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 — Monday 

The commission will hold 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. Monday, 3:00–4:00 PM, via Zoom. MORE

Amherst Housing Authority — Monday 

The board will vote on the FY2027 operating budget and Executive Director salary, review financial, property management, and leased management reports, vote on a bid award for the Parking Lot Paving Project, and elect a housing representative to the 2026–2027 Community Preservation Act Advisory Committee. Monday, 4:00–5:30 PM, in person at the Jean Elder Community Room, 9 Chestnut Street. MORE

First Day Celebration – Monday

The Amherst School Districts have scheduled their annual First Day Celebration for Monday at Kendrick Park.

This event is a wonderful opportunity for students, families, and caregivers to come together before the start of the school year, connect with district staff and community organizations, and celebrate the beginning of another exciting year. Activities include:

• Meet the Superintendent, principals, and Central Office staff
• Connect with local firefighters, paramedics, police officers and Community Responders
• Learn about community organizations, programs, and resources
• Enjoy a complimentary ice cream or popsicle
• Practice boarding a school bus
• Participate in activities and much more!

Monday, 4:30-6:30 PM in Kendrick Park. MORE

Amherst Municipal Affordable Housing Trust — Monday 

The trust will vote on a Way Finders permitted development at East Street and Belchertown Road including a proposal to convert 10 market rate units to affordable, vote on an Amherst Community Land Trust development at 174 Amity Street including a request for $30,000 in additional equity investment, and discuss potential advocacy and outreach related to accessory dwelling unit resources available to homeowners. Monday, 7:00–9:00 PM, via Zoom. MORE

Big Screen Classics: The Third Man – Tuesday

Amherst Cinema’s summer series Big Screen Classics continues this week with a screening of The Third Man, ranked at #63 on the BFI Sight & Sound poll of the Greatest Films of All Time. Pulp novelist Holly Martins (Joseph Cotten) travels to shadowy post-war Vienna, only to find himself investigating the mysterious sudden death of old friend Harry Lime (Orson Welles). Tuesday, 7:00 PM at Amherst Cinema. MORE

Energy and Climate Action Committee — Wednesday 

The committee will discuss 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

Houston Person & The Northampton Jazz Workshop – Wednesday

The Northampton Jazz Workshop presents legendary tenor saxophonist Houston Person with the Green Street Trio at The Drake on Wednesday, followed by an open jazz jam session — bring your instrument to sit in. Person is a torchbearer for the hard bop and soul-jazz traditions, known for his long recording partnership with singer Etta Jones and collaborations with Ron Carter, Joey DeFrancesco, and Christian McBride. Wednesday, 7:30 PM at The Drake. MORE

Zoning Board of Appeals — Thursday 

The board will vote to extend the time limit to open a public hearing on an appeal regarding 28 Shays Street, hold a continued public hearing on a request at 408 Northampton Road to modify a special permit condition to allow a resident manager in place of professional on-site security, hold a public hearing on a request at 34 Berkshire Terrace to construct an approximately 160-square-foot porch that would reduce a front yard setback and enlarge a pre-existing nonconforming structure, and receive a KP Law update on M.G.L. c. 40A amendments. Thursday, 6:00–8:00 PM, via 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. This week is the final event of the 2026 series; enjoy live music from Mary Witt and Bob Ferrier of The O-Tones.. 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

Full Moon Hike to Mount Norwuttuck – Frida

Kestrel Land Trust and Adventure East are hosting a guided Full Moon Hike to the top of Mount Norwottuck on Friday departing from the Sweet Alice Conservation Area. Hikers will climb about an hour and a half to the summit to watch the August full moon — known as the Sturgeon Moon — rise over the Pelham Hills, with a snack provided at the top and headlamps for the moonlit descent. Registration is required. Friday, 6:00-9:30 PM from the Sweet Alice Conservation Area on Bay Road. MORE

Ice Cream in the Park – Saturday and Sunday

The Town of Amherst and the Fort River Watershed Association present Ice Cream in the Park! Join us for free ice cream and coloring books for kids! Parents are invited to share their experiences with local flooding and to help identify problematic culverts and road washouts. Your local knowledge is crucial to help us identify problem areas and develop plans for a resilient future.

This event is part of a regional project spearheaded by the Town of Amherst, in partnership with Hadley, Belchertown, Pelham and Shutesbury, that aims to protect the Fort River Watershed. The Fort River Watershed Culvert Improvement & Prioritization Plan Project focuses on Critical Infrastructure, Climate Resilience, and Environmental Stewardship to achieve these goals: improve flood resilience for the Town to prevent road damage and assess safety risks; improve Aquatic Habitat Connection under roads; work toward a townwide Culvert Prioritization Plan (all stream crossing culverts and bridges assessed for conditions and aquatic connection).

Come for ice cream. Stay for community. Help protect our watershed! Saturday, 2:00-3:00 PM at Community Field/War Memorial Pool AND Sunday, 2:00-3:00 PM at Groff Park. MORE

Salsa in the Park – Saturday

Get ready for Salsa in the Park! Join us under the pavilion for outdoor dancing, great music, and food. Rain or Shine! Free Salsa Rueda de Casino Lesson by Celadry at 6:00 PM followed by free Latin Dance Social (Salsa, Bachata, Merengue) with DJ Picu at 7:00 PM. Saturday, 6:00-9:30 PM at the pavilion in the Mill River Recreation Area. MORE

Run Amherst–UMass – Saturday

Kids in grades K-8 are invited to join UMass Amherst student athletes for this free, 6-week running program! Through clinics, fun runs, and movement-based programming, we aim to make physical activity accessible, welcoming, and empowering for all children, regardless of background or experience level. Saturdays, August 30-October 11, 1:00-2:00 PM at the UMass Track & Field Complex (Stadium Drive). MORE

Human Rights Commission — Sunday 

The commission will elect co-chairs, discuss commission procedures and an annual report update, review the work of other Human Rights Commissions in the Commonwealth, and take up resident requests and a complaints database. Sunday, 10:00 AM–3:00 PM, in person at Bangs Community Center, 70 Boltwood Walk. 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

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.