PEEKSKILL — The Bean Runner Café has put together a lineup of female artists and entertainers, the likes of which has never been seen before in Westchester, to celebrate Women’s History Month. The celebration coincides with the kickoff for the ongoing series, entitled “First Mondays Artists’ Salon.”

On Monday, March 1, from 6-8 p.m., the First Mondays series starts with an interview, "From the Heart: Intuitively Abstract", with nationally recognized artist Susan Weinreich by Carla Rae Johnson, a critically acclaimed Peekskill artist.

Johnson, an insightful educator and engaging lecturer, will ask Weinriech about her personal vision and technique, inspirations, experiences as a woman in the arts, followed by an audience Q&A. There will also be a special pre-interview screening of a documentary trailer "Changing Minds," about Susan's struggle to overcome schizophrenia, and her life and work as an artist.

Pianist and composer Helen Sung and harpist Brandee Younger, join together to fill the air with jazz on Saturday, March 6, 7:30-10:30 p.m. Winner of the Kennedy Center’s Mary Lou Williams Piano Competition, Sung has been called “one of the brightest emerging stars in jazz today.” Her experience in classical, jazz, and popular music gives her a compelling, unique voice. Younger is a versatile musician who has created a unique niche in both traditional and non-traditional arenas. A University of Hartford faculty member, Younger performs mainly on a concert grand classical harp, playing classical, jazz and hip-hop.

Sunday afternoon, March 7, 4-6 p.m., folks will be entertained by artist Marcy B. Freedman who will present a special program of short videos and a short performance piece, titled, “It’s Tough Being A Woman, but a Woman Can Handle It!” Freedman’s addresses issues facing contemporary women in a lighthearted, quirky way.

Keeping alive the tradition of roots, ska and reggae, lead singer Nee Nee Rushie, a native of Jamaica, leads her five band mates in what is arguably one of the best upstate New York groups in recent memory, The Big Takeover. The group, which is playing at the café on Friday, March 12, 7:30-10:30 p.m., has toured extensively, opened for The Wailers, and have produced a new CD that is refreshingly upbeat and original.

On Friday, March 19, from 7:30-10:30 p.m., singer, songwriter, and piano player, Anna Dagmar will grace the stage. She is influenced by her love of classical music, jazz and the tender, mystical poetry of Joni Mitchell. Dagmar’s latest album, “Let the Waves Come in Three” is hailed by DJ George Graham as “one of the best singer-songwriter albums of the year, in a crowded field.”

On Saturday, March 20, 7:30-10:30 p.m., the all women jazz ensemble, SAGE will feature Bernice Brooks on drums, Tia Fuller on saxophone, Kersten Stevens on violin, Miriam Sullivan on bass, Ragan Whiteside on flute and vocals and Miki Hayama on piano and vocals. The group has already opened for and appeared with Ray Charles, Denzel Washington, Regina Carter and the Duke Ellington Show Choir among others and was headlined at the 2009 Inaugural Ball.

Sunday, March 21, 4:30-6 p.m., singer-songwriter Kathleen Pemble will bring her “superbly crafted compositions” (John Platt, WFUV) to the BRC. Pemble is the winner of the New York City Song Slam and The New York Times has noted that “Winning melodies in the folk-pop vein delivered with strong, supple vocals made Ms. Pemble's music compelling." Kathleen has played at venues including The Bitter End, The Knitting Factory, The Cutting Room, and 'Live on Stage' at the World Trade Center concert series. She has also been a featured artist of the national music series Chick Singer Night.

Through March 21, the walls of the café come alive with the work of photographer Deb Marcano. The exhibit, titled “Lalibela Living,” is a series of portraits that highlight the natural beauty, human joy and resilience, and culture that resonates in the midst of the heart-wrenching poverty of Lalibela, Ethiopia. Funds raised are used to purchase school supplies, clothing and shoes for the children of Lalibela, Ethiopia.