What’s Happening in Amherst?
Photo: Flckr.com. Creative Commons
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 28 THROUGH SUNDAY AUGUST 30: AMHERST ROTARY FAIR. 6. To 10 p.m. August 27 and 28, 1 to 10 p.m. on August 29, and 1 to 6 p.m. on August 30, Town Common. The Rotary Fair has been a staple for the community since the 1950s. This year, there will be a special opening ceremony with a ribbon-cutting held Thursday at 5:30, where Rotary President Robin Brown will show appreciation to The Fanelli Brothers for the years they have put on the fair. Town Manager Paul Bockelman and State Representative Mindy Domb will also speak. The rides will include a Ferris wheel, a merry-go-round, and a climbing wall. The Rotary Club of Amherst uses money from the fair to provide scholarships to local students and to assist nonprofits through donations and small grants. Advance tickets can be purchased at https://fanelliamusements.com/events/16
SATURDAY AUGUST 29: OPEN HOUSE AT CENTER DANCE. 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., 321 Main Street. The Center, where dance, storytelling, and creativity come together! Founded by sisters Ashley and Caddy Carlisle, The Center offers dancers of all ages a space to explore movement through ballet, choreography, and imaginative movement stories. Visit the open house on August 29.
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 identifying problem areas and developing 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: SOUL OF GAZA FUNDRAISER. from 3 p.m. at Lyman Hall ,First Churches Northampton, 129 Main St, Northampton, MA, (doors open 2:45 pm). The event is a fundraiser to help Palestinian families, displaced in Gaza and Egypt, to sustain their most basic needs. It will also contribute to an education fund helping students surviving in the rubble of Gaza to find hope and prepare for a future beyond genocide. More info
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
SATURDAY AUGUST 29: BIG YELLOW TAXI/THRASHER WHEAT. 8 p.m., The Drake, 44 North Pleasant Street. Big Yellow Taxi is a one-of-a-kind musical experience. There is no other ensemble playing the music of Joni Mitchell with the dedication and imagination that BYT brings to every show. Created to explore Joni’s amazing music from its early folk roots to her pop masterpieces, to her jazz influenced compositions, Big Yellow Taxi brings Joni’s music alive. Thrasher Wheat is the Valley’s homegrown tribute to the music of Neil Young and Crazy Horse, Buffalo Springfield, CSNY, and more. Tickets $25 in advance, $30 at the door. See complete schedule here.
SUNDAY AUGUST 30: RUN YOUR CITY. 1 to 2 p.m., UMass track. After a successful inaugural season this past spring, the Run Your City Amherst-UMass program is making its return. Starting on Sunday, Aug. 30, local children in grades K-8 will be able to participate in a six-week running program designed to introduce the sport to kids through activities led by UMass student-athletes. Run Your City is a nationwide nonprofit with 107 chapters around the country that was founded in 2018. The program is free for all who participate. The first event on Aug. 30 will take place at the UMass track and will go from 1-2 p.m. To sign up, visit www.runyourcity.org/chapters/run-amherst-umass .
SUNDAY AUGUST 30: HISTORIC BLACK CHURCHES UNITED SERVICE. 2-4 p.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).
TUESDAY SEPTEMBER 1: 59TH ANNUAL COMMUNITY BREAKFAST. Join the University of Massachusetts Amherst and Amherst Area Chamber of Commerce for breakfast catered by the award-winning UMass Dining in the beautiful UMass Student Union, from 7:30 a.m. to 9:00 a.m. The Community Breakfast is a great opportunity to reconnect with community and campus leaders, welcome newcomers, and see old friends as we kick off a new academic year in the Amherst area. Tickets are $25 in advance and $35 at the door. Purchase Your Ticket. More info
TUESDAY SEPTEMBER 1: SCHOOL PHYSICALS AT THE SURVIVAL CENTER. 4 to 6 p.m., Amherst Survival Center, 138 Sunderland Road. If your child needs a physical exam for the school year, our medical team can perform a cost-free check-up. Open to everyone! No insurance or appointment required. The medical clinic is also open Mondays from 12 to 2 p.m.
