Palermo and Smith to Perform 'In the Night' Album at Studio 9

NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — Musicians Mary Ann Palermo and Dave Smith will present a live performance of their recently released album, "In the Night," on Saturday, May 3, 2025, at 7:00 p.m.

The event will take place at Studio 9, located on the Porches Inn campus at 18 Viazie Street in North Adams.

"In the Night," released in late 2024 by Averosa Records, features Palermo's vocals and Smith's Steinway grand piano interpretations of jazz standards and lesser-known classics. The recording was engineered and produced by Smith.

Palermo stated that they are pleased to debut the album at Studio 9, citing the venue's Meyers Constellation sound and recording system as conducive to replicating the audio quality of the album in a live setting.

The album comprises eight American jazz ballads and torch songs, with Palermo's vocals and Smith's piano accompaniment. According to the announcement, the recording aims to create a sonic environment that enhances the emotional tone of the songs.

Palermo's vocal interpretations are described as a new take on familiar and obscure jazz songs. Smith's piano playing is presented as his interpretation of these classics, combined with his audio engineering expertise to optimize the balance and clarity of the music.

Tickets for the event are $20 in advance and $25 at the door. Event information is available at https://studio9porches.com/performance/studio-9-presents-mary-ann-palermo-and-dave-smith-in-the-night-album-release-performance/.

Clarksburg Students Write in Support of Rural School Aid

By Tammy DanielsiBerkshires Staff
07:25AM / Sunday, March 15, 2026

Mason Langenback calculated that Clarksburg would get almost $1 million if the $60 million was allocated equally.

CLARKSBURG, Mass. — Eighth-graders at Clarksburg School took a lesson in civic advocacy this week, researching school funding and writing letters to Beacon Hill that call for fully funding rural school aid. 

 

The students focused on the hardships for small rural schools and their importance to the community — that they struggle with limited funding and teacher shortages, but offer safe and supportive spaces for learning and are a hub for community connections.

 

"They all address the main issue, the funding for rural schools, and how there's a gap, and there's the $4 million gap this year, and then it's about the $40 million next year, and that rural schools need that equitable funding," said social studies teacher Mark Karhan.

 

A rural schools report in 2022 found smaller school districts cost from nearly 17 percent to 23 percent more to operate, and recommended "at least" $60 million be appropriated annually for rural school aid. 

 

Gov. Maura Healey has filed for more Chapter 70 school aid, but that often is little help to small rural schools with declining or static enrollment. For fiscal 2027, she's budgeted $20 million for rural schools, up from around $13 million this year but still far below the hoped for $60 million. 

 

Karhan said the class was broken into four groups and the students were provided a submission letter from Rural Schools Advocacy. The students used the first paragraph, which laid out the funding facts, and then did research and wrote their own letters. 

 

They will submit those with a school picture to the governor.