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.ing support,

FRIDAY JULY 10: DOWNTOWN SUMMER CONCERT SERIES WITH HWY 91 AND AMHERST CONTRA DANCE. 5 p.m. Amherst Town Common

SATURDAY JULY 11: SHADE TREE PLANTING WITH THE SHADE TREE COMMITTEE. 9 a.m. to noon, Town Common. The Amherst Public Shade Tree Committee invites the public to help plant trees on the town’s South Common, Saturday, July 11. Volunteers are asked to bring work gloves and a shovel if you have one and to look for the yellow town truck (see map below). The committee notes that they have had great community participation at their tree plantings this year and ask the public to help keep the streak going this Saturday on the South Common. They will be planting a tree to replace the one that recently fell and performing important tree care—pruning, weeding, and mulching—on the sycamores and oaks that shade the historic public space. And they point out that wet ground from the recent rains makes for easier shoveling

WEDNESDAY JULY 15: CO-CREATING SYSTEMS OF CARE THAT SUPPORT PREGNANT AND POSTPARTUM INDIVIDUALS AND FROM DETECTION TO POLICY: AI AND HUMAN SYSTEMS FOR SAFER DIGITAL SPACES. 6:00- 7:30 P.M. UMass Downtown 108 N. Pleasant St. with Ruth Appiah Kubi and  Jeng-Yu Chou . See abstracts of the talks here. Free and open to all. Pre-register here.

THURSDAY JULY 16: DISABILITY PRIDE EVENT: STORY TIME AT THE JONES LIBRARY. 11 to 11:30 a.m., Jones Library Children’s Room, 101 University Drive. For ages 0-5. Paralympians Tory and Juan Dixon will join children’s librarian Mia Cabana in a story time around a disability in sports theme. Wheelchair accessible. Attendees are requested to be scent-free and encouraged to wear masks to create an accessible environment for all. For questions or more information on the Amherst events, contact Torrese@amherstma.gov.

FRIDAY JULY 17: OFFICE HOURS WITH REPRESENTATIVE MINDY DOMB. 4 to 5 p.m., Amherst Town Hall, first floor, 4 Boltwood Avenue. This is an opportunity for constituents of the Third Hampshire District to speak to Rep. Domb and her team and to share concerns and thoughts on state legislation, and to seek assistance. No appointment needed. Stop by anytime during the hour. If this is an urgent matter, do not wait for office hours. Call (413) 335=1352 or (617_ 722-2060. If you cannot attend or if you have a time sensitive or private matter, please email mindy.domb@mahouse.gov or call the above number. Another session will be held Monday, July 20 from 12:30 to 1:30 p.m. at the Amherst Survival Center, 138 Sunderland Road.

FRIDAY JULY 17: DOWNTOWN SUMMER CONCERN SERIES WITH THE BERKSHIRES AND MUSWELL HILLBILLIES. 5 p.m. Amherst Town Common

MONDAY JULY 20: 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 Rep. Domb and her team and to share concerns and thoughts on state legislation, and to seek assistance. No appointment needed. Stop by anytime during the hour. If this is an urgent matter, do not wait for office hours. Call (413) 335=1352 or (617_ 722-2060. If you cannot attend or if you have a time sensitive or private matter, please email mindy.domb@mahouse.gov or call the above number. Another session will be held on Friday, July 17 at Town Hall from 4 to 5 p.m.

MONDAY JULY 20: DISABILITY PRIDE EVENT: PARALYMPIANS TELL OF THEIR EXPERIENCES TRAINING AND COMPETING IN THE GAMES. 1 to 4:45 p.m., Mill River Recreation Area, 95 Montague Road. The Dixons will tell of their experience training and competing in the Paralympics, and Recreation Department staff members will review adaptive and sensory swim equipment available. If weather permits, there will also be an open swim. Wheelchair accessible. Attendees are requested to be scent-free. For questions or more information on the Amherst events, contact Torrese@amherstma.gov.

WEDNESDAY JULY 22: SENIORS MEET AND GREET COFFEE HOUR AT ATKINS. 10 to 11 a.m., Atkins Farms Country Market, 1150 West Street. Another great social gathering for seniors is the Meet & Greet coffee hour at Atkins hosted by the Friends of the Amherst Senior Center. Join us on Wednesday, July 29 from 10-11am at Atkins outdoor pavilion for free coffee, tea and cider donuts.

WEDNESDAY JULY 22: TACKLING CLIMATE CHANGE IN THE EAST AFRICAN TROPICS: USING ANCIENT MUD TO PREDICT THE FUTURE 6:00- 7:30 P.M. UMass Downtown 108 N. Pleasant St. With Alex Wilk. Earth’s climate is changing rapidly, and its effects on human communities worldwide remain uncertain. How can we predict what’s coming next for those most vulnerable? Join us to learn how UMass geoscientists are translating ancient chemical clues from the bottom of Lake Malawi into a scientific framework for tomorrow’s climate action, in tropical East Africa and beyond. Free and open to all. Pre-register here.

