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 and recreational events that caught our eye.

ARHS Varsity Athletics at Home – Tuesday-Friday

Catch ARHS varsity athletes in action at home this week! Girls Soccer vs. Granby on Tuesday at 5:00 pm, and vs. Southwick on Thursday at 4:30 pm. Girls & Boys Cross-Country vs. Minnechaug on Tuesday at 5:30 pm. Boys Soccer vs. Minnechaug on Friday at 5:00 pm. Girls Volleyball vs. Chicopee on Friday at 6:00 pm. Boys Football vs. Greenfield on Friday at 7:00 pm. MORE

Public Forum on Amherst Master Plan – Monday

The Town Council hosts a special public forum on Monday about the Amherst Master Plan. The Master Plan was adopted by the Town Council in November 2020 and by the Planning Board in February 2010; it is the community’s general “blueprint” for its future, guiding regulatory changes, land use policies, budgeting decisions, and the rest of the community decision making. Monday, 6:30-7:00 pm in Town Hall and on Zoom. MORE

Town Council – Monday

The Town Council meets after the public forum on Monday. The meeting opens with a hearing, continued from September 8, about an Eversource petition regarding the replacement of a utility pole at University Dr. and Amity St. The Council then will consider votes on the proposed borrowing authorization for the study of the town’s wastewater and sewer facilities, and the Eversource petition. The Council also will discuss the Town Manager evaluation and process. Monday, 6:45-10:30 pm in Town Hall and on Zoom. MORE

Finance Committee – Tuesday

At its meeting on Tuesday, the Finance Committee will review and discuss the report on municipal finances and funding of education that the MA Association of Regional Schools prepared for the Regional School Committee. The Committee also will discuss strategic data compilation relevant to the Town’s budget as well as the school districts’ budgets. And, they’ll continue discussions about financial guidance for the upcoming FY27 budget process. Tuesday, 10:00 am – 12:00 pm on Zoom. MORE

Nomination Papers Available – Deadline on Tuesday

Nomination papers for all town elected positions are available at the Town Clerk’s office for the upcoming Amherst Town Election. Nomination papers will remain available through–and must be returned by–the deadline of 5:00 pm on Tuesday, September 16. Learn more about the elected positions and who’s running on our 2025 Election Central!

National Voter Registration Day – Tuesday

The Amherst History Center will be a host site for National Voter Registration Day on Tuesday. If you are not yet registered to vote in the upcoming election, stop by and do so! (The last day to register to vote in the upcoming election is October 24.) Tuesday, 1:00-4:00 pm at the Amherst History Center (45 Boltwood Walk). MORE

Poems from Gaza: an Evening with Palestinian writer & librarian Mosab Abu Toha – Tuesday

Head to UMass Bowker Auditorium on Tuesday for an evening of poetry with Mosab Abu Toha. Mosab Abu Toha  is a Palestinian poet, short-story writer, and Pulitzer Prize-winning essayist from Gaza. His first collection of poetry, Things You May Find Hidden in My Ear, was a finalist for the National Book Critics Circle Award for Poetry and won the Palestine Book Award, the American Book Award, and the Walcott Poetry Prize. His second collection, Forest of Noise, was longlisted for the Dylan Thomas Prize. Abu Toha is also the founder of the Edward Said Library in Gaza, which he hopes to rebuild. He recently won an Overseas Press Club Award for his “Letter from Gaza” columns for The New Yorker. Tuesday, 5:00 pm in Bowker Auditorium at UMass. MORE

Amherst School Committee – Tuesday

The Amherst SC meets on Tuesday to review and discuss plans for restructuring elementary schools related to the new school building, scheduled to open next fall. Specifically, the SC will review a draft proposal of new enrollment zones for the new school and Crocker Farm, as well as elementary administrative leadership changes, logistics related to the 6th grade “academy” at the middle school, and naming process for the new school. The SC also will review a report on the final FY25 budget actuals. Tuesday, 6:30 pm in the library at ARHS and on Amherst Media. MORE

Big Screen Classics: Princess Mononoke – Tuesday

Amherst Cinema wraps its summertime series Big Screen Classics on Tuesday with a screening of Princess Mononoke. The film is a landmark of animation, and is of unsurpassed power and beauty. An epic story of conflict between humans, gods, and nature, the film has been universally acclaimed by critics, and it broke the box office record on its original release in Japan. This new 4K restoration was directly overseen by Studio Ghibli’s own Atsushi Okui, who has been involved in nearly every major Studio Ghibli project since he first started at the studio in 1993. Tuesday, 7:00 pm at Amherst Cinema. MORE

Planning Board Public Hearing & Meeting – Wednesday

The Planning Board hosts a public hearing Wednesday related to a proposed mixed-use development project at Atkins corner in South Amherst, including a site plan review and a request for a special permit to modify the front setback beyond the maximum required, allow for a building height to exceed the maximum allowed, and the number of floors to exceed the maximum allowed. At its meeting, the Board will continue its discussion about a potential zoning overlay for existing apartment complexes and to begin discussion about areas in town for possible housing development or redevelopment. Wednesday, 6:30-9:00 pm on Zoom. MORE

12th Annual Amherst Block Party – Thursday

Get ready for an unforgettable night in the heart of Amherst! Join us at the 12th Annual Amherst Block Party, a beloved community tradition that brings thousands of residents, students, and visitors together to celebrate everything that makes Downtown Amherst special. From live music and dazzling performances to delicious food, unique shops, and interactive experiences, this high-energy street festival has something for everyone. Stop by The Amherst Current booth in front of Bistro 63 Share Coffee The Toy Box and say hi! Thursday, 5:00-9:00 pm on North Pleasant St. in downtown Amherst. MORE

Veterans Breakfast for All – Friday

On the first and third Fridays of every month, the Town’s Community Responders for Equity, Safety, and Service (CRESS) department hosts a Veterans Breakfast. Open to everyone, each breakfast features a veteran or veteran ally who will tell their personal story regarding military service. Friday, 8:00-9:00 am at the Bangs Community Center. MORE

Michelle Cann, Piano – Friday

The Music at Amherst series opens its 2025-2026 season on Friday with an evening with pianist Michelle Cann presenting a program of “Women of Chicago’s Black Renaissance.” Lauded as “exquisite” by The Philadelphia Inquirer and “a pianist of sterling artistry” by Gramophone, GRAMMY® Award winning pianist Michelle Cann is one of the most sought-after artists of her generation. Her honors include the Sphinx Medal of Excellence and the Andrew Wolf Chamber Music Award. In 2024, she was named the inaugural Christel DeHaan Artistic Partner of the American Piano Awards, responsible for artistic oversight of the competition. Friday, 7:30 pm at Buckley Recital Hall at Amherst College. MORE

CRESS Day – Sunday

The Town of Amherst is proudly commemorating three years since the founding of the new department Community Responders for Equity, Safety, and Service (CRESS) by hosting this community celebration. 

CRESS Day is a special event that brings the community together to celebrate the progress made over the past three years and highlight CRESS’s ongoing commitment to fostering community engagement and public safety. It provides a platform to showcase CRESS’s impact, reflect on its growth, and look to the future. All are invited to attend to meet the team, connect with neighbors, share ideas for continued growth, and have fun! This event is rain or shine. Sunday, 12:00-4:00 pm, at Mill River Recreation Area. MORE

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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.