What’s Happening In Amherst?

You can help us make our events calendar more useful by sending us your listings and including contact information and/or a link for more information. Send events listings to amherstindy@gmail.com.

IN PERSON ONGOING OR MULTI-DAY EVENTS

SECOND TUESDAY OF EVERY MONTH: OPEN MIC NIGHT AT THE DRAKE. 44 North Pleasant Street. Free event. Performers arrive by 5:30 p.m. Stage time: 6 p.m – 10 p.m. All ages. Younger performers will be slotted earler. All performers and styles of performances welcome, including but not limited to: music (of all kinds) – acoustic, folk, rock, hip hop, jazz, classical, etc…comedy, spoken word / readings, poetry,
dance, performance art. House rules and more information.

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+. (Next event is December 28)

LAST FRIDAY OF EVERY MONTH : LAST FRIDAYS AT THE DRAKE POETRY SERIES HOSTED BY LYRICAL FAITH. 44 North Pleasant Street. Join us every last Friday of the month* for Last Fridays at The Drake hosted by Lyrical Faith for an unforgettable open mic and poetry night experience featuring award-winning spoken word artists from across the country. Come through for music, drinks, and artistic expression where poets take center stage to share new work, old work, or any work that helps them get free. Doors and bar open at 5PM. Early arrival is encouraged to get a slot on the sign-up sheet. The cover charge is $5 with a college ID or $10 general admission. More Information. Full Events Calendar at the Drake.

EVERY WEDNESDAY BEGINNING NOVEMBER 30: CAN’T REMEMBER CAFE. Bangs Community Center, 70 Boltwood Walk. 10 a.m. – 12 p.m. Are you or a loved one experiencing memory loss? At the Amherst Senior Center, we understand memory changes and have developed a new program based on the popular Memory Café format. The Can’t Remember (CR) Café offers fun, relaxation, and of course, snacks. This program is perfect for caregivers, people with mild memory loss, or anyone in the community who enjoys good conversation and strong coffee. Each Can’t Remember Café opens with a coffee and conversation hour, followed by a group activity. Join us on Wednesday, November 30th for a performance by our special musical guests, “Healing Hearts with Harmony” at 11:00am. Come for the coffee, stay for the connections! Email seniorcenter@amherstma.gov or call 413-259-3060 with questions. 

EVERY THURSDAY AND FRIDAY: FREE COVID VACCINE CLINICS. The Health Department has resumed its vaccine clinics at the Bangs Community Center, 70 Boltwood Walk from 12-2 p.m. on Thursdays. All residents, ages 12 and up who have not had a vaccine or booster in the past two months are eligible for and urged to get the new bivalent vaccines, which offer protection against the omicron variant of Covid-19. Registration for appointments is at https://www.amherstcovid19.org/vaccine . Walk-ins are also welcome.

UMass is offering bivalent Covid vaccines for ages 12 and older in Room 101 at the Campus Center on Thursdays from 12-4 p.m. and Fridays from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. and for those 12 and younger on Thursdays from 4-5:30 p.m. Appointments https://umass.my.site.com/covidtesting/s/vaccination  are recommended but not essential. To find other sites offering the bivalent vaccine, go to https://vaxfinder.mass.gov/ .

SATURDAY JUNE 25 THROUGH SATURDAY DECEMBER 31,2022: CELEBRATING COLLAGE, A TWENTIETH ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION AT THE ERIC CARLE MUSEUM OF PICTURE BOOK ART. Eric Carle Museum on the Hampshire College campus, 125 Bay Road. Inspired by the distinctive art of our co-founder Eric Carle, this anniversary exhibition presents the work of 20 picture-book artists who specialize in collage. They range from acknowledged masters of the medium like Eric Carle, Lois Ehlert, Ezra Jack Keats, and Leo Lionni to vanguard artists of today, who continue to innovate and expand the possibilities of the art form. Together, the 90 featured collages tell the story of a style and technique that has been at the creative heart of picture books and visual storytelling for half a century. There is also a comfortable reading area to enjoy the 70 books represented. Hours: 10-4 Wednesday through Friday, 10-5 Saturday, 12-5 Sunday. Closed December 24-27 for the holidays and January 1-13 for routine maintenance. Admission: $9 for adults, $6 for students, teachers, and seniors. Free to members.

