Every week, we spotlight the town government meetings, and cultural, recreational, and athletics events that caught our eye. Read on and mark your calendars!

Big Screen Classics: Sunset Boulevard – Tuesday

The Big Screen Classics series at Amherst Cinema features Sunset Boulevard on Tuesday night. Gloria Swanson, as Norma Desmond, an aging silent-film queen, and William Holden, as the struggling young screenwriter who is held in thrall by her madness, created two of the screen’s most memorable characters in this film. Winner of three Academy Awards®, director Billy Wilder’s powerful orchestration of the bizarre tale is a true cinematic classic. Tuesday, 7:00 pm at Amherst Cinema. $ MORE

ARHS Varsity Athletics at Home – Wednesday, Thursday, Saturday

ARHS Hurricanes athletes are back in action for the Fall sports season! Catch Varsity teams at home this week. Boys Soccer scrimmage vs. Frontier on Wednesday at 4:30pm. Boys Golf vs. Northampton on Thursday at 3:30pm. Boys Football vs. Chicopee Comp on Saturday at 11:00am. Soccer and Football at ARHS, Golf at Amherst Golf Club. MORE

Amherst Historical Commission Hearing & Meeting – Wednesday

The Historical Commission meets on Wednesday evening to continue its review of changes to the updated building plans for the Jones Library renovation and expansion project, based upon value engineering concerning demolition of rear 1990s additions to the 1928 structure. Wednesday, 7:00-10:00 pm on Zoom. MORE

Zoning Board of Appeals Public Hearing – Thursday

The Zoning Board of Appeals will host a public hearing Thursday about proposed plans from Way-Finders, Inc. to build a 31-unit mixed income rental housing building at 31 South East St and a 47-unit mixed income rental housing building at 70 Belchertown Rd. Thursday, 6:00-9:00 pm on Zoom. MORE

Copilot and Blue Light Bandits – Thursday

Head to The Drake on Thursday evening for Blue Light Bandits, a Worcester-based independent rock band heavily influenced by ‘70s soul and R&B. Boston retro rock-pop band Copilot opens. Thursday, 8:00 pm at The Drake. $ MORE

Tutti Concert Benefit – Saturday

Head to the Jones Library on Saturday for Tutti, a youth concert series to benefit the Jones Library Capital Campaign. This concert will be held in the atrium of the Jones Library. Performers of all ages and levels are welcome! Suggested donation of $5 for seniors and students; $10 for adults. Read about the series organizer, Yoonsa Lee, and previous concerts in the series in this February article on The Amherst Current. Learn more and register to perform – here. Saturday, 2:30-3:30 pm at the Jones Library. MORE

Strings @ The Strong – Saturday

The Amherst Historical Society will welcome the Wistaria String Quartet to its Strings @ the Strong summer concert series on Saturday, August 31, performing works by Alesandro Scarlatti, Joseph Hayden, Scott Slapin, and Erwin Schulhoff. Formed in 2013, the Wistaria String Quartet is made up of local musicians violinists Sarah Briggs and Kaila Graef, violist Gregory Diehl, and cellist Karl Knapp who all share a commitment to highlighting works of local composers. Saturday, 2:00-4:00 pm at the Strong House. Free. MORE

Amherst Community Theater Auditions – coming in September!

Amherst Community Theater announces auditions for Disney’s Newsies, directed by Megan Healey, musical direction by Cindy Naughton and choreography by Sue Dresser. Set in turn-of-the century New York City, Newsies is the rousing tale of Jack Kelly, a charismatic newsboy who leads the teenage “newsies” to strike against unfair conditions. Packed with non-stop thrills and a timeless message, Newsies is perfect for every audience. 9 performances in January 2025. Actors, singers, and dancers ages 7-107 encouraged to audition! Auditions September 20–22. For audition appointments and more info, including character descriptions, audition music, and readings, visit amherstacts.org/auditions or contact producer@amherstacts.org.

Note: the post was updated to clarify that the Historical Commission hearing and meeting are related to the Jones Library renovation and expansion project.

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Want more? We’ve gathered the event and program calendars from the many organizations and committees in Amherst onto Community Calendars. Check it out to find even more upcoming events.

Have an event you’d like us to spotlight? Email us TheAmherstCurrent@gmail.com.