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.
WEDNESDAY SEPTEMBER 2: AMHERST COLLEGE JAZZ FACULTY CONCERT. 7:30 p.m., The Drake, 44 North Pleasant Street. The members of the Jazz faculty at Amherst give a free performance that is open to the public. They will be performing the music of Sonny Rollins. Performers include Geoff Cunningham, Carl Clements, Darryl Harper, Jason Robinson, Claire Arenius, Eugene Uman, Samirah Evans, Joe LaCreta, David Picchi, Stephen Page, and Bruce Diehl. Free. Doors open at 7 p.m. See complete schedule here.
FRIDAY SEPTEMBER 4: OLD MERVS. 8 p.m., The Drake, 44 North Pleasant Street. An unbreakable bond shared between lifelong mates. Dave and Henry hail from the tiny farming community of Kojonup, a town three hours south of Perth, Western Australia. Starting out as school friends and rehearsing in a makeshift space in an old farm shed, Old Mervs are a far cry from their humble beginnings. They are celebrating the success of their ARIA-charting debut album release and sold-out tours across Australia, the US, the UK, and Europe. Morrissey Boulevard, a sibling trio from New Bedford opens. Tickets $25 in advance, $30 at the door. See complete schedule here.
SATURDAY SEPTEMBER 5: GUIDED STORYWALK. 10 to 11 a.m., Mill River Recreation Area, Montagure Road. jThe North Amherst Library and the Hitchcock Center have teamed up! Come join us at the Julius Lester Trail at Mill River Park to explore the book Just One Oak by Maria Gianferrari through movement, song, and a guided StoryWalk. This event is best for children ages 0 – 6. Children must attend with an adult.
SATURDAY SEPTEMBER 5: SONG AND STORY SWAP WITH MIKE AGRONOFF. 7 to 9 p.m., First Church, 165 Main Street. The Pioneer Valley Folklore Society’s monthly Song & Story Swap is back from its summer break. The September session will be at First Church, 165 Main Street, on Saturday, Sept. 5, from 7:00-9:00 p.m. and will feature folksinger and storyteller Mike Agronoff. Parking is available in the lot behind the church. The Song & Story Swap is open to members of the public of all ages. Admission is free, with a suggested minimum donation to the artist of $10.00. At song and story swaps, people of all experience levels gather to share stories and songs that are traditional, newly written, or drawn from personal experience. You can tell, sing, or lead everyone in singing, or request a song or story. Attendees will be invited to contribute a song or story on the topic of “Funny” during an opening round of sharing. Listeners are welcome.
SATURDAY SEPTEMBER 5: BIG D AND THE KIDS’ TABLE. 8 p.m., The Drake, 44 North Pleasant Street. Big D and the Kids Table is a ska/punk band formed in 1995 in Boston. This year the band is back with their first LP in five years, the Good Ole American Saturday Night. It also marks their reunion with producer Joe Gittleman, who produced Big D classics Strictly Rude and Fluent in Stroll, as well as Matt Appleton of Reel Big Fish and Goldfinger, who produced their 2021 album Do Your Art. Tickets $25 in advance, $30 at the door. See complete schedule 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: contactus@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.
WEDNESDAY SEPTEMBER 9: DAVID LIEBE HART. 8 p.m., The Drake, 44 North Pleasant Street. Known for his roles on Tim and Eric Awesome Show Great Job! And other adult swim series, David Liebe Hart is an outsider musician, actor, puppeteer, UFOlogist and train buff. Funny, engaging or confusing, each show is a one-of-a-kind and always memorable. Tickets $15 in advance, $20 at the door. See complete schedule here.
FRIDAY SEPTEMBER 11: DON’T TELL COMEDY. 8 p.m., The Drake, 44 North Pleasant Street. Secret comedians. All comedians remain unknown until the moment they take stage. We carefully curate lineups of 4 to 7 different comics to create a hilarious and diverse show. Tickets $27 in advance. See complete schedule here.
