What’s Happening in Amherst?
Photo: Pixabay.com
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.
FRIDAY AUGUST 14: SUMMER CONCERT WITH DAVID ROTH. 7:30 p.m., Amherst South Church, 1066 South East Street. One-of-a-kind concerts where song, spirit and singing meet. A consummate performer, singer, songwriter and musician, David Roth strikes many chords, hearts, and minds with his unique songs, offbeat observations, moving stories, sense of the hilarious, and powerful singing. Suggested donation. $20. Doors open at 7 p.m.
SATURDAY AUGUST 15: ICE CREAM AT MILL RIVER. 2 to 3 p.m., Mill River Recreation Area, 95 Montague Road. The Town of Amherst and the Fort River Watershed Association present Ice Cream in the Park! Join us for free ice cream and coloring books for kids! Parents are invited to share their experiences with local flooding and to help identify problematic culverts and road washouts. Your local knowledge is crucial to help us identify problem areas and develop plans for a resilient future. Come for ice cream. Stay for community. Help protect our watershed! This event is part of a regional project spearheaded by the Town of Amherst, in partnership with Hadley, Belchertown, Pelham and Shutesbury, that aims to protect the Fort River Watershed. The Fort River Watershed Culvert Improvement & Prioritization Plan Project focuses on Critical Infrastructure, Climate Resilience, and Environmental Stewardship to achieve these goals: Improve flood resilience for the Town to prevent road damage and assess safety risks. Improve Aquatic Habitat Connection under roads. Work toward a townwide Culvert Prioritization Plan (all stream crossing culverts and bridges assessed for conditions and aquatic connection).
SATURDAY AUGUST 15: AMHERST COMMUNITY BAND CONCERT. 6:30 to 8 p.m., Sweetser Park, Lessey Street. Bring your lawn chairs, picnic blankets, friends, and family to enjoy a variety of live music performances under the summer sky. This free event is open to all and celebrates the spirit of our downtown community. More details to come. Rain Location: St. Brigid’s Parish Hall at 43 North Prospect St,
SUNDAY AUGUST 16: ICE CREAM AT KENDRICK PARK. 2 to 3 p.m., Kendrick Park. The Town of Amherst and the Fort River Watershed Association present Ice Cream in the Park! Join us for free ice cream and coloring books for kids! Parents are invited to share their experiences with local flooding and to help identify problematic culverts and road washouts. Your local knowledge is crucial to help us identify problem areas and develop plans for a resilient future. Come for ice cream. Stay for community. Help protect our watershed! This event is part of a regional project spearheaded by the Town of Amherst, in partnership with Hadley, Belchertown, Pelham and Shutesbury, that aims to protect the Fort River Watershed. The Fort River Watershed Culvert Improvement & Prioritization Plan Project focuses on Critical Infrastructure, Climate Resilience, and Environmental Stewardship to achieve these goals: Improve flood resilience for the Town to prevent road damage and assess safety risks. Improve Aquatic Habitat Connection under roads.Work toward a townwide Culvert Prioritization Plan (all stream crossing culverts and bridges assessed for conditions and aquatic connection).
MONDAY AUGUST 17: COMMON GROUNDS: COFFEE WITH REPRESENTATIVE MINDY DOMB. 8:30 to 9:30 a.m., The Works, North Pleasant Street. Rep. Domb invites residents to join her for coffee and conversation.
TUESDAY AUGUST 18: 15th ANNUAL CHICKEN BBQ AND BAND CONCERT AT SOUTH CHURCH. 5 to 7 p.m., South Church, 1066 South East Street. Pick up a great meal from South Church to enjoy at the concert or take home! Half Charcoal Broiled Chicken (no barbeque sauce) or BBQ Soy Curls, both accompanied by Potato Salad, Cole Slaw, Tricky Pickles, Roll, Brownie. Pick up at South Church between 5:00 – 6:00 p.m. All meals are prepared “To Go”. Price: $20. Ordering online ahead of time is strongly recommended! Rain date Thursday, August 19. More info
THURSDAY AUGUST 20: PHOSPHORESCENCE CONTEMPORARY POETRY SERIES. 6 p.m. on Zoom. August’s program features poets Aimie Whittemore, Aimee Nezhukumatathil, and Amy Wright. Produced by the Emily Dickinson Museum, the Phosphorescence Contemporary Poetry Series celebrates contemporary creativity that echoes Dickinson’s own revolutionary poetic voice. The Series features established and emerging poets whose work and backgrounds represent the diversity of the flourishing contemporary poetry scene. Join us on a Thursday evening each month to hear from poets around the world as they read their work and discuss what poetry and Dickinson mean to them. Registration required. Free.
