th anniversary of their births, this unmissable new documentary explores Turner and Constable’s intertwined lives and legacies alongside the groundbreaking Tate exhibition. Two of Britain’s greatest painters, J.M.W. Turner and John Constable were also the greatest of rivals. Born within a year of each other, both used landscape painting to reflect the changing world around them. Now, these two greats are reuniting. Tate Britain is bringing these two greats together for a groundbreaking exhibition, in London from November 2025 to April 2026, and Exhibition on Screen once again has exclusive and privileged access to bring their extraordinary art and remarkable stories to the big screen in April so that you can enjoy both film and exhibition together. Discover unexpected sides to both artists with intimate views of sketchbooks and personal items and insights from leading experts. Turner’s blazing sunsets and sublime scenes from his travels and Constable’s idealised depictions of beloved places from home whipped the public of the time into a frenzy of enthusiasm. Constable represents the very best of the old school of realism and pastoral nostalgia; Turner, an exciting new way of depicting emotion and dreamlike impressions. Critics compared their starkly different styles to a clash of ‘fire and water.  Don’t miss this opportunity to see these greats side-by-side, as they so often were in life, on the big screen for the first time. Tickets.

WEDNESDAY APRiL 15: SAY GOODBYE TO WILDWOOD WALKING TOUR. 4 p.m., Wildwood Elementary School, 71 Strong Street. The final community walkthroughs of the Wildwood Elementary School building are coming up this spring. Principal Estes will lead tours on April 15, and May 20 at 4 p.m., offering community members a chance to take a last look, ask questions, and reflect on the building that has meant so much to so many.

MONDAY APRIL 20 THROUGH SUNDAY MAY 10: RACIAL EQUITY HABIT-BUILDING CHALLENGE. Over the 21 days of the challenge (April 20 – May 10), you’ll receive daily email prompts, including short readings, videos, and reflection questions, designed to build the skill, will, and courage to advance racial equity in our food system and beyond. It’s 10-15 minutes a day, at your own pace. This is the 12th year of the Challenge, now hosted by the Interaction Institute for Social Change (IISC). More than 30,000 people have participated since 2015!  This year, The Jones Library is IISC’s inaugural institutional sponsor.  Register for free as an individual, using the code JONESLIBRARY100 at checkout.

THURSDAY APRIL 23: RETURN OF ARTS NIGHT PLUS: A CELEBRATION OF THE ARTS IN AMHERST. 5 to 8 p.m., downtown Amherst. The BID and Cultural District are excited to re-launch Amherst Arts Night Plus, a multidisciplinary celebration of creative community in Amherst. Downtown businesses transform into art galleries, creating a vibrant celebration of the arts while driving foot traffic to downtown shops and restaurants.

SATURDAY APRIL 25: UMASS DASH AND DINE. 9 a.m., Horseshoe, University Drive, UMass. UMass Dining is excited to host the 15th Annual 5K Dash & Dine on Saturday, April 25th, 2026.

This event is open to both students and the community with the goal to raise funds for the Amherst Survival Center. We hope you join us for lunch immediately after the run/walk. $15 UMass and Five College Students, $25 UMass faculty and Staff, $30 general public. Runners, walkers, wheelchairs, strollers welcome. Prizes to top 3 finishers in each division.
Event schedule
09:00am | Begin check in at the top of the Southwest Horseshoe
10:00am | Fun Run for children 8 and under
11:00am | Race begins
11:30am | Award Ceremony
12:00pm | Lunch
Sign up now runumass.com

SUNDAY APRIL 26: BIG BROTHERS BIG SISTERS 16^TH ANNUAL DAFFODIL RUN (5K and 10K). Town Common. Registration begins at 8:30 a.m. The celebration begins at 9:00 a.m. at the Amherst Town Common, with complimentary breakfast for participants (see below for schedule). Our warm-up begins at 9:30 with the timed and certified 10k beginning promptly at 10:00 and the 5K at 10:15. Arrive no later than 9:00 to ensure a smooth registration and check-in process. You’ll want to bring funds because the race also features a 50/50 raffle as well as a raffle for some great prizes. An area to store your personal items will be presided over by our sponsors. This community event has become the first marker of spring for the town of Amherst and draws hundreds of people to the area to participate and cheer on their family and friends. The post-race party includes music and tasty food offered from local favorites. There will be yellow kites for flying on the Common, entertainment, and (weather permitting) picnic-style games. The Daffodil Run helps sustain the power of youth mentoring through Big Brothers Big Sisters by connecting adult mentors with young people in our community. Once matched, they go on to build a meaningful, positive relationship that empowers the potential inherent in each child. Register here.