WEDNESDAY JULY 22: L’ÉCLAIR.  8 p.m., The Drake, 44 North Pleasant Street. Growing up in Bulgaria in the late 1990’s, brothers Stef and Yavor Lilov were shaped in a myriad of unseen ways by the centuries-old folk music that filtered through their daily lives. Their unique and intuitive creative alchemy has been a foundation of their band since they formed it in their adopted home of Switzerland a decade ago. Tickets $17 in advance and $20 at the door. See complete schedule here.

FRIDAY JULY 24: JAZZ IN JULY. 5 p.m. Amherst Town Common

FRIDAY JULY 24: WEST 22^ND: PLACES TO BE. 8 p.m., The Drake, 44 North Pleasant Street. West 22^nd is an Austin-based rock band formed by friends who met at the University of Texas with a singular mission: become the next great rock band. They call their sound carousel rock, a style that spins through genre, emotion, and energy, without losing its center. The term captures the tension at the heart of their music: controlled chaos that is sometimes dizzying, sometimes grounding, and always unforgettable. Tickets $20 in advance, $25 at the door.

SATURDAY JULY 25: SALSA IN THE PARK. 6:00 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 JULY 25: AMHERST COMMUNITY BAND CONCERT 6:30 p.m. Sweetser Park, Lessey Street, Amherst.

WEDNESDAY JULY 29: PLAYING IS NATURALLY SCIENTIFIC: A CASE STUDY OF OUTDOOR PLAY-BASED SCIENCE EXPERIENCES IN EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION. 6:00- 7:30 P.M. UMass Downtown 108 N. Pleasant St. With Kathleen Mahoney. This case study examines how early childhood educators perceive and support outdoor play-based science experiences (PBS), and how those experiences are intentionally—or unintentionally—aligned with the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS).The study also explores how educators use a sociocultural approach to establish intentional and explicit connections between play principles, scientific inquiry, and concept development. Free and open to all. Pre-register here.

THURSDAY JULY 30: JULY SENIOR SIPS. 4 to 6 p.m., Inn on Boltwood, 30 Boltwood Avenue. Senior Sips, the new monthly gathering for folks over 60 has attracted a great crowd since its inception in March. Sips takes place at a different restaurant each month and encourages folks to make new connections and have fun. Light food provided. Cash bar.

FRIDAY JULY 31: WELCOME RECEPTION FOR NEW DIRECTOR OF SENIOR SERVICES DAN GARCIA. 2 to 4 p.m., Senior Center Lounge, Bang’s Center,70 Boltwood Walk. Dan will begin his new role on July 20. He currently serves as Program Manager for Amherst’s CRESS program. Please join us at a reception to welcome Dan to Senior Services

WEDNESDAY AUGUST 5: PRIVATE FREEWRITING IN AND BEYOND THE CLASSROOM: WHAT UNEDITED, UNSURVEILLED WRITING DOES FOR COLLEGE STUDENTS AND THEIR WELLBEING.
6:00- 7:30 P.M. UMass Downtown 108 N. Pleasant St. With Miranda Lutyens. When was the last time you wrote for ten minutes, by hand, without stopping for any reason—especially not to check your phone? This is how Miranda’s first-year writing students begin every class session, yet they never revise, turn in, or share that writing.Instead, they reflect on the experience of private freewriting. Join us to learn more about this practice and how, according to this research, it may be impacting students’ relationship to writing, to others, and to themselves. Free and open to all. Pre-register here.

FRIDAY AUGUST 7: KIMAYA DIGGS SUMMER CONCERT. 5:30 p.m. Emily Dickinson Museum, 220 Main Street. Part of the Summer Concert Series. The concerts are organized by the Amherst Business Improvement District in partnership with New England Public Media and Amherst Center Cultural District.

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

TUESDAYS IN JUNE: INTERMEDIATE WATERCOLOR CLASS WITH GRETCHEN HOLESOVSKY. 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., Mill District Local Art Gallery, 91 Cowls Road. Join Belchertown artist, Gretchen Holesovsky, at The Mill District Local Art Gallery for a series of four intermediate watercolor classes. An exploration of styles and expression will enhance your creative muse no matter how you choose to create. This series is jammed packed with information and has homework. Great for individuals who took Gretchen’s beginning watercolor series as well as intermediate artists who want to deepen their understanding of painting with watercolor. Ages 14+ Ticket a week before first class. Ticket Price: $100, Required Materials to Purchase: $122. Contact Shannon Borrell at Gallery@cowls.com.

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 JULY 12: YIDSTOCK: THE FESTIVAL OF NEW YIDDISH MUSIC. Yiddish Book Center, 1021 West Street. Four days of concerts, workshops, talks, and special tours, all in celebration of Yiddish music, language, and culture. Schedule and tickets here.

Image: depositphotos.com