THURSDAY AUGUST 20: UNDERSTANDING DROUGHT AND WATER SUPPLIES. with Professor Konstantinos (Kostas) Andreadis of UMass Amherst. 6:30 p.m. Belchertown Town Hall Auditorium (2 Jabish St.) As drought conditions become an increasingly familiar part of life in Massachusetts, residents are invited to a free public presentation on drought and its impact on local water supplies. More info
THURSDAY AUGUST 20: FREE MOVIES AT THE MILL DISTRICT “NEIGHBORS!”. 6 p.m., Mill District tent, 91 Cowls Road. Join us under the big white tent in North Square of the Mill District for our free Mill District movie nights. Bring a comfy chair or blanket and pillows. Curl up with a yummy treat from one of our neighboring businesses. Other shows: “Hamilton” 3 p.m., Sunday, September 13 (hosted by Ancestral Bridges); “Flashdance” 6 p.m. on Friday, October 2, and “Little Shop of Horrors” on Thursday, October 22.
FRIDAY AUGUST 21: VETERAN’S BREAKFAST FOR ALL. 8 to 9 a.m., Large Activity Room, Bangs Community Center, 70b Boltwood Walk. Join the Town of Amherst for our Veterans Breakfast for All! At each breakfast, a veteran or veteran ally will tell their story regarding military service or a related topic. All are welcome. This breakfast is free and open to to all veterans, spouses, caregivers, and community members. Breakfast usually consists of bagels, donuts, and coffee. Sponsored by the Town of Amherst Community Responders for Equity, Safety, and Service (CRESS).
FRIDAY AUGUST 21: “THE SOUND OF MUSIC” AT THE AMHERST SURVIVAL CENTER. 12 to 3 p.m., Amherst Survival Center, 138 Sunderland Road. Follow the story of Maria, a young novitiate who proves too spirited for convent life in 1930s Austria. She is sent by her abbess to serve as a governess to 7 children during World War II.
FRIDAY AUGUST 21: RECEPTION FOR AMY DAWN KOTEL EXHIBIT. 5 to 7 p.m., Town Hall, 4 Boltwood Avenue. Refreshments will be served, and music will be performed by the Amherst Autoharp Workshop. Amy Dawn Kotel is a multidisciplinary artist whose creative path spans dance, puppetry, education, and fitness, all of which inform her vibrant fine art practice. Bursting with color, movement, and imagination, Kotel’s work invites viewers into richly layered worlds where countless forms converge to create expansive landscapes, dreamlike narratives, and unexpected connections. After years working in movement-based and community-centered arts, Kotel returned to visual art as a primary outlet, using drawing, painting, collage, and upcycled fabric sculpture to explore her inner world. Her work is characterized by bold color, dynamic movement, and intricate compositions built from small shapes that form larger images. Blending elements of nature, abstraction, and surrealism, her pieces often oscillate between expressing emotional depth and imagining beauty, inviting viewers into a space that is at once playful, heartfelt, and introspective. Free.
FRIDAY AUGUST 21: MISTY BLUES. 8 p.m., The Drake, 44 North Pleasant Street. 2019 International Blues Challenge finalist, Misty Blues, is fronted by lead singer/band founder Gina Colement. The band is based out of Berkshire County, playing original and traditional blues with hints of jazz, soul, funk, and tent revival gospel since 1999. Tickets $25 in advance, $30 at the door. See complete schedule here.
