What’s Happening In Amherst?

by Art and Maura Keene

There are lots of interesting events happening in our town. 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.

SINGLE DAY EVENTS

SATURDAY APRIL 22: 12TH ANNUAL 5K DASH AND DINE TO BENEFIT THE AMHERST SURVIVAL CENTER. The 5K features a USA Track and Field-certified course for runners, walkers and participants in wheelchairs. After the race, all are welcome to have a free lunch courtesy of the top-ranked campus food program in the country at either the Hampshire or Berkshire dining commons. The race fee is $10 for all UMass and Five College students, $20 for UMass Amherst faculty and staff, and $25 for the general public and includes registration, a T-shirt and a complimentary lunch. Children 8 years and under may participate for free at the annual fun run at 10 a.m.  Online registration ends April 19. Day of registration available on site. Race check in at top of SW horseshoe. Course map and more information

SATURDAY APRIL 22: PRESCRIPTION DRUG TAKEBACK DAY. Parking lot of Wildwood School, 71 Strong Street (with other drop off points throughout Franklin and Hampshire Counties). 10 a.m.- 2 p.m.
The Northwestern District Attorney’s Office, in collaboration with local police departments and the Hampshire and Franklin Sheriff’s offices and the DEA will be offering an opportunity to safely dispose of unwanted and unneeded drugs, keeping them safely away from potential misuse. More information

SATURDAY APRIL 22: AMHERST SUSTAINABILITY FESTIVAL. Amherst Town Common. 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. The event offers a day of family fun, education and entertainment with something for everyone including vendors of renewable energy, energy efficiency product suppliers, advocacy groups, and sustainable crafts and artisans.  Check here for more information and program updates.

SATURDAY APRIL 22: BREAD AND PUPPET THEATER. 8 PM. Mahar Auditorium, UMass. Bread and Puppet is a world-renowned anti-capitalist theater company that has performed with their signature puppets for 60 years. It is one of the oldest street and protest theater companies in the world. The troupe will perform: Inflammatory Earthling Rants. Earthlings are now aflame and consequently need inflammatory rants, directed against the arsonist: Western Civilization and its incompetent government. The habitual pragmatic communication jargon won’t do, so the ranters have to resort to the original language which was tasked to employ the spells, charms, and incantations needed to confront the disaster in order to instigate change – with help from Kropotkin’s Mutual Aid. The appearance is in conjunction with the celebration of the 50th Anniversary of the Department of Social Thought and Political Economy. More information

SUNDAY APRIL 23: UMASS DANCE MARATHON. 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Campus Center Auditorium, UMass. This is the largest student-run philanthropy at UMass Amherst that raises over 100,000 dollars for Baystate childrens hospital. Our event will be filled with a lot of fun, a lot of laughs, and a lot of (bad) dancing. All of your donations and support help provide essential care to the kids of Baystate Children’s Hospital located in Springfield, Massachusetts, a Children’s Miracle Network Hospital. More information

TUESDAY APRIL 25: UMASS CAMPUS INSTALLATION OF BERLIN WALL SEGMENT. 2 p.m. Memorial Hall Patio, UMass. The University of Massachusetts Amherst will celebrate the installation of a 12-foot segment of the Berlin Wall painted by famed French artist Thierry Noir on Tuesday, April 25 at 2 p.m. at the Memorial Hall patio. Sonja Kreibich, Consul General of Germany to the New England States, will join UMass President Marty Meehan, UMass Amherst Chancellor Kumble Subbaswamy and other campus officials for the event, which is the highlight of a week of art exhibitions and film screenings related to the history, impact and legacy of the structure that divided Germany’s capital for four decades. More information

TUESDAY APRIL 25: BEHIND THE SCENES WITH COLLECTIONS (PART 1). Virtual program from the Emily Dickinson Museum. 6:30 p.m  Join Museum staff, and special guest Nan Wolverton, Vice President for Programs at the American Antiquarian Society, for the first in a three-part series exploring the collection of the Emily Dickinson Museum. With more than 8,000 objects now catalogued, the Museum’s collection is the largest anywhere of the material legacy of Emily Dickinson and her family. In this series, Museum staff converse with specialists and conservators about the unique qualities, challenges and opportunities of this singular collection. In conversation with Nan Wolverton will be Collections Manager Megan Ramsey and Executive Director Jane Wald. Register at https://emilydickinsonmuseum.ticketing.veevartapp.com/tickets/view/list/behind-the-scenes-with-collections-part-1 (free)

WEDNESDAY APRIL 26: ECAC EDUCATION SERIES – ELECTRIC VEHICLES 101. 5:30 p.m. on Zoom.
Link here. The Amherst Energy and Climate Action Committee (ECAC) invites you to join us for a webinar on electric vehicles presented by the Drive Green Team from the Green Energy Consumers Alliance. Interested in making the switch? Bring your questions! The public is welcome to join the full ECAC meeting, starting at 4:30 pm on April 26. Or join us for the presentation only, starting at 5:30 pm.