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 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 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
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.
SATURDAY SEPTEMBER 19: SOURCE TO SEA CLEAN UP. 9:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. Join us for the 30th Anniversary of Source to sea cleanup of the Connecticut River Watershed. Join us to remove trash from our waterways, riverbanks, and communities across the 410-mile Connecticut River watershed in NH, VT, MA, and CT. All ages welcome. Sign up here and you will receive more information. Hard work, real fun, true impact.
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.
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.
FRIDAY SEPTEMBER 25: OFFICE HOURS WITH REP. MINDY DOMB. 4 to 5 p.m., Amherst Town Hall, first floor, 4 Boltwood Avenue. This is an opportunity for constituents to speak to Rep. Domb and her team and to share concerns and thoughts on state legislation and to seek assistance. There is no need to schedule an appointment. Stop by anytime during the hour. If you are unable to attend at these times or if you have a time sensitive or private matter, Rep. Domb’s office can be reached via email at mindy.domb@mahouse.gov.
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 SUNDAY AUGUST 30: AMHERST ROTARY FAIR. 6. To 10 p.m. August 27 and 28, 1 to 10 p.m. on August 29, and 1 to 6 p.m. on August 30, Town Common. The rotary fair has been a staple for the community since the 1950’s. This year there will be a special opening ceremony with a ribbon cutting will be held Thursday at 5:30 where Rotary President Robin Brown will show appreciation to The Fanelli Brothers for the years it has put on the fair. Town Manager Paul Bockelman and State Representative Mindy Domb will also speak. The rides will include a Ferris wheel and merry-go-round and a climbing wall. The Rotary Club of Amherst uses money from the fair to provide scholarships to local students and to assist nonprofits through donations and small grants. Advance tickets can be purchased at https://fanelliamusements.com/events/16
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.
NOW THROUGH SUNDAY JANUARY 3: “MY BEAUTIFUL, PITIFUL AGE:” THE 20TH CENTURY THROUGH THE THOMAS P. WHITNEY COLLECTION. Mead Art Museum, Amherst College. The multipart exhibition at the Mead Art Museum and the Amherst Center for Russian Culture will offer the first in-depth exploration of the Thomas P. Whitney Collection of art and rare books. Exhibition materials will be shown in galleries in both locations throughout the 2026-2027 academic year: A graduate of Amherst College, Thomas P. Whitney (1917–2007, Class of 1937) worked as an economic analyst and then as a diplomat and journalist in Moscow from 1944 to 1953. Upon returning to the United States, he became known as an expert in Soviet affairs and a translator of Russian literature. Driven by a special interest in Russian-speaking networks of thought and visual art, he assembled a library of rare books, manuscripts, and periodicals that formed an intellectual whole with his art holdings. The literary materials established the Amherst Center for Russian Culture in 1991, followed a decade later by the gift to the Mead of approximately 700 artworks by over 160 artists from the Russian Empire and Soviet Union. Today, these holdings remain one of the most comprehensive North American collections of art and literary materials from that region. The art collection encompasses the late Russian Empire and the Soviet Union while tracing artists’ global trajectories across the territories of present-day Russia, Ukraine, Belarus, the Baltic states, Germany, France, the United Kingdom, the United States, and beyond. Holdings include Orthodox icons from various periods and regions, as well as the artwork of important late 19th- and early 20th-century figures like Léon Bakst, Alexandre Benois, and Nicholas Roerich; radical modernists including Vassily Kandinsky, Kazimir Malevich, Naum Gabo, Alexander Archipenko, Sonia Delaunay, Natalia Goncharova, Alexandra Exter; as well as major Soviet nonconformists like Vladimir Veisberg, Oskar Rabin, and Ülo Sooster. The collection combines paintings, drawings, prints, sculptures, rare books, and manuscripts, with a special focus on the dialogue between visual art and literature.
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.