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 Golf vs. Southwick, Monday at 3:30 PM and vs. W Springfield, Friday at 3:30 PM. Boys Soccer vs. W Springfield, Monday at 4:15 PM. Girls Field Hockey vs. Southwick, Tuesday at 4:15 PM and vs. Palmer, Friday at 4:30 PM. Boys & Girls Cross Country vs. Northampton, Tuesday at 4:30 PM. Girls Volleyball vs. Minnechaug, Wednesday at 6:30 PM. Girls Soccer vs. W Springfield, Friday at 4:15 PM. Boys Football vs. Agawam, Saturday at 10:30 AM. MORE

Local Historic District Commission — Monday

The commission will continue public hearings on two requests from Rachel Stevens to construct new accessory dwelling units at 290 Lincoln Avenue and 321 Lincoln Avenue under 760 CMR 71.00. Both hearings were continued from August 24 and September 8. Monday, 3:00–4:00 PM, via Zoom. MORE

Amherst Housing Authority — Monday

The authority will hear the Executive Director’s reports on finances, property management (unit vacancies and tenant accounts receivable), leased housing (PIC and Voucher Management System reports), and facilities (capital projects and work orders), and will vote on the minutes and the warrant report. Monday, 4:00–5:00 PM, in person at the Jean Elder Community Room, 9 Chestnut St. MORE

In Search of Phillis Wheatley Peters: A Short Historical Documentary — Monday

The College of Humanities & Fine Arts at UMass hosts a documentary film screening and Q&A with the Producer on Monday. In Search of Phillis Wheatley Peters is a short historical documentary (35 mins) that uncovers the little-known love story of Phillis Wheatley — America’s first Black published poet — and John Peters, a free Black man she married in 1778. Drawing on recent groundbreaking research, the film brings newly unearthed archival discoveries to life, revealing the couple’s pursuit of autonomy, dignity, and survival in Revolutionary-era Boston. It reimagines Phillis not only as a literary icon but as a woman who chose love, partnership, and resistance against extraordinary odds. A Q&A with the Executive Producer, Leslie Askew and moderated by Professor Martha McNamara will follow the screening. Monday, 4:00-5:30 PM in the Commonwealth Honors College Events Hall (157 Commonwealth Avenue). MORE

Town Council — Monday

The council will hear a presentation and discussion on the University of Massachusetts Strategic Partnership Agreement, consider referring proposed zoning bylaw amendments on accessory dwelling units (gross floor area, minimum or maximum floors, and definitions) and the proposed East Amherst Local Historic District, and make a Town Council appointment to the Budget Coordinating Group. The consent agenda includes authorizing the November 3 state election warrant, referring a proposed amendment to the Bylaw Review Committee charge, Beyond the Charter recommendations to the Town Manager for budget documents, and Town Manager appointments of Marc Barrette and Mary Klaes to the Community Preservation Act Committee. Monday, 6:30 PM, in person at Town Hall, Town Room, via Zoom, and on Amherst Media channel 17. MORE

Cherry Hill Working Group — Monday

The group will receive an update from the Recreation Director and deliberate on its final report. Monday, 7:30–9:00 PM, via Zoom. MORE

Cable Television Advisory Committee — Tuesday

The committee will review its draft ascertainment report and vote on whether to approve it for delivery to the Town Manager, discuss the committee’s involvement in negotiations, and discuss the steps needed to dissolve or wrap up the committee. Tuesday, 9:30–11:00 AM, in person at Town Hall, Town Room, and via Zoom. MORE

“The Cost of Scale: The Challenges Facing Artificial Intelligence” with Kate Crawford — Tuesday

Kate Crawford, a leading scholar of artificial intelligence and author of Atlas of AI: Power, Politics, and the Planetary Costs of Artificial Intelligence, will give a lecture at Amherst College as a Presidential Scholar. She will then talk with Lee Spector, the Biddy Martin Professor in STEM (Computer Science), followed by Q&A and a book signing. President Michael A. Elliott will provide introductions. The event is open to the public, and the first 10 attendees will receive a copy of the book. Tuesday, 5:00-6:30 PM, Lipton Lecture Hall (Room E110), Science Center, Amherst College. MORE

Joint Meeting of the Amherst School Committee, Pelham School Committee, Amherst-Pelham Regional School Committee, and Union 26 — Tuesday