WEDNESDAY APRIL 26: VI KHI NAO READING. 7 p.m. Chi Think Tank, second floor of the Frost Library, Amherst College. Visiting Writer Series. Vi Khi Nao is an interdisciplinary artist who works in multiple & interchangeable mediums.   Her work includes poetry, fiction, nonfiction, performance, film & cross-genre collaboration.   Her most recent collection of poetry is Fish Carcass.   For more information, see the Amherst College Creative Writing Center’s website.

THURSDAY APRIL 27: JEWISH AMERICAN HERITAGE MONTH PROCLAMATION. 4-6 p.m. on the steps of Town Hall. Come Join us for the reading of the Amherst Town Council Jewish American Heritage Month Proclamation on the Steps of Town Hall** Klezmer Music by Brian Bender, keyboard & Vocals, Judy Gutlerner, Clarinet. Refreshments will be served. Community Sponsors Rabbi Benjamin Weiner, Hilda Greenbaum Rachel Vigderman; Town Councilors Dorothy Pam, Cathy Schoen, Andy Steinberg, and Jennifer Taub **In case of inclement weather, the ceremony will be held in The Town Room, 2nd floor, Town Hall

FRIDAY APRIL 28: FREE ARBOR DAY EVENT – CHARISMATIC MEGAFLORA. REALLY BIG TREES. Noon. Cole Assembly Room Amherst College, in the Converse Memorial Library Building across from the Town Common on Route 9. Parking in the Alumni House lot off of Seelye Street and metered parking by the Town Common. Guest Speaker, Dr. Kevin T. Smith from the US Forester Service will inspire all with research on how the biology of trees change as they age and why big trees are so unique and require special care in our built environment. Learn the story behind the historic sycamore at The Amherst History Museum which has received a grant from The Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation, Urban Forestry Program to provide some much-needed plant health care. After the event there will be a guided tree walk of Amherst College’s Big Trees and a tree planting. Bring the kids to a Jones Library book reading with crafts and help plant a new sycamore at the Amherst History Museum followed by a seedling give away. Free / All are welcome.

FRIDAY APRIL 28: THE PEOPLE’S SCIENCE FAIR. Noon – 4 p.m. At the UMass Campus Pond. The event will showcase diverse efforts by Western Massachusetts residents to harness STEM for social, economic, racial, environmental, climate, and cultural justice. Participants will include campus-based researchers with justice-oriented projects, grassroots organizers whose work involves STEM knowledge, and student activists committed to building a just future. Look here for up-to-date information.

FRIDAY APRIL 28: QUARTERLY ART GALLERY OPENING.  5-7 p.m. Local Art Gallery in the Mill District, 91 Cowls Road. You are invited to our upcoming Quarterly Art Opening on Friday, April 28th, from 5-7PM. Please join us welcoming all the new members of the Gallery while enjoying complementary refreshments from @provisionswine and coffee from @stoutpigeoncoffee. Among those joining us are Fabio and Sara Deponte from Petersham, MA. Come to the Local Art Gallery to see Fabio and Sara’s work in person or visit www.whitepicketsstudioart.com. Also featured is word from fiber artist Chris Pellerin, painter Lee Gray, painter and woodworker Keith Lewis, mosaic artist Judy Vazquez, and others.

SATURDAY APRIL 29: 30th ANNUAL AMHERST ULTIMATE INVITATIONAL. All day beginning at 9 a.m. at the McDuffy School in Granby. Over 600 athletes from Massachusetts, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and more, are scheduled to compete. At 30 years running, the Amherst Invitational is the longest running high school ultimate tournament in the country. This year, the tournament is a qualifying event for the 2023 High School National Invite (HSNI). Winners from the Girls Division 1 and Open Division 1 will receive an automatic invitation to this year’s HSNI. All are welcome to attend this free event.

SATURDAY APRIL 29: INDEPENDENT BOOKSTORE DAY. All day at Amherst Books, 8 Main Street. A one-day party that takes place at independent bookstores across the country.   Every store is unique & every party is different—so sample a few!   At Amherst Books we’ll have exclusive books & literary items to give away & to sell, cookies, a raffle, special discounts, & everything in between.   It’s a celebration you won’t want to miss!

