What’s Happening in Amherst?
Photo: istock
by Art and Maura Keene
POSTPONED UNTIL MAY 10 : SATURDAY APRIL 26: 13TH ANNUAL AMHERST SUSTAINABILITY FESTIVAL. 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Town Common. Coinciding with the regularly scheduled Amherst Farmer’s Market, this free and family friendly event brings together local farmers,
environmental vendors, live entertainment, hands-on demonstrations, and much more.
Festival highlights include:Environmental Vendors; Meet and learn from a variety of businesses and organizations dedicated to sustainability and environmental protection including renewable energy vendors, energy efficiency product suppliers, advocacy groups, and sustainable crafts and artisans.Live Entertainment: Enjoy a lineup of local musicians and artists providing dynamic performances throughout the event. Demonstration Area: Participate in hands-on learning experiences with experts in various fields. Activities Around the Common: Attendees can also check out performances by Henry the Juggler, an electric vehicle display with test drives, sustainable crafts, and the Amherst Fire Department’s first hybrid fire truck.
SATURDAY APRIL 26: CITY NATURE CHALLENGE IN WESTERN MASSACHUSETTS. 10 to 11:30 a.m., North Amherst Library, 8 Montague Road. The City Nature Challenge is a community event that connects cities worldwide in a friendly competition to discover and document the most wildlife – this includes plants, animals, fungi, microbes, and anything else found in nature. Join us at the North Amherst Library for a workshop where you will learn how to use the iNaturalist app to gather observations, followed by a stroll through Mill River Park. This event is open to teens and adults. Teens ages 13-17 must be accompanied by an adult. Please remember to bring your phone to the event so you can learn to use the iNaturalist app.
SATURDAY APRIL 26: 14TH ANNUAL UMASS DINING DINE AND DASH 5K. 11 a.m. at the Southwest horseshoe, UMass. Promote health and wellness at UMass Amherst while raising funds for the Amherst Survival Center. Over the past 13 years, UMass Dining has raised over $50,000 for the Amherst Survival Center. The schedule for the April 26 event includes check-in at the Southwest Horseshoe starting at 9 a.m., followed by a free fun run for children 8 years old and younger at 10 a.m. The race itself begins at 11 a.m. followed by an awards ceremony at 11:30 a.m., and lunch in the Berkshire Dining Commons at noon. The race fee is $15 for all Five-College students, $25 for UMass Amherst faculty and staff, and $30 for the general public. Children 8 years old and under are free to participate. The race fee includes registration, and a complimentary meal at the university’s award-winning dining facilities in the Berkshire Dining Commons. Online registration ends April 24.
SATURDAY APRIL 26: PEG HOLCOMB 90 YEARS—A RETROSPECTIVE: ONE WOMAN’S LIFE THROUGH HER ARTWORK. 1 to 4 p.m., Munson Memorial Library, 1046 South East Street. Peg Holcomb has been making artwork for 40 years. In celebration of her 90th birthday, her children have arranged for the first public display of her sculptures, portraits, and mandalas. The exhibit also has photographs of Holcomb from throughout her life. Many pieces incorporate her spiritual explorations.
SATURDAY APRIL 26: MOON HOOCH. 8 p.m., The Drake, 44 North Pleasant Street. Spring tour 2025. Moon Hooch started in the NYC subway platforms in 2010. They initially met as students at the New School and are currently touring the world. The band plays through what they call a reverse DJ setup, in which the live sound from their horns runs through Ableton software on their laptops to process recorded effects onto the output. The band uses an evolving arsenal of electroacoustic techniques to utterly demolish every possible barrier that could stand between you and the dance floor. Tickets $24 in advance, $27 at the door. See full calendar here.
