What’s Happening In Amherst?

by Art and Maura Keene

It’s summer and things have slowed down around town. 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.

SINGLE DAY EVENTS

SATURDAY SEPTEMBER 2: PAUL KAPLAN AT PIONEER VALLEY FOLKLORE SOCIETY SONG & STORY SWAP. 7 p.m. First Church, 165 Main Street. Veteran folksinger and songwriter Paul Kaplan will be the featured performer. The theme of the concert will be “climate”. Kaplan is the recipient of 11 ASCAP songwriting awards. He will be touring Europe this fall. Admission is free with a suggested donation to the artist via a virtual tip jar.

THURSDAY SEPTEMBER 7: OPENING RECEPTION AT GALLERY A3. New Exhibit At Gallery A3 In September: Marianne Connolly and Rochelle Shicoff. 5-7 p.m. 28 Amity Street 1D. Free and open to the public. More information

SUNDAY SEPTEMBER 10: COMMON SHARE FOOD COOP TABLE AT THE NORTH AMHERST BBQ
Drop by Common Share Food Coop’s table at the District One North Amherst BBQ event on
Sun. 9/10 3-5pm at the Mill District and learn about becoming a member owner. More information

TUESDAY SEPTEMBER 12: REGISTRATION CLOSES FOR THE TOWN‘S ANNUAL HAZARDOUS WASTE DAY. Hazardous Waste Day is Saturday September 23 at the Fort River School. More information

TUESDAY SEPTEMBER 12: LISTENING SESSIONS FOR POLICE CHIEF SEARCH. 9 a.m. at Bangs Community Center, 70 Boltwood Walk and 6 p.m. in the Woodbury Room at the Jones Library, 43 Amity Street. The listening sessions are an early opportunity for community members to voice their values, hopes, and expectations for an incoming Police Chief. “Community feedback will serve as an invaluable tool as GovHR begins its work in assisting the Town recruit a new Police Chief,” said Town Manager Paul Bockelman.

TUESDAY SEPTEMBER 12: MARIA MULDAUR AT THE DRAKE. 8 p.m. 44 North Pleasant Street. In the 46 years since “Midnight at the Oasis” Maldaur has toured worldwide and has recorded 41 solo albums covering all kinds of American Roots music. In 2019, the Americana Music Association awarded her “The Lifetime Achievement Americana Trailblazer Award.” Tix: $25. More information. Full schedule of events.

FRIDAY SEPTEMBER 15-SUNDAY SEPTEMBER 17: AUDITIONS FOR AMHERST COMMUNITY THEATER PRODUCTION OF “SEUSSICAL”. Auditions for the January 2024 musical. Sign up at https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0F44A4AE2EAAF8C52-auditions1#/ . More dates available for those observing Rosh Hashanah. For questions email producer@amherstacts.org or see www.amherstacts.org .

THURSDAY SEPTEMBER 21: 10th Annual BID BLOCK PARTY. 5-9 p.m. Downtown. Come enjoy a great line up of live music on the Main Stage and Showcase Stage. Plus, local food, games and prizes, juggling, acrobats, and so much more. Sponsored by the Amherst Cultural Council, the Business Improvement District, and Amherst College.

FRIDAY SEPTEMBER 22: AN EVENING OF WORDS AND MUSIC WITH SINGER-SONGWRITER AND AUTHOR STEPHEN KELLOGG. Bowker Auditorium, UMass. 7:30 p.m. Tix: $30. adults, $15 youth and students. Join us for an inspiring performance as Grammy-nominated songwriter Stephen Kellogg ’98 performs songs from his catalog and discusses themes from his book, Objects in the Mirror: Thoughts on a Perfect Life from an Imperfect Person. A UMass alum, Kellogg has been exciting audiences across the country as an acclaimed solo artist and formerly with his band, Stephen Kellogg and the Sixers. View Kellogg’s video with the Minuteman Marching Band and make your plans to attend on September 22! More information and purchase tix.