SUNDAY APRIL 30: 13th ANNUAL DAFFODIL RUN FOR BIG BROTHERS BIG SISTERS OF HAMPSHIRE COUNTY. 5K AND 10K races beginning and ending at the Amherst Town Common. Start time 10 a.m. Virtual participation option also available. Registration information and more

WEDNESDAY MAY 3: COLOR-CASTE-DENOMINATION: EMILY DICKINSON’S RACE AND CLASS CONTEXTS. Virtual program from the Emily Dickinson Museum. 6:30 p.m. What was Amherst like for those who were not members of the provincial elite and how did they shape Emily Dickinson’s life experience? In this program created and presented by Museum Tour Guides, learn more about the forces of race and class impacting Emily Dickinson’s Amherst life. We’ll discuss the Dickinson family’s settler colonial roots, industry in Amherst, the town’s changing demographics, musical influences on the poet, and more. Register at https://www.emilydickinsonmuseum.org/color-caste-denomination/ (free).

THURSDAY MAY 4: LECTURE. “DOES EVERYONE LOSE FROM RACISM? INSIGHTS FROM STRATIFCATION ECONOMICS“. 5:30 p.m. Bowker Auditorium, UMass.William A. (“Sandy”) Darity Jr., the Samuel DuBois Cook Professor of Public Policy, African and African American Studies, and Economics at Duke University, will present the annual Philip Gamble Memorial Lecture. The event is free and open to the public, with seating available on a first-come, first-served basis. More information

SATURDAY MAY 6: TONY TRISCHKA AT THE DRAKE.8 p.m. The Drake, 44 North Pleasant Street. Tony Trischka is considered the consummate banjo artist and perhaps the most influential banjo player in the roots music world. For more than 50 years, his stylings have inspired a whole generation of bluegrass and acoustic musicians with the many voices he has brought to the instrument. Tony will be honoring the music of Earl Scruggs, pioneer of the three-finger banjo style and one of the most important musicians in bluegrass, or, in Tony’s opinion, in any genre. Tix: $20 ADV. $25 at the door. Doors open at 7 p.m. Full calendar of events here.

SUNDAY MAY 7: MUSIC ON MAIN: CONCERTS AT FIRST CHURCH PRESENTS “TOGETHER WE SING: A MULTICULTURAL COUNCIL. 2:00 p.m. at First Congregational Church, 165 Main Street in Amherst. Featuring Mak’hela, the Jewish Chorus of Western Mass, directed by Elaine Broad Ginsberg, and the First Church Choir, led by Richard S. Matteson, singing together three choruses from Mendelssohn’s much beloved Elijah and then celebrating music from the Jewish and Christian traditions.  The church is handicap accessible.  A donation of $15 is suggested. For further information, visit www.firstchurchamherst.org or call (413) 253-3456.

SATURDAY MAY 13: ANNUAL POETRY WALK. 10 a.m. In honor of the 137^th anniversary of the poet’s death, The Annual Poetry Walk returns in-person for the first time since 2019! Join us for an engaging poetry walk through Amherst, the town Dickinson called “paradise.” At each stop we will explore sites of meaning for Dickinson and read poetry. Register here. (free)

SATURDAY MAY 13: SPRINGFEST AT THE MILL DISTRICT WITH MR. G. 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.Mill District, 91 Cowls Road.  Latin Grammy winner Mr. G will have fans of all ages jumping and dancing to his upbeat performance at The Mill District’s SpringFest on Saturday May 13.  This resident of Western Massachusetts is known offstage as Ben Gundersheimer. He performs in English, Spanish and Hebrew

“SpringFest is a new family fun event at the Mill District.  We’re honored to host MISTER G,” said Cowls’ Senior Communications Director Tim O’Brien. “We’ve planned additional fun activities too.” Complementing Mister G’s live concert, The Mill District Local Art Gallery has arranged pre-show kids’ crafts, games and giveaways.  There will be post-show book signings and photo-ops with MISTER G. Weather permitting, Mister G will lead a singing stroll along the Mill River Story Walk, which will be featuring one of Mister G’s latest books, How Many Squirrels Are in the World?  A huge live squirrel may even be in attendance!  You never know in The Mill District.The book signing is sponsored by Mill District partner, Amherst Books. Copies of many MISTER G titles will be available for sale during the event. The event and concert are free of charge, however pre-registration is required at Eventbrite.

