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,

SATURDAY JULY 18: FUN SATURDAY MORNINGS: BUILD YOU OWN SHOEBOX FOOTBALL GAME. 10 a.m., UMass Downtown, 108 North Pleasant Street. Join us for Fun Saturday Mornings at UMass Downtown! Free and open to the public, these family-friendly programs take place Saturdays from July 11 through August 1, from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. Each week features a different hands-on activity designed to inspire creativity, exploration, and summer fun for children and families. July 18, Kids build their own mini soccer stadium out of a shoebox! Flick, score, and bring home a game you can play all summer and celebrate the world cup finals!

SUNDAY JULY 19: MANDALA ROCK PAINTING WITH GRETCHEN HOLESOVSKY. 1 to 3 p.m., Mill District Local Art Gallery, 91 Cowls Road. Connect nature and your creative spirit! Learn how to paint mandala patterns with Belchertown artist, Gretchen Holesovsky. Gretchen will guide you in planning your design, and share tips and the use of her tools to help you create your own beautifully painted mandala. Wear clothes you don’t mind getting stained as you will be working with acrylic paints. All supplies will be provided. Due to the nature of the intricate Mandala design, this class is not a drop-in class. Ages 18+.Tickets $29.

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.

TUESDAY JULY 21: VIRTUAL INFORMATION SESSION ON THE HAMPSHIRE COLLEGE ZONING STUDY. 6 to 8 p.m. on Zoom. The information session is an opportunity for community members to learn more and ask questions about the study and hear the latest updates from town staff and consultants. The session will include a presentation and a Q & A segment facilitated by town officials and the consulting team. This is the first of a series of community engagement opportunities that will extend into Fall 2026. The Hampshire Campus Zoning Study seeks to gather information about the property that will guide new zoning. The information gathered will provide an understanding of the areas that are developable, the capacity of infrastructure (i.e. water, sewer, roadways), housing market demands, opportunities for economic development, and other options. It is important to note that Hampshire College owns the land and will be making its own decisions about the ultimate disposition of the property and the timeline for making those decisions. 

WEDNESDAY 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: CLUB JAZZ IN JULY. 7 p.m., Marriott Center, UMass Campus Center. Our popular night of jazz featuring Jazz in July participant combos and vocalists in a relaxed club environment! Evening includes snacks and cash bar. | Suggested Donation $10.00

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.

THURSDAY JULY 23: FREE FAMILY NATURE IMMERSION EVENT AT MOUNT HOLYOKE RANGE STATE PARK. 10 to 11 a.m., Notch Visitors’ Center, 1500 West Street. Join Earth Child New England for a one-hour outdoor experience designed to get children outside and connected to nature through mindfulness, yoga, social-emotional learning, and art, in collaboration with the Massachusetts Department of Conservation (DCR). Stay after to explore the park, enjoy a snack or lunch, and connect with other families in the community. What to bring: snacks, water, sunscreen, bug spray, a yoga mat or blanket to sit on, and whatever your little one may need for an hour outdoors. Dress for the weather and prepare for bugs.

FRIDAY JULY 24: TUNES AT NOON: WHISPER IN MID-ZONE. 12 to 1 p.m., Amherst Survival Center, 138 Sunderland Road. Whisper in Mid-zone is a trio with a unique musical chemistry, creating something that is both traditional, grounded in Indian styles, but mixed with Western harmonies and rhythms. This program is sponsored by a grant from the Hadley Cultural Council and the Mass Cultural Council.

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: FUN SATURDAY MORNINGS: PAINT AND PLANT. 10 a.m., UMass Downtown, 108 North Pleasant Street. Join us for Fun Saturday Mornings at UMass Downtown! Free and open to the public, these family-friendly programs take place Saturdays from July 11 through August 1, from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. Each week features a different hands-on activity designed to inspire creativity, exploration, and summer fun for children and families. In celebration of National Take Your Houseplant for a Walk Day, decorate a terracotta pot, plant a seed, and head home to watch it grow.

