Every year the Multiband Pops Concert manages to astound each and every individual in the audience. On Friday, October 16th, 2015 at 7:30PM in the Fine Arts Center Concert Hall at UMass Amherst, numerous ensembles joined together to put on the 41st Annual Multiband Pops Concert during Homecoming Weekend.

On October 7th, I went with two friends to see the Grammy-award winning artist Zedd at the Mullins Center. I didn’t know at all what to expect, given that Zedd is only a DJ and doesn’t sing any of his own tracks. I was unsure of what an EDM concert would entail. What I got was a great show that was crazier than any other concert I had ever experienced, and also delivered a few surprises.

On Saturday October 3rd, a rally for Senator Bernie Sanders drew thousands to the MassMutual Center in downtown Springfield. As I rounded the corner towards the convention center, the support for Sanders became glaringly apparent. Throngs of people were heading through the doors of the MassMutual Center. Vendors stood on the sidewalk selling buttons and t-shirts bearing Senator Sanders’ face and name. An hour before the rally, the stadium was already filling up. I noticed a diversity in the age of the crowd; the rally seemed to draw everyone from young children to older, retiree aged adults. There was an amiable environment in the crowd before the speakers came out. Chants of “Feel the Bern” and “Bernie” were well under way an hour before Senator Sanders came out to speak.

Isn’t October one of the best months of the year? The leaves are changing, Halloween decorations are going up, my birthday...and don’t forget about the Amherst College Fall Fest! Now, I know, I know, it’s not an UMass event, but it’s open to Amherst residents and it’s a lot of fun. (Plus, free lobster rolls and pulled pork sandwiches!) I was lucky enough to go to the fest on October 17th and I definitely won’t miss it next year.

Thankfully, the weather cooperated for the block party thrown by the AfroAm Department and the Center for Women and Community (CWC) on October 8th. The clouds provided a nice shade and the air was filled with cool, crisp October air. Walking up the slight hill from Frank to the New Africa building was hardly taxing, and passersby were enticed by the aroma of UMass Dining barbeque and the great live music. The bouncy houses, while inviting to the college students, were also a nice surprise for the little brothers and sisters that UMass students were walking around campus.