Welcome to your weekly guide to Town of Amherst events and public meetings. Here’s what’s happening around town this week.

ARHS Varsity Athletics at Home – Monday

Catch ARHS varsity athletes in action at home this week! Boys Basketball vs. Minnechaug, Monday at 6:00 PM. Boys Hockey vs. Agawam Monday at 8:15 PM.  MORE

Jones Library Board of Trustees – Wednesday

Public meeting of the Jones Library Board of Trustees. Agenda includes President’s Report, Library Building Committee Report, Buildings and Facilities Committee Report, Development Committee Report, Personnel Planning and Policy Committee Report, Budget and Investment Committee Report, Friends Report, and Director’s Report. Wednesday, 4:00–6:00 PM on Zoom. MORE

Joint Capital Planning Committee – Wednesday

The JCPC meets on Wednesday for a presentation of the Town Manager’s Preliminary Five-Year Capital Plan and for presentation and discussion of FY27 capital project requests for Fire/EMS, Sustainability, Other Departments as Needed. Wednesday, 5:00-7:00 PM on Zoom. MORE

Human Rights Commission – Wednesday

The Human Rights Commission meets on Wednesday to discuss bylaws update, joint statement with the Community Safety & Social Justice Committee, human rights statements, Human Rights Commission info cards, and DEI update. Wednesday, 6:00– 8:00 PM on Zoom. MORE

Wellbeing Wednesday at UMass Downtown – Wednesday  

Stop by UMass Downtown for February Wellbeing Wednesday and get a free blood pressure check courtesy of the UMass Amherst Public Health Promotion Center. Later, join certified functional strength coach and UMass RecWell Coordinator for Fitness Operations Greg Hannum for an exploration of the potential effects of exercise on blood pressure. Following, there will be an exercise demonstration and activity to get your journey started. Wellbeing Wednesdays are monthly programs exploring topics in health and wellness. Free and open to all. Wednesday, 10:00 AM–3:00 PM blood pressure check; 6:00 –7:00 PM jumpstarting your exercise journey, at UMass Downtown. MORE

Black is Beautiful: The Kwame Brathwaite Story – Wednesday 

Head to Amherst Cinema on Wednesday for a special screening of Black is Beautiful: The Kwame Brathwaite Story. Photographer Kwame Brathwaite used his art as activism to capture the joy of Black American life, documenting jazz musicians, celebrities, everyday Harlem scenes, and more—while popularizing the phrase “Black is Beautiful,” amplifying the movement that redefined Black pride. Post-film Q&A with executive producer Kwame S. Brathwaite. Presented in partnership with Amherst College’s Mead Art Museum, featuring the exhibit Kwame Brathwaite: Revolutionary Movements, on view February 17 through July 5, 2026. Wednesday, 7:00– 9:30 PM at Amherst Cinema. MORE

A Voice from the “Present Past”: W. E. B. Du Bois and His Lessons for Our Time – Thursday

Tune in Thursday for a special lecture by Dr. Whitney Battle-Baptiste to commemorate the birthday of W. E. B. Du Bois. The talk will describe how and why Du Bois remains such an important voice, despite being dead for over sixty years. It will explore the ways his life and words can help us find a way through our current moment of uncertainty and unrest. It will describe the work that is being done to promote and preserve his incredible legacy in places like Ghana, New York, Great Barrington, and right here at UMass Amherst. Thursday, 12:00-1:00 PM in the W. E. B. Du Bois Library and via livestream. MORE

Valley Green Energy Working Group – Thursday  

The Valley Green Energy Working Group meets on Thursday to discuss updates on Valley Green Energy, a group electricity buying program for Amherst, Northampton, and Pelham residents and businesses, as well as Local Energy Advocates and Mass Power Choice activity. Thursday, 1:00–2:30 PM on Zoom. MORE

Community Development Block Grant Advisory Committee – Thursday  

The CDBG Advisory Committee meets on Thursday to review proposals for the 2026 Community Development Block Grant application.Thursday, 7:00–9:00 PM on Zoom. MORE

Sunny Jain with Wild Wild East at The Drake – Thursday

Head to The Drake on Thursday for an evening with Sunny Jain presented in partnership with the UMass Fine Arts Center. Jain is the founder and leader of the genre-mashing and infectiously fun Brooklyn-based band Red Baraat. Like Red Baraat, Wild Wild East draws from Jain’s identity as a first-generation South Asian American and as a global musician. Jain sources musical inspiration from the scores of Bollywood classics  and Spaghetti Westerns, Indian folk traditions, jazz improvisation, and  rollicking psychedelic and surf guitar styles. Thursday, 8:00 PM at The Drake. MORE

Veterans Breakfast for All – Friday

Join the Town of Amherst for our Veterans Breakfast for All! At each breakfast, a veteran or veteran ally will tell their story regarding military service or a related topic. All are welcome. Friday, 8:00–9:00 AM in the Large Activity Room, Bangs Community Center. MORE

Artist Talk & Opening Reception – Friday

Head to the Mead Art Museum at Amherst College on Friday for an evening of art and celebration. Join Houston-based artist JooYoung Choi in her new exhibition, Adventures of the Quantum Soup Surfer, for a personal gallery talk touching on the lore and process of her Cosmic Womb universe and its newest hero, the Quantum Soup Surfer. An opening reception for Choi’s exhibit and the exhibit Kwame Brathwaite: Revolutionary Movements follows. All are welcome! Light refreshments and drinks are available. Friday, 4:00 PM artist talk in the gallery; 5:00-7:00 PM opening reception at the Mead Art Museum at Amherst College. MORE

Fire & Ice Festival + Luminaria – Saturday

Celebrate the winter season with the 6th Annual Fire & Ice Festival, a wonderful day of entertainment, activities, and fun for all! This is the culminating event of Amherst’s week-long WinterFest gathering 2,000+ attendees to enjoy ice sculptures, fire juggling, wood carving demonstrations, metal sculptures, hot cocoa and s’mores over fire pits and more! Saturday, 3:00–6:00 PM on the Amherst Town Common. MORE