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.

Design Review Board — Monday 

The board will review a sign removal and replacement application at 253 Triangle Street, and discuss the upcoming meeting schedule and recruitment of new members. Monday, 4:30 PM–6:30 PM, virtual meeting (Zoom). MORE

Town Council and Finance Committee Public Forum on Supplemental Appropriations — Monday 

The public forum covers three supplemental budget appropriations: Pelham Treasurer-Collector services, Wildwood Elementary School care and custody, and PFAS monitoring and remediation. Monday, 6:30 PM, Town Hall Town Room (4 Boltwood Ave) / Zoom. MORE

Town Council — Monday 

The council will act on three supplemental budget appropriations (Pelham Treasurer-Collector services, Wildwood Elementary School care and custody, and PFAS monitoring), take a first read on proposed Zoning Bylaw Article 18 covering clean energy infrastructure, and approve Town Manager appointments to the Community Development Block Grant Advisory Committee. Monday, 6:35 PM, Town Hall Town Room (4 Boltwood Ave) / Zoom. MORE

Finance Committee of the Town Council — Tuesday 

The committee will review current financial policies, the Other Post-Employment Benefits (OPEB) finance plan, and the pension funding timeline and its budget impact once fully funded, plus a brief report from the Budget Ad Hoc Subcommittee. Tuesday, 1:00 PM, virtual meeting (Zoom). MORE

South Church Chicken BBQ & Craft Sale and Amherst Community Band Concert – Tuesday

Enjoy an evening of music and food at the 15th Annual BBQ & Band Concert. The South Church Chicken BBQ is sold out. If you didn’t get your order in, you can still enjoy the Amherst Community Band Concert! 

The Amherst Community Band will host its final summer concert starting at 6:00 pm. The concert is free and open to the public, and will feature guest conductor Richard Cuoco. Tuesday, 6:00 PM. MORE

Historical Commission — Tuesday 

The commission will continue a public hearing on a request to remove the second-floor porch and replace a door with a window at 33 Phillips Street, and will elect a chair and vice-chair. Tuesday, 7:00 PM–9:00 PM, virtual meeting (Zoom). MORE

Planning Board — Wednesday 

The board will hear a presentation from the Hampshire Campus Zoning Study team, review proposed revisions to the East Amherst Local Historic District, and discuss potential zoning amendments to allow housing in the Professional and Research Park district. Wednesday, 6:30 PM–9:00 PM, virtual meeting (Zoom). MORE

Cultural Council — Wednesday 

The council will review its grant evaluation criteria, discuss Block Party representation, and plan the grant cycle calendar and upcoming meeting schedule. Wednesday, 6:30 PM–7:30 PM, virtual meeting (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 Daniel Friedman (sax) and Morgan Kelsey (keyboard) and BBQ from Pit Stop BBQ food truck. 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

Late Fame with director Kent Jones at Amherst Cinema — Thursday

Willem Dafoe stars as a forgotten New York poet swept up by a coterie of young admirers in this preview screening, followed by a post-film discussion with director Kent Jones and poet Peter Gizzi. Thursday, 7:00 PM, Amherst Cinema, free to members. MORE

Town Hall Art Gallery Reception for Amy Dawn Kotel – Friday

The Amherst Town Hall Art Gallery is pleased to announce the opening of its next exhibition featuring works by local artist Amy Dawn Kotel, on display from August through the end of September. 

Amy Dawn Kotel is a multidisciplinary artist whose creative path spans dance, puppetry, education, and fitness, all of which inform her vibrant fine art practice. Bursting with color, movement, and imagination, Kotel’s work invites viewers into richly layered worlds where countless forms converge to create expansive landscapes, dreamlike narratives, and unexpected connections.

The public is invited to meet the artist at a free reception on Friday at Amherst Town Hall (4 Boltwood Ave, Amherst). Refreshments will be served. Friday, 5:00-7:00 PM at Town Hall. MORE

Music at the Amherst Dog Park – Friday

Enjoy a night of music in the Amherst Dog Park from 5:00 pm to dusk! Performances will feature the band Nectar, an intimate acoustic trio who weaves together the music of the Americas with guitar, bass and vocals, and Juliana Hatfield, a beloved alternative rock and ALR recording artist. All people and pups are encouraged to attend! Please bring chairs or blankets for seating. Please do not bring food or glass bottles. Friday, 5:00 PM at the Amherst Dog Park (2 Old Belchertown Rd). MORE

Orange Dog Club at The Drake — Saturday

The Buffalo/Rochester-area indie rock group, led by Tim Turner, brings intricately written songs of heartbreak and yearning paired with high-energy guitar riffs. Saturday, 8:00 PM–11:00 PM (doors 7 PM) at The Drake. MORE

Save the Date: Auditions for Amherst Community Theater’s Production of Disney’s Frozen

Directed by Kimberly Overtree Karlin, with Musical Direction by Cindy Naughton and Choreography by Mari Washburn, this multigenerational production offers meaningful opportunities for performers of all experience levels who are ready to challenge themselves and collaborate in telling a powerful story. In addition to beloved principal characters, the production features a wide variety of ensemble roles for all ages—from the citizens of Arendelle and the royal court to the Hidden Folk, palace staff, Oaken’s family and friends, and more. We are committed to creating the strongest cast possible and will cast based on performance, not preconceived ideas about age, appearance, or experience.

Nine performances in January 2027 at Bowker Auditorium, UMass. Children age 7 (and having entered **2nd grade**) through adults are encouraged to audition. This is not just a show for kids—there are wonderful opportunities for teens and adults as well. For audition appointments and complete audition information, including character descriptions and audition materials, visit amherstacts.org/auditions or contact producer@amherstacts.org

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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.