What’s Happening in Amherst?
Photo: istock
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 FEBRUARY 24: BEAUTY AND THE BEAST SING ALONG. 12:45 p.m. Amherst Cinema. This sing-along version of Disney’s 1991 animated hit features on-screen lyrics. Audiences are encouraged to sing along to “Beauty and the Beast,” “Be Our Guest,” “Belle,” and more! $5.
SUNDAY FEBRUARY 25: PRESENTATION ON HOME CAREGIVING AT THE END OF LIFE. Noon. Grace Episcopal Church, 14 Boltwood Ave. Karen Miller, Clinical Nurse Manager at Cooley Dickinson Visiting Nurse Association (VNA) and Hospice, will be hosting a presentation on the importance of home caregiving at the end of life. She will discuss options for emotional, physical, and spiritual support that can help families manage challenges and provide comfort. More information: Contact: Terrie Korpita (Parish Administrator), 413-256-6754, tkorpita@gracechurchamherst.org
SUNDAY FEBRUARY 25: SUNDAY CONCERT: NOAH FERRIS CELLO. 3 p.m. Amherst Woman’s Club, 35 Triangle Street. Cellist Noah Ferris, age 17, studies with Astrid Schween at Juilliard Pre-College. A student at Amherst Regional High School, Noah has been a finalist in several competitions, is a founding member of the Aster Trio, and has participated in numerous summer festivals across New England. Please join the Amherst Woman’s Club for a delightful afternoon of cello music by Dvorak, Debussy, and Tchaikovsky. Yu Mei Wei accompanies on piano. All proceeds of the event will be used to grant scholarships to high school seniors and grants to local community service agencies such as the Boys and Girls Club, the Amherst Senior Center, Safe Passage and the Amherst Survival Center. Register at: https://www.amherstwomansclub.org/event-5578638/Registration
SUNDAY FEBRUARY 25: PHOSFORESCENCE SPECIAL EDITION AT AMHERST COLLEGE LIT FEST. 1 p.m., Frost Library, Amherst College or Online. Phosphorescence is the Emily Dickinson Museum’s monthly poetry reading series celebrating contemporary creativity that echoes Dickinson’s own revolutionary poetic voice. A livestream link for the program will be posted at the link below: Save the date
MONDAY FEBRUARY 26: LAST CALL FOR SUBMISSIONS TO “TELL IT SLANT” POETRY FESTIVAL. The Emily Dickinson Museum is accepting proposals for two 2024 programs: Phosphorescence Contemporary Poetry Series—a virtual event held monthly May through October, and the 12th annual Tell it Slant Poetry Festival, held September 23-29. Deadline to submit is Monday, February 26 at 8 p.m. ET. Only submissions using our online form and Dropbox folder will be considered. https://www.emilydickinsonmuseum.org/call-for-submissions-2024/
TUESDAY FEBRUARY 27: GUEST ARTIST CONCERT: ANDREA TOFANELLI TRUMPET. 7:30 p.m. Bezanson Hall, UMass. With Jazz Ensemble I, Jazz faculty and faculty trumpeter Eric Berlin; part of Tofanelli’s first US tour. Featuring Jeff Holmes’ Suite for Four Trumpets & Rhythm Section and big band arrangements of Stevie Wonders’ Chameleon & 5th Mahler Street. Free.
WEDNESDAY FEBRUARY 28: JIGA: A TRINITY IRISH DANCE PRODUCTION. 7:30 p.m. Tillis Performance Hall, Fine Arts Center, UMass. Setting the stage early for a St. Patrick’s celebration, Trinity Irish Dance Company offers a fantastic evening filled with family fun and entertainment. Rooted in tradition, yet forward-looking and ever evolving, TIDC brings a cutting-edge vision to the stage. Fusing Irish traditions and American innovation, the company continues to dazzle audiences with their hard-driving percussive power and aerial grace while sending a clear message of female empowerment. JIG, is a brand new work that offers a fresh take on TIDC’s internationally renowned approach to the traditional form that is irish step dancing. Tickets here.
