Every Monday, we spotlight the town government meetings, and cultural, recreational, and athletics events that caught our eye. Read on and mark your calendars!

Jones Library Board of Trustees – Monday

The Board of Trustees of the Jones Library meets Monday morning with a packed agenda related to the building project. Discussion topics include a project update on schedule, design, and interim spaces. They’ll also hear updates on the capital campaign and annual fund. Monday, 9:00-11:00 am, online. MORE 

Elementary School Building Project Groundbreaking – Tuesday

The project to build a new elementary school building hits a new and exciting phase with a groundbreaking ceremony on Tuesday afternoon! There will be short remarks from local officials and dignitaries followed by a ceremonial groundbreaking which will officially kick-off the construction of the new school. The ceremony will take place outdoors on the parking lot of the Fort River Elementary School. Tuesday, 3:30 pm at Fort River Elementary School.  MORE

UMass 43rd Annual Jazz Showcase – Tuesday

Later, on Tuesday evening, UMass Department of Music & Dance presents its annual showcase of faculty and student jazz performance. Featuring student ensembles and jazz faculty, the showcase includes original composition as well as arrangements of well-known tunes. Tuesday, 7:30 pm at Bowker Auditorium. $  MORE

Kindness Campaign Speaker Series: Mindfulness – Wednesday

The Town of Amherst launched a Kindness Campaign this spring to foster a culture of compassion, generosity, and goodwill throughout the community as a way to support our collective mental wellness. The Speaker Series is part of this campaign and this week’s event presents Shalini Bhal-Milne, PhD speaking on Mindfulness. Wednesday, 5:30-7:00 pm at Bangs Community Center. Free. MORE

Cinema Seminar: Filmmaking in Times of War – Wednesday

Amherst Cinema is offering moviegoers a “series sampler” of three films this week reflecting the diverse range of programming offered by the Cinema. Wednesday’s Cinema Seminar is FREE, showcasing the film ROCK.PAPER.GRENADE. The film tells the story of a young boy growing up in a shaky, post-Soviet Ukraine, who, looking for a mentor, befriends an Afghan war veteran. After the film, prominent Ukrainian intellectuals, award-winning filmmaker Iryna Tsilyk and Ivan Kozlenko, Amherst College visiting researcher and eminent former director of the Dovzhenko Center in Kyiv, will discuss working across modes of documentary, feature film, and animation, and adapting literary works to the screen. Two other events in the “series sampler,” on Monday and Thursday, are FREE for Amherst Cinema Members. Wednesday, 7:00 pm at Amherst Cinema. Free. MORE

Deep Dive in Tropical is Political – Thursday

Join the Student Museum Educators at Amherst College’s Mead Art Museum for close-looking and discussion about one artwork from the exhibition Tropical is Political: Caribbean Art Under the Visitor Economy Regime. In addition to discussion, there may be sketching and interactive writing prompts. Thursday, 6:00-6:30 pm. Free + Open to All Ages. MORE

Couch with Sophia James – Thursday

Head to the Drake later on Thursday evening to hear Couch, a Boston-based band that infuses pop with funk, rock, and R&B/soul. Couch injects each project with their signature flavor: expressive horns, warm vocals, and bubbling synths—crafting an oasis of joy for musicians and non-musicians alike. $  MORE

ARHS Varsity Sports at Home – Thursday and Saturday

The spring sports season gets underway this week! Girls Tennis faces Agawam on Thursday, 4:15 pm at the tennis courts at ARMS. Boys Baseball faces Wahconah on Saturday, 2:00 pm at the baseball field at ARHS. MORE

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Want more? We’ve gathered the event and program calendars from the many organizations and committees in Amherst onto Community Calendars. Check it out to find even more upcoming events.

Have an event you’d like us to spotlight? Email us TheAmherstCurrent@gmail.com.