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.
SINGLE DAY EVENTS
SATURDAY MAY 18: UMASS COMMENCEMENT. Beginning at 10 a.m. at McGuirk Alumni Stadium, UMass. More information
SATURDAY MAY 18: GARDEN CLUB OF AMHERST ANNUAL PLANT SALE. 8:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., Town Common. Rain or shine. Come by to purchase “fabulous hostas, woodland plants, shrubs, trees, grasses, plants for shade and sun, plants for everyone.” The plant sale is the major fundraiser for the Garden Club of Amherst and supports its beautification and conservation projects in the community.
SATURDAY MAY 18: PLEIN AIR LANDSCAPE PAINTING AT AMETHYST BROOK. 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., Amethyst Point. Kestrel Land Trust and the Plein Air Society welcome Spring with this event. Painters are invited to gather outside and capture on canvas the various picturesque views of the landscape as the RFT traverses the woods and brook. The event is open to artists of all levels, as well as spectators. Painters and spectators register here.
- At 9:00am, artists arrive at Amethyst Point to paint for 2-3 hours. Artists should bring their own supplies, including an easel, canvas or paper, and painting or drawing supplies. A member of the Amherst Plein Air Society will be available to welcome artists and advise about set up.
- Beginning at 10:30am, the public is invited to wander the area and watch participating artists at work.
- At noon, artists will gather to informally exhibit and critique the paintings created that day.
SUNDAY MAY 19: ASIAN AMERICAN/PACIFIC ISLANDER HERITAGE MONTH CELEBRATION. 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., Amherst Town Common. Arts and crafts, food, live entertainment. Sponsored by the Human Rights Commission. Free. Rain location: Amherst Regional Middle School.
SUNDAY MAY 19: CREATE A MULTIMEDIA/WOODEN POSTCARD WITH ARTIST HEATHER GEOFFREY. 1 to 3 p.m., Mill District General Store and Local Art Gallery, 91 Cowls Road. Join Springfield artist, Heather Geoffrey, in the Mill District Local Art Gallery on Sunday, Sunday, May 19 from 1-3pm, for an afternoon creating a beautiful multimedia/decoupage wooden postcard for your home with some very simple and fun techniques. No experience is necessary, and all are welcome!
The cost of the class includes all the materials that you will need. Please feel free to bring any images, photographs, paper, fabric scraps or anything else that you think you may want to use in your creation. $35, all materials provided. Ages 12+ with an accompaniment. Preregistration required.
TUESDAY MAY 21: PUBLIC HEARING ON THE BUDGET. 6:30 p.m. on Zoom.
TUESDAY MAY 21: AMHERST-GUJUR-DAKAR: SENE-GAMBIAN SCHOLARS PRESENTATION. 7 p.m., Amherst Regional High School cafeteria. A presentation by the Amherst Regional High School Sene-Gambian scholars about their exchange trip to the Gambia and Senegal. Scholars will share their field research projects and answer questions about their experiences. Refreshments will be served. Free and open to the public.
THURSDAY MAY 23: POETRY READING AT AMHERST BOOKS. 6 p.m., Amherst Books, 8 Main Street. Keven Goodan & Kim Burwick will read from their most recent collections of poetry. Goodan’s volume, In the Days that Followed, is just out & Burwick’s volume, Out Beyond the Land was published during the Pandemic. Goodan has published 7 volumes of poetry, starting with In the Ghost–House Acquainted & has read here numerous times. Burwick has read here as well. Out Beyond the Land is her 6th volume of poetry.
WEDNESDAY MAY 29: FIVE COLLEGE JOB FAIR. 1 to 4 p.m., Smith College Indoor Track and Tennis Complex. The event offers job seekers an opportunity to explore hundreds of jobs open at each of the five colleges. The fair will feature high-priority openings in a wide variety of departments and attendees will be able to talk with campus representatives and explore job opportunities. Refreshments will be available and gift bags of campus souvenirs will be raffled off to attendees. The campus departments with the most openings include: Administration, Campus Safety (security officers), Dining Services (cooks, kitchen assistant, cashiers), Facilities/Custodial Services, Financial Services, IT technicians. For more information, visit fivecolleges.edu/jobfair.
WEDNESDAY MAY 22: AMHERST REGIONAL HIGH SCHOOL JAZZ SINGERS’ SOIREE. 6:30 p.m. The Drake, 44 North Pleasant Street. “The 7th annual ARHS Jazz Singer Soireé will feature 2 jazz combos from ARHS and will showcase a variety of outstanding student (and some staff!) singers. Tunes will range from American Songbook classics to soul hits and contemporary songs. Open to all! Free. Any donations at the door will benefit the ARHS Jazz program.
THURSDAY MAY 23: HEALTHY LIFESTYLE CHOICES FOR THE MIND AND BODY. 1 to 2:30 p.m., Amherst Senior Center, 70 Boltwood Walk. Karen Romanowski, registered nurse and memory care specialist with the Pioneer Valley Memory Care Initiative (PVMCI) will provide a presentation on Healthy Lifestyle Choices for the Brain and Body. Research continues to show that even small changes can make a difference as we age. Karen will also provide a brief overview of the work of PVMCI. There will be time for questions and discussion and she hopes to see you there! Sponsored by Amherst Neighbors.
THURSDAY MAY 23: BARD IN THE BAR. 7 p.m., White Lion Brewing, 24 North Pleasant Street. Members of Valley Players will perform an impromptu reading of Shakespeare’s “Much Ado About Nothing,” drink in hand. Free, but donations to Valley Players are welcome. No reservations necessary. Those wishing to participate in the reading can sign up at info@valleyplayers.org.
THURSDAY MAY 23: ELEANOR LEVINE AND LUX DELUX. 8 p.m., The Drake, Musicians from Western Mass in a fundraiser for A Cure in Sight (ACIS), which supports education and research on ocular melanoma. Tickets $15/ $20 at the door.
FRIDAY MAY 31 AND SATURDAY JUNE 1: GARDEN DAYS AT THE EMILY DICKINSON MUSEUM. As summer temperatures arrive in Amherst, Emily’s garden begs to be tended. Join a group of fellow volunteers to aid in the cultivation of the historic Dickinson landscape. Participants will help to weed, divide older perennials, plant new perennials and annuals, edge flower beds, and more! Two sessions each day: 9:30 to 12:30 and 1:30 to 4:30. Space is limited, register in advance!
SATURDAY JUNE 1: 10TH ANNUAL NEPM ASPARAGUS FESTIVAL 10 a.m to 7 p.m., Hadley Town Common. The family-friendly NEPM Asparagus Festival features a full day of fantastic local food, drink, music, games, and fun for everyone. Come celebrate the region’s legacy of agriculture and community.
SATURDAY JUNE 1: MEMORIAL TRIBUTE TO PROFESSOR BILL STRICKLAND. 3 to 5 p.m., Theater Room, New Africa House, 180 Infirmary Way, UMass. A Memorial Tribute in honor of Professor Bill Strickland. Sunrise 1/04/37 to Sunset 04/10/24. In person and on Zoom.
TUESDAY JUNE 4: WESTERN MA TAKE BACK OUR DEMOCRACY SUMMIT. 6:30 to 8 p.m., on Zoom. Please join us for presentations from Ohio, Montana, Arizona, and Texas Democrats involved in their critical Senate races (where we’ll be phonebanking), plus many other activities we will offer in the 413 area. Welcoming remarks from Senator Warren, Congressman McGovern, Governor Healey, Senator Comerford, and Ava Pujado from the UMass Dems.
We’ll be canvassing in New Hampshire, phone banking in the above four US Senate races, writing letters and postcards, and doing voter registration and voter protection. Please come hear about these and other important races and the many ways to volunteer. This is a must year – we all need to help Biden win, take back the House, and keep the Senate. This summit will be the chance to hear all of the ways to help.
WEDNESDAY JUNE 5: CELEBRATE ROBERT PAM. 4 to 5 p.m., Goodwin Room, Jones Library. Join us as we celebrate Bob Pam in recognition of his distinguished service as a Jones Library Trustee from 2013 to 2024.
SUNDAY JUNE 9: 42ND ANNUAL LAKE WYOLA RUN. 9:30 a.m., 6 Shore Drive, Shutesbury. 4.8 mile run, walk and 1.6 mile fun run to benefit the Lake Wyola Association. Prizes, refreshments, and a raffle. T-shirts to pre-registrants. Register here. (note: not an Amherst event, but Indy staffers Maura and Art Keene are race directors).
SUNDAY JUNE 9: AMHERST YOUTH HERO AWARDS ANNUAL PICNIC. (and also Mill River Basketball Tournament and Race Amity Day Celebration). Afternoon. Mill River Recreational Area 95 Montague Road More details to come.
SUNDAY JUNE 9: MILL RIVER BASKETBALL TOURNAMENT AND RACE AMITY DAY CELEBRATION.9 a.m., Mill River Recreation Area. The Human Rights Commission in collaboration with Citizens for Race Amity Now and the Mill River Basketball Tournament Committee invite you to the 3rd Annual Mill River Basketball Tournament. Youth Hero Awards and Race Amity Day celebration at 2 p.m. Register here. Payment due on game day. Lunch provided.
MONDAY JUNE 10: STATE SENATOR JO COMERFORD AND THE PEOPLE’S TOWN HALL. 5:30 to 7 p.m., Cohn Family Dining Commons, Greenfield Community College, 1 College Drive, Greenfield. My team and I will offer timely updates. We’ll also look forward to what’s ahead. Participants will be encouraged to ask questions, share ideas, and offer feedback. Simultaneous American Sign Language and Spanish interpretation will be available, as well as large print slides. Physically accessible and free to all. We’ll provide beverages and healthy-ish snacks. The Town Hall will be recorded and shared online for those who are unable to attend in person. Registration is encouraged. Sign up via this Registration Form.
THURSDAY JUNE 13: AMHERST PRIDE DAY. 3p.m., Pride flag raising at Town Hall. 4 p.m., “Celebration of the Goodrich Decision” at Amherst College Alumni House with Justice Roderick Ireland. Justice Ireland was a member of the four-justice majority in a case called Goodridge v. Department of Public Health. The 2003 case established Massachusetts as the first state in the country to legalize same-sex marriage. The forum for the panel discussion will be restricted to Justice Ireland and members of Amherst’s community who were invited to speak on the panel. If attendees wish to speak with Justice Ireland, or any of the LGBTQIA couples, they will have an opportunity to do so following the panel’s completion. We decided on this format in the interest of time and preserving the intended integrity of this programming.
SUNDAY JUNE 23: QUEER ARTISAN MARKET. 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Mill District, 91 Cowls Rd. This family friendly event will host makers of all sorts of lovely goods from members of the LGBTQIA+ community.This event will be ideally outdoors in front of the former Provisions space in the center of North Square in The Mill District. In the event of rain, we will be able to pop-up inside of the former Provisions space to have an indoor event.
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.
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.
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 UNTIL NOVEMBER: AMHERST FARMERS’ MARKET. 8 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., Amherst Town Common. 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 food, music, events, and community offerings in downtown Amherst.
SATURDAYS UNTIL OCTOBER 2024: CAMBODIANS IN AMERICA. Exhibit 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., Amherst History Museum, 47 Amity Street. Cambodians in Amherst exhibit: a history of the Khmer community. Telling the 45-year history of Cambodians in Amherst through oral histories, photos, art, and archived footage. On exhibit until October 2024. Saturdays from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. or any other day by appointment.
EVERY THIRD SUNDAY FROM APRIL THROUGH OCTOBER: CARS AND COFFEE AT THE MILL DISTRICT. 8:30 to noon, Mill District, 91 Cowls Road. CARS & COFFEE IS OPEN TO EVERYONE – Exhibitors and Spectators alike are welcome! CAR OWNERS: There is no fee to exhibit your car, and pre-registration is NOT required. Aim to arrive by 8:30am for best parking spots. We’ll have our trophy ceremony at 11:45am and the show wraps up at 12 noon sharp. SPECTATORS : Come to the HQ tent and pick up your ballots. Vote for your favorite Domestic, Import, Exotic, and Best Overall. Every complete ballot returned puts you into a drawing for a Mill District Gift Card! Enjoy our expanding array of shops and discover your favorites! Next Cars and Coffee is May 19.
NOW THROUGH SATURDAY JUNE 1: STORIES I TELL MYSELF, MIXED MEDIA EXHIBIT BY DIANE STEINGART. Gallery A3, 28 Amity Street 1D. Hours: TH-SUN 2-7 p.m. Meet the artist: Diane will be at Gallery A3 to meet with gallery visitors on Friday May 10 and Friday May 17, 4:30–7pm and Saturday May 18, 2–4:30 pm. These sessions offer a wonderful opportunity for the artist and local art lovers to connect, so come to Gallery A3 and spend some time looking at the work and talking with Diane about art. More information
NOW THROUGH FRIDAY JUNE 7: DAILY YOGA AT THE MUNSON LIBRARY. Free outdoor yoga is now inside at the Munson Library. The schedule is: Sundays, Mondays, and Tuesdays at 8 a.m., Mondays and Thursdays at 5:30 p.m. Wednesdays at 7:30 a.m., Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays at 8 a.m. No pre-registration necessary. Bring your own mats, blocks, straps, and blankets. Donations welcome.
NOW THROUGH SUNDAY JUNE 9: SLOW WALK WITH TREES: ALICIA GRULLON PHOTO EXHIBIT. Mead Art Museum, Amherst College. The exhibition is a call to consider notions of land and labor as interconnected systems through various mediums. Grullón’s new photographs of trees and pictures of a single masked person are each paired with text. The compilation of texts reflects Grullón’s research of recent protests in a range of industries such as mining, shipping, and entertainment.