WEDNESDAY FEBRUARY 28: WHAT CAN REPARATIONS MEAN FOR A COMMUNITY AND WHAT IS THE ROLE OF PHILANTHROPY? 12 to 2 p.m. White Lion Brewery, 24 North Pleasant Street. The Community Foundation will host a special EVOLVE Philanthropy session to honor Black History Month. Join us for a conversation recognizing the rich history of African-American contributions to the area, and the possibilities for a brighter, more just future. Central to any such conversation in Amherst is the topic of reparations for residents of African descent. We plan to explore the need to address the significant historical racial disparities, the current climate in town related to racial justice, and the role of philanthropy. With Dr. Stefan Bradley, Kimberly Dumpson, and Michele Miller. Lunch will be served. Save your seat. https://cfwm.fcsuite.com/erp/donate/create/ticket?event_date_id=5620&edt_id=1759 Free.
WEDNESDAY FEBRUARY 28: AMHERST WOMAN’S CLUB BOOK GROUP: “LAB GIRL” BY HOPE JAHREN. 6 p.m., Amherst Woman’s Club, 35 Triangle Street. Geobiologist Hope Jahren has spent her life studying trees, flowers, seeds, and soil. “Lab Girl” is her revelatory treatise on plant life—but it is also a celebration of the lifelong curiosity, humility, and passion that drive every scientist. Register at https://www.amherstwomansclub.org/event-5578642/Registration
WEDNESDAY FEBRUARY 28: PALESTINE/ISRAEL TALK SERIES: WHY DO WE CARE? HISTORICAL RESONANCES, DOMESTIC FRACTURES, GLOBAL CONSEQUENCES. 5:30 to 7 p.m. Lyceum 201, Amherst College. Dr. Ahmad Samih Khalidi, Center for Security Policy, Geneva and Senior Fellow at the Institute of Palestine Studies. Presented by the Amherst College Departments of History, ASLC, and Anthropology/Sociology.
THURSDAY FEBRUARY 29: NATIONAL DAY OF RACIAL HEALING RE-IMAGINED. (Rescheduled from January 16). 6 p.m. Crocker Farm School, 280 West Street. Join the Conversation Thursday, February 29, 2024 at 6:00 pm. “We can’t heal or create greater racial equity if we don’t know each other. Racial healing involves building trusting relationships that help us work together to address the impact and damage caused by racism. Changing the systems that separate us starts with challenging our individual impulses to separate. On this National Day of Racial Healing – and yearround – find a way to connect across racial and ethnic differences with people who we share our community with.” We can start by joining the conversation.Registration is not required, but it is appreciated. Please Click here to register.
THURSDAY FEBRUARY 29: UMASS WHITE LION DANCERS AT THE SURVIVAL CENTER. 4:30 to 5:30 p.m. Amherst Survival Center, 138 Sunderland Road. A performance by the UMass White Lion Dancers. All are welcome! Appetizers from local restaurants will be served. This program is supported in part by the Amherst Cultural Council.
THURSDAY FEBRUARY 29: REPARATIONS IN AMHERST. 4-5:30 p.m. via Zoom. Presented by Amherst Neighbors. The African Heritage Reparation Assembly (AHRA) submitted its final report <https://www.amherstma.gov/DocumentCenter/View/68980/AHRA-FINAL-REPORT> to the Amherst Town Council in September 2023, following an extensive consultative process with Amherst residents. The report laid out recommendations including a funding plan, eligibility criteria, and truth and reconciliation initiatives. Please join members of the AHRA, Dr. Amilcar Shabazz and Michele Miller, and local and state reparations activist Kathleen Anderson for a discussion about the recommendations and what’s next for the reparative justice movement locally and beyond. There will be a brief presentation, followed by a robust question and answer session. Questions can be submitted in advance or asked during the program. Free. Register at https://amherstneighbors.org/content.aspx?page_id=4008&club_id=428578&item_id=2206909
THURSDAY FEBRUARY 29: DISTINGUISHED FACULTY LECTURE: AYANO KATAOKA. 4 p.m. UMass Old Chapel. The Rhythm of Change. Three-part lecture with UMass professor, percussionist, and marimbist Ayano Kataoka, with emphasis on the marimba, Japanese culture, and the influence of Keiko Abe.
THURSDAY FEBRUARY 29: FILM SCREENING: KISS THE GROUND. 6 to 8:30 p.m. Hitchcock Center for the Environment, 845 West Street. Come watch this film with us at Hitchcock! Here’s what the filmmakers have to say about it: “Narrated and featuring Woody Harrelson, Kiss the Ground is an inspiring and groundbreaking film that reveals the first viable solution to our climate crisis. Kiss the Ground reveals that, by regenerating the world’s soils, we can completely and rapidly stabilize Earth’s climate, restore lost ecosystems and create abundant food supplies. Using compelling graphics and visuals, along with striking NASA and NOAA footage, the film artfully illustrates how, by drawing down atmospheric carbon, soil is the missing piece of the climate puzzle. This movie is positioned to catalyze a movement to accomplish the impossible – to solve humanity’s greatest challenge, to balance the climate and secure our species future.” Registration required https://events.humanitix.com/film-screening-kiss-the-ground-at-hitchcock . Donations appreciated.