SATURDAY AUGUST 22: ICE CREAM AT PUFFER’S POND. 2 to 3 p.m., Puffer’s Pond, 171 State Street. The Town of Amherst and the Fort River Watershed Association present Ice Cream in the Park! Join us for free ice cream and coloring books for kids! Parents are invited to share their experiences with local flooding and to help identify problematic culverts and road washouts. Your local knowledge is crucial to help us identify problem areas and develop plans for a resilient future. Come for ice cream. Stay for community. Help protect our watershed! This event is part of a regional project spearheaded by the Town of Amherst, in partnership with Hadley, Belchertown, Pelham and Shutesbury, that aims to protect the Fort River Watershed. The Fort River Watershed Culvert Improvement & Prioritization Plan Project focuses on Critical Infrastructure, Climate Resilience, and Environmental Stewardship to achieve these goals: Improve flood resilience for the Town to prevent road damage and assess safety risks. Improve Aquatic Habitat Connection under roads. Work toward a townwide Culvert Prioritization Plan (all stream crossing culverts and bridges assessed for conditions and aquatic connection).
SATURDAY AUGUST 22: ORANGE DOG CLUB. 8 p.m., The Drake, 44 North Pleasant Street. Orange Dog Club is a local band fresh on the scene, originally forming in 2021, but they’re far from inexperienced. Led by Tim Turner, Orange Dog Club is an indie rock group featuring members from Buffalo and Rochester and surrounding area. Many of the songs feature a strong sense of yearning and passion, a display of affection and heartbreak, combined with high energy guitar riffs and energetic drums. Tickets $15 in advance, $20 at the door. See complete schedule here.
MONDAY AUGUST 24: COMMON GROUNDS: COFFEE WITH REPRESENTATIVE MINDY DOMB. 8:30 to 9:30 a.m., West Street Coffee and Tea. Rep. Domb invites residents to join her for coffee and conversation.
MONDAY AUGUST 24: FIRST DAY CELEBRATION FOR AMHERST PUBLIC SCHOOLS. 4:30 to 6:30 p.m., Kendrick Park, rain location at the Amherst Regional Middle School Cafeteria. Amherst Regional Public School students can meet the Superintendent, principals, and central office staff and connect with local firefighters, paramedics, CRESS responders, and police officers. Activities and much more. Sensory-friendly hour 4:30 to 5:30 p.m.
WEDNESDAY AUGUST 26: SENIOR MEET AND GREET. 10 to 11 a.m., Atkins Farms Country Market, 1150 West Street. Come and meet your neighbors and NEW friends under the canopy on the patio at Atkins! Coffee, Tea and Apple Cider Donuts will be provided. Sponsored by the Friends of Amherst Senior Center and Amherst Council on Aging.
WEDNESDAY AUGUST 26: HOUSTON PERSON AND THE NORTHAMPTON JAZZ WORKSHOP. 7:30 p.m., The Drake, 44 North Pleasant Street. Special presentation of the Northampton Jazz Workshop featuring tenor saxophonist Houston Person with the Green Street Trio. Jam session to follow. With his robust sound and swinging style, Person has kept the hard bop and organ-soaked soul-jazz traditions alive. Tickets $10 cover at the door, $5 for students (free to jam!). See complete schedule here.
TUESDAY AUGUST 25: FEED DEMOCRACY WITH REP. MINDY DOMB. 12:30 to 1:30 p.m., Amherst Survival Center, 138 Sunderland Road.Join Rep. Mindy Domb for a convo about issues that matter the most to you. Submit your questions ahead of time to Miranda at the Center.
THURSDAY AUGUST 27: SENIOR SIPS AT GINGER GARDEN. 4 to 6 p.m., Ginger Garden, 351 Northampton Road. 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.
FRIDAY AUGUST 28: TUNES AT NOON AT THE SURVIVAL CENTER: FRENCH PRESS. 12 to 1 p.m., Amherst Survival Center, 138 Sunderland Road. French-accented blend of traditional music from Québec, Brittany, and France for fiddle, accordion, guitar and banjo. This program is supported in part by a grant from the Amherst Cultural Council, a local agency which is supported by the Mass Cultural Council, a state agency.
