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.

Rainbow Coffee Hour – Tuesday

The Rainbow Coffee Hour is an LGBTQIA+ social coffee group that meets at the Amherst Senior Center for ages 50 and above. There is no format, no agenda—just a welcoming space to get together, socialize, and make connections. All people who identify as part of the LGBTQIA+ community and allies are welcome to drop in. Tuesday, 9:30-11:00 AM at the Amherst Senior Center, Bangs Community Center. MORE

Council on Aging — Wednesday 

The council will hear Senior Center updates, recap Senior Sips and the Fourth of July celebration, receive a newsletter update, and take up new business including Age and Dementia Friendly Working Group reports and a Senior Center Transition discussion. Wednesday, 1:30–3:00 PM, in person at Town Hall, Town Room, 4 Boltwood Ave., and via Zoom. MORE

Summer Seminars: Public Opinion on America’s 250th – Wednesday

The UMass Downtown Summer Seminar Series continues on Wednesday with Public Opinion on America’s 250th: Insights from the UMass Poll.

As American politics becomes increasingly contentious, with democratic norms and guardrails breaking down, politicians, pundits, and activists alike claim to have the American people on their side. But in these turbulent times, what do Americans actually want from the government? How do they assess Donald Trump’s second term? How are they feeling about America on its 250th birthday? And what do the tea leaves say about the upcoming midterm elections? 

Join Adam Eichen, PhD Candidate in the Department of Political Science and Lead Graduate Fellow with the UMass Poll, as he presents both newly released and historical polling from the UMass Poll, the university’s nationally recognized survey organization, that begins to answer these questions and more. Wednesday, 6:00-7:30 PM at UMass Downtown. MORE

Amherst Conservation Commission — Wednesday

The commission will appoint a CPA liaison, hold a Request for Determination for soil boring and sampling at the former Manufactured Gas Plant on Pelham Road on behalf of Eversource Energy, discuss the Conservation Land Management Policy and Regulations final draft on hunting, and take up other business including an amendment to the Snyder APR, compliance updates, requests for certificates of compliance and amendments to Orders of Conditions for several properties, and a request to cease inspections at Amherst High School’s track and field. Wednesday, 7:00–10:00 PM, via Zoom. MORE

Kids Like Me: Sneak Preview with Filmmaker Cynthia Lowen – Thursday

Meet Oliver, a 12-year-old murder-mystery enthusiast with a vivid imagination and a rare genetic condition. Inspired by his love of the genre, Oliver sets out to bring his own mystery to the big screen—with a little help from his friends. The script is written, the cast is set, and Oliver is ready to call “action” on his most ambitious venture yet. What unfolds is more than a creative project—it’s a powerful testament to friendship, resilience, and the magic that happens when a community comes together.

An intimate window into growing up with disabilities and the power of community, Kids Like Me is a celebration of chasing your dreams and what is possible through support and a whole lot of love. Directors Cynthia Lowen (Battleground) and Jon Cohrs (Backwater) craft a story that honors both Oliver’s remarkable vision and the realities his family navigates every day—revealing how creativity can transform challenges into connection.

Filmmaker Cynthia Lowen joins in person for this sneak preview. Thursday, 4:00 PM at Amherst Cinema. MORE

Sunset Thursdays at The Carle – Thursday

On Thursday evenings throughout the summer, the Eric Carle Museum stays open late for Sunset Thursdays, a special summer tradition that brings the community together for lively, intergenerational evenings of art and live music. 

As the sun begins to set, the grounds 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 Doug Hewitt (guitar and vocals) and Mitch Pine (piano).

Sunset Thursdays take place every Thursday evening July 2–August 27. All events are held outdoors (weather permitting) in Bobbie’s Meadow, nestled within the Museum’s beautiful 100-year-old orchard. In case of rain, programs will move indoors to the Museum’s “Jazz Café.”

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

Zoning Board of Appeals — Thursday 

The board will hold public hearings on two special permit requests: at 65 High Street, to change use from a non-owner-occupied duplex to an owner-occupied converted dwelling and to alter a pre-existing nonconforming structure to convert a porch to a bedroom; and at 112–114 N. Whitney Street, to change use from a four-unit building to a non-owner-occupied duplex and to enclose an existing front porch. Thursday, 6:00–9:00 PM, via Zoom. MORE

Cuppa Joe with Paul & Communications Manager Samantha Giffen – Friday

Join us for coffee and conversation with Amherst Town Manager Paul Bockelman and Communications Manager Samantha Giffen. All community members are welcome to join this informal event to connect with some of our town leaders.

Samantha Giffen has served as the Communications Manager for over 2 years. In this role, she manages public relations, social media, the website, and various outreach initiatives to expand community engagement, promote opportunities for government participation, and increase the transparency and accessibility of information and services. Sam developed and led the first-ever All About Amherst: Civic Academy, which will now be hosted annually every fall. She is also currently overseeing an upgrade and redesign of the Town of Amherst website which will be launching in January 2027. Friday, 8:00-9:30 AM at Cushman Market & Cafe. 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: Hwy91 & Downtown Amherst Contra Dance.

Downtown Amherst Contra Dance is a local community folk dance, inclusive, and welcoming to all!

HWY91 play a northeastern take on southwestern music, with an engaging and eclectic mix of material broadly treated as Bob Wills classics. Fun for all ages, danceable, with powerful vocals and exciting soloists, this is an old school swinging country good time band. Friday, 5:00-8:00 PM on the town common. 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.