SATURDAY MAY 20:BE AN ALLY, NOT A SAVIOR.9:30-11 a.m. Bangs Center 70 Boltwood Walk. Sponsored by the Department of Diversity and Inclusion. Join Jana McClure as she facilitates answers to: What is the role of the white ally to Black and BIPOC communities? How can you shed the cape of savior to become the warrior ally? Jana McClure is a Truth School trainer and a resident of Amherst. She has participated in several local activities serving the community. As a life-long non-profit human service administrator, Jana has worked in numerous positions supporting individuals with varied abilities and challenges. Light refreshments will be served. 

ONGOING AND 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.

FIRST AND THIRD TUESDAY OF EVERY MONTH: 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.

FIRST WEDNESDAY OF EVERY MONTH: COVID 19 VACCINE CLINIC. Bangs Center, 70 Boltwood Walk. 3:00-5:00 p.m. Free. The clinics offer Pfizer and Moderna Bivalent Boosters for ages 12 and up and Pfizer Bivalent Booster for ages 5 and up.  Registration is preferred, but walk-ins are accepted. To schedule an appointment, click here. 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+.

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. 

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 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

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 APRIL 28-SATURDAY MAY 6: INTO THE WOODS. Rand Theater at UMass. The UMass Theater Department presents the Stephen Sondheim musical “Into the Woods”. Twisted takes on fairy tale conventions make this offering from the late, great Stephen Sondheim an utter delight. These tales came from Germany, France, England and other countries, but it is in the United States where, thanks to a certain animated film company, they blended into the versions that became cultural megaliths — which in turn are filtered through the equally American art form that is the musical. What happens when Cinderella, Red Riding Hood, Rapunzel, a brace of princes, and a boy with some magic beans are threatened with an ending that’s not so happy? Can they find a way to come together as a community to triumph over adversity?  April 28, 29, May 4, 5, 6 at 7:30 p.m. May 6 matinee at 2 p.m. $20 general admission, $10 for students and seniors. Tickets available at the Fine Arts Center Box Office or 1-800-999-UMAS.

NOW through SUNDAY APRIL 23. FIFTH BIENNIAL BACH FESTIVAL AND SYMPOSIUM. Festival runs April 21-23 with prelude events beginning March 26. Concerts, workshops, master classes. Look here for full description and listing of events.

NOW through April 29: “BECOMING FORM”. ABSTRACT PAINTINGS AND PHOTOGRAPHS AT GALLERY A3. 28 Amity Street 1 D. Gallery Hours: Thursday-Sunday, 2-7:00 p.m. A one-person show of abstract paintings and photographs by Karen Iglehart, explores the emergence of form in the layering of color. While she primarily works with paint on canvas, Iglehart’s exhibit also includes photographs taken in Gloucester and Venice that inspired and relate to recent paintings. More information

NOW through FRIDAY MAY 12: PORTRAITS IN RED: MISSING & MURDERED INDIGENOUS WOMEN & GIRLS. Paintings by Nayana LaFond. Augusta Savage Gallery, New Africa House, UMass, 180 Infirmary Way. Portraits in Red: Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls began on May 5, 2020 with one painting, “Lauraina in RED,” created for the National Day of Awareness for Missing and Murdered Native Women and Girls. Nayana LaFond put out an open call, saying she would paint a couple more portraits if people sent information on subjects. She received more than 25 the first day with stories and photos, and decided to dedicate herself to painting all she receives. Each portrait is of someone who is missing, was murdered, survived, their family member or friend, or an activist/hero fighting for the cause. Through her work LaFond hopes to make sure the missing and dead are never forgotten, to raise awareness about this serious issue, and to provide help with healing to the families she works with. LaFond continues to receive new images and stories and has an ongoing queue of 20-30. Opening Reception: Monday, January 30, 5-7 p.m. Artists talk: Tuesday, February 8, 6 p.m.

NOW through 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.

NOW through FRIDAY JUNE 2: A RECIPE FOR SAVING SEEDS. (Beginning TH MAR 12). 10 A.M. – 5:00 p.m. –
(MON-SUN). University of Massachusetts Amherst, Science and Engineering Library,740 N Pleasant St.
The exhibit consists of a series of ten seed-saving recipe cards. Each card provides easy, step-bystep instructions for saving seeds of specific flowers, herbs, and vegetables, with images and text. Reception: April 7, 1-3 p.m.

NOW through SUNDAY JULY 2: GOD MADE MY FACE: A COLLECTIVE PORTRAIT OF JAMES BALDWIN. Meade Art Museum, 41 Quadrangle Street, Amherst College. Look here for days and hours. This exhibit presents works from iconic artists such as Richard Avedon, Marlene Dumas, and Kara Walker alongside archival materials in order to explore the life, work, and legacy of James Baldwin (1924–1987). More information

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.

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