THURSDAY FEBRUARY 29: PUBLIC HEARING OF COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT BLOCK GRANT ADVISORY COMMITTEE. 7 p.m. over Zoom. The Massachusetts Executive Office of Housing and Livable Communities (EOHLC) has designated the Town of Amherst a Mini-Entitlement Community that is eligible to apply for up to $925,000 in Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds. CDBG funds support housing, community development projects, and social service activities benefiting low-and moderate-income citizens. In accordance with State regulations, Amherst’s CDBG Advisory Committee will hold a Public Hearing on Thursday, February 29, 2024 at 7pm to receive comments and suggestions from local residents regarding:
- Town’s final recommended activities for the 2024 application
- Town of Amherst North Pleasant Street multi-use path project
- Valley CDC Micro-enterprise Assistance Program
- Amherst Survival Center Food Pantry
- Family Outreach of Amherst Community Housing Support Program
- Big Brothers Big Sisters Kids to Campus Youth Mentoring
- Amherst Mobile Market: Healthy Food Access Project
- Center for New Americans: ESOL Classes
- Target Areas
- Expansion of Town Center Target Area
- Community Development Strategy
To Join: https://amherstma.zoom.us/j/84541527692
THURSDAY FEBRUARY 29: BLACK ARTS MATTER VISUAL SHOWCASE OPENING. Mead Art Museum, Amherst College. The Black Art Matters Festival affirms and celebrates Black student artists and creators. Zoe Akoto (Class of 2021) started the Black Art Matters Festival in 2018 in a student dormitory when she noticed that the creative work of Black students was rarely seen on campus. Comprised of a visual arts showcase and a performance showcase, the Festival highlights an expansive range of creative practices including all visual media as well as spoken word, dance, and music.
THURSDAY FEBRUARY 29: GUEST ARTIST CONCERT: JOEL BURCHAM, TENOR WITH JAMIE-ROSE GUARRINE, SOPRANO. 7:30 p.m. Bezanson, UMass. Featuring Mr. Burcham performing Schumann’s Dichterliebe, Op. 48, as well as duets with Ms. Guarrine singing scenes from Verdi’s La Traviata and “All Is Prepared” from Gilbert & Sullivan’s Pirates of Penzance. Free.
THURSDAY FEBRUARY 29: RECREATION COMMITTEE KICKS OFF KINDNESS CAMPAIGN WITH FREE DOWNTOWN PARKING. The Town of Amherst’s Public Health and Recreation departments are proud to announce the launch of their inaugural Kindness Campaign, designed to foster a culture of compassion, generosity, and goodwill throughout the community. Scheduled to kick off on February 29, 2024 – which is celebrated as Leap of Kindness Day in cities and towns across the country – the campaign aims to inspire individuals of all ages to embrace acts of kindness, big and small, and make a positive impact on the lives of others. To kick off the campaign, the Town of Amherst – in collaboration with the Business Improvement District – is pleased to offer free downtown parking on February 29, 2024.
The slogan for this year’s campaign – Be Kind. It’s Good for Your Mind – is inspired and informed by numerous research studies highlighting the health benefits associated with practicing kindness. Specifically, research shows that kindness is an antidote to isolation, creates a sense of belonging, helps reduce stress and deepens friendships. The heart of the Kindness Campaign is community engagement. Residents are invited to share their stories of kindness and generosity through a website (https://engageamherst.org/be-kind-it-is-good-for-your-mind), detailing the kind acts they perform or witness in their daily lives. These stories will serve as inspiration for others and help spread positivity throughout the community. Suggestions for acts of kindness are provided to encourage participation and creativity.
FRIDAY MARCH 1: MUSIC AT AMHERST PRESENTS TERRi LYNNE CARRINGTON AND SOCIAL SCIENCE. 7:30 p.m. Buckley Recital Hall, Amherst College Galvanized by seismic changes in the ever-evolving social and political landscape, Terri Lyne Carrington and Social Science confront a wide spectrum of social justice issues. The band’s stunning double-disc debut, Waiting Game, immediately takes its place in the stirring lineage of politically conscious and activist music, expressing an unflinching, inclusive and compassionate view of humanity’s breaks and bonds through an expansive program melding jazz, R&B, indie rock, contemporary improvisation and hip-hop.
