Amherst to host cultural district celebration

By SCOTT MERZBACH

Staff Writer

Published: 07-14-2017 10:59 PM

AMHERST — Music, film, visual arts and food and drink will be brought together for an evening in recognition of the Amherst Center Cultural District.

While the district was designated in May 2016 by the Massachusetts Cultural Council, “A Celebration of the Arts in Amherst” will be the first major event to be held, said Amherst Business Improvement District Executive Director Sarah la Cour.

Scheduled for July 25 from 7 to 10 p.m. at AmherstWorks, 11 Amity St., the celebration will showcase a wide variety of talent in the community and will be catered by Bistro 63, la Cour said.

“We put out a call to artists from any genre, we will run a loop of videos, put up visual arts and a couple of bands will perform,” la Cour said.

The public is invited to the free event, with the only charge for people who want to partake in drinks from a cash bar.

Local artists have until July 21 to submit works for inclusion, with local short films curated by Gnsleep WMass and live music by local performers Carinae and Mad Habits.

The Amherst BID manages the cultural district, which includes the Town Common, museums and art galleries and the Amherst Cinema.

La Cour said the event supplements the monthly Arts Night Plus gallery walk that brings visitors into the town on the first Thursdays of each month for exhibits, musical performances and poetry readings.

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Signs for the cultural district have been purchased and will be installed with other wayfinding signs at some point.

The Amherst Cultural District Steering Committee is made up of representatives from the Amherst BID, the Amherst Area Chamber of Commerce, Amherst Cinema, Amherst Public Art Commission, Amherst Historical Society, Jones Library, the Mead Art Museum at Amherst College, University of Massachusetts External Relations, Amherst Arts Night Plus and the Emily Dickinson Museum.

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