BAAMS Brass and Vocals Workshop

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NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — The Berkshires' Academy for Advanced Musical Studies (BAAMS) will hold trombone and brass, and vocals workshop featuring Steve Davis and Abena Koomson-Davis. 
 
This opportunity will take place at the BAAMS academy in North Adams, MA, located at Building 6 in the Heritage State Park on Saturday, May 18, from 11 am to 1:30 pm.
 
Register here.
 
Steve Davis is a highly esteemed trombonist known for his exceptional contributions to jazz music. With a background that includes graduating from The Hartt School's Jackie McLean Institute of Jazz in '89, Davis has made significant waves in the music scene. He has collaborated with jazz legends such as Art Blakey, Chick Corea, and Freddie Hubbard, among others. His extensive discography and performances at prestigious venues worldwide underscore his mastery of the trombone and his enduring influence in the jazz genre.
 
Abena Koomson-Davis, an accomplished vocalist, educator, and performer, will also be part of this workshop. Her versatile musical background encompasses jazz, afrobeat, and choral singing, showcased through performances with Stevie Wonder, Carly Simon, and Natalie Merchant, to name a few. Abena's role as the lead vocalist of Van Davis and her contributions to the Resistance Revival Chorus highlight her multifaceted musical journey and dedication to her craft.
 
The workshop, open to ages 10 and up, offers a chance for aspiring musicians to learn from these industry stalwarts. The tuition fee is $40, with BAAMS matriculated students eligible for free attendance. Participants are encouraged to bring their trombones or brass instruments.
 
Additionally, musicians Richard Boulger, Dario Boente, Tony Lewis, and Alex Blake will be part of the workshop.
 
The evening culminates in a performance by Steve and Abena, accompanied by the BAAMS Faculty Band at Studio 9.

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North Adams Finance Committee Warned of Coming Sludge Costs

By Tammy Daniels iBerkshires Staff
NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — Waste treatment plan supervisor Brad Furlon warned the Finance Committee last week to expect a future 500 percent increase in sludge disposal.
 
"Even though the district is still has the approval of suitability to apply compost to land, we no longer do it, primarily because of the contaminant, PFAs," he said. "Compost plant supplies is a $200,000 increase this year. There's no way around this cost whatsoever. ...
 
"Unfortunately, these costs are going to go up. They expect this sludge disposal cost in the next five to 10 years to increase 500 percent."
 
PFAs, or per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, are considered "forever chemicals" because of how long it takes for them to breakdown. They are used in numerous products and have become endemic in air, soil and water.
 
The Hoosac Water Quality District, a shared regional waste treatment system between North Adams and Williamstown, had planned to accept sludge from other communities and sell off the resulting compost through waste hauler Casella. But that proposal ran into opposition; Williamstown has a citizens petition on its annual town meeting warrant this year that would prohibit the use of contaminated compost. 
 
The district is still producing compost, which has to be removed. 
 
"We had a backlog of about 2,500 yards of compost that was on site," Furlon said. "We worked on a plan to dispose of our compost. Even though the district is still has the approval of suitability to apply compost to land, we no longer do it, primarily because of the contaminant, PFAs. ... the most feasible way and economical that we looked at was to be able to take our compost to a landfill in Ontario, N.Y."
 
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