FRIDAY MARCH 1: NEIGHBOR WITH KENDALL STREET COMPANY. 8 p.m. The Drake, 44 North Pleasant Street. With a diverse catalog of hundreds of songs, the musical juggernaut Neighbor has become one of the most exciting and unpredictable live bands on the music scene today. Grown in large part by the passion and devotion of the fans called Neighbors, their symbiotic relationship inspires and touches every performance. The creation of childhood neighbors Richard James (vocals, keys) and Lyle Brewer (guitar), Neighbor combines ambitious composition, soulful balladry, and a fearless approach to their lengthy improvisations. The quartet is rounded out by Dan Kelly (bass) and Dean Johnston (drums) who fuel the groove and lay a solid foundation for Neighbor’s “down home”sound. Come see what’s good in the neighborhood. Tickets at https://www.thedrakeamherst.org/events/neighbor-w-kendall-street-company .
FRIDAY MARCH 1: THE SIMON & GARFUNKEL STORY. 8 p.m. Tillis Performance Hall, Fine Arts Center, UMass. The Simon & Garfunkel Story is an immersive concert-style theater show that chronicles the amazing journey shared by the folk-rock duo of Paul Simon and Art Garfunkel. | Tickets $80-$40; Five College Students and Youth 17 & Under $30-$15. Tix here.
BEGINNING FRIDAY MARCH 1: THE EVERGREENS REOPENS. 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Wednesdays through Sundays. Emily Dickinson Museum, 280 Main Street. The moment we’ve all been waiting for: The Evergreens will open for the first time since 2019! The lives of the Dickinson families at the Homestead and The Evergreens were closely linked, both in their daily conduct and in the private lives that unfolded in the houses. These connections had a profound impact on Emily Dickinson’s poetry and, later, on the posthumous publication of her verse and the preservation of her legacy. Visitors are recommended to purchase tickets in advance at https://www.emilydickinsonmuseum.org/visit/
SATURDAY MARCH 2: BANDWIDTH FACULTY ENSEMBLE. 1:30 p.m. Bezanson, UMass. Faculty/student collaborative concert. Cobus du Toit, flute; Romie de Guise-Langlois and Bixby Kennedy, clarinet; Jonathan Hulting-Cohen, saxophone; Remy Taghavi, bassoon; Joshua Michal, horn with Frederic Cohen, oboe; and advanced students. Music by Mozart, Enescu, Hindemith, Ian Clarke, and Erin Rogers. Free.
SATURDAY MARCH 2: “FOR OUT OF ZION” CONCERT. 7:30 p.m., Jewish Community of Amherst, 742 Main Street. Hazzan Jessi Roemers music weaves together ancient and modern texts. Her repertoire reflects a fusion of Yiddish, Hebrew, American folk, cantorial, and Bluegrass-Klezmer influences. Made possible through the support of the Harold Grinspoon Foundation and the National Center to Encourage Judaism. Tickets $10-$20, Under 18 free. Also available via Zoom. See www.jcamherst.org/zoomlinksinfo
SATURDAY MARCH 2: AMHERST DEMOCRATIC CAUCUS. 10:30 a.m. on Zoom. The ADTC will hold our annual Amherst Democratic Caucus to elect delegates to the 2024 Massachusetts Democratic Party State Convention. The caucus will be to elect delegates to the MassDems convention this spring. On Saturday, June 1, delegates will gather at the DCU Center in Worcester for a nominating convention for the US Senate seat currently held by Elizabeth Warren. Expect speeches from top Massachusetts Democrats. This is a great event to meet elected Massachusetts Democrats and the grassroots organizers working to make Massachusetts more progressive.
