“Each time a woman stands up for herself, without knowing it possibly, without claiming it, she stands up for all women.” — Maya Angelou, poet and Presidential Medal of Freedom recipient

“As women achieve power, the barriers will fall. As society sees what women can do, as women see what women can do, there will be more women out there doing things, and we’ll all be better off for it.” — Justice Sandra Day O’Connor, the first woman to serve as a Supreme Court justice

Women’s History Month has its origins as a national celebration in 1981 when Congress authorized the President to proclaim the week beginning March 7, 1982 as “Women’s History Week.” In 1987, after being petitioned by the National Women’s History Project, Congress officially designated the month of March as “Women’s History Month.” (1)

There is no better time than now to celebrate the accomplishments of women artists, actors, pilots, poets, athletes, and visionaries who have paved the way for generations of women to succeed and shaped our history. 

Twenty three years ago, New York native, Kim Clarke – parent, composer, bandleader, educator, and bass phenom founded the 501c3 organization “Lady Got Chops: Women’s History Month Music & Arts Festival”. Lady Got Chops highlights women musicians and its mission is “to globally elevate Women’s History Month through the promotion of women’s outstanding contributions (aka CHOPS), artistic and otherwise, during the month of March.” The festival hosts performances throughout NYC, and for the last 15 years, the BeanRunner Cafe in Peekksill joined the festival as one of its steady and only venues in Westchester that participates.

LADY GOT CHOPS Women’s Month Music & Arts Festival will celebrate women artists at the BeanRunner every weekend during this month. These are must see musicians and the shows will sell out fast, so make sure you call in advance and get tickets early. All shows are $20 admission. Call for reservations, 914-737-1701

Saturday, March 2nd 6:00 – 8:00 pm

Lady Got Chops Women’s Music Festival presents Kristen Mather de Andrade & Band

New York-based artist Kristen Mather de Andrade has immersed herself in a broad array of musical worlds and cultures, from the classical canon to world music, and beyond. Devoting time to both the worlds of clarinet and voice, she has enjoyed a career of prime accolades and acclaim within her chosen musical paths.

Mather de Andrade released her debut album in 2021, where she both plays clarinet and sings in Portuguese, garnering praise by the likes of Jazz Weekly, Connect Brazil, and even earning GRAMMY attention. She has since released another album and two EPs following the success of Clarão. Her performances have been described as “mesmerizing,” “eclectic and engaging,” and like “a street festival of fun” by reviewers. It is a show not to be missed!

Friday, March 8th 7:00 – 9:00 pm

Lady Got Chops Women’s Music Festival presents the Eve Soto Band

R&B powerhouse, Eve Soto is a sultry vocalist with a voice that moves into your head, heart and spirit. Following major performances at BB King’s, Yonkers Waterfront and Red Rooster, Eve is on tour these days throughout the East Coast promoting her solo projects, producing and teaching. Catch her as she celebrates the music of Chaka, Aretha, Gladys Knight and Anita Baker and other legendary ladies of soul.

Saturday, March 9th 6:00 – 8:00pm

Lady Got Chops Women’s Music Festival presents Jazz Vocalist Judi Silvano & Band

Judi Silvano is a jazz vocalist who has inspired a generation of singers around the world. She brings her dance sensibility and classical music roots to interpretations of not only jazz repertoire but also to her own passionate original songs about life and love.

With 14 albums as Leader on Blue Note, Soul Note and more, Silvano has performed or recorded with Kenny Werner, Joe Lovano, Michael Abene, Mal Waldron, George Garzone, Vic Juris, Larry Goldings, Matt Wilson, Bruce Arnold, Kenny Wessel, Bill Frisell, Wynton Marsalis and Victor Lewis among others.

Using her voice as an instrument, Silvano’s daring improvisations and impeccable intonation have expanded the boundaries of collective improvisation with a repertoire that is uniquely her own.

Saturday, March 16th 6:00 – 8:00 pm

Lady Got Chops Women’s Music Festival presents the Legendary Bertha Hope-Booker

The Elmo Project is a celebration of the musical legacy of Elmo Hope led by jazz pianist Bertha Hope-Booker and supported by the Jazz Foundation of America, Jazz Forum Arts, and Lady Got Chops Women’s Music Festival.