SUNDAY APRIL 27: 15TH ANNUAL DAFFODIL 5K/10K WALK/RUN FOR BIG BROTHERS/BIG SISTERS OF HAMPSHIRE COUNTY. 10 a.m., Town Common. This community event has become the first marker of spring for the town of Amherst and draws hundreds ofcommunity members to the area to participate and cheer on their family and friends. Look forward to 5K Run/Walk & 10K Run post-race party with delicious food, and family-friendly fun. The Daffodil Run helps sustain the power of youth mentoring through Big Brothers Big Sisters by connecting adult mentors with young people in our community. Once matched they go on to build a meaningful, positive relationship that empowers the potential inherent in each child. Register.
SUNDAY APRIL 27: INTRODUCTION TO LINOCUT WITH ALLIE MAHONEY: SUNFLOWER. 1 to 3 p.m., Local Art Gallery, Mill District, 91 Cowls Road. Linocut printmaking is a fun, rewarding process. This class will teach the basics of linocut from sketch to print. First we will sketch a sunflower and transfer the sketch to linoleum. Then we will use small gouges to carve the image, with a focus on tool safety. Finally, we will ink the carved linoleum and print it by hand. You will take home a finished print and your own linocut for future printing! Students are also welcome but not required to bring a wooden spoon for the printing process. We will be working with water-based ink that can stain clothes. Aprons will not be provided, so please wear something you don’t mind getting inky (or bring your own apron). Sliding Scale Ticket: $35-50, includes all materials. Ages 12+ with an adult. Register here
SUNDAY APRIL 27: ARBOR DAY TREE IDENTIFICATION WALK. 4 to 5 p.m., Wildwood Cemetery, 70 Strong Street. Join us on Sunday, April 27 from 4 to 5 pm at Wildwood Cemetery for the Arbor Day tree identification walk with Dan Ziomek from Sugarloaf Gardens.
SUNDAY APRIL 27: EXHIBIT OPENING: ALBERT CHASAN: PAINTING HIS PARENTS’ LIVES. 2 p.m., Yiddish Book Center, 1021 West Street.Growing up in 1930s New York City, Albert Chasan would listen to his parents talk in Yiddish about their harsh childhoods in the Russian Empire. Once he retired from the marketing communications firm he founded, Albert decided to commemorate his parents’ lives through a series of expressionistic, boldly-hued acrylics.Join us on Sunday, April 27 at the Yiddish Book Center for the opening of Albert Chasan: Painting His Parents’ Lives, followed by a conversation with Albert’s family.
SUNDAY APRIL 27: CHAMBER AT THE DRAKE: QUARTETTO MOSSO. 4 p.m., The Drake, 44 North Pleasant Street. Quartetto Mosso is a new Springfield chamber players ensemble, which made its premiere in the Berkshires last winter. Tickets $17.85 in advance. See full calendar here.
MONDAY APRIL 28: NO MORE CURSE! A HISTORY OF THE RED SOX. 7 p.m. on Zoom. Based on his research for his musical, author and historian David Kruh takes us to the roots of Boston baseball, when, just like today, the team captured the hearts of the people of Boston. We will look back at the real story behind Harry Frazee and his sale of slugger Babe Ruth. Relive the (sometimes frustrating) saga of the Boston Red Sox, and their ultimately successful struggle for a World Series championship. Register via Zoom. Presented by the Ashland Public Library.
TUESDAY APRIL 29: BENEFIT FOR A BETTER CHANCE (ABC) IN AMHERST: GOSPEL CHOIR CONCERT. 7:30 p.m., Grace Episcopal Church, 14 Boltwood Avenue. A Gospel Choir Concert featuring: The Amherst Area Gospel Choir, Amherst Regional High School Hurricane Singers, UMass Gospel Choir. Before the concert: Please gather with other ABC community friends and meet the ABC scholars at a Welcome Reception. Join us for light refreshments from 6:30 to 7:15 p.m. in the room adjacent to the Grace Church sanctuary. Suggested donation $20.