SATURDAY JULY 25: CROWNED IN GROWTH: A YOGA AND PAINT AND PLANT EXPERIENCE FOR WOMEN. 12 to 3 p.m., Groff Park, 83 Mill Lane. Join Tiffany Gordon and others for a soulful movement, creativity, sisterhood, and growth as we create custom mannequin head planters that reflect our inner beauty and becoming. Together we’ll: Flow through gentle yoga, Paint & decorate our mannequin planters, Adorn them with scarves, lashes, earrings & bling, Choose a plant that reflects our energy, Enjoy a light lunch in community. Every woman will leave with a living masterpiece — a reminder that she is still blooming. 🌱💜 Tickets $61.

SATURDAY JULY 25: TEEN PAINT PARTY: THE BIGGEST TINY ART SHOW IN NORTH AMHERST. 1 to 4 p.m., Mill District Local Art Gallery, 91 Cowls Road. Come create and add your 2″ x 2″ creation to this public art installation in our Front Window Gallery. Free. This is the RSVP page for our informal Teen Paint Party for our public art exhibit: The Biggest Tiny Art Show in North Amherst. All participants should plan to leave their work for display in our Front Window Gallery. Please RSVP encouraged due to limited seats.

SATURDAY JULY 25: WEST AFRICAN DRUMMING WORKSHOP. 3 p.m., Munson Memorial Library, 1046 South East Street. This free program begins with Jafar Manselle and the Wendell Warriors playing a short set of West African rhythms. They will then discuss the origins and meanings of the songs. Participants will be shown basic hand placements to create the drum sounds and given drums to practice the basic sounds. The group will then explore a couple of songs together, playing main rhythms and supporting parts. This program is for participants ages 14+. All instruments will be provided, but those with drums are welcome to bring them.Space is limited and registration required.  Please visit the reference desk at the Jones Library, call 413-259-3096 or email programs@joneslibrary.org. Sponsored by a grant from the Amherst Cultural Council.

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.

THURSDAY JULY 30: SAM BURCHFIELD. 8 p.m., The Drake, 44 North Pleasant Street. The title of Sam Burchfield’s latest album “Nature Speaks” is both a statement of belief and an instruction to listen carefully, to feel the world move through you, and to heed its loving nudge. Tickets $25 in advance, $30 at the door. See complete schedule here.

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

SATURDAY AUGUST 1: FUN SATURDAY MORNINGS: SUMMER SEND-OFF CARNIVAL. 10 a.m., UMass Downtown, 108 North Pleasant Street. Join us for Fun Saturday Mornings at UMass Downtown! Free and open to the public, these family-friendly programs take place Saturdays from July 11 through August 1, from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. Each week features a different hands-on activity designed to inspire creativity, exploration, and summer fun for children and families. The perfect send-off to a summer of Fun Saturday Mornings! In partnership with Amherst Rec, come enjoy games, treats, and music. Pick your favorite craft from the summer to take home and keep!

SATURDAY AUGUST 1: SMELLS LIKE NIRVANA PERFORMS MTV UNPLUGGED. 8 p.m., The Drake, 44 North Pleasant Street. Celebrate the legendary sounds of Nirvana and Kurt Cobain’s classic MTV Unplugged performance with Smells Like Nirvana tribute as they perform songs from the MTV UNPLUGGED album plus other versions of songs from Nevermind, In Utero, Bleach, and more acoustically. Tickets $25. See complete schedule here.

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 26: SILVERTHORNE THEATER COMPANY PRESENTS “DEEP BLUE SOUND.” 7:30 p.m.Emily Dickinson Hall, Hampshire College. The Amherst-based company will present its production of Abe Koogler’s “Deep Blue Sound” from Thursday, July 16, through Sunday, July 26, at Hampshire College’s Emily Dickinson Hall. The show is about a small island town in the Pacific Northwest and the interesting personalities who inhabit it — for instance, the unofficial mayor, the newspaper editor, the horse groomer looking for love and the homeless man who carries around a chainsaw. When a pod of orcas disappears, the group gathers to talk about where they might have gone and why. Tickets $7 to $18.

Image: depositphotos.com