Elmo Sylvester Hope was an American jazz pianist, composer, and arranger, chiefly in the bebop and hard bop genres. He grew up playing and listening to jazz and classical music with Bud Powell, and both were close friends with Thelonious Monk. He recorded with several emerging stars including trumpeter Clifford Brown and saxophonists John Coltrane, Lou Donaldson, Jackie McLean and Sonny Rollins.

Bertha Hope-Booker married Elmo in 1957 and after her husband’s passing in 1967 continued to present his music and remained an active force in improvised music. She is a composer and arranger with several recordings under her name, including In Search of Hope and Elmo’s Fire (Steeplechase); Between Two Kings (Minor Records) and her latest Nothin But Love (Reservoir).

Friday, March 22nd 7:00 – 9:00 pm

Lady Got Chops Women’s Music Festival presents Annette A. Aguilar and the Stringbeans

Annette A. Aguilar (multi-percussionist, Band leader recording artist, and producer) was born in San Francisco into a family from Nicaragua. At the age of 16 she was sitting in and performing with renowned Latin artists from Santana, Cal Tjader and Pete and Sheila Escovedo (Sheila E). In 1992, Annette formed her Afro-Cuban, Latin Jazz group, Annette A. Aguilar & StringBeans.

Annette has toured internationally and has performed and shared the stage with Stevie Wonder, The Grateful Dead, Darlene Love, Jefferson airplane, The Four Tops, Tito Puente, Dave Valentine, Ray Brown, and Mose Allison, among others. She also has toured with Grammy award winning Broadway shows, has recorded for T.V. and film, and has been the principal timpanist for the Bronx Symphony since 1997.

Saturday, March 23rd 6:00 – 8:00 pm

Lady Got Chops Women’s Music Festival presents the Arcoiris Sandoval Trio

“Her award-winning writing has a melodic sensibility that’s all her own, often challenging and using rhythms that don’t interlock so much as overlap.”- Michael West, the Washingtonian

Sandoval began her Sonic Asylum project in 2016 performing for the Milt Hinton jazz festival held at Baruch College in Manhattan. Since then, Sonic Asylum has performed at the Kennedy Center, Vermont Jazz Festival, and regularly around NYC venues and has held a trio residency at Zinc Bar since 2022. Her debut album First Voyage won a Global Music Award in 2018 and Sandoval’s original composition “Journey to Agartha” is now published in Terri Lyne Carrington’s compilation called “New Standards, 101 Lead Sheets by Women Composers”.

Arcoiris is also the Co-director of The D.O.M.E. Experience orchestra along with bassist Mimi Jones and is the pianist and musical director for acclaimed vocalist Allan Harris.

Friday, March 29th 7:00 – 9:00 pm

Lady Got Chops Women’s Music Festival presents the Kristina Koller Band

Always innovative, Kristina Koller pushes the limit to make her mark in the music world. A jazz-centric artist, Kristina has developed into a highly individual songwriter, arranger & vocalist.

In her debut album ‘Perception’, Kristina breaks through the standard vocal jazz mold and delivers a compilation of deftly composed originals and reimagined gems, carefully selected with the thematic focus of love and relationships. On her second album, ‘Stronger’, she combines art rock with jazz & indie-pop in an array of original music. Her songs radiate mental strength, projecting empowerment through self-discovery & awareness. On her latest album ‘Get Out of Town’, she celebrates the music of Cole Porter. She mixes R&B, neo-soul, traditional swing and acoustic jazz sounds in a tight 8 song compendium of Porter’s music.

Kristina developed her musical voice in the NYC jazz scene, performing at venerable haunts such as Smalls, Smoke, Minton’s, Mezzrow as well as The Apollo Theater.

Saturday, March 30th 6:00 – 8:00pm

Lady Got Chops Women’s Music Festival presents SAGE – The All-Women Jazz Ensemble 

SAGE, the all-women’s jazz, blues and contemporary ensemble, has dared to rise to this historic place in music with a sound that transcends time and generation. Part contemporary, part sassy, part nostalgic, these ladies deliver what every music audience is looking for, the best in the art.

SAGE features Charisa the Violin Diva on violin/vocals, Yayoi Ikawa on keyboard, Camille Gainer-Jones on drums, and Kim Clarke on bass.

SAGE members have opened for and appeared with Ray Charles, Denzel Washington, Regina Carter, the Duke Ellington Show Choir, and have headlined at the Inaugural Balls honoring President Obama, JAZZMOBILE, The Waldorf Astoria, The Schomburg Center, The African Burial Ground, the Martha’s Vineyard Jazz and Blues Summerfest and more!

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