Among the regular entertainers at this year’s edition of the Calaveras County Fair and Jumping Frog Jubilee was the musical trio, AmaZe.

The Enterprise stopped by for two of this group’s performances, the first of which was held during that fair’s opening day: Thursday, May 16. This paper returned for another show two days later.

Being that these entertainers’ performances were held on the Lawn Stage, near the entrance to the fairgrounds, their music could be heard quite well from the main parking lot, and the group greeted fairgoers who happened to arrive when they were harmonizing onstage.

AmaZe delivered shows that were unique to the fairgrounds, and they regularly attracted decent-sized crowds – a point that is a testament to the group’s talent, considering the many options fair guests had to choose from during each day of this year’s county fair, which was held May 16-19.

During the first of the performances in which the Enterprise was present, each of the group’s members – Em Darmsted, Zie Harman and Ann Mazzaferro – were dressed in yellow-and-white outfits, and sang into 1950s-style microphones.

The group wore blue and white dresses during their performances on Saturday, May 18.

Fitting the trio’s style are their selected songs, which feature many golden oldies and old-time songs from film soundtracks.

During the May 16 performance attended by the Enterprise, AmaZe performed such songs as The McGuire Sisters’ hit, “Sincerely,” and Elvis Presley’s “Can’t Help Falling in Love,” along with solos by each member of the group.

Following that show, the trio shared their story with this paper.

Being that these performers have a strong theatrical approach as entertainers, it should not come as a surprise that each of them has a lot of experience performing with the Fourth Wall Entertainment Troupe in San Andreas.

Darmsted talked about how AmaZe was formed, noting that the group was brought together last year to sing for a New Year’s Eve dinner at The Metropolitan theater in San Andreas.

“Ever since, we just love singing together so much that we just decided to continue doing it,” she said.

In the audience for the trio’s first performance in 2023 was Calaveras County Fair CEO Laurie Gianini, who approached Darmsted, Harman and Mazzaferro and asked them if they would be interested in performing at the fair. They accepted Giannini’s offer.

Harman spoke about her own contributions to the group’s musical selections.

“I did a Marilyn cabaret with Fourth Wall Entertainment a few years back, and so the first time we sang together I pulled a lot of stuff from there, and they gave me suggestions on songs that fit my range.

“My songs in the sets this year were suggestions from these two ladies (Darmsted and Mazzaferro), who know my voice better than I do at this point, because we’ve all sang together for so long.”

Mazzaferro, who lives in San Andreas, told this paper that AmaZe’s strength as a group extends beyond the music itself.

“It’s not just that we love performing together, we love each other; like we’re friends first and collaborators and artists second,” she said. “And like one of our great joys is in the morning before these concerts, getting together and getting dressed and talking about what went well the day before, what we felt like we didn’t do as well the day before, and putting on makeup and getting ready together.

“It’s all about just love and supporting each other, and I think that translates to the act. It’s all founded in love and support first.”

Mazzaferro mentioned that while the trio is proud of their performances of many different songs, the song that the group currently enjoys singing the best is the World War II-era jump blues song, “Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy.”

“So, (the song) starts off singing about this troubled man who went off, because he got drafted,” she said. “But it’s not just about the lyrics; it’s about the song, it’s about the harmonies. It’s just a really fun song to sing, and we get to kind of play off of each other.”

When this group is not performing, Mazzaferro works as a Calaveras High School English and theater arts teacher, and she continues to be involved with theater through Fourth Wall Entertainment.

In addition to her work with AmaZe, Darmsted enjoys writing, knitting and crocheting. She is also currently writing a stage play.

Darmsted, who is a Calaveras County native, was raised in Valley Springs and currently lives in Chico, where she is studying to become a pharmacist.

Harman remains very active with Fourth Wall Entertainment, while taking online courses through Arizona State University, with her goal to earn a bachelor’s degree in anthropology.

“It’s just creating beautiful art with my friends and getting my schoolwork straight,” she said. “I have a big interest in archaeology and forensic anthropology. I grew up watching (the crime drama television series), ‘Bones.’ I would rather be out in the field than in a classroom.”

Harman, who attended high school in Modesto, became a Calaveras County resident five years ago, when she moved to Rail Road Flat.

Those who had the opportunity to attend an AmaZe show at this year’s fair – or any performance by this trio – witnessed a rare performance, considering that the group only occasionally gets together for a live show, Darmsted explained.

“It’s been (that way), because we’re all adults with very busy lives that pay the bills in other ways,” she said. “So, we usually perform (on) New Year’s Eve in San Andreas and then we’re here in front at frog jump every year. We’re hoping to branch out (for additional shows), basically, based on time and availability.”

On Dec. 31, the trio will again perform a New Year’s Eve show at The Metropolitan.

AmaZe is currently working on building their social media presence, and is working on launching their Facebook and Instagram pages.

Those pages will include information on how to book the trio for events.

Nonetheless, Darmsted mentioned that AmaZe will continue to have limited availability to perform shows.

“We’ll try to make what we can (happen), and it’s always a joy and an honor to be asked (to perform),” she said.