WEDNESDAY APRIL 30: COFFEE AND DONUTS FOR SENIORS AT ATKINS FARMS. 10 to 11 a.m., Atkins Farm coffee shop, 1150 West Street. The Friends of the Amherst Senior Center and the Amherst Council on Aging invite area seniors to the Atkins Farm coffee shop at 1150 West Street, Amherst to meet each other, have a beverage and savor a world
famous apple cider donut on Wednesday, April 30. The Friends and the Amherst COA are doing this for the first time to build some community and to help Amherst seniors to know each other better….nothing more. No work and no volunteering required! There’s plenty of free easy parking and seniors also save 10 per cent on your grocery bill every Wednesday! So join us for a free coffee or tea and an apple cider donut!
WEDNESDAY APRIL 30: NORTHAMPTON JAZZ WORKSHOP AND SHERYL BAILEY. 7:30 p.m., The Drake, 44 North Pleasant Street. Sheryl Bailey is a professor at Berklee College of Music and the Collective in New York. Elliot Simon of All about Jazz coined her “a sizzling guitar goddess.” A jam session will follow the main set of the Green Street Trio with Sheryl Bailey. Musicians are encouraged to bring their instruments. $10 cover at the door, $5 for students. (free for jam participants). See full calendar here.
THURSDAY MAY 1: PETER TURCHIN LECTURE “CLIODYNAICS OF END TIMES: ELITES, COUNTER-ELITES, AND THE PATH OF POLITICAL DISINTEGRATION.” 4:30 to 6 p.m., Crotty Hall, Room 209, UMass. Part of the Tay Gavin Erickson Lecture Series. Turchin, who is also project leader at the Complexity Science Hub Vienna, is one of the foremost experts on the intersection of historical data, complexity science and social dynamics. In his lecture, he will explore the deep structural forces that shape our social and political systems – and how these forces are contributing to rising turbulence in the United States and Western Europe. Register here.
FRIDAY MAY 2: “POESIES CREOLES & CHAN DESPERANS,” A CELEBRATION OF HAITIAN LIFE, POETRY AND LITERATURE. 6 to 9 p.m., Old Chapel, UMass. The UMass community is invited to attend “Poésies Créoles & Chan Desperans,” a free celebration of Haitian life, poetry and literature, Friday, May 2, from 6-9 p.m. in Old Chapel. Thediasporic dialogue will bring Haitian poets and writers together for a performance with students, faculty and creative artists from the Pioneer Valley and across the Five Colleges. Guests scheduled to attend include writer Marie Ludie Monfort, poet and storyteller Denize Lauture, slam artist, poet and writer Négresse Colas, and poet Jean Dany Joachim. Joëlle Vitiello, professor of French and Francophone studies at Macalester College in Minnesota, will present the event’s keynote address. A shared meal will follow the event.
FRIDAY MAY 2: GENOCIDE BAD: SIM KERN IN CONVERSATION WITH HANNAH MOUSHABECK. 7 p.m., Mahar Auditorium, UMass. Join author Sim Kern in conversation with their editor Hannah Moushabeck, as they discuss anti-zionism, collective liberation, and more. Sim Kern is the USA Today bestselling author of The Free People’s Village, an Indie Next Pick. As a journalist, book influencer, and anti-Zionist Jewish activist, Kern has used their social media platform to share educational content about Palestine and raise more than half a million dollars in direct aid for families in Gaza since October 7th, 2023.
FRIDAY MAY 2: PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE: THE SABRINA CARPENTER DANCE PARTY. 8 p.m., The Drake, 44 North Pleasant Street. We’ll be dancing all night long to your favorite pop girlies, including Ariana Grande, Tate McRae, Olivia Rodrigo and more. 18 and over. Tickets $20 in advance, $25 at the door.
