Archive Entertainment 2025

Entertainment:

Shir Chadash Trio 10:30-11:15

The Shir Chadash Trio is a three-piece folk rock band featuring Mike Pletman on lead vocals and guitar, Izzy Singer on drums and vocals, and Linda Brown on bass and vocals. Formed in the mid 1980’s, The Shir Chadash Trio channels traditional and original Hebrew and Jewish liturgical songs that elevate audiences. The Shir Chadash Trio has entertained audiences at venues such as summer camps, synagogues, and senior centers. The band is excited about its upcoming performance at the 47th Annual Carrot Festival. Shir Chadash is supported by a matching grant from the Music Performance Trust Fund https://musicpf.org and arranged by Schenectady-Amsterdam Musical Union, AFM Local 85-133″

Hot Club of Saratoga 11:45-12:45

Upstate New York’s premier gypsy swing ensemble, specializes in the timeless sounds of Django Reinhardt and the vibrant atmosphere of 1930’s Paris. Their music brings the magic of hot swing to life, and they are known for their captivating performances. Whether you’re a fan of gypsy jazz or simply looking to experience something unique and delightful, the Hot Club of Saratoga is sure to deliver an unforgettable musical experience. Since forming in early 2013, Hot Club of Saratoga has brought the hot swing sound to venues throughout Upstate New York as well as festivals, swing dances, weddings, corporate events, and private parties. In addition to playing numerous sold out shows at the venerable Caffe Lena, Hot Club of Saratoga played the main stage at The Annual Freihofer’s Saratoga Jazz festival in 2021 and 2022. They were nominated for the Jazz Artist of The Year by the Eddies Awards (Capital Region Thomas Edison Music Awards) three times, taking the Eddies home in 2022 as well as the 2023 Listen Up Award for Favorite Jazz Artist. Hot Club’s “Musician-in-Residence” initiative has also brought guest players from around the country and Europe to join them for month long residencies, each capped by a “Hot Club Series” concert and jam in conjunction with Caffe Lena. Caffe Lena’s Director, Sarah Craig introduced us with, “I would have to count Hot Club of Saratoga as being probably about the best thing that’s happened to the local music scene in the last 5 years in Saratoga.” Click here for Additional resources. Click here for a Video Clip.

Cardboard Box 12:45-1:00

Cardboard Box is fully improvised entertainment that ranges from silly to touching. Hayes Fields has been performing since he was a tot in his family’s gospel choir, and Riley Hart caught the performance bug in midlife. The duo invites the audience to inspire a cardboard box; then they create an original scene on the spot. You just have to see it!

“Cardboard Box has performed recently at Ninepin Cider Works in Albany and Boughton Place in Highland, NY.”

They can be reached at rhcreate@protonmail.com

COOL UNIVERSE (formerly The Secret) 1:15-2:15

2022’s favorite Carrot Festival group (formerly “The Secret”) is back, bringing their get-up-and-dance music that ranges from soul to rock to ballads and back again – an all-star band with a universally all-star song selection. Be sure you’ve got your dancing shoes on when Cool Universe plays!

The band consists of local musicians who play with various other bands but collaborate on very special occasions! Each one has their unique style, but together, just like great bands such as Earth, Wind & Fire, when they join forces, they are a universal force to be reckoned with and certainly enjoyed!!! Ready for any event you may have, feel free to contact us for all your musical needs!

The “secret” is out! It’s time to make the universe “cool” again!

Benjamin Odom – Bass, keys, vocals, Charles Norbi – guitar, vocals, Donyasia – vocals, Azaam Hameed – keys, vocals, Jack Kelle – drums, vocals, Jeff Nania – sax, Ron Smith percussion. odominion85@yahoo.com

SIRSY 2:45-4:00

“Rock Pop Artist of the Year” + “Record of the Year” 2024 Thomas Edison Music Awards

“Eddies Music Hall of Fame Inductee” 2025

“Solo Duo Artist of the Year” 2023 Thomas Edison Music Awards

It’s hard to imagine a sound this big coming from two people. The Boston Globe calls Sirsy “The little band with the big sound.” Fans call them “the little band with a big heart.” Hailing from NY, SIRSY plays compelling singer-songwriter rock and pop with a charming intensity, a bit of sass, lots of soul, and loads of heart. They write honest, engaging songs that are instantly relatable and catchy. The Times Union says, “Sirsy’s clever, smart songs have more hooks than a tackle box”. Sirsy’s passionate and down-to-earth live shows also include storytelling and even some nerdy jokes. They can somehow make an audience sing along, dance, laugh, and cry – all at the same show.

Melanie Krahmer’s passionate and immediately arresting vocals are sultry and seductive. They can be a floaty whisper or, at times, raspy and rocking – with a little bit of a tongue-in-cheek tone, as if she’s singing with a wink. She has “one of the most powerful and flexible voices you’ll ever hear”. Mel is also the band’s drummer (and featured in Modern Drummer). She simultaneously plays bass on a keyboard with her drumstick. Live, she also plays piano, melodica, and the occasional badass flute solo too. Mel’s bandmate, co-writer, & husband/bestie is Rich Libutti. Rich masterfully plays a well-loved and road-worn Rickenbacker through a pedal board full of vintage effects. He sounds like 3 guitarists all on his own. SXSW music blog says “The guitar player is flawless and raw. Clean enough to be enjoyed, and just edgy enough to make you grin.” Rich also plays bass (and at live shows often does it on a pedal board with his feet).

These 2 multi-instrumentalists manage to sound like a full band and somehow do it all with big smiles on their faces. It’s clear they love what they do. And that love is contagious when you see them live. You can’t help smiling along with them. With song lyrics that center around empowerment and resilience, it’s no surprise that Sirsy’s fans have supported the duo through the pandemic, over a dozen records, 20+ years of touring, and Mel’s 2 bouts with cancer. Every show is like a celebration for this couple and their fans. Come celebrate life with them!

Sirsy’s warmed stages for Brandi Carlile, Maroon 5, Train, Grace Potter, Joan Jett, Cheap Trick, Collective Soul, Blues Traveler, Spindoctors, Adam Ezra Group, Lifehouse & many more. They’ve had songs on the hit TV show “Shameless”, the NFL, HBO, MTV, and PBS. Their latest single, “Stupid Little Heart” (Jan 7, 2025), debuted at #10 on the folk chart. They are regulars on NPR. In 2024, Sirsy was given the lauded ‘Thomas Edison Music Award’ for “rock/pop artist of the year” and “Record of the year” and in 2023 “solo/duo artist of the year”. Their last several records were produced by Grammy-winner Paul Q Kolderie. The SXSW Music Blog says, “Sirsy’s not just a 2 piece but a head scratching WOW!” And the Houston Music Blog says, “Sirsy makes edgy feel-good music that’s fun to watch. You must see them live!”

S I R S Y – V I D E O S

LIVE! (Like a Drum at Mile of Music Fest) https://youtu.be/wuBNTV7OJ3Q

LIVE! (Nina Simone Cover) https://youtu.be/MxrqmlNJvac

LIVE on NPR: https://livesessions.npr.org/videos/sirsy-astronauts

LIVE on NPR: https://livesessions.npr.org/videos/sirsy-like-a-drum

Official Music Videos:

Astronauts https://youtu.be/WglC18sUBX4

Cannonball https://youtu.be/gx6RJZMelds

Sweet Dreams https://youtu.be/g5piB_2_vnA

Like a Drum https://youtu.be/yBoXYvUwRDg

S I R S Y – L I N K S

Official: http://sirsy.com