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.

Local Historic District Commission Public Hearing — Monday 

The commission will hold a public hearing on a request at 71 North Prospect Street to replace wood siding with vinyl siding, replace wood soffits with vinyl, and install new aluminum on fascia, window, and door trim. The Commission also will reorganize and discuss further revisions to the East Amherst Local Historic District report. Monday, 3:00–5:00 PM, via Zoom. MORE

Jones Library Building Committee — Monday 

The committee will receive construction and schedule updates and vote to approve invoices from Allied (two invoices), Slobody Development Corp, FAA (two invoices), Fontaine, and Colliers totaling over $1.8 million, and will receive a furnishings update. Monday, 5:00–6:30 PM, via Zoom. MORE

Public Shade Tree Committee — Tuesday 

The committee will hear a report on project work, discuss Second Saturdays, the 250th anniversary tree planting, and the Amherst Public Shade Tree Committee 50th anniversary in 2027. The Committee also will follow up on the Significant Tree Ordinance, food forest, tree tags, wood bank donations, state-level initiatives, the Merry Maple table, and the Adopt a Tree program. Tuesday, 5:30–7:30 PM, via Zoom. MORE

Dino Trail Day with Story Wizards – Wednesday

Head to the Beneski Museum of Natural History for a special Dino Trail Week event featuring a full day of family-friendly dinosaur-themed programming, featuring Piti Theatre’s Story Wizards, scavenger hunts, and early afternoon guided tours.

Discover the incredible story of the dinosaurs that once roamed the Connecticut River Valley through one of the world’s most renowned collections of locally discovered dinosaur footprints. Museum staff will guide visitors through interactive scavenger hunts, lead a dinosaur trackway exploration, and bring stories to life through engaging, hands-on experiences for all ages. Wednesday, beginning at 11:00 AM at the Beneski Museum of Natural History at Amherst College. MORE

Human Rights Commission — Wednesday

The commission will discuss its annual report, diversity, equity, and inclusion updates, and retreat planning. Wednesday, 6:00–8:00 PM, via Zoom. MORE

Community Safety & Social Justice Committee — Wednesday 

The committee will receive CRESS and DEI updates and hear a Resident Oversight Board update from the Governance, Organization, and Legislation Committee of the Town Council. The Committee also will continue its ongling discussions of ICE and a sanctuary city bylaw, a response to the April racist flyers incident, the Youth Empowerment Center’s funds and location, debrief recent Town Council meetings, and address membership and co-chair nominations and the creation of subcommittees. Wednesday, 6:30–9:30 PM, via Zoom. MORE

Planning Board and Community Resources Committee of the Town Council — Wednesday

The boards will continue a joint public hearing on the proposed Article 18 Clean Energy Infrastructure zoning amendment, hold a continued public hearing on a Site Plan Review request from the Amherst Community Land Trust to construct an affordable duplex at 174 Amity Street complementary to a three-unit townhouse on the same lot, and conduct Planning Board elections and reorganization. Wednesday, 6:30–9:00 PM, via Zoom. MORE

Sunset Thursdays at The Carle – Thursday

As the sun begins to set, the grounds at the Eric Carle Museum come alive with live outdoor jazz performed by local musicians curated by Northampton Jazz Festival along with artists of all ages drawing together, hands-on art activities, storytimes for all ages, local food vendors, and more. This week, enjoy live music from trombonist/vocalist Carolyn Dufraine.

Relax on the lawn, explore the galleries, and enjoy the creative energy of the season! Thursday, 4:00-8:00 PM at the Eric Carle Museum. MORE

Summer Concerts on the Common – Friday

Summer Concerts on the Amherst Town Common are back! Join us every Friday in July, starting July 10 for free live music from 5:00–8:00 PM. Spread out a blanket, pull up a chair, and grab a bite from one of our local restaurants. This week: The Berkshires play a high-energy blend of rock, reggae, funk, blues, and country; and the Muswell Hillbillies plays valley favorites with a set of ‘70s and more! . Friday, 5:00-8:00 PM on the town common. MORE

common: a Shared Experience of the Centerpiece of Amherst – Saturday

Experience Amherst’s history in a new way this Saturday, when the Amherst Historical Society presents common, a 10-minute participatory audio piece created by John Bechtold of Eggtooth Productions and head of the Performing Arts Program at Amherst Regional High School. Participants will use their own headphones to follow voice-guided instructions while moving around the Town Common, exploring Amherst’s storied past. The free program runs three times — 10:30, 11:00, and 11:30 AM. — with access details available at the Historical Society’s Hands on History table at the Farmer’s Market. Bring headphones and phone. Ages 12+. Saturday, 10:30, 11:00, and 11:30 AM on the Town Common. MORE

Big Screen Classics: Something’s Gotta Give (Tuesday) & Fargo (Sunday)

Beat the heat this week at Amherst Cinema. Amherst Cinema’s annual summer series, Big Screen Classics, returns with eleven beloved films, spanning genres, decades, and the globe.

On Tuesday, catch Something’s Gotta Give. An aging music mogul (Jack Nicholson) falls for his young girlfriend’s mother (Diane Keaton) after a heart attack forces him to stay at her Hamptons beach house. Cited by Keaton as a personal favorite within her filmography, this rom-com earned her a fourth Oscar nomination.Tuesday, 7:00 PM.

On Sunday, see Fargo. Things go terribly awry when a car salesman hires two thugs to kidnap his wife in order to collect the ransom. This pitch-black comedy from the Coen brothers won Frances McDormand her first Oscar. Sunday, 1:30 PM. MORE

Town Seeks Your Input About Cable TV/Internet – Now through August 7

The Town of Amherst invites the community to participate in a brief survey to share their experiences with cable television in Amherst. All residents are encouraged to participate even if they are not current cable subscribers. This public survey is an opportunity for residents to provide feedback about whether the current cable operator, Comcast, is in full compliance with its currently-existing cable license, and the Town’s future community cable-related needs. Complete the survey here. The survey is open through Friday, August 7. MORE

Save the Date: Hampshire College Zoning Study Information Session July 21

The Town of Amherst invites the community to attend a virtual information session about the Hampshire Campus Zoning Study. All are welcome! 

This information session is an opportunity for community members to learn more and ask questions about the study and hear the latest updates from Town staff and consultants. The session will include a presentation and a Q & A segment facilitated by Town officials and the consulting team. This is the first of a series of community engagement opportunities that will extend into Fall 2026. 

The Hampshire Campus Zoning Study seeks to gather information about the property that will guide new zoning. The information gathered will provide an understanding of the areas that are developable, the capacity of infrastructure (i.e. water, sewer, roadways), housing market demands, opportunities for economic development, and other options. MORE

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Want more? Check out our Community Calendars page to find even more upcoming events.

Have an event you’d like us to spotlight? Email us TheAmherstCurrent@gmail.com. We publish the Amherst Week Ahead on Mondays; events that are submitted by Friday at midnight will be considered for the following Monday’s post. If your event is on a weekend, please submit it at least 10 days before the event.