SATURDAY AUGUST 29: ICE CREAM AT COMMUNITY FIELD AND WAR MEMORIAL POOL. 2 to 3 p.m., War Memorial Pool, 167 Triangle Street. The Town of Amherst and the Fort River Watershed Association present Ice Cream in the Park! Join us for free ice cream and coloring books for kids! Parents are invited to share their experiences with local flooding and to help identify problematic culverts and road washouts. Your local knowledge is crucial to help us identify problem areas and develop plans for a resilient future. Come for ice cream. Stay for community. Help protect our watershed! This event is part of a regional project spearheaded by the Town of Amherst, in partnership with Hadley, Belchertown, Pelham and Shutesbury, that aims to protect the Fort River Watershed. The Fort River Watershed Culvert Improvement & Prioritization Plan Project focuses on Critical Infrastructure, Climate Resilience, and Environmental Stewardship to achieve these goals: Improve flood resilience for the Town to prevent road damage and assess safety risks. Improve Aquatic Habitat Connection under roads. Work toward a townwide Culvert Prioritization Plan (all stream crossing culverts and bridges assessed for conditions and aquatic connection).
SATURDAY AUGUST 29: SALSA IN THE PARK. 6 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. Free and open to all. 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
SUNDAY AUGUST 30: HISTORIC BLACK CHURCHES UNITED SERVICE. 11 a.m., Goodwin Memorial A.M.E. Zion Church, 41 Woodside Avenue. Goodwin Memorial A.M.E. Zion Church will host a joint worship with two other historic African Methodist Episcopal Zion congregations from western Massachusetts — Gardner Memorial of Springfield and Price Memorial of Pittsfield. The gathering is intended to strengthen ties between faith communities across Hampden, Hampshire and Berkshire counties, and is part of a broader effort by the New England District of the A.M.E. Zion Church to bring local Black churches together to share resources and launch ministries serving people in need across the region.
SUNDAY AUGUST 30: ICE CREAM AT GROFF PARK. 2 to 3 p.m., Groff Park, 83 Mill Lane. The Town of Amherst and the Fort River Watershed Association present Ice Cream in the Park! Join us for free ice cream and coloring books for kids! Parents are invited to share their experiences with local flooding and to help identify problematic culverts and road washouts. Your local knowledge is crucial to help us identify problem areas and develop plans for a resilient future. Come for ice cream. Stay for community. Help protect our watershed! This event is part of a regional project spearheaded by the Town of Amherst, in partnership with Hadley, Belchertown, Pelham and Shutesbury, that aims to protect the Fort River Watershed. The Fort River Watershed Culvert Improvement & Prioritization Plan Project focuses on Critical Infrastructure, Climate Resilience, and Environmental Stewardship to achieve these goals: Improve flood resilience for the Town to prevent road damage and assess safety risks. Improve Aquatic Habitat Connection under roads.Work toward a townwide Culvert Prioritization Plan (all stream crossing culverts and bridges assessed for conditions and aquatic connection).
WEDNESDAY SEPTEMBER 2: COMMUNITY HEART AND SOUL EVENT. 5:30 p.m., Bangs Community Center, 70 Boltwood Walk. The DEI Department will be hosting a Community Heart and Soul Event, part of a series the department has been hosting in an effort to bring Amherst residents together as residents express what matters most to them within our close-knit community. These events are an effort to give residents a place to engage in civic conversation about what they love most about our town. Participants’ input helps shape a collective vision that informs future planning and community development. We hope you can join us for this initial conversation before our launch of the Community Heart and Soul initiative in October. Register here.
SUNDAY SEPTEMBER 6: DISTRICT ONE NEIGHBORHOOD ASSOCIATION ANNUAL POTLUCK PICNIC. 3 to 5 p.m., Mill River Recreation Area, 95 Montague Road. Bring a dish to share if you can. Pizza and hot dogs provided. Everyone is welcome! Contact us at: amherstdona.org.
