More about our performers:

Greg Herriges
Musician, composer, author, visual artist

Activities: Guitarist, vocalist, bouzoukist & multi-instrumetalist, Greg Herriges proliferates an eclectic mix of orginal & traditional "whirled music" with a unique approach honed by his study of Asian style.

Click here to preview Greg's music and visit his MySpace page.

Janie Plante
Musician, singers, songwriter

Janie possesses a unique talent for lyric that is profound and punchy, sweet and serene. Here set list includes favorites by Joni Mitchell, Billy Joel, Carole King, James Taylor & Dan Fogelberg, creatively interspersed with compositions of her own.

Click here to preview Janie's music and visit her MySpace page.

Doo Da Day
Doreen Aricia & Don Cordes: Musicians, vocalists, percussion & voice instructor, entertainers

Don's expertise on the guitar, fiddle, banjo and vocals has kept him in high demand. His easygoing, fun-loving attitude is a perfect compliment to Doreen. Doreen's satiny voice and easy charm keeps her a fan favorite. Hear her once and you'll be a fan too!

Click here to visit their website.

Traveled Ground-American Roots music from Minnesota where the big woods meets the prairie. Led by Clark Machtemes, the many faces of Traveled Ground will take you on a journey across the American continent with blues, folk, rockabilly, rock but always grounded in roots music. Known for tight vocals, harmonies, top knotch musicianship and live shows this band is rock solid. After 18 years, three CDs, countless shows, radio play all over the country, this band still keeps their feet on the ground. Click here to visit their myspace page and hear their music.

Cooker John- aka John Sagner is a folk and blues slide guitarist who was born in Newark, New Jersey, shortly after the end of World War II. He now lives in St. Paul and plays guitar, as he has done for fifty years. Cooker's music has been described as peaceful, authentic, and gritty. He offers a genuine voice coupled with a musical sensibility informed by the folk, rock, and blues traditions. His music presents a return to the roots of folk and blues mixed with his own wry original compositions.
Click here to hear his music.

Northeast & the Beat was formed by four friends that share a passion for acoustic music of America with a little funk in the mix. Although the band was only recently conceived their passion for song writing and inventive musicianship has led to a handful of well crafted songs. Comprised of Nic Hentges, Landon Rochat-Boeser, Melissa Huntsinger, and Adam Dunn this quartet's music will surely get you tapping your feet and thinking about family, friends, and places near and far. Visit their website at http://www.myspace.com/northeastandthebeat

Tim Fast -Tim is a singer/songwriter from Stillwater, MN. His acoutic/folk/americana music blends the sweet and sours of life. Click here to visit his myspace page and hear his music.

Jenn Bostic & Caitlin Nicol Thomas-These Midwest girls met at the famous Berklee College of Music, where they shared big dreams, big shows & a whole lot of fun. Jenn & Caitlin performed all over the eastcoast and in March of 2008, traveled to Iraq and entertained our troops. But Jenn doesn't just sing and Caitlin definitely isn't just a fiddler. On January 8, they'll share their smiles and songwriting at the Mocha Monkey. From acoustic/folk to country/rock there's a good time to be had by all. www.myspace.com/jennbostic & www.myspace.com/caitlinnicolthomas

Bobby Zelle
Bobby Zelle grew up in St. Paul and was fed a rich diet of stories by his parents, grandparents and three brothers. He believed most of them and began telling his own stories starting in 3rd grade when he had to figure out how to get out of his school's required swimming test. His professional storytelling career began after graduating with his masters degree from Northwestern University in 1988. Bobby currently teaches and coaches at The Blake School in Hopkins and lives with his wife, their two daughters and their dog, Coconut.

Heidi Hoks
Heidi has been a professional storyteller since 1978, performing for schools, libraries, conferences, community & religious events as a performer. She has also done workshops and artist-in-residencies both in the art of storytelling and on writing personal and historical narratives. Her storytelling ranges from folk tales to personal stories to historical renditions and her styles has been described as dramatic.

Chris "Sandman" Sand
A prolific songwriter, the Sandman has produced fifteen musical recordings, including ten CDs. His music is fusion in the raw--country/ hip hop/ folk/ rap/ cowboy/ punk. Whatever you want to call it, it's unique, fresh, sexy, and distinctly western.
The great-grandson of Montana and North Dakota pioneers, Sand grew up hearing cowboy poetry and country music. When hip hop culture hit "the Rez" (the Flathead Indian Reservation in western Montana, where Sand lived most of his early years), he learned to rap and rhyme to the pulse of baling machines and irrigation pumps. By his late teens, when he discovered Marley and Dylan, he had already begun to find his own prophetic voice.
Sandman has toured the country many times, sharing bills with acts ranging from Devendra Banhart to Kimya Dawson to Michael Franti & Spearhead. Selling "Sandman" t-shirts and pillowcases (recycled items slapped with the Sandman brand), worn leather belts, and old cowboy shirts, Sand keeps his audiences entertained during the breaks as well as on stage. He stays in touch with fans and friends between tours through his blog journal (www.rappincowboy.com).
Sandman performances shine with heart and humor. If you are curious about the sound of avant-garde western Americana, take time to listen to this one-of-a-kind rappin' folk singer.

Larry Christianson
Larry Christianson is a longtime resident of Waconia - an early retiree pastor now retiring as a nursing home chaplain, and author in search of honestly making meanings and keeping memories alive. His books are available at Mocha Monkey. Visit www.larrychristianson.com