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.

Amherst Housing Authority Board of Commissioners — Monday 

The board will review financial and property management reports, discuss the Fiscal Year 2027 operating budget and quarterly reports, and consider correspondence on the AHA/HHA management agreement and a new Greenfield Savings Bank account. Monday, 4:00 PM–5:00 PM, Jean Elder Building Community Room. MORE

Planning Board Public Hearing & Meeting — Wednesday 

The board will hold a continued site plan review hearing on Amherst Community Land Trust’s proposal to build an affordable duplex alongside an existing three-unit townhouse at 174 Amity Street, followed by a general housing discussion. Wednesday, 6:30 PM–9:30 PM, virtual meeting (Zoom). MORE

Conservation Commission Public Hearing & Meeting — Wednesday 

The commission will hold hearings on Notices of Intent for an auxiliary dwelling unit (ADU) at 194 College Street and a playground renovation at 27 Pomeroy Lane, both within wetland buffer zones, alongside a drought status update, compliance updates on several culvert and solar projects, and a letter of support for Quabbin Watershed regional equity legislation. Wednesday, 7:00 PM–10:00 PM, virtual meeting (Zoom). MORE

Energy and Climate Action Committee — Wednesday 

The committee will discuss the Landlord Heat Pump Initiative and education outreach efforts, hear updates on the UMass Climate Plan and transportation advisory work, and review regional and state climate policy including the Climate Bank. Wednesday, 5:30 PM–7:30 PM, virtual meeting (Zoom). MORE

Summer Seminars at UMass Downtown – Wednesday

The UMass Downtown Summer Seminar Series continues on Wednesday with Playing is Naturally Scientific: A Case Study of Outdoor Play-Based Science Experiences in Early Childhood Education with Kathleen Mahoney. This case study examines how early childhood educators perceive and support outdoor play-based science experiences, and how those experiences are intentionally—or unintentionally—aligned with the Next Generation Science Standards. The study also explores how educators use a sociocultural approach to establish intentional and explicit connections between play principles, scientific inquiry, and concept development. Wednesday, 6:00-7:30 PM at UMass Downtown. MORE

Full Moon Hike to Mount Norwuttuck – Wednesday

Hiking at night can change your perspective of what it means to spend time outdoors. Come experience a guided night hike on Wednesday for a moon-rise climb to the top of Mount Norwottuck on the Mount Holyoke Range. The full moon in July is called the Buck Moon.

This hike, in partnership with Adventure East, will begin at the Kestrel Land Trust headquarters. We’ll climb for approximately an hour and a half before arriving at the top of Norwottuck. Once there, we will stop to take in the iconic views and watch the moon rise over the Pelham Hills and enjoy a snack provided by your Adventure East guide. Returning to the trailhead, we’ll have the unique opportunity to take in the sights and sounds of the forest at night, guided by the light of the moon. Headlamps will be provided. Wednesday, 7:00-10:30 PM beginning at the Kestrel Land Trust headquarters. Registration required. MORE

Art House Theater Day at Amherst Cinema – Thursday

Head to Amherst Cinema on Thursday to celebrate Art House Theater Day 2026! In partnership with Art House Convergence, a nationwide coalition of independent exhibitors, Amherst Cinema presents a day of specialty programming. 

The day kicks off with a screening at 2:00 PM of Network. This media satire, directed by Sidney Lumet from a brilliantly incisive script by Paddy Chayefsky, is an X-ray of the corrupted soul of a corporate-dominated America, startlingly prescient in its anticipation of today’s outrage-driven news cycle. New 4K restoration. 

Then, at 4:45 PM, see Sugar Island. Director Johanné Gómez Terrero masterfully blends social realism, spirituality, and Afro-futurism in SUGAR ISLAND, immersing us in the Dominican Republic’s sugarcane fields, where Makenya, a Dominican-Haitian teenager, battles for her future. 

And, end the day seeing Sorry to Bother You at 7:00 PM. In this no-holds-barred, madcap satire, a Black telemarketer rockets to success after learning how to use his “white voice,” elevating him to the surreal and sinister world of power sellers. Includes an exclusive, pre-recorded Q&A with director Boots Riley.

Thursday, at Amherst Cinema. MORE

Jones Library, Inc. Board of Trustees — Thursday 

The trustees will vote on approving an EverSource easement, alongside routine agenda items and public comment. Thursday, 4:00 PM–5:00 PM, virtual meeting (Zoom). MORE

Senior Sips – Thursday

Join local seniors 60+ at the Inn on Boltwood to connect with neighbors, discover local happenings, and learn about available resources! Snacks will be provided; attendees are responsible for their own beverages. Thursday, 4:00-6:00 PM at the Inn on Boltwood. 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 Dylan Walter (piano). 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

Sam Burchfield w/ Jake Klar at The Drake — Thursday

Georgia-based folk/Americana artist Sam Burchfield performs songs of family, devotion, and rootedness from his upcoming album Nature Speaks, with New England folk-roots artist Jake Klar opening. Thursday, 8:00 PM (doors 7 PM), at The Drake. 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 GemsTones & The Hendersons Blues Band. Friday, 5:00-8:00 PM on the town common. MORE

Watershed Woods Walk – Saturday

Join MA Department of Conservation & Recreation and Kestrel Land Trust for a moderate guided 3-mile hike. Learn how watersheds shape our landscape. Hike along Sweet Alice Brook to observe native brook trout and the streams that feed Plum Brook Pond. The program concludes at Kestrel Land Trust Headquarters with a seated discussion on how forest and open-space conservation protect clean water and wildlife. Saturday, 9:00 AM-12:00 PM beginning at the Notch Visitors Center. Registration (free) required. 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

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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.