THURSDAY MAY 7: THE WAILERS. 8 p.m., The Drake, 44 North Pleasant Street. The Wailers celebrate 50 years of Rastaman Vibration marking a defining moment in reggae history and honoring one of Bob Marley & the Wailers’ most influential albums. This special tour highlights select cuts from Rastaman Vibration alongside the timeless classics that continue to unite audiences across generations. Tickets $35 in advance, $40 at the door. Full calendar of events here.

SATURDAY MAY 16: THE EMILY DICKINSON POETRY WALK 2026. 10 a.m., The Emily Dickinson Museum, 280 Main Street. Honor of the 140th anniversary of the poet’s death, join the Emily Dickinson Museum for the annual Poetry Walk through downtown Amherst, the town she called “paradise.” This year’s Walk explores Amherst’s cultural landscape and its significance to the poet herself. Take the walk at your own pace, but be sure to head to Dickinson’s grave in West Cemetery in time for the 12pm final poems and a lemonade toast to our favorite poet! The Walk takes approximately 40 minutes to complete. Participants begin at the Homestead at any time between 10am and 11am to pick up their Poetry Walk map and daisies to lay at the grave. The Walk stations close at 11:45am so that all participants can make it to the final stop at noon in West Cemetery. Free, Registration required.

WEDNESDAY MAY 20: SAY GOODBYE TO WILDWOOD WALKING TOUR. 4 p.m., Wildwood Elementary School, 71 Strong Street. The final community walkthroughs of the Wildwood Elementary School building are coming up this spring. Principal Estes will lead tours on March 18, April 15, and May 20 at 4 p.m., offering community members a chance to take a last look, ask questions, and reflect on the building that has meant so much to so many.

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: IRISH MUSIC AT THE HARP. 4 to 7 p.m., The Harp, 163 Sunderland Road. Banish the cold and damp of the past months with Irish music. There may be Fiddle, Flute, Tin Whistle, Guitar, Mandolin, Banjo, Bagpipes, Bouzouki, Bodhran and ?.  It’s always a surprise who shows up. Jigs, Reels, Hornpipes, Flings, Polkas, Slides, and Waltz’ from around the Celtic world.  Food, drink, friendship and a relentless cacophony of rhythmic tones. Undeterred by the chaos and heartbreak of our troubled world, As a favorite jig of mine says, We’re always Happy to Meet and Sorry to Part.  Who knows? .it might help banish misfortune for a moment. And, you may find out what a Luachrachan is.  Or how to pronounce “Cuil Aodh.”  I hope to see you. 

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

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

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.

NOW THROUGH FRIDAY MARCH 28: ROMANUM – MIXED MEDIA BY RON MAGGIO AT GALLERY A3.
28 Amity Street 1D in the Amherst Cinema complex. Hours: TH-SUN, 2-7 p.m.  A collection of mixed media works by Ron Maggio, inspired by the wall paintings (or frescos) from houses and villas of Rome, Pompeii, Herculaneum, and Boscoreale, dating from the second century B.C. and the first century A.D.  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 MONDAY APRIL 27: MABEL LOOMIS TODD EXHIBIT TO BENEFIT THE EMILY DICKINSON MUSEUM. Mill District Local Art Gallery, 91 Cowls Road. The Mill District is pleased to announce its newest front window gallery installation: The Mabel Loomis Todd Exhibit. The exhibit presents a rarely seen collection of Todd’s paintings created for a book of her father’s poetry. Learn more about the exhibit.

NOW THROUGH APRIL: SPRITES, SPELLS, AND SPLASHES: MAGICAL BEINGS IN PICTURE BOOK ART. Eric Carle Museum of Picture Book Art. The Eric Carle Museum opens its new exhibition on Saturday, November 22. The show includes picture book artwork of fantasy creatures like mermaids, fairies and wizards from more than 40 classic and contemporary books. “From the brownies of the British Isles to the djinns of the Middle East, magical beings abound in folklore. These creatures exist in a parallel world within and alongside humans,” said Isabel Ruiz Cano, associate curator. “Picture book art can be a powerful bridge between cultures, a keeper of stories, and a source of wonder that allows us to see the invisible. Although we may not always be able to spot these creatures, the artists in this exhibition bring their mysterious forms to light.” The museum is open Wednesday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Sunday from 12 to 5 p.m.

MONDAY APRIL 20 THROUGH SUNDAY MAY 10: RACIAL EQUITY HABIT-BUILDING CHALLENGE. Over the 21 days of the challenge (April 20 – May 10), you’ll receive daily email prompts, including short readings, videos, and reflection questions, designed to build the skill, will, and courage to advance racial equity in our food system and beyond. It’s 10-15 minutes a day, at your own pace. This is the 12th year of the Challenge, now hosted by the Interaction Institute for Social Change (IISC). More than 30,000 people have participated since 2015!  This year, The Jones Library is IISC’s inaugural institutional sponsor.  Register for free as an individual, using the code JONESLIBRARY100 at checkout.