SATURDAY MAR 3: LOCAL COHOUSING COMMUNITIES’ OPEN HOUSE. Cherry Hill Cohousing in North Amherst and Village Hill Cohousing in Northampton will offer tours of their communities on Saturday, May 3, to acquaint area residents and visitors with the features of cohousing and its benefits. Cherry Hill will offer tours at 11 a.m. and Noon; Village Hill will offer tours at 1 p.m. and 2 p.m. Reservations are not required but visitors should arrive within these time frames. More informaton
SATURDAY MAY 3: MONTHLY SONG AND STORY SWAP WITH FOLKSINGER ROD SINCLAIR.Scottish/Danish Folksinger Rod Sinclair is the guest performer at the Pioneer Valley Folklore Society’s monthly song and story swap on May 3. The event will be held at First Church, 165 Main Street, at 7 p.m. Admission is free with a suggested donation of $7.50 for the artist. Free parking is available behind the church. More information
SUNDAY MAY 4: FLORAL WYCINANKI WITH LAURA GERYK. 1 to 3:30 p.m., Mill District Local Art Gallery, 91 Cowls Road. Come try wycinanki–a beautiful traditional Polish folk craft! Join Laura Geryk at The Local Art Gallery Sunday, May 4 from 1-3:30pm to explore a floral pattern – perfect for Mother’s Day. Invite your mother figure to join you at this class or gift it to a loved one. A great activity for all levels—suitable for both returning snippers and newbies! Wycinanki (pronounced vee-chee-nan-key) is a traditional Polish craft of paper cutting which is used for home decor that focuses on stylized images of nature and rural life. In this two-hour workshop, you will explore the Lowicz style of wycinanki, where layers of colored paper are cut, layered, and glued to create vibrant images. Participants will complete one piece in class, and will then have the skills and materials to make additional ones at home. $30. All materials provided. Ages 8+ with adult accompaniment due to use of sharp instruments. Register here.
SUNDAY MAY 4: ETTA ARTS AND THE RAINBOW PLAYERS PRESENT SHINE: 25 YEARS, CELEBRATE THE BRILLIANTS: A FASHION SHOW AND GALA. 2:30 p.m., The Carney Family Auditorium, UMass Amherst Furcolo Hall, 813 North Pleasant Street. The Show and Sell event you can’t miss. Buy and outfit and a percentage goes to ETTA. Gifts and services silent auction. Suggested donation $20. ETTA (Empowerment Through The Arts) is a nonprofit organization dedicated to inclusive arts programming that fosters creativity and self-expression for individuals of all abilities. Their mission is to overcome barriers to creative actualization and promote universal participation in the arts. For more information or to register, visit etta-international.org or contact them at info@etta-international.org.
SUNDAY MAY 4: RETIREMENT TRIBUTE TO YIDDISH BOOK CENTER FOUNDER AND PRESIDENT AARON LANSKY. 2 p.m. on Zoom. This special celebration will include a musical performance by Eleanor Reissa and Friends, a short tribute movie by filmmaker Asaf Galay, and, of course, closing remarks by Aaron. Purchase a virtual ticket here. $54.
MONDAY MAY 5: “1200+”: A FILM AND PANEL DISCUSSION ABOUT MISSING AND MURDERED INDIGENOUS WOMEN AND GIRLS. 5 p.m., Old Chapel, UMass. The UMass Amherst Libraries will host a film screening and panel discussion for “1200+,” a documentary about Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls (MMIWG), on Monday, May 5, 5 p.m., in Old Chapel at UMass Amherst. There will be a reception beginning at 5 p.m., followed by the screening at 6 p.m. and the panel discussion at 7:30 p.m. Additionally, The Center for Women and Community will table at the event, offering resources and info about their Sexual Assault Support and Advocacy Services (SASA). The panel consists of film director Leonard Yakir, film producer and former Grand Chief of the Manitoba Keewatinowi Okimakanak, Sheila North, and Jennifer Wood, who is Ojibway from Neyaashiinigmiing First Nation, Ontario and a residential school survivor. This event is presented by the University Libraries in partnership with the Center for Multicultural Advancement & Student Success, Department of Women, Gender, Sexuality Studies, Office of Equity and Inclusion, Center for Women and Community, and the departments of Film Studies, Anthropology and Communication. “1200+ “ was filmed in Canada where Indigenous communities have been tragically impacted by the violence and murder of Indigenous women and girls. The documentary was produced by former Grand Chief of Manitoba Keewatinowi Okimakanak Sheila North, and Leonard Yakir who also directed the film.