Running for delegate is easy, and the only requirement is that you be a registered Democrat living in Amherst. We hope you’ll join us for our caucus and consider running for delegate. Register at https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZIkduCurjosGtPDiX9ADtzIV_NDw27FrpWO#/registration
SATURDAY MARCH 2: THE NIELDS. 8 p.m. The Drake, 44 North Pleasant Street. The Nields, the folk-rock band from Massachusetts, are delighted to announce the release of their much-anticipated twenty-first album, Circle of Days. An homage to the calendar––and really, time itself––this collection of songs is a testament to the band’s enduring creativity and unwavering commitment to their craft. Tickets at https://www.thedrakeamherst.org/events/the-nields-1
SUNDAY MARCH 3: MARY TIMONY WITH YOUBET. 8 p.m. The Drake, 44 North Pleasant Street. For more than 30 years, singer-songwriter and guitar hero Mary Timony has cut a distinctive path throught the world of independent music, most recently as vocalist and guitarist of acclaimed garage-pop power trio Ex Hex. Tickets at: https://www.thedrakeamherst.org/events/mary-timony-w-youbet
TUESDAY MARCH 5:TANK AND THE BANGAS 10-YEAR ANNIVERSARY SHOW, WITH KIMAYA DIGGS. 8 p.m., the Drake, 44 North Pleasant Street. Coming from New Orleans, Tank and the Bangas are surrounded by plenty of grand musical traditions. And the five-piece group has a rare knack for combining various musical styles—fiery soul, deft hip-hop, deep-groove R&B and subtle jazz—into one dazzling, cohesive whole that evokes the scope of New Orleans music while retaining a distinctive feel all its own. Tickets at https://www.thedrakeamherst.org/events/tank-the-bangas-think-tank-10-year-anniversary-show
WEDNESDAY MARCH 6: PALESTINE/ISRAEL TALK SERIES: WHERE ARE WE HEADING? HOPES AND DELUSIONS: THE ONE STATE REALITY AND THE GAZA AFTERMATH. 5:30 to 7 p.m. Lyceum 201, Amherst College. Dr. Ahmad Samih Khalidi, Center for Security Policy, Geneva and Senior Fellow at the Institute of Palestine Studies. Presented by the Amherst College Departments of History, ASLC, and Anthropology/Sociology.
WEDNESDAY MARCH 6: WIND ENSEMBLE AND SYMPHONY BAND. 7:30 p.m. Tillis Hall, Fine Arts Center, UMass. With guests King Philip High School Wind Ensemble and Concert Band, Michael Keough and Joshua Wolloff, conductors. Featuring Stravinsky’s Symphonies of Wind Instruments, Tichell’s Angels in the Architecture, and more. $15/$5 for students. Tickets: https://fac.umass.edu/Online/seatSelect.asp
THURSDAY MARCH 7: VIRTUAL INFORMATION MEETING WITH WAYFINDERS ABOUT AFFORDABLE HOUSING AT BELCHERTOWN ROAD AND EAST STREET SCHOOL. 6 p.m. WayFinders will present its current plans and timeline for developing 70 units of affordable rental housing at East Street School and 80 Belchertown Road. Give your feedback. More information to follow.
THURSDAY MARCH 7: NAVIGATING THE COMPLEXITIES OF THE US HEALTH CARE SYSTEM AS A FAMILY PHYSICIAN AND AS A WOMAN BUSINESS LEADER. 6:30 p.m. Amherst Women’s Club. Dr. Kate Atkinson is. A local family physician who started Atkinson Family Practice, a Medical Home in Amherst and Northampton where they care for patients of all ages. Free and open to the public. Wine and Cheese at 6 p.m.
THURSDAY MARCH 7: ATTACA QUARTET. 7:30 p.m., Bowker Auditorium, UMass. The Grammy award-winning chamber ensemble Attacca Quartet, in the words of The Nation, “lives in the present aesthetically, without rejecting the virtues of the musical past.” Our program includes works by Caroline Shaw, Gabriela Ortiz, and Ludwig van Beethoven. | Tickets $35-$25; Five College Students and Youth 17 & Under $15. Tix here.
FRIDAY MARCH 8: OPENING RECEPTION FOR “WATER, NATURE, AND THE CITY”: AN EXHIBIT BY CHRISTINE MIRABAL. 4 to 6 p.m. Town Hall. Please join us for an evening of art and friendship. Come meet the artist – Christine Mirabal. Walk the galleries and enjoy some snacks. Sponsored by the Amherst Public Art Commission.
SUNDAY MARCH 10: COMMEMORATION OF THE TIBETAN UPRISING. 9 a.m., Town Hall front steps. This day is an expression of solidarity for the Tibetan Peoples in exile across the world. The Amherst event includes the raising of the Tibetan flag on Town Hall, the reading of a proclamation by the Town Council, and a march from Amherst to Northampton along Route 9 and concluding in Easthampton.
MONDAY MARCH 11: CONVERSATION WITH LABOR ACTIVIST CHRIS BROOKS (IUMass ’18), VISIONARY STRATEGIST WITH THE UAW. 6:00 P.M. – 7:30 P.M. Old Chapel, UMass, 144 Hicks Way.