MONDAY AND TUESDAY SEPTEMBER 25 AND 26: BECOME A COMMUNITY FACILITATOR. 5 p.m. to 9:30 at the Bangs Center. Facilitators will join Dr. Barbara Love in a series of facilitator preparation sessions prior to joining the project for the Town of Amherst to facilitate Liberatory Visioning Circles. Register here. This event is sponsored by CRESS, The DEI Department, and the League of Women Voters. Dinner and childcare provided.

TUESDAY SEPTEMBER 26: JUDY BROOKS CONVERSATION, “THE ROLE OF RACE IN VOTING RIGHTS AND EDUCATION”. 7 p.m. Guest speaker Matthew Charity. Sponsored by the League of Women Voters of Amherst. On Zoom. Register here. .

WEDNESDAY SEPTEMBER 27: MONTHY VETERANS’ LUNCH. Noon – 2 p.m. Unitarian Universalist Society of Amherst. 121 North Pleasant Street. Be Heard Veterans, you and your spouse or partner are invited to enjoy lunch Sponsored by Town of Amherst CRESS Department (Community Responders for Equity, Safety and Service). Last Wednesday of Every Month. More Details

FRIDAY SEPTEMBER 29: RECEPTION FOR AMHERST PLEIN AIR EXHIBIT AT THE MILL DISTRICT LOCAL ART GALLERY. 5 to 7 p.m. 91 Cowls Road. The Mill District Local Art Gallery is excited to host the Amherst Plein Air Society in the Front Window Gallery. 15% of proceeds will be donated to Kestrel Land Trust. Over 30 paintings showcase the beauty of Sweet Alice Conservation Area and are available for purchase directly from the artists. Exhibit runs from Saturday, September 2 through Sunday, November 12. Gallery hours: Monday through Friday 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., Saturday and Sunday 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

ONGOING AND MULTI-DAY EVENTS
FIRST TUESDAY OF EVERY MONTH. RAINBOW COFFEE HOUR. 10-11 a.m. Amherst Senior Center, Bangs Center, 70 Boltwood Walk. The Rainbow Coffee Hour is a new LGBTIA+ social coffee group for ages 50 and above. Join us for this welcoming space to socialize. No format, no agenda, just community. The July coffee hour will be held on July 11, due to July 4 being the first Tuesday of the month.

FIRST AND THIRD TUESDAY OF EVERY MONTH (EXCLUDING JULY): 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.

SECOND TUESDAY OF EVERY MONTH (EXCLUDING JULY): 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.

TUESDAYS IN SEPTEMBER: WESTERN MASSACHUSETTS SOLAR FORUM. Free virtual event. You are cordially invited to attend the Western Massachusetts Solar Forum, which will be held virtually in September 2023.  UMass Clean Energy Extension is currently working with members of the Western Massachusetts state delegation (State Senator Jo Comerford and State Representative Mindy Domb), as well as a planning committee of solar photovoltaic (PV) stakeholders and experts, to plan the Forum.  Please join us for a series of online public discussions and information-sharing sessions regarding the opportunities and challenges associated with solar PV development and installation in western Massachusetts. September 5: 12-3 p.m, September 12: 12-4 p.m., September 19: 12-3 p.m., September 26: 12-2:30 p.m. Register at https://web.cvent.com/event/c33d3022-39cf-4aa4-8633-8cf6820bb31a/summary .

FIRST WEDNESDAY OF EVERY MONTH: MOBILE FOOD PROGRAM. 1-2 p.m. The Boulders, 156 Brittany Manor Drive. Free produce. No registration necessary. Open to everyone. Brought by the Food Bank of Western Massachusetts and the Amherst Survival Center. The Food Bank truck will be in the parking lot near apartments 115-125.

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 WEDNESDAY : 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: 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.

LAST FRIDAY OF EVERY MONTH (EXCLUDING JULY) : 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.

SATURDAYS IN SEPTEMBER: MUSIC IN THE GARDEN.  2 to 3:30 p.m. Strong House garden. 67 Amity Street. Sept 2 Cushman String Quartet, September 9 Amethyst String Quartet, September 23 Puffer’s Quartet. Sponsored by Amherst Cultural Council, People’s Bank, Amherst Historical Society and Museum. Free.

