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 — Tuesday 

The commission will continue public hearings on two requests to construct new accessory dwelling units at 290 Lincoln Avenue and 321 Lincoln Avenue, both submitted by Rachel Stevens under 760 CMR 71.00, and will vote on whether to recommend the East Amherst Local Historic District Study Report to the Town Council. Monday, 3:00–4:00 PM, via Zoom. MORE

Governance, Organization, and Legislation Committee — Tuesday 

The committee will consider a proclamation recognizing International Myotonic Dystrophy Awareness Day on September 15, continue discussions on the Resident Oversight Board, and discuss the Town Manager evaluation process and timeline. Monday, 6:30 PM, via Zoom. MORE

Regional School Committee – Tuesday

The committee will receive leadership updates from Amherst Regional High School, Amherst Regional Middle School, and Summit Academy, hear a presentation from the OPM and contractor on the ARMS Roof Replacement Project, and discuss student advisory committee representation, school councils and improvement plans, student handbooks and school climate, the Superintendent’s opening of school report, and regional staffing and vacancies, and will discuss and possibly vote on establishing a Superintendent Transition and Search Process Subcommittee. The meeting will conclude in Executive Session to discuss strategy for bargaining or litigation related to the APEA (the union representing teachers, paraeducators, and clerical staff in the Region and Amherst and Pelham elementary districts). Tuesday, 6:30 PM, in person at the Library at Amherst Regional High School and on Amherst Media. MORE

Big Screen Classics: City of God – Tuesday

Spanning three decades in the slums of Rio de Janeiro, City of God tells the electrifying story of Rocket (Alexandre Rodrigues), a shy young photographer who witnesses the violent rise of drug gangs in his neighborhood. As his childhood friend Li’l Zé (Leandro Firmino) becomes a ruthless crime boss, Rocket must navigate a world where survival often means choosing between complicity and escape.

Directed by Fernando Meirelles (with co-direction by Kátia Lund) and based on true events, this kinetic, visually stunning film was nominated for four Oscars, including Best Director and Best Adapted Screenplay. Tuesday, 7:00 PM at Amherst Cinema. MORE

Board of Assessors — Wednesday 

The board will sign excise abatements and commitments for preliminary FY27 real estate, personal property, and CPA taxes, and will receive a Principal Assessor’s update covering a new board member welcome, a Purple Heart ceremony and new Veterans Agent, tax work-off programs, cap rates, Munis training, and the completion of personal property inspections, before going into executive session to discuss ATB cases, exemptions, and motor vehicle excise. Wednesday, 9:30–11:30 AM, in person at Town Hall, First Floor Meeting Room, 4 Boltwood Ave. MORE

Commission for Persons with Disabilities — Wednesday 

The commission will discuss an ADA complaint, plan a tour of Amethyst Brook Elementary School, review the Amherst ADA Transition Plan, plan the application for the FY28 Municipal ADA Improvement grant program for the Munson bathroom, and discuss a sensory light behind Town Hall. Wednesday, 11:30 AM–1:00 PM, via Zoom. MORE

Jones Library Community Feedback Session – Wednesday

The Jones Library invites all members of the public to attend one of our community feedback sessions, facilitated by Dr. Pat Romney and Angelica Castro. Together, we will envision YOUR new Jones Library. We welcome you to bring your hopes and concerns so that the Library can serve everyone in our community. Free parking for all sessions. Childcare and refreshments provided; registration required for childcare and/or food. Wednesday, 12:00-1:30 PM at Munson Memorial Library. MORE

Council on Aging — Wednesday 

The council will receive a Director’s Report and discuss the Aging in Place Fair, Block Party plans, the newsletter, Senior Sips, and Senior Survey results. Wednesday, 1:30–3:00 PM, in person at Town Hall, Town Room, and via Zoom. MORE

Energy and Climate Action Committee — Wednesday 

The committee will discuss retreat planning, the landlord heat pump initiative, coordination with local groups, and the Education Series, and will receive updates on the UMass Climate Plan, transportation, and regional and state policy. Wednesday, 5:30–7:30 PM, via Zoom. MORE

Community Safety and Social Justice Committee — Wednesday 

The committee will receive updates from CRESS and DEI departments, discuss an update on work to create Resident Oversight Board for Amherst Police and open letter from the Governance, Organization, and Legislation Committee, discuss funding and possible location for the proposed Youth Empowerment Center, hear an update on ICE activity in Amherst and a sanctuary city bylaw, address membership, and plan a retreat on September 26 and an in-person meeting on October 28. Wednesday, 6:30–9:30 PM, via Zoom. MORE

Wisdom of Happiness Film Screening & Panel with Richard Gere – Wednesday

Join UMass Fine Arts Center and the International Campaign for Tibet for this free film screening and panel discussion featuring actor and UMass alumnus Richard Gere. Gere is one of the executive producers of the 2024 documentary film Wisdom of Happiness, which offers an intimate and inspiring portrait of the fourteenth Dalai Lama, one of the world’s most influential spiritual leaders and a Nobel Peace Prize laureate.

A post-screening panel discussion moderated by Monte Belmonte of New England Public Media’s The Fabulous 413 will include Gere, US Representative Jim McGovern, and Tencho Gyatso, president of the International Campaign for Tibet. Dhardon Sharling, lecturer of communication, UMass Amherst will serve as emcee for the evening. Admission is free, but space is limited, and advance registration is strongly recommended. Wednesday, 6:15-8:30 PM at Frederick C. Tillis Performance Hall at UMass. MORE

Amherst Conservation Commission — Wednesday 

The commission will receive a chair’s report on drought status, hear land use updates on a pollinator research study at Amethyst Brook conservation area, the Chilly Challenge for a Violence Free Community at Puffers Pond, and Amethyst Brook trailhead improvements, hold a hearing on an amended Notice of Intent from PureSky Energy for a change to the transformer containment system at a solar facility at 191 West Pomeroy Lane, review the final draft of the Conservation Land Management Policy with the hunting section incorporated, and take up compliance updates, requests to amend Orders of Conditions for properties on Greenleaves Drive and College Street, and requests for certificates of compliance for the ARHS Track & Field, 246 College Street substation, Norwottuck Rail Trail, and UMass North Village Culvert Replacement. Wednesday, 7:00–10:00 PM, via Zoom. MORE

Jones Library, Inc. Board of Trustees — Thursday 

The board will receive committee reports covering the building project update, buildings and grounds, the Annual Fund and Capital Campaign, the Trustee/Friends memorandum of agreement, the Library Director’s annual evaluation, a Justice, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion report, and the FY25 audit and FY26–27 budgets, as well as a Friends report and Director’s report. Thursday, 4:00–6:00 PM, via Zoom. MORE

Amherst Public Shade Tree Committee — Thursday 

The committee will discuss Second Saturdays and Mass Impact Day on September 19, the 250th anniversary tree planting, the APSTC 50th anniversary in 2027, and the Significant Tree Ordinance, and will follow up on the food forest, tree tags, wood bank donations, state-level initiatives, the Merry Maple table, and the Adopt a Tree program. Thursday, 5:30–7:30 PM, via Zoom. MORE

9/11 Remembrance Ceremony – Friday

This year marks the 25th anniversary of the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks in New York City and at the Pentagon in Arlington, VA. Join the Amherst Fire Department for a 9/11 Remembrance Ceremony at the North Fire Station to honor and remember all of the people who sacrificed their lives 25 years ago while helping others. Parking is available in the marked spots on the side of the building or on the gravel/grass area behind the station. Friday, 9:45 AM at the North Fire Station. MORE

Gyedu-Blay Ambolley & His Sekondi Band at The Drake – Saturday

Ghanaian highlife legend Gyedu-Blay Ambolley and his Sekondi Band come to The Drake on Saturday. Ambolley burst onto the scene in 1973 with “Simigwa-Do,” a jazz-highlife hybrid that blended sung and spoken vocals in a style widely regarded as one of the earliest commercially recorded examples of rap in the world — predating “Rapper’s Delight” by six years. His 1975 debut LP *Simigwa*, produced with Ebo Taylor on Ghana’s legendary Essiebons label, is now considered a cornerstone of Ghanaian music. He has since performed at the Montreux Jazz Festival, Utrecht’s Le Guess Who Festival, and stages across Europe and the US. Local favorites Kotoko Brass open, blending traditional Ghanaian drumming with Caribbean rhythms and New Orleans brass. Saturday, 8:00 PM at The Drake. MORE

Applications Open: 2nd Annual Civic Academy – through September 20

The Town of Amherst is accepting applications for its second annual All About Amherst: Civic Academy, a free 8-week program running Wednesday evenings from September 30 to November 18 that gives residents a behind-the-scenes look at local government through department presentations, facility tours, and hands-on activities. Topics include town history and finances, infrastructure, public safety, conservation and development, schools, libraries, recreation, and how to get involved in local government. The program is open to Amherst residents and college students who are at least 16 years old, with enrollment limited to 15–20 participants. Applications are due Sunday, September 20. MORE

Save the Date: Auditions for Amherst Community Theater’s Production of Disney’s Frozen September 17-22

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.