TUESDAY MAY 6: RIBBON CUTTING AT THE EMILY DICKINSON MUSEUM. 5 to 6 p.m., 280 Main Street. Celebrate the completed construction of the John and Elizabeth Armstrong Carriage House and the reopening of the Evergreens, home to Austin and Susan Dickinson. The exterior appearance of the carriage house is as faithful as possible in its design to evidence accumulated from historic maps, lithographs, and photographs. The interior layout mimics that of the historic carriage house while optimizing modern functions and flow. Event sponsored by the Amherst Area Chamber of Commerce, the Downtown Amherst Foundation, and the Emily Dickinson Museum.
TUESDAY MAY 6: POLITICS & POLICY: A SPRING LECTURE SERIES AT UMASS DOWNTOWN. 6:30 to 7:30 p.m., 108 N. Pleasant Street. Dr. Charli Carpenter, specialist in international law and human security speaks at the free session that is open to the public. Come engage with leading scholars and local community members as we explore the policies shaping the future.
WEDNESDAY MAY 7: SNEAK PEAK: ANCESTRAL BRIDGES NEW LOCATION. 4:30 to 6 p.m., 29A Cottage Street. Take the next step on our journey as we enhance the arts and culture landscape of Amherst, MA, guided by the authenticity and vision that stems from its Black and Afro-Indigenous roots. A new cultural anchor where archives pulse with the vibrant heartbeat of a community. This initiative celebrates an opportunity to honor, share, and uplift narratives that connect us all. Together, we can cultivate a spirit of connection, reciprocity, and support, ensuring that every story becomes a treasured element of our collective experience.
FRIDAY MAY 9: POP-UP COMMUNITY DANCE PARTY. 7 to 9 p.m., Munson Library, 1046 South East Street. Our second free community pop-up dance party. This joyful gathering is open to everyone—bring your friends, family, and dancing shoes! With beats by DJ Funkadelic Fern, the evening promises two hours of music, dance, and connection. The venue is fully accessible. The vibe is all about having fun, connecting with each other, and shaking off the winter. this community-focused event is all about sharing joy through dance and coming together—no strings attached, just good music and good vibes. We ask that folks carpool where possible and to leave the parking spaces near the front door open for those who have more need of them. Imbibe before or after, this is an alcohol-free event. This event is made possible with the support of Everyday Wellbeing and Redefine Connection.
FRIDAY MAY 9: BRUCE HORNSBY & YMUSIC PRESENT BRHYM. 8 p.m., Tillis Performance Hall, Fine Arts Center, UMass. The grand finale to an unparalleled season is Bruce Hornsby with yMusic on May 9. Many have followed Hornsby since the release of his Grammy-winning debut album, The Way It Is, in 1989. Deadheads know him as keyboardist for the Grateful Dead in the early 1990s. Others have joined his following along his journey through twenty-four rock, jazz, blues, and bluegrass albums, thirteen Grammy nominations, and three Grammy wins. Bruce Hornsby, with the chamber music sextet yMusic, brings a performance you simply cannot miss. Tickets $54-$99, Students $19-$34.
SATURDAY MAY 10: 13TH ANNUAL AMHERST SUSTAINABILITY FESTIVAL. 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Town Common. Coinciding with the regularly scheduled Amherst Farmer’s Market, this free and family friendly event brings together local farmers, environmental vendors, live entertainment, hands-on demonstrations, and much more. Festival highlights include:Environmental Vendors; Meet and learn from a variety of businesses and organizations dedicated to sustainability and environmental protection including renewable energy vendors, energy efficiency product suppliers, advocacy groups, and sustainable crafts and artisans.Live Entertainment: Enjoy a lineup of local musicians and artists providing dynamic performances throughout the event. Demonstration Area: Participate in hands-on learning experiences with experts in various fields. Activities Around the Common: Attendees can also check out performances by Henry the Juggler, an electric vehicle display with test drives, sustainable crafts, and the Amherst Fire Department’s first hybrid fire truck.