MONDAY SEPTEMBER 19- WEDNESDAY APRIL 3: FEINBERG LECTURE SERIES ON US IMPERIALISM – CONFRONTING EMPIRE. Events are online or hybrid. This free public lecture series brings together scholars, journalists, educators, writers, community organizers, and survivors of state violence to examine global histories of U.S. imperialism and anti-imperialist resistance.The series traces the history of U.S. imperialism from the conquest of North America to the creation of an overseas empire in the late 19th century and to the present day. It also offers a critical historical analysis of the various traditions and movements that have opposed U.S. empire, including Black radicalism, Marxism, revolutionary feminism, armed struggle, international solidarity, pacifism, and liberal, electoral, and diplomatic activism. 
Register here.
Full listing of series events and more information

FRIDAY SEPTEMBER 30 -SUNDAY MAY 14: 60 YEARS OF COLLECTING -AN ANNIVERSARY EXHIBITION CELEBRATING THE UNIVERSITY MUSEUM OF CONTEMPORARY ART PERMANENT COLLECTION. Bottom Floor of the UMass Fine Arts Center. Look here for gallery hours and additional information. Free. The exhibit can be viewed on line here.

MONDAY, NOVEMBER 21 THROUGH MONDAY DECEMBER 19: AMHERST POLICE DEPARTMENT HOLIDAY GIFT DRIVE. The APD will be collecting unwrapped toys, books, clothing, gift cards, and wrapping supplies to be distributed to the Amherst Survival Center, Jessie’s House, and the Bridge Family Resources Center for the holidays. Donations should be brought to the police station at 111 Main Street. For more information, contact Detective Marcus Humber at 413-259-3355 or humberm@amherstma.gov.

FRIDAY DECEMBER 2 THROUGH FRIDAY DECEMBER 30: ANNUAL HOLIDAY SHOW AND SALE AT GALLERY A3. Gallery A3 at 28 Amity Street, will hold its annual holiday group show and sale from December 2 through December 30. Intimate, enticing, in-person, affordable, and fun, the show and sale “Small Wonders” features small works of art created by current members of the cooperative gallery, plus several guest artists.  Most of the original artwork is created on 6” x 6” or 5” x 7” wood panels and includes paintings, prints, photographs, collages, and assemblages. In an effort to make pieces affordable, prices range $50 to $150.  Hours are 2 p.m.-7 p.m. Thursday-Sunday. Masking and social distancing are required. More information

SATURDAY DECEMBER 10 THROUGH THURSDAY DECEMBER 29: GROUP EXHIBIT. DAVE MADELONI, BRIAN MCQUILIAN AND OLWEN DOWLING. Hosmer Gallery, Forbes Library, Northampton Dave Madeloni is an educator, activist, and journalist who resides in Northampton, whose photographs frequently appear in The Amherst Indy. All of his photographs in the exhibit were taken within a few miles of the library during the COVID era. Their purpose: to remind us to both cherish and protect the beauty and vulnerability that surround us. Brian McQuillan’s sculptures are created with a lot of love, junk, and a strong dose of high voltage electricity. Olwen Dowling believes that “Nature and what it brings to our daily lives is the ultimate healer.” He hopes that his monotype, dry points, intaglio etchings, and watercolors will “bring a sense of stillness and quietude to the viewer.” 

SUNDAY DECEMBER 18 – THURSDAY JANUARY 5: SCANOGRAPHY FROM GREEN WORLD BY MARTY KLEIN. 5:00 p.m – 7:00 p.m. (TH, Jewish Community of Amherst, 724 Main Street. Marty Klein is a pioneer in scanography, the art of using a flatbed scanner as a macro camera. His work is remarkable for its deeply informed connection to nature, for its wit, and for its joy in life. What gives Klein depth is his intimacy with Nature, for he is a true naturalist, a man of the land. This exhibit will feature 16 prints covering a range of subjects-plants, flowers, mushrooms, etc. More information. Full schedule of dates.

JANUARY 19-22 AND 26-29: AMHERST COMMUNITY THEATER PRESENTS DISNEY’S THE LITTLE MERMAID. Bowker Auditorium, UMass. This timeless fable will delight and dazzle audience members of all ages with its irresistible songs, stunning sets and costumes, and full live orchestra! Nine performances: for tickets, click here or visit amherstacts.org and go to “Audience Information.” Questions? Email producer@amherstacts.org.

IN PERSON SINGLE DAY EVENTS
SUNDAY DECEMBER 18: “LAST REQUEST: A LOVE STORY” A ONE-WOMAN MUSICAL PLAY BY PETE NELSON STARRING TRACY GRAMMER: The Drake 3 p.m. Well known local folk singer Tracy Grammer stars in Pete Nelson’s play narrated by 40 something Katie, whose dying mother asks her to write a musical about her life and sing it to her before she dies. Based on two novellas published by Nelson in the 70’s and 80’s. Also being presented at 7:30 p.m. at December 8 at Studio 30, 30 Maple Street, Florence and 7:30 p.m. on December 16 at Hawks & Reed Performing Arts Center in Greenfield. Free with donations accepted.

MONDAY, DECEMBER 19: THE AMHERST JAZZ ORCHESTRA. 7:30 p.m. – 10:00 p.m. Union Station Grand Ballroom, 125A Pleasant Street, Northampton. Contemporary 17 piece Big Band with vocalist Ethel Lee performs classic arrangements and original compositions for Jazz Orchestra. The AJO hasperformed in the Valley for 27 years. $5 cover. Additional dates.