SUNDAY SEPTEMBER 6: DUST BOWLS AND JEWISH SOULS: ANOTHER SIDE OF WOODY GUTHRIE. 2 p.m., Yiddish Book Center, 1021 West Street. Woody Guthrie’s horizons extended far beyond the dusty Oklahoma hills of his youth. When his wanderings brought him to 1940s New York City, he was introduced to a vibrant Jewish culture that deeply influenced his life and his music. This film will change your view of one of America’s most celebrated songwriters and cultural icons. Tickets $8 for members, $12 for nonmembers.
WEDESDAY SEPTEMBER 9: COMMUNITY FEEDBACK SESSION FOR THE JONES LIBRARY. 12 to 1:30 p.m., Munson Memorial Library, 1046 South East Street. The Jones Equity, Diversity and Inclusivity Committee (JEDI) is holding three community feedback sessions to gather feedback on how residents feel about belonging and security in the library space. Dr. Pat Romney and Angelica Castro will be facilitating the three listening sessions. The sessions are scheduled for September 9, September 16, and September 19. Childcare available (registration required for childcare). Refreshments provided.
SUNDAY SEPTEMBER 13: MILES FOR MUSIC. The Drake and the Iron Horse are launching an 8.1 mile run, walk, or relay from downtown Amherst to downtown Northampton along the Norwottock Rail Trail with live music along the Norwottuck Rail Trail and a finish-line celebration at Taste of Northampton. Starts at the Drake, 44 N. Pleasant St. in Amherst. Learn more and register at https://www.runreg.com/miles-for-music.
SUNDAY SEPTEMBER 13: FREE MOVIES AT THE MILL DISTRICT “HAMILTON.” 3 p.m. Mill District tent, 91 Cowls Road. Hosted by Ancestral Bridges. Join us under the big white tent in North Square of the Mill District for our free Mill District movie nights. Bring a comfy chair or blanket and pillows. Curl up with a yummy treat from one of our neighboring businesses. Other shows: “Flashdance” 6 p.m. on Friday, October 2, and “Little Shop of Horrors” on Thursday, October 22.
WEDNESDAY SEPTEMBER 23: COLLEGE PREPAREDNESS WORKSHOP. 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. (early release day), location to be determined. Learn about admissions (the common application and personal essay), and financial services (options that exist to finance college). Finding the college that fits you: every college is different. Discover how to identify the schools that align best with your goals and needs. Learn how others have successfully navigated the process of choosing a major. For middle school and high school students. In partnership with UMass and Amherst College. Pizza and snacks will be served. Register here.
THURSDAY THROUGH SUNDAY SEPTEMBER 17, 19, and 20. AUDITIONS FOR AMHERST COMMUNITY THEATER’S “FROZEN.” Visit www.amherstacts.org/auditions for an audition appointment. Disney’s stage adaptation of Frozen follows royal sisters Elsa and Anna in Arendelle. When Elsa’s ice powers spiral out of control during her coronation, she flees, plunging the kingdom into an eternal winter. Anna embarks on a quest with new friends to find her, emphasizing themes of sisterhood, self-acceptance, and modern emotional honesty over traditional fairy-tale romance. Actors, singers, and dancers ages 7-107 are encouraged to audition! For nine performances in January 2027. Visit amherstacts.org/auditions or contact producer@amherstacts.org
WEDNESDAY SEPTEMBER 16: COMMUNITY FEEDBACK SESSION FOR THE JONES LIBRARY. 6 to 7:30 p.m., UMass Downtown, 108 North Pleasant Street. The Jones Equity, Diversity and Inclusivity Committee (JEDI) is holding three community feedback sessions to gather feedback on how residents feel about belonging and security in the library space. Dr. Pat Romney and Angelica Castro will be facilitating the three listening sessions. The sessions are scheduled for September 9, September 16, and September 19. Childcare available (registration required for childcare). Refreshments provided.
