It’s Monday and we’re back with our roundup of the week’s events. Here are this week’s town government meetings, and cultural, recreational, and athletics events that caught our eye.

ARHS Varsity Athletics at Home – Monday-Thursday

It’s the post-season and several varsity teams are in action this week! Boys Basketball vs. Northampton, Tuesday at 6:00 pm at ARHS and Wednesday at 7:00 pm at Westfield H.S.; Girls Basketball vs. Taconic, Wednesday at 12:00 pm at ARHS; Boys Hockey in W Mass semi-finals vs. TBA, Thursday at 8:30 pm at Olympia Ice Center. MORE

Finance Committee – Tuesday

At its meeting on Tuesday, the Finance Committee will get an update on the 2nd quarter financials (FY25) and review the FY26 budget projections. They’ll also discuss an order to appropriate funds to the town capital program that the Town Council is considering. Tuesday, 2:00-3:30 pm on Zoom.  MORE

Housing Production Plan Scenario Workshop – Tuesday

Are you passionate about ensuring all residents have pathways to affordable and secure housing in Amherst? Join with community members on Tuesday to help Amherst plan for future housing scenarios! Hosted by UMass affiliates in partnership with the Town of Amherst and Barrett Planning Group, this imaginative workshop will involve scenario planning exercises and discussion. Pizza, snacks, and drinks will be provided. There will also be coloring activities and interactive materials for children. Tuesday, 4:00-6:00 pm in Town Hall. MORE

Gov’t Organization & Legislation (GOL) Committee – Tuesday

The GOL Committee of the Town Council meets on Tuesday and will continue discussions about creating a “follow-on” committee to the African Heritage Reparations Assembly (AHRA). The AHRA had recommended a successory body be created when it issued its final report in September 2023. Tuesday, 6:30-8:30 pm on Zoom. MORE

James Earl Jones Remembered: Claudine – Tuesday

Amherst Cinema kicks off an 8-film series Tuesday showcasing the work and art of James Earl Jones, who passed away in September 2024. The series explores the breadth of Jones’s remarkable career and celebrates the life of one of cinema’s most beloved actors. On Tuesday, see Claudine. In this compassionate and funny slice-of-life drama, an Oscar-nominated Diahann Carroll stars as Claudine, a single mother of six who takes a rare leap of faith to date Roop, a seductive garbage collector played with verve by James Earl Jones. Tuesday, 7:00 pm at Amherst Cinema. MORE

Human Rights Commission – Wednesday

The Human Rights Commission meets on Wednesday and will discuss the creation of a Resident Oversight Board as well as town efforts to protect the rights of residents. Wednesday, 6:00-8:00 pm on Zoom. MORE

Planning Board Public Hearing & Meeting – Wednesday

The Planning Board hosts a public hearing on Wednesday regarding the site plan review for the development at University Drive & Amity Street. At its meeting afterward, the Board will continue its general housing discussion, including a zoning overlay for apartment complexes as well as “footnote m” – a part of Amherst zoning bylaw that specifies the minimum lot size required for new apartments or dwelling units. Wednesday, 6:30-9:30 pm on Zoom. MORE

Town Services & Outreach (TSO) Committee – Thursday

At its meeting on Thursday, the TSO committee of the Town Council will review Town Manager appointments and continue its discussions on the proposed roadwork on South East St. between College St. and Main St. to accommodate the anticipated increase in traffic at the site of the new elementary school building. They’ll also continue its discussion of the proposed waste hauler bylaw. Thursday, 10:00 am – 12:00 pm on Zoom. MORE

Liberatory Visioning Project Facilitators Workshop – Thursday

The Town of Amherst Department of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion is proud to announce the launch of the Liberatory Visioning Project, an initiative aimed at creating a more inclusive and welcoming community for all residents. This process is designed to bring members of the Town together to develop a shared vision through dialogue sessions and a community survey.

The Town is actively seeking community members to serve as facilitators for these dialogue sessions. Facilitators will play a crucial role in guiding conversations, encouraging participation, and capturing key themes and ideas. Facilitators must be able to attend at least one of the dialogue sessions; each dialogue session will have two facilitators. Thursday, 5:00-6:30 pm in the Glass Room at the Bangs Community Center. MORE

Marco Benevento at The Drake – Thursday

Marco Benevento’s music covers a wide swath of ground, seemingly connecting the dots in the vast space between LCD Soundsystem and Leon Russell, His songwriting is smart and earthy, yet simultaneously pulsating with dance rock energy. On his latest album, simply titled, ‘Benevento,’ the Woodstock, NY-based artist dives deep down a psych funk rabbit hole, reimagining the current Zeitgeist of these troubled times through surrealistic optimism and the pure joy of an irresistible groove. Thursday, 8:00 pm at The Drake. MORE

Veterans Breakfast for All – Friday

Make new friends, get to know Amherst Veterans and hear their stories at the Veterans Breakfast for All on Friday. At each breakfast (bagel/donut/coffee), a veteran or veteran ally, will tell their personal story regarding military service. The CRESS department wants to bring veterans together for food and friendship to help coalesce a spirit of camaraderie to enable authentic, veteran-oriented communities to flourish. Free and open to ALL! Friday, 8:00-9:00 am in the Bangs Community Center. MORE

Music at Amherst: Limmie Pulliam, Tenor – Friday

Rising dramatic tenor Limmie Pulliam comes to Amherst College after recent debuts with the Gewandhaus Orchester, Metropolitan Opera, Cleveland Orchestra and The Philadelphia Orchestra under the baton of Yannick Nézét-Seguin. “Pulliam can roar, he can sing sweetly, and he can simmer, all the while creating a dramatically believable character.” – San Francisco Classical Voice. Friday, 7:30 pm at Buckley Recital Hall at Amherst College. MORE

Bringing Our Hearts to Climate Change: An In-Person Dialogue – Saturday

Join the Kestrel Land Trust for an in-person dialogue on Saturday to help make sense of the complexities confronting us in this era of climate change and to feel supported. Climate change is one of the most significant and far-reaching of those. Connecting with other people in constructive dialogue can help us to feel more hopeful and effective rather than feeling disheartened and paralyzed. 

Kestrel Land Trust Community Engagement Manager, Marilyn Castriotta, will facilitate this group conversation. General information and simple interactive exercises will be offered, and light refreshments will be served. Registration is required. Saturday, 10:00 am – 12:00 pm. MORE

5th Annual Fire & Ice Festival and Luminaria – Saturday

Don’t miss the grand finale of WinterFest! The Fire & Ice Festival is the culminating event of WinterFest and a highlight of the winter season, transforming the Town Common into a magical winter wonderland. Enjoy mesmerizing ice sculptures, live entertainment, hot coca and s’mores over fire pits, and a breathtaking luminaria display. Activities also include an Amherst Fire Truck to explore, Sparky the Fire Dog to take photos with, MATICA Circus fire performers, metal sculpture demonstration by Kamil Peters, wood carving demonstration by Cody Stosz of Kodiak Carving, crafts, and so much more. Saturday, 3:00-7:00 pm on the Town Common. MORE

Note: this post was updated to reflect the postponement of the Girls Varsity Basketball game. The game is now on Wednesday, at 12:00 pm.

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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.