TUESDAY DECEMBER 21: CELEBRATE THE WINTER SOLSTICE SUNRISE AND SUNSET AT THE UMASS SUNWHEEL 7:00 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. At the Sunwheel behind McGurik Alumni Stadium. Heavy rain or snow will cancel the gatherings. At the hour-long gatherings, UMass Amherst astronomers will discuss the astronomical cause of the solstice. They will explain the seasonal positions of Earth, the sun and moon, and the design of the Sunwheel and other calendar sites around the world. They will also answer other astronomical questions, such as why the earliest sunset occurs about two weeks before the solstice and the latest sunrise about two weeks later, or why the longest day of the year is actually December 22. More information and directions.

MONDAY DECEMBER 26: COMMUNITY CELEBRATION OF KWANZAA. Bangs Community Center, 70 Boltwood Walk. 11 a.m. – 3 p.m. Join the Human Rights Commission (HRC) in a celebration of the first day of Kwanzaa UMOJA (unity). Kwanzaa derives from the Swahili phrase matunda ya Kwanzaa meaning “first fruits of the harvest”. The holiday was founded in 1966 by Dr. Maulana Karenga to honor family, culture, and community through celebration, reflection, affirmation and connection.  Kwanzaa is a weeklong celebration starting on December 26 and ends on January 1. Each day represents one of the seven principles of Kwanzaa. Music, African dance and drumming, children’s activities and Community!  Lunch will be provided.

WEDNESDAY JANUARY 4: FIRST AFTER DARK WALKABOUT WITH THE TOWN MANAGER TO EXPLORE SAFE SIDEWALKS. 5 p.m. Kendrick Park at the lighted tree nearest the round aboutWe’ll walk up E. Pleasant St. to Strong St. and back to Kendrick Park.

ONLINE EVENTS – ONGOING OR MULTI-DAY

MONDAY SEPTEMBER 19- WEDNESDAY APRIL 3: Feinberg Lecture Series On US Imperialism: Confronting Empire Events are online or hybrid. This free public lecture series brings together scholars, journalists, educators, writers, community organizers, and survivors of state violence to examine global histories of U.S. imperialism and anti-imperialist resistance.The series traces the history of U.S. imperialism from the conquest of North America to the creation of an overseas empire in the late 19th century and to the present day. It also offers a critical historical analysis of the various traditions and movements that have opposed U.S. empire, including Black radicalism, Marxism, revolutionary feminism, armed struggle, international solidarity, pacifism, and liberal, electoral, and diplomatic activism.  The series kicks off Monday, September 19 for the Keynote Address, US Policy In the Global South by Nobel Peace Laureate Dr. Rigoberta Menchú Tum, joined by journalists Vincent Bevins and Amy Goodman. 7 p.m. on Zoom.
Register here.
Full listing of series events and more information

FRIDAY SEPTEMBER 30 -SUNDAY MAY 14. 60 YEARS OF COLLECTING -AN ANNIVERSARY EXHIBITION CELEBRATING THE UNIVERSITY MUSEUM OF CONTEMPORARY ART PERMANENT COLLECTION. Bottom Floor of the UMass Fine Arts Center. Look here for gallery hours and additional information. Free. The exhibit can be viewed on line here.

THURSDAY DECEMBER 1 – SATURDAY DECEMBER 31: VIRTUAL PHOTOGRAPHY EXHIBIT-THE SOUTH AMHERST RAIL TRAIL AND SWAMP THROUGH THE SEASONS BY SALLY GREENEBAUM.
During the month of December 2022, photographer Sally Greenebuam will be showing 24 of her photographs in a virtual exhibit at the Burnett Gallery at the Jones Library. These photographs will show the South Amherst Rail Trail and Swamp through the seasons. Greenebaum looks for interesting landscapes, unusual water reflections, minute details in tree bark, and changes in the animal life in and around the swamp.There is so much to see, so many colors, textures and patterns, at the beginning of the Norwottuck Rail Trail, on Station Road, in South Amherst. Throughout the year, the swamp and woods offer dramatic beauty as the ice and snow melt, the trees and flowers bloom, birds and animals return, the fog rolls in and out, lily pads appear, the leaves change and the snow returns. Exhibit link here
Contact Sally Greenebaum with questions or comments here.

ONLINE SINGLE DAY EVENTS
WEDNESDAY JANUARY 11: COMMUNITY LISTENING SESSION ON REPARATIONS WITH SPECIAL GUEST REPRESENTATIVE JIM MCGOVERN. Zoom. 6:30-8:30 p.m. Meeting link and more information. Sponsored by the African Heritage Reparations Assembly