THURSDAY SEPTEMBER 17: 13th ANNUAL BLOCK PARTY. 5 to 9 p.m., North Pleasant Street, downtown Amherst. This beloved community event promises an evening of fun, entertainment, and celebration of all things Amherst. The Annual Block Party is a cherished tradition, drawing thousands of residents and visitors to our dynamic downtown. This year’s event will feature an exciting lineup of live music and performances, showcasing local talent and captivating acts. Attendees can look forward to aerialists, acrobats, stilt walkers, jugglers, and a variety of street performers that will delight audiences of all ages. In addition to the entertainment, local restaurants and retailers will line both sides of North Pleasant Street. Downtown Amherst boasts a diverse array of dining options and unique shops and services, making it the perfect destination for a night out. Whether you’re enjoying a meal, discovering a new favorite store, or simply soaking in the lively atmosphere, there’s something for everyone at the Block Party. This event is FREE and open to all!
SATURDAY SEPTEMBER 19: COMMUNITY FEEDBACK SESSION FOR THE JONES LIBRARY. 10to 11:30 a.m., Bangs Community Center, 70 Boltwood Walk. The Jones Equity, Diversity and Inclusivity Committee (JEDI) is holding three community feedback sessions to gather feedback on how residents feel about belonging and security in the library space. Dr. Pat Romney and Angelica Castro will be facilitating the three listening sessions. The sessions are scheduled for September 9, September 16, and September 19. Childcare available (registration required for childcare). Refreshments provided.
SUNDAY SEPTEMBER 20: APPLICATIONS DUE FOR 2ND ANNUAL “ALL ABOUT AMHERST” CIVIC ACADEMY. The Town of Amherst is excited to announce the second annual All About Amherst: Civic Academy, a dynamic program designed to give residents an inside look at how local government operates and how they can actively participate in shaping the community. Interested residents should submit a Civic Academy Application by Sunday, September 20. During this free 8-week program, participants will explore the inner workings of Amherst’s government as they learn about day-to-day Town operations, talk directly with Town staff, and follow along for behind-the-scenes tours. Participants will not only leave with a stronger understanding of Amherst, but also with the tools necessary to become impactful and civically engaged community members. Sessions take place on Wednesday evenings, 6 to 8 p.m., from September 30 through November 18. The week of Veteran’s Day, the session will be held on Tuesday, November 10.
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
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 THE END OF SEPTEMBER: EXHIBIT BY LOCAL ARTIST AMY DAWN KOTEL Monday through Friday 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.,Town Hall, 4 Boltwood Avenue. Amy Dawn Kotel is a multidisciplinary artist whose creative path spans dance, puppetry, education, and fitness, all of which inform her vibrant fine art practice. Bursting with color, movement, and imagination, Kotel’s work invites viewers into richly layered worlds where countless forms converge to create expansive landscapes, dreamlike narratives, and unexpected connections. After years working in movement-based and community-centered arts, Kotel returned to visual art as a primary outlet, using drawing, painting, collage, and upcycled fabric sculpture to explore her inner world. Her work is characterized by bold color, dynamic movement, and intricate compositions built from small shapes that form larger images. Blending elements of nature, abstraction, and surrealism, her pieces often oscillate between expressing emotional depth and imagining beauty, inviting viewers into a space that is at once playful, heartfelt, and introspective. In addition to Kotel’s large art life, she is also a mom, wife, community organizer, tree hugger, and educator.
THURSDAY THROUGH SUNDAY SEPTEMBER 17, 19, and 20. AUDITIONS FOR AMHERST COMMUNITY THEATER’S “FROZEN.” Visit www.amherstacts.org/auditions for an audition appointment. Disney’s stage adaptation of Frozen follows royal sisters Elsa and Anna in Arendelle. When Elsa’s ice powers spiral out of control during her coronation, she flees, plunging the kingdom into an eternal winter. Anna embarks on a quest with new friends to find her, emphasizing themes of sisterhood, self-acceptance, and modern emotional honesty over traditional fairy-tale romance. Actors, singers, and dancers ages 7-107 are encouraged to audition! For nine performances in January 2027.