SATURDAY MAY 10: POETRY WALK. 10 a.m., Emily Dickinson Museum, On May 10, In honor of the 139th anniversary of the poet’s death, join the Emily Dickinson Museum for the annual Poetry Walk through downtown Amherst, the town she called “paradise.” This year’s Walk celebrates the opening of the newly reconstructed carriage house with stops that explore its significance to Amherst’s cultural landscape and to the poet herself. Take the walk at your own pace, but be sure to head to Dickinson’s grave in West Cemetery in time for the 12 pm final poems and a lemonade toast to our favorite poet! The Walk takes approximately 40 minutes to complete. Participants begin at the Homestead at any time between 10am and 11am to pick up their Poetry Walk map and daisies to lay at the grave. The Walk stations close at 11:45am so that all participants can make it to the final stop at noon in West Cemetery. Free, but advance registration required. Registration for the walk does not include admission to the museum. For museum tickets click here.
SUNDAY MAY 11: CREATE A MOSAIC STEPPING STONE WITH JUDY VAZQUEZ. 1 to 4 p.m., Mill District Local Art Gallery, 91 Cowls Road. This Mother’s Day create something that will be enjoyed for years to come. Join Judy Vazquez at The Local Art Gallery on Sunday, May 11 from 1-4pm to make a Mosaic Stepping Stone. Have fun experiencing the freedom and joy of mosaics as you create a piece of art for your outdoor or indoor sacred space. Through various techniques participants will learn the direct technique of applying various styles, colors and tesserae (stones, ceramics, beads, words, glass and tiles) and how to grout to assure a long life for your art. Each participant will use precut tesserae on cement to make a piece unique to your individual creativity and vision. Choices for the base are either a 6 or 10-inch circle. Instruction will be provided via demos, hands on creating, and one on one guidance. Judy will help you with the development of design ideas in a safe, supportive environment. Learn how a mosaic piece can evolve – there are no mistakes, only opportunities in this medium! Participants will leave the class with a finished piece for outside or indoor beauty. $35, all materials included. Ages 6+ with adult accompaniment. Be sure to wear clothing that may get grout or glue on it. All can be washed out. Register here.
SUNDAY MAY 11: AUTHOR TALK: LOUIS B. MAYER AND IRVING THALBERG: THE WHOLE EQUATION, WITH KENNETH TURAN. 2 p.m., Yiddish Book Center, 1021 West Street and on Zoom. Join former Los Angeles Times film critic Kenneth Turan for a conversation about his new book, Louis B. Mayer and Irving Thalberg: The Whole Equation. One was a tough junkman’s son, the other a cosseted mama’s boy, but they dreamed the same mighty dream: that the right movies could make a profit and change both the culture and individual lives. Sharing a religion and an evangelical zeal for film, Louis B. Mayer (1884–1957) and Irving Thalberg (1899–1936) were unlikely partners in one of the most significant collaborations in movie history. Over the course of their decade-long relationship, as key players at Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer and major players in Hollywood, they joined forces in redefining and mastering the template for the film industry.
WEDNESDAY MAY 14: THE SCHOOL TO PRISON PIPELINE: YOUTH EMPOWERMENT PROGRAM. 5 to 7 p.m., Bangs Community Center Room 101 and online. For grades 6-12. The Amherst Department of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion is excited to hold workshops led by Citizens for Juvenile Justice. Free. Refreshments provided. Register here.
TUESDAY JUNE 10: POLITICS & POLICY: A SPRING LECTURE SERIES AT UMASS DOWNTOWN. 6:30 to 7:30 p.m., 108 N. Pleasant Street. Dr. Jane Fountain, director of the School of Public Policy and digital governance expert speaks at the free session that is open to the public. Come engage with leading scholars and local community members as we explore the policies shaping the future.