EVERY SATURDAY THROUGH NOVEMBER 18: AMERST FARMERS” MARKET. Amherst Town Common. 7:30 a.m. – 3 p.m. This year’s market will features 45 vendors (so far) and has room to sign up a few more. More information

SECOND SATURDAY OF THE MONTH (JUNE THROUGH OCTOBER): ART ON THE LAWN. 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Amherst History Museum 67 Amity Street. Art on the Lawn at the Amherst History Museum takes place on the second Saturday of June, July, September and October; June 10, July 8, September 9 and October 14. Artists and crafters will be set up on the lawn of the museum from 11:00am to 3:00pm when the museum is open for visitors. Stop by to visit and chat with the artists. Come into the museum to see our newest exhibit, The Magnificent Life & Art of Mabel Loomis Todd, take a tour of the newly reinstalled rooms in the house, peruse books in the reading room, and view our extensive clothing textile collection. Entry to the museum is free, but a $5 donation is suggested.

THIRD SUNDAY OF EVERY MONTH APRIL THROUGH OCTOBER: CARS AND COFFEE AT THE MILL DISTRICT. Hosted by the Mill District General Store, 91 Cowls Road, 8:30 to 11:30 a.m. It is free for collectors to display their cars and compete for trophies in four categories: best domestic, best foreign, best exotic, and best overall, based on votes of the public. Plus, there will be coffee from Futura Coffee Roasters which will soon be joining the Mill District. Cars and Coffee will be held rain or shine

NOW THROUGH SUNDAY SEPTEMBER 2: ANNUAL JURIED SHOW AT GALLERY A3.
28 Amity Street 1D. TH-SUN 2-7 p.m. Gallery A3’s 8th Juried Show, undercurrents: Art that Reveals the Underseen,showcases work that illuminates the overlooked and the unknown. More information

THURSDAY SEPTEMBER 7 – SATURDAY SEPTEMBER 30: MARIANNE CONNOLLY AND ROCHELLE SCHIOFF AT GALLERY A3. Piecing, Collecting, Recalling. Gallery A3, 28 Amity 1D. Hours TH-SUN, 2-7p.m. In PIECING, CONNECTING, RE-CALLING, Marianne Connolly weaves a narrative thread through collage and mixed media art while Rochelle Shicoff exhibits a mixed media series that combines painted images, hand-stitched fabrics, and various artifacts of clay, wood, and other materials. More information

NOW throughout THE SUMMER: THE MAGNIFICENT LIFE & ART OF MABEL LOOMIS TODD. Amherst History Museum, Strong House, 67 Amity Street. The 2023 Season at the Strong House brings a fresh look at our founder, Mabel Loomis Todd with an exhibit that explores Todd’s work as a nature writer, painter, conservationist, lecturer, and the editor of Emily Dickinson’s poetry. Visitors will have the opportunity for a before-and-after look at several of Todd’s botanical paintings that have not been on view in decades due to needed repairs. Open Saturdays 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. and by appointment.

NOW throughout -SUMMER 2023: ANCESTRAL BRIDGES EXHIBITION AT FROST LIBRARY TO CELEBRATE BLACK AND AFRO-INDIGENOUS FAMILIES WHO LIVED AND WORKED IN AMHERST Frost Library at Amherst College, 61 Quadrangle Drive, 4:30 p.m.-6 p.m. This exhibition, the first partnership between the Ancestral Bridges Foundation and Amherst College, seeks to center this long-neglected aspect of town history and to reveal the rich and complex lives of the Black and Afro-Indigenous community of Amherst. Our families’ old black-and-white photographs complement oral histories–some yet to be recorded – and other artifacts available locally and at the college. I hope these images and stories raise questions, prompt further research, and challenge us all to meet our collective responsibility to build a more just and equitable future. All are welcome. On view through the summer of 2023. Free.