Here’s more on Chris from the WSJ: “The group includes Chris Brooks, a 39-year-old labor activist recruited early this year to manage the new president’s transition team who then became a top aide. He helped overhaul the 88-year-old union, bringing a renewed militancy and empowering rank-and-file workers by pushing for frequent rallies and events where Fain heard them out. “
TUESDAY MARCH 12: CIVIC SUMMIT: SHOULD MASSACHUSETTS DROP THE MCAS GRADUATION REQUIREMENT? 5 to 7 p.m. UMass College of Education, 813 North Pleasant Street. Join us for a lively discussion at our in-person event, where we will examine whether Massachusetts should eliminate the MCAS graduation requirement for high school students. The Civic Summit will bring together experts, educators, and concerned citizens, and will be organized in the style of a deliberative poll: attendees will “vote” on the measure before and after learning more about it. The Center for Education Policy will use this information to help inform other voters in the commonwealth. Parking in lots 27 and 66. Refreshments. Free.
WEDNESDAY MARCH 13: MEETING. OF THE SCHOOL EQUITY AND ADVISORY COMMITTEE. 6:45 to 8:45 p.m. Amherst Regional High School Library. Meeting will be in person and is open to the public.
WEDNESDAY MARCH 13: HEART OF AFGHANISTAN PERFORMED BY THE FANOOS QUARTET. 7:30 p.m., Bowker Auditorium, UMass. Banned by the Taliban from performing in their native country, Ahmad Fanoos, Elham Fanoos, Mehran Fanoos, and Sohail Karim bring Afghan music and culture to the world through Heart of Afghanistan. | Tickets $35-$25; Five College Students and Youth 17 & Under $12. Tickets here.
BEGINNING FRIDAY MARCH 15: KINDERGARTEN REGISTRATION. On-line registration for children who will turn 5 on or before September 1, 2024. Don’t miss out on the opportunity to join our Dual Language Program at Fort River Elementary School To qualify, your kindergarten application must be received by April 24th, 2024. We kindly request that you refrain from entering any information into the portal before March 15th. If information is entered prematurely, it will not be saved, and you will be required to reenter it again after March 15th. Click on this link: Registration Link. Have Questions? We’re here to help! Call us at 413-362-1871. Secure your child’s spot in a vibrant learning community – where curiosity meets education!
ONGOING AND MULTI-DAY EVENTS
TUESDAYS IN FEBRUARY: MY VOICE MY STORY. 4:30 on Amherst Media Channel 12. Amherst Media”s Black History Month Portrait Series returns with Tennis Professional, Art Carrington, who shares insight into the history of Black Tennis.
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.
NOW THROUGH SATURDAY MARCH 2: THE DANCE OF DEMENTIA FIBER ART EXHIBIT. Gallery A3, 28 Amity Street 1D in Amherst annouces its new exhibition for February: Dances of Dementia an exhibit of fiber art by Cheryl Rezendes. The exhibit will run from Thursday February 1 through Saturday March 2. There will be an opening reception on Thursday February 1, from 5-7 p.m. and a free online art forum on Thursday February 15 at 7:30 p.m. (register here). Gallery hours are Thursday-Sunday, 2-7:00 p.m. More information
NOW THROUGH MARCH 2024: SELF-PORTRAITS BY FIRST GRADERS FROM WILDWOOD SCHOOL. Mead Art Museum, Amherst College. First graders from Wildwood School had a gallery opening at the Mead Art Museum at Amherst college on Thursday evening, December 14. Their self portraits are the culmination of a partnership with the Mead that included art educators visiting the Wildwood classrooms and a field trip.
NOW THROUGH FRIDAY MAY 10: AS WE MOVE FORWARD: ART EXHIBIT. Augusta Savage Gallery, New Africa House, 80 Infirmary Way, UMass. Curated by Juana Valdes and Nhadya Lawes. As We Move Forward honors the work and legacy of American sculptor and educator Augusta Savage (1892-1962), who paved the way for future generations of Black artists. Valdes and Lawes have chosen the works of seventeen Black, Latinx, and Afro- Indigenous women artists from Savage’s home state of Florida. The exhibition combines printmaking, photography, sculpture, architecture, ceramics, and other mixed media to create a space of celebration and growth for these emerging artists. Opening Reception: Tuesday, February 27, 5-7 p.m. Curators’ Talk: Thursday, April 4, 6 p.m.
NOW THROUGH 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.