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 4:00 p.m. -4:30 p.m., downtown Amherst in front of the Bank of America.
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.
SECOND TUESDAY OF EACH MONTH: ARTIST SOCIAL AND CRITIQUE. 6 to 8 p.m., Local Art Gallery, Mill District, 91 Cowls Road. All local artists, both beginners and established, are invited to attend our Artist Social and Critique that meets every 2nd Thursday of the month in The Local Art Gallery from 6-8pm. Help us create a safe space for a supportive and constructive artistic feedback while expanding your connections to other artists. Artist social time from 6 to 6:30 p.m., Artist critique from 6:30 to 8 p.m. Share digital images by emailing to gallery@cowls.com in advance. For information, contact Shannon Borrell at gallery@cowls.com or 413-835-0966.
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.
EVERY WEDNESDAY IN APRIL: DROP-IN VACCINE CLINIC. 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., Amherst Public Health Department, Bangs Center, 70 Boltwood Walk. Free flu and COVID shots while supplies last. Individuals over 65 are eligible for a COVID booster this spring. Protect yourself and others. Stay healthy! For more information, email publichealth@amherstma.gov or call 413-259-3077.
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
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 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 FROM MAY 1: AMHERST ARTISANS’ MARKET. 3 to 7 p.m., front lawn of the Amherst History Museum, 67 Amity Street. The Amherst Artisans’ Market features local artists, crafters and food vendors.
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 FROM APRIL 19 THROUGH NOVEMBER 23: AMHERST FARMERS’ MARKET. 8 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., Town Common. Established in 1972, the Amherst Farmers’ Market is widely recognized 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.
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.
NOW THROUGH SATURDAY APRIL 26 : PAINTER NANCY MEAGHER – CLOSED AND WIDE OPEN SPACES. Gallery A3, 28 Amity Street 1D, 5:00-7:00 p.m. Gallery Hours are Thursday–Sunday, 2:00–7:00 p.m. More information
NOW THROUGH WEDNESDAY APRIL 30: PAINTINGS BY ELAYNA STURM. 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday, Town Hall Art Gallery, 4 Boltwood Avenue. The public is invited to meet the artist at a free reception in the gallery on Friday, March 7th, from 6:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Refreshments will be served. Elayna’s mediums range from murals, visual art, creative writing, and fiber arts to education and coaching. A self-described hopefully curious person, Elayna blends the divine and the mundane to expose overarching patterns in a visual storytelling of interconnectedness. About their art, Elayna says, “Shedding Layers explores both what we can shed to feel lighter and what we can transform to create the lives and worlds we want to be a part of. Venturing to get to the core of what matters, Shedding Layers seeks to cultivate brighter joy and deeper roots.” Elayna resides in Western Massachusetts and has ties to the North Shore of Massachusetts, the Bay Area of California, and the Olympic forests of Washington state.
NOW THROUGH WEDNESDAY APRIL 30: MULTIVERSE: AN EXHIBIT FEATURING MULTIPLE ARTISTS. Hampden Gallery, UMass. curated by D. Dominick Lombardi, from Feb. 17-April 30. “Multiverse” focuses on the recognition, conscious or subconscious, and interpretation of the concept of the multiverse in contemporary visual art. Showcasing digital art from Europe and the Americas juxtaposed with analog works by artists from the northeastern U.S., Lombardi gives visitors the opportunity to see and discuss previously unimagined possibilities. A reception and curator’s talk with Lombardi is scheduled for 5-7 p.m. on Friday April 4. Information.
NOW THROUGH WEDNESDAY APRIL 30: BE REVOLUTIONARY: UMASS STUDENT SOLIDARITY WITH CENTRAL AMERICA IN THE 1980s: STUDENT CURATED EXHIBIT.9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday, Lobby of Bromery Center for the Arts. In the fall of 2024, students in a UMass Amherst graduate history course set out to research, curate and design an exhibit on the history of student activism at UMass Amherst in conjunction with this year’s Feinberg Series, What Are Universities For? Struggles for the Soul of Higher Education. Focusing on anti-imperialist organizing in the 1980s, the exhibit tells the story of how UMass students joined forces with the broader Central America solidarity movements in Massachusetts and across the country to demand the end of U.S. military aid to authoritarian regimes. Titled Be Revolutionary: UMass Student Solidarity with Central America in the 1980s, the exhibit opens on Thursday, April 3 from 12-2pm, with a student-run program featuring remarks by Professor Diana Sierra Becerra and a panel with the curators, followed by dedicated time to reflect on the exhibit through art-making and alter-creation. Student- and community-oriented workshops organized by the UMass Alliance for Community Transformation will be held in the space from 4-6pm. The exhibit will remain on display through April 30 in the Bromery Center for the Arts Lobby. Join us! Openiing Thursday, April 3, 12 to 2 p.m.
NOW THROUGH THURSDAY MAY 8: Daily performances by the UMass Department of Music and Dance. Most are free. Various locations for performances by UMass students and faculty. See here for a complete listing.
NOW THROUGH FRIDAY MAY 9: (OFF) BALANCE: ART IN THE ATE OF HUMAN IMPACT. UMass Museum of Contemporary Art. The Graduate Curatorial Exhibition, co-curated by Adeyemi Adebayo, M.F.A. studio arts candidate, Eva Barajas, M.A. art education candidate, and Bo Kim, M.F.A. studio arts candidate, invites viewers to explore the intricate ways we interact with, interpret and shape our environment and challenges audiences to reflect on themes of transformation, human intervention and the tension between destruction and conservation. Opening reception Wednesday, March 26 from 5 to 7 p.m. Information.
NOW THROUGH FRIDAY MAY 9: IS ANYTHING THE MATTER? DRAWINGS BY LAYLAH ALI AND HIGH FIVE/TAKE FIVE. UMass Museum of Contemporary Art. “Is anything the matter?” includes more than one hundred drawings by Ali dating from 1993 to 2020. Though the drawings range in format – including ink, colored pencil, soluble crayon, colored marker and mixed media works – each piece explores Ali’s ongoing interest in the amalgam of race, power, gendering, human frailty and murky politics. High Five / Take Five” is an interactive exhibition featuring five art works from the museum’s permanent collection. Each piece will be accompanied by a prompt that asks participants to engage their senses, look closely and respond to the artworks through drawing, listening and writing. Gallery Talk: Wednesday, February 19, 4 to 5 p.m. More information.
NOW THROUGH SEPTEMBER 7: PORTRAITS IN RED: MISSING AND MURDERED INDIGENOUS PEOPLE BY NAYANA LAFOND. D’Amour Museum of Fine Arts, Springfield Museums. In her powerful series of portraits, artist and activist Nayana Lafond sheds light on the crisis affecting Indigenous peoples, particularly women, who are eleven times more likely to go missing than the national average. Each portrait depicts a missing or murdered Indigenous person, a family member, or an advocate, rendered in shades of gray and marked by a vivid red handprint—the only color visible to spirits—to raise awareness, inspire action, and honor the lives and stories of those impacted by this crisis. Lafond, a citizen of the Métis Nation of Ontario, graduated from Amherst High School and lives in Western Massachusetts. After studying at the Massachusetts College of Art, she became a full-time painter and has served as a curator and community arts organizer for over twenty years. Visit her website.
THURSDAY MAY 1 THOURGH SATURDAY MAY 31: CONFLUENCE – PAINTINGS BY PAULA HITE AT GALLERY A3. Repeating bands of vibrant color dance and weave through Paula Hite’s recent abstract acrylic paintings on paper in her solo exhibit, CONFLUENCE, at Gallery A3, 28 Amity Street 1D in Amherst. The exhibit opens on Thursday May 1 and will run through Saturday, May 31. There will be an opening reception at the gallery on Thursday May 1 from 5-7 p.m. and a free, online art forum on Thursday May 15 at 7:30 p.m. Register here. More information