The four bodies will meet jointly and go into executive session to discuss the reputation, character, physical condition or mental health of an individual, or the discipline or dismissal of, or complaints or charges against, a public officer, employee, or staff member. The committees do not plan to return to open session. Tuesday, 6:00–9:00 PM, in person at the Library, Amherst Regional High School. MORE

Historical Commission — Tuesday

The commission will consider a porch design proposal for 27–29 Phillips Street, elect a chair and vice-chair, and discuss its site visit schedule. Tuesday, 7:00–9:00 PM, via Zoom. MORE

Budget Coordinating Group — Wednesday

The group will select a chair and vice chair, review the FY28 budget calendar, and discuss budget challenges and opportunities for FY27 and FY28. Wednesday, 4:00–6:00 PM, via Zoom. MORE

Planning Board — Wednesday

The board will hear an introductory presentation from project consultant Innes Land Strategies Group on the goals and timeline of the East Amherst Zoning Study, receive updates on potential zoning amendments to allow housing in the Professional and Research Park district and on a potential Campus Adjacent Zone, and hear liaison reports from the Pioneer Valley Planning Commission, Community Preservation Act Committee, and Design Review Board. Wednesday, 6:30–9:00 PM, via Zoom. MORE

Dr. Sarah Kelly: What does a just energy transition look like? — Thursday

UMass Amherst and Five Colleges host Dr. Sarah Kelly of Dartmouth College for a talk on energy transition. Energy transitions are not only technical challenges. Questions of who pays, who decides, who is consulted, and who carries the burden of new infrastructure are fundamental issues of policy and power. Across New England, these decisions are being shaped in real time within local communities.

This special visit features Dr. Sarah Kelly, co-founder of the Energy Justice Clinic at Dartmouth College where students collaborate with northern New England communities, ensuring the shift to renewable energy is both fair and fast. Dr. Kelly’s research encompasses water and energy equity, legal geography, and participatory methods, including long-standing work with Indigenous communities in Chile on hydropower and rights. In Person in Morill 222 at UMass, or by Zoom. MORE

Insun Park & Generals at The Drake — Thursday

UMass Fine Arts Center and The Drake present Insun Park & Generals on Thursday. “We’re just going to say it: You have to see this band. Their live shows are A-MAZ-ING!” South Korea’s Insun Park & Generals deliver a visually entrancing, musically engrossing stage show that will lift your spirits and leave you buzzing for weeks.

The band blends Korean traditional music with a mix of contemporary pop forms — notably rock, funk, and hip-hop — to create a unique sound that is expansive and inescapably danceable. And bandleader Park infuses movement and storytelling into the live experience through her mastery of Gangnyeong Talchum, a centuries old mask dance designated as part of Korea’s national intangible heritage. Park stands out as one of the few female masters of an art form historically dominated by men. Thursday, 8:00 PM at The Drake. MORE

“Remittance” Curator Tour and Opening Reception at the Mead Art Museum — Friday

Guest curator Trisha Lagaso Goldberg will lead a tour of the new exhibition Remittance at 4:00 PM, ahead of the opening reception. Remittance shares the experience of workers who leave home in pursuit of better wages, safety, or education, drawing on the work and lived experiences of a dozen contemporary artists. A reception follows from 5:00 to 7:00 PM, with light refreshments and drinks, including options for vegetarian, vegan, halal, kosher, gluten-free, and other dietary needs. All are welcome. Pre-registration for the Tour is required and due to limited space. Friday, October 2, tour 4:00–5:00 PM and reception 5:00–7:00 PM at the Mead Art Museum. Tour | Reception

Amherst Fire Department Open House — Saturday

Celebrate Fire Prevention Week at the Amherst Fire Department’s annual open house. Visitors can meet firefighters, take photos with Sparky the Fire Dog, check out new equipment, and watch a live fire safety demonstration at noon. The event is free, family friendly, and open to all, rain or shine. Saturday, October 3, 10:00 AM–2:00 PM at the Amherst Central Fire Station. MORE

Community Day and Fall Celebration at the Mead Art Museum — Saturday

The Mead and partners from the Jones Library Kids Room will host a gathering with art-making, food, reading, and music, joined by Remittance artists Keith Tallett and Victoria Grace Canby and guest curator Trisha Lagaso Goldberg. Tallett will lead a hands-on art workshop at 2:00 and again at 3:00 PM, and Canby will host a Coyote Storytime in the exhibition at 3:00 PM. Saturday, October 3, 2:00–4:00 PM at the Mead Art Museum. 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.