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.

Cuppa’ Joe with Paul “After Hours” Featuring Superintendent Dr. Xiomara Herman – Monday

Join Town Manager Paul Bockelman and Amherst-Pelham Regional Public Schools Superintendent Dr. Xiomara Herman for an informal evening conversation about school happenings, including the opening of the new elementary school and sixth grade academy, transportation changes, and the review of the regional school agreement. Attendees can also take a look at the new school. This is the third “After Hours” edition of the monthly Cuppa’ Joe series, which aims to offer weeknight options in addition to the traditional Friday mornings. Monday, 5:00–6:30 PM, at Amethyst Brook Elementary School (use the main entrance and head to first floor conference room 104). MORE

Billy Wilder Series: Witness for the Prosecution at Amherst Cinema – Monday

Amherst Cinema continues its Billy Wilder series with the 1957 courtroom drama Witness for the Prosecution, starring Tyrone Power, Marlene Dietrich, and Charles Laughton. Adapted from an Agatha Christie play, it follows a man accused of murdering a wealthy widow whose best hope for acquittal is his wife’s testimony, until her own secrets surface. Local film expert Nina Kleinberg will introduce the film and discuss the art of adaptation and Eastern European expatriates in Hollywood. Monday, 7:00 PM at Amherst Cinema. MORE

Commission for Persons with Disabilities — Tuesday

The commission will receive a transportation and parking report, discuss the new War Memorial Pool [Ed. Note: presumably, this agenda item is about the proposed new poolhouse at the War Memorial Pool], and take up the installation of sound tiles at the North Library. Tuesday, 11:30 AM–1:00 PM, via Zoom. MORE

Budget Coordinating Group — Tuesday

The group will discuss financial indicators and input on the FY28 budget guidelines. Tuesday, 4:00–6:00 PM, via Zoom. MORE

Design Review Board — Tuesday

The board will review an application (DRB-26-11) to remove and replace existing signs at 25 North Pleasant Street, and discuss its upcoming meeting schedule. Tuesday, 5:00–7:00 PM, via Zoom. MORE

Public Shade Tree Committee — Tuesday

The committee will hear reports from its chair, vice chair, Tree Warden, treasurer, and social media and website team, and will discuss Second Saturdays, the committee’s 50th anniversary in 2027, the Significant Tree Ordinance, and a Tree City USA application. Tuesday, 5:30–7:30 PM, via Zoom. MORE

Veterans Day: Town Offices Closed — Wednesday

Town offices will be closed on Wednesday in observance of Veterans Day. MORE

Joint Superintendent Transition Plan and Search Process Subcommittee — Wednesday

At its organizing meeting, the subcommittee will choose a minute taker and discuss superintendent search best practices and lessons learned from past searches and superintendent tenures. Members will also discuss the committee’s scope of work and needed budget, outline a project planner, set a meeting schedule, make tentative work assignments, and plan how and when to bring options and recommendations to the full committees. Wednesday, 4:30–6:30 PM, via Google Meet. MORE

Calm & Candlelight: Taizé Service at South Church – Wednesday

South Church offers a calm, candlelit midweek service inspired by the Taizé Community in France, with live music, prayer, chanting, and quiet reflection. The service is preceded by a community supper of soup, salad, and bread baked in the church kitchen, with vegetarian and gluten-free options; the supper donation is optional, and RSVPs are appreciated but not required. Everyone is welcome. The Taizé service is held on the second Wednesday of each month, with the next one on December 9. Wednesday, supper 5:30–6:30 PM, service 6:30–7:00 PM at South Church. MORE

Community Resources Committee of the Town Council — Thursday

The committee will discuss the Planning Board vacancy, including the announcement, applicant pool, selection criteria, and interview questions; review several sets of minutes; and discuss the proposed East Amherst Local Historic District, with a recommendation to the Council due by Nov. 16. Thursday, 1:00 PM, via Zoom. MORE

Jazz at Masuda’s — Thursday

Jazz at Masuda’s, a new monthly concert series at Masuda’s Café, continues Thursday. Hosted by saxophonist and composer Jason Robinson, the Joseph E. and Grace W. Valentine Professor of Music at Amherst College, each evening features a rotating quartet of local jazz musicians, and music students are invited to sit in. The series is a partnership between the café and Amherst College’s Music Department, Center for Community Engagement, and President’s Office, with support from the Amherst Business Improvement District and Cultural District. Free and open to the public. Thursday, 5:00–7:00 PM at Masuda’s Café. The final fall date is December 3. MORE

Zoning Board of Appeals — Thursday

The board will hold a public hearing on a request (ZBA FY2027-04) to amend an existing special permit for 28 Shays Street to remove the owner-occupancy condition and renting restrictions on Unit B, including modifications to site parking, landscaping, and the building. The board will also review the Open Meeting Law. Thursday, 6:00–8:00 PM, via Zoom. MORE

Planning Board and Community Resources Committee Joint Public Hearings — Thursday

The two bodies will hold joint public hearings on two proposed Zoning Bylaw amendments. At 6:35 PM, they will consider changes to accessory dwelling unit floor area, half-stories, and attics, affecting the bylaw’s gross floor area, minimum or maximum floors, and attic definition provisions. At 7:00 PM, they will consider amendments to prohibit data centers by revising the use classifications and standards and related definitions. Thursday, 6:30–9:00 PM, via Zoom. MORE

Amherst Municipal Affordable Housing Trust — Thursday

The trust will hear and vote on a request from Town Planning staff for $65,000 in predevelopment support for supportive housing at 457 Main Street. It will also consider an endorsement request, a recommendation to the Planning Board on using a fee in lieu of affordable housing for a proposed development at 24, 34, 40, and 44 Dickinson Street, and receive trust and Town updates. Thursday, 7:00–9:00 PM, via Zoom. MORE

MASSive Desk Concert Series at UMass Downtown – Thursday

Get to know some up-and-coming UMass musicians at the MASSive Desk Concert Series, presented in partnership with the UMass Songwriting and Production Club. The relaxed monthly concert is free and open to all. Thursday, 7:00–8:00 PM at UMass Downtown. MORE

Kaleta & Super Yamba Band at The Drake – Thursday

Brooklyn’s Kaleta & Super Yamba Band is fronted by Afrobeat and juju veteran Leon Ligan-Majek, known as Kaleta. Born in Benin and raised in Lagos, Nigeria, he spent decades as a guitarist with artists including King Sunny Ade, Fela Kuti’s Egypt 80, and Lauryn Hill, and has led Super Yamba since 2017. The band’s debut album, Mèdaho, draws on the psychedelic sounds of 1970s Benin. Thursday, 8:00 PM (doors 7:00) at The Drake. MORE

Seniors Meet & Greet: Honoring All Our Veterans – Friday

The Friends of the Amherst Senior Center and the Amherst Council on Aging invite the community to a Veterans Day-season meet and greet hosted by the Rainbow & Allies group, with free coffee, tea, and pastries (some gluten free). Look for the reserved tables on the right side of the café. Friday, 10:00–11:00 AM at The Works Cafe. MORE

UMass Student Band Skruple at Marsh House – Friday

Skruple, a four-piece queer indie rock band of UMass students from Amherst, recently released its debut EP, Dent. The band plays a concert to benefit victims of sexual assault on Friday at Marsh House. Entry is free, and proceeds from donations and merch will go to Rosie’s Place, a Boston women’s shelter and domestic violence support center. Friday, doors 7:30 PM, show at 8:00 PM at Marsh House (81 Lessey St.). MORE

Helen Tworkov: A Reading and Interview at Grace Episcopal Church – Saturday

Helen Tworkov, founding editor of Tricycle: The Buddhist Review and author of the memoir Lotus Girl: My Life at the Crossroads of Buddhism and America, will read from her book and take part in a public conversation with meditation educator Kell Julliard, hosted by the Joy of Living group. The discussion will explore her spiritual search, the arrival of Buddhism in America, and what she has learned from a lifetime of practice. No previous knowledge of Buddhism or meditation is needed. Free; registration encouraged. Saturday, 3:00–4:00 PM in the Parish Hall at Grace Episcopal Church. 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.