Minnesota State Mankato's Department of Music Announces Spring 2026 Performance Series Events
Minnesota State University, Mankato Department of Performing Arts News Release
Mankato, Minnesota – The Minnesota State University, Mankato Department of Performing Arts announced its spring Performance Series schedule of visiting artist concert events. In addition to the professional artist series, the Department of Performing Arts will offer a number of student ensemble concerts over the course of the spring semester.
Events are made possible in part by a grant from the Minnesota Arts and Cultural Heritage fund, as appropriated by the Minnesota State legislature with money from the vote of the people of Minnesota on Nov. 4, 2008. Additional funding is provided by Prairie Lakes Regional Arts Council, the Nadine B. Andreas Endowment and KMSU The Maverick.
Spring semester Performance Series concert and artist highlights include:
Tuesday, January 27: JENNIFER GRIMM with JOE CRUZ
A dynamic duo with the tenderness of Ella Fitzgerald & Joe Pass and the rhythmic excitement of Tuck & Patti, Jennifer Grimm & Joe Cruz join forces to bring their passionate talents together on stage. The performance features Grimm’s charisma, versatility, and pitch-perfect singing coupled with Cruz’s genre-bending Latin-infused pyrotechnic guitar style.
Sunday, February 8: DAVID VISCOLI, DANIEL RIEPPEL, MATTHEW MCCLUNG, & ERICH RIEPPEL
This classical recital showcases an eclectic and dynamic program featuring two classical pianists and two classical percussionists. The concert features Bela Bartok’s “Sonata for Two Pianos and Percussion, Las Campanas del Diablo” by Samuel Robles, and “Bilder Des Todes” by Cesar Bresgen. Performers include pianists David Viscoli and Daniel Rieppel, who have performed as solo recitalists internationally; percussionist and timpanist, Matthew McClung, the guest principal percussionist and timpanist with the Grammy-winning Saint Paul Chamber Orchestra; and timpanist, Erich Rieppel, Principal Timpani of the Minnesota Orchestra.
Wednesday, February 11: MARTIN ZELLAR & THE HARDWAYS
Martin Zellar first appeared on the Twin Cities music scene in the late ‘80s as the lead singer and songwriter for the alt-country band, The Gear Daddies. The Gear Daddies released two albums on Polygram Records, appeared on Late Night with David Letterman and toured widely for three years before amicably parting ways in 1992. More than 35 years down the road from his first release, Zellar continues to make his living writing, recording, and performing music.
Thursday, February 19: MARY JANE ALM, RICHARD KRIEHN, BRIAN C. PETERS, & DALE HAEFNER
Effervescent singer/songwriter, Mary Jane Alm has been delighting Upper Midwest audiences for years. Mary Jane has been hailed for her pristine vocals and charming stage presence. She has received an Emmy for her work, been inducted into the MN Music Hall of Fame, and twice inducted into the Midwest Music Hall of Fame. Mary Jane Alm returns to her alma mater and is excited to celebrate the evening with Richard Kriehn, (former member of the Prairie Home Companion house band), the very talented Brian C. Peters, guitar and pedal steel, and former bandmate Dale Haefner, piano.
Saturday, February 21: ELECTRIC DIVA
Electric Diva is a high-energy live music experience celebrating the legendary women of rock and pop, a true celebration of women who have changed music. Fronted by powerhouse vