What’s Happening in Amherst?

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 (more or less)


SATURDAY DECEMBER 7: PIONEER VALLEY FOLKLORE SOCIETY WINTER/HOLIDAY SINGALONG. Pioneer Valley Folklore Society’s December Song and Story swap will feature a winter/holiday singalong. The event will be held at First Church, 165 Main Street from 7-9 p.m. on Saturday December 7. The Song & Story Swap is open to members of the public of all ages.Admission is free with a suggested minimum donation of $7.50. Parking is available in the lot behind the church. More information

SATURDAY DECEMBER 7: THE SLAMBOVIAN CIRCLE OF DREAMS. 8 p.m., The Drake, 44 North Pleasant Street.  With a rootsy psychedelica that hints at Dylan, Bowie, Neil Young, The Beatles, Incredible String Band, the Waterboys,  and Jethro Tull, the Slambovian Circus of Dreams “Very Slambovian Christmas” show is guaranteed to flip your switch and spark the holiday spirit. Tickets $25/ $30 at the door.

SUNDAY DECEMBER 8: ELECTRIC ROOT PRESENTS: THE SOUND OF BLACK MUSIC. 3 p.m., Bowker Auditorium, UMass. The hills are alive with the sound of Black music! Experience the songs from Rodgers and Hammerstein’s beloved musical The Sound of Music reimagined through an Afrofuturistic lens, led by a dynamic group of musicians and vocalists. Join us for this fun and uplifting family matinee performance! The Sound of (Black) Musicisa vibrant one-act concert reimagining of the classic musical, featuring songs such as “Do-Re-Mi,” “Edelweiss,” and “Climb Ev’ry Mountain,” all recast through a Black roots music kaleidoscope.  Vocalists C. Anthony Bryant, Brianna Thomas, Charenee Wade, and Zhanna Reed are supported by an electrifying band to bring to life the most joyous and loving presentation. The Sound of (Black) Music is the brainchild of Electric Root, a dynamic and vibrant collective of artists with a powerful mission: to heal, uplift, and bring joy to communities across the United States through the soul-stirring magic of Black music. Don’t miss the last show of our fall semester! Tickets. $35-$60, Students $15.

SUNDAY DECEMBER 8: CHAMBER AT THE DRAKE: NEW THREAD SAXOPHONE QUARTET. 4 p.m., The Drake, 44 North Pleasant Street. Based in New York, New Thread works closely with composers in a workshop environment during the formation of new works. The quartet strives for multiple performances of newly commissioned works. Tickets $15.

MONDAY DECEMBER 9: DOWNTOWN STREETSCAPE WORKSHOP. 6:30 to 8:30 p.m., Town Room, Town Hall, 4 Boltwood Avenue. We invite you to join us for an interactive session where you’ll help shape the future streetscape design standards for downtown Amherst. We’ll explore design alternatives for our public spaces, including sidewalk paving, benches, bike racks, lighting, signage, outdoor dining areas, parklets, and more. This event will be facilitated by the Town’s design and planning consultant for the project, Dodson & Flinker Landscape Architecture & Planning. Everyone is welcome and encouraged to attend — help us create a downtown that works for all!

TUESDAY DECEMBER 10: MURAL UNVEILING FOR THE AMHERST SENIOR CENTER. 9 to 11 a.m., Bangs Community Center, 70 Boltwood Walk. The Town of Amherst invites the media and community members to join us for the official unveiling reception of the Amherst Senior Center Mural. Through a partnership with Amherst College, students from Professor Lucia Monge’s Public Art and Collaborative Practices course spent the semester meeting with seniors, brainstorming designs, and painting the mural. Many of the features within the mural came directly from ideas and requests from the seniors who often frequent the Center. Come together to celebrate art, community, and connections between generations. 

TUESDAY DECEMBER 10: CARRIAGES—BE SURE—AND GUESTS—TRUE: A DICKINSON BIRTHDAY CELEBRATION. 6 p.m. on Zoom. Reconstruction of The Evergreens Carriage House has begun at the Museum! In this virtual celebration of Emily Dickinson’s 194th birthday, we explore what it takes to re-create a historic structure, from conducting archaeology to designing an environmentally passive building within a historically-sensitive shell. Join Jane and Robert Keiter Family Executive Director Jane Wald and special guests as we go behind the scenes of this exciting moment in the Museum’s history. Along the way we’ll hear special birthday messages to the poet from fans around the world. Free. Registration required.

TUESDAY DECEMBER 10: EMILY DICKINSON BIRTHDAY TRIBUTE READING WITH KIMIKO HAHN. 7:30 p.m. on Zoom and in person in Washington DC. The O.B. Hardison Poetry series hosts its annual celebration of Emily Dickinson with a reading by the Poetry Foundation’s Ruth Lilly Lifetime Achievement Award winner Kimiko Hahn. Hahn is the author of ten collections of poetry, including The Ghost Forest: New & Selected Poems. From the political to the personal, and from science to the journals of Matsuo Bashō, the celebrated Haiku poet of Japan, Hahn brings a lyrical gaze to all these subjects and more. Poet and civil rights lawyer Sunu Chandy moderates the post-reading conversation with a book selling and signing to follow the reading.  Pay what you will. Register.

WEDNESDAY DECEMBER 11: BACK PORCH FESTIVAL SONGWRITER SERIES: THE SONGS OF GRAM PARSONS AND EMMYLOU HARRIS. 8 p.m., The Drake, 44 North Pleasant Street. With Rani Arbo, Lisa Bastoni, Tracy Grammer, Ward Hayden, Peter Mulvey, Winterpills, Deep River Ramblers. Tickets $30 in advance.

^{THURSDAY DECEMBER 12: SENIOR CENTER FIELD TRIP TO THE ERIC CARLE MUSEUM.  10 a.m. to 12 p.m. (lunch included), Eric Carle Museum, 125 West Bay Road.. Join us for an intergenerational field trip to see the new exhibit: Free to Be… You and Me: 50 Years of Stories and Songs. Registration is required ends Tuesday, December 3rd. Call (413) 259-3060 to sign up. If you require transportation, let us know.}

FRIDAY DECEMBER 13: ANXIOUS WITH RESTRAINING ORDER, BURNING LORD, AND DIMENSION.  8 p.m., The Drake, 44 North Pleasant Street.Since the release of their debut album “Little Green House” in 2022, Anxious hasn’t spent much time at home, but their world has been ever-growing. They have been opening from legacy acts like Thrice and Bayside. Tickets $16.

WEDNESDAY DECEMBER 18: KARRIN ALLYSON AND THE NORTHAMPTON JAZZ WORKSHOP. 7:30 p.m., The Drake, 44 North Pleasant Street. Five time Grammy winner Karrin Allyson’s released her first collection of all-original songs “Some of that Sunshine” last year. The record unleashes her dexterity as a songwriter and includes tracks that touch on social change and romantic disillusion, while maintaining joyous, bittersweet optimism. Tickets $15, $5 for students (free for jam participants).

FRIDAY DECEMBER 20: SENIOR CENTER COOKIE SWAP. 1 p.m., Bangs Community Center, 70 Boltwood Walk. Have a favorite cookie or recipe you’re proud of? Show it off at the cookie swap. Hang out while you sample a few or take some to go to enjoy later. Please bake at least two dozen cookies so there are enough to share. Label cookies that contain nuts, gluten, or other allergens. Store bought cookies are fine too.

FRIDAY DECEMBER 20: SLANT OF LIGHT WITH OUTRO, EX-TEMPER. 8 p.m., the Drake, 44 North Pleasant Street. Outro makes new music—tight, wandering, melodic, out there in an old mill building in Western Massachusetts. They have themes and chops. Is their sound Murmur with a post-punk edge or rock for the angry ones? You listen, you decide. Tickets $15.

SATURDAY DECEMBER 21: BAND OF BROTHERS: AN ALLMAN BROTHERS TRIBUTE BAND. 8 p.m., The Drake, 44 North Pleasant Street. A Band of Brothers isn’t just an Allman Brothers tribute band, they’re a powerhouse, uniting the top-tier talent of the East Coast. The brainchild of ace Boston guitarists Ryan Taylor and Johnny Trama, this collective harnesses the Allman Brothers tradition as a vehicle to bring a unique and exciting experience every night. Tickets $25, $30 at the door.

THURSDAY THROUGH SUNDAY JANUARY 16-19 AND 23-26: AMHERST COMMUNITY THEATER PRESENTS THE BROADWAY MUSICAL NEWSIES. Bowker Auditorium, UMass. Set in turn-of-the century New York City, Newsies is the rousing tale of Jack Kelly, a charismatic newsboy and leader of a band of teenaged “newsies.” When titans of publishing raise distribution prices at the newsboys’ expense, Jack rallies newsies from across the city to strike against the unfair conditions and fight for what’s right! Based on the 1992 motion picture and inspired by a true story,  Newsies features a Tony Award-winning score by Alan Menken (Little Shop of Horrors, Sister Act) and Jack Feldman and a book by Tony Award winner Harvey Fierstein (Kinky Boots). Tickets.

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 FROM NOVEMBER 12 THROUGH DECEMBER 31: LUNCH IN TOWN WITH AMHERST NEIGHBORS. 12 to 1:30 p.m., Police Station Community Room, 111 Main Street. Meet other Amherst Neighbors members in person for general camaraderie and discussion. Bring your own lunch. Canceled if the town closes for weather.

FIRST TUESDAY OF EVERY MONTH: COUNCIL ON AGING SENIOR LUNCH. Noon. Bangs Center, 70 Boltwood Walk.

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 : 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.

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: 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 : 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. Our 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 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: IRISH MUSIC SESSION. White Lion Brewery. 24 North Pleasant Street. 4 p.m – 7 p.m.

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.

SATURDAYS IN DECEMBER: WINTER FARMERS’ MARKET. 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Bangs Community Center., 70 Boltwood Walk. The Amherst Farmers’ Market is excited to announce the launch of its Winter Market at the Bangs Community Center, right in downtown Amherst. The Winter Market will run from 10 am to 2 pm every Saturday in December and on the 2nd and 4th Saturdays of January, February, and March. This new venue offers a spacious and familiar environment for local farmers, artisans, and crafters to showcase their goods to the community. 

NOW UNTIL FRIDAY DECEMBER 13: CLAUS FOR A CAUSE. Bangs Center, 70 Boltwood Walk. For the second year in a row, the Amherst Council on Aging is sponsoring Claus for a Cause to bring cheer to older adults who need a pick me up around the holidays, whether they’re homebound, have recently felt a loss, have no family in the area, etc. The Senior Center is collecting donations of puzzle books, hard candies, low-sugar hard candies, tea, hot chocolate, lotion, lip balm, warm clothing, self-care items, etc. that will be used to fill gift bags for seniors. These bags will be delivered beginning Wednesday, December 18. Donations can be brought to the Bangs Community Center until 3 p.m. on Friday, December 13. If you are interested in volunteering to deliver bags, please call Julia MacFadzen at 413-259-3038. Have a friend or neighbor you’d like to nominate? Call Lucas Schildbach at 413-259-3062

NOW THROUGH SATURDAY DECEMBER 28: SMALL WONDERS HOLIDAY SHOW AND SALE. Gallery A3., 28 Amity Street. Affordable and fun…. Gallery A3’s annual December Holiday Show and Sale SMALL WONDERS features small-scale works of art created by current members of a contemporary cooperative gallery located in downtown Amherst.
Original artwork includes paintings, prints, photographs, collages, assemblages, and fiber art. All pieces are appealingly small, with none larger than 10 by 10 inches, and affordably priced, ranging from $50 to $150. And all are “Cash and Carry,” making them ideal for unique holiday gifts. Hours 2 to 7 p.m., Thursday through Sunday. Opening Reception Thursday, December 5, 5 to 7 p.m.