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.

ARHS Varsity Athletics at Home – Monday-Friday

Catch ARHS varsity athletes in action at home this week!  Boys Tennis vs. Longmeadow, Monday at 4:15 PM and vs. Pope Francis, Wednesday at 4:15 PM. Girls Lacrosse vs. Pope Francis, Tuesday at 4:15 PM and vs. Hampshire Regional, Friday at 4:15 PM. Girls Ultimate Frisbee, Tuesday at 5:00 PM and Wednesday at 5:00 PM. Girls Tennis vs. Ludlow, Tuesday at 5:00 PM. Boys Lacrosse vs. Agawam, Wednesday at 4:15 PM. Boys Baseball vs. Northampton, Wednesday at 4:30 PM and vs. Monsoon, Friday at 4:30 PM.  MORE

Commission for Persons with Disabilities — Tuesday

The commission will follow up on old business including the Disability Story Time Collaboration and Munson Library Update, and address new business including a discussion of Ahoimate.com and approval of minutes. Tuesday, 11:30 AM–1:00 PM, via Zoom. MORE.

Public Shade Tree Committee — Tuesday

The committee will discuss Second Saturdays/Arbor Day planning, the Tree City USA/Arbor Month proclamation, the Significant Tree Ordinance, and follow-up topics including the Amherst Farmer’s Supply purchase, a food forest, the Adopt-a-Tree program, and state-level reforestation initiatives. Tuesday, 5:30–7:30 PM, via Zoom. MORE.

Regional School Committee – Tuesday

The committee will hear a report from the Fiscal Sustainability Subcommittee, consider a financial agreement with the Town of Amherst regarding the Middle School Auditorium Roof, vote to accept a Middle School Roof bid, receive an overview of a DESE review, and discuss the integration of Chestnut Academy (the Amherst 6th grade) into the middle school. Tuesday, 6:30 PM, in person at the Library at Amherst Regional High School and on Amherst Media. MORE 

Governance, Organization, and Legislation Committee — Tuesday

The Town Council’s GOL committee will review the Human Rights Commission Bylaw, discuss vacancies on the Bylaw Review Committee including applicant selection, review Charter Review Committee recommendations, and consider proclamations for Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month and Jewish American Heritage Month. Tuesday, 6:30–8:30 PM, via Zoom. MORE.

Historical Commission Public Hearing — Tuesday

The commission will hold a public hearing on a request to demolish a two-story rear addition at 174 Amity Street, and will hear a presentation of draft Downtown Design Standards from Dodson and Flinker. Tuesday, 7:00–9:00 PM, via Zoom. MORE.

Department of Public Works Building Committee — Wednesday

The committee will receive an update on the Request for Qualifications for a designer, discuss swing space options for DPW employees, and plan site visits. Wednesday, 2:00–3:30 PM, in person at Town Hall, Town Room (second floor). MORE.

Board of Health — Wednesday

The board will address old business on kratom in Amherst and food waste disposal, hear a new business item on Headache and Migraine Awareness Month, and receive a director’s update covering Valley Vax, COVID wastewater surveillance, Lyme disease, and a new board member. Wednesday, 5:00–7:00 PM, via Zoom. MORE.

Open Mic Night with Tank Hood – Wednesday

Head to The Drake on Wednesday for Open Mic Night with Tank Hood. Tank Hood plays mostly acoustic originals & American roots music.  His originals are influenced by his deep appreciation of roots music, and he enjoys adding some modern/bent variations to standard folk structures (blues in 5/4?  jazz bridge?? loopy ostinato solo???).  His influences include Doc Watson, Woody Guthrie, the Carter Family, Robert Johnson, Hank Williams, Dave Alvin, Jerry Garcia, and Keith Jarrett, among many others. Doors open for sign-ups at 5:30 PM. Wednesday, 6:00 PM at The Drake. MORE

Human Rights Commission — Wednesday

The commission will consider a bylaws update, discuss Human Rights Statements, the distribution of HRC info cards, a potential change to the meeting time, joint meeting planning with the Community Safety & Social Justice Committee, and tracking complaints as data. Wednesday, 6:00–8:00 PM, via Zoom. MORE.

Jones Library Building Committee — Thursday

The committee will receive a construction update, a schedule update, and a project budget update, and will review and vote on approval of multiple invoices from project contractors and consultants. Thursday, 5:00–6:30 PM, via Zoom. MORE.

Cuppa Joe with Paul & Town Engineer Jason Skeels – Friday

The Town of Amherst invites community members to join us for coffee and conversation with Amherst Town Manager Paul Bockelman and Town Engineer Jason Skeels on Friday. Jason Skeels, P.E., has worked for the Amherst Department of Public Works (DPW) for over 25 years designing, overseeing, and directing water, sanitary sewer, stormwater drainage, and roadway infrastructure projects throughout the Town of Amherst. He began his career in DPW as a part-time intern during his sophomore year of studying engineering at the University of Massachusetts. Currently, he is leading many important projects including the new roundabout at the intersection of University Drive and Amity Street as well as the Pavement Management Program. 

This is a busy time of year for the Pavement Management Program. DPW crews have been working to fill potholes across town, including those submitted by residents through the Town’s SeeClickFix reporting platform. Additionally, Jason recently developed and presented the proposed FY27 Road Paving and Repair Plan which includes treatment for nearly 8 miles of roads through an investment of over $5 million. Friday, 8:00-9:30 AM at Atkins Farms Country Market. MORE

WonderPartyEveryone! – Friday

The Mead Art Museum at Amherst College is excited to host a drop in, all ages, family-friendly afternoon full of crafts, art experiences, music, and more in the colorful cosmos of Adventures of the Quantum Soup Surfer. 

In partnership with the legendary Quantum Soup Surfer, Jones Library, Being Human Festival, and Artist JooYoung Choi, WonderPartyEveryone! will immerse visitors in the work of artist JooYoung Choi, on view in a solo exhibition, Adventures of the Quantum Soup Surfer (January 27–July 5, 2026). Friday, 4:00-7:00 PM at the Mead Art Museum. MORE

Altered States Exhibition Experience – Friday through Sunday

Altered States is an exhibition and a full weekend of experience at the UMass Student Union Gallery. Two artists. Two visual languages. One source. Tyler Wcislo’s digital collages erupt with color, sacred geometry, and the raw exposure of interior states. Ross Gronvold’s sculptural works pull toward elemental silence — deeply textural, form arrived at through material intelligence. Both speaking from somewhere beyond the self and asking you to listen. UMass Student Union Art Gallery. Friday, 6:00–8:00 PM Opening Reception + Live Music w/ Father Otter; Saturday, 6:00–9:00 PM Live Music w/ Draiodoir + open floor; Sunday, 5:00–7:30 PM Contemplative Movement + Live Sound. MORE

Amherst Farmer’s Market Opening Day – Saturday

The Amherst Farmers Market is widely known as one of the best places for local food, fun, and community! Offering farm to table produce and selections from your local growers and Valley producers. Come out for the food, music, events, and community offerings in Downtown Amherst. Saturdays from 8:00 AM to 1:30 PM April 18-November 21, on the Town Common. MORE

Organ Recital with Christopher Houlihan – Sunday

The South Church Arts & Social Justice Series presents virtuoso organist Christopher Houlihan performing on its historic organ. Houlihan has established an international reputation as a “passionate and intelligently virtuoso musician” (Gramophone), hailed for his “glowing, miraculously life-affirming performances” (Los Angeles Times). He will create a program for South Church’s Casavant organ that showcases its unique features and tonalities. Sunday, 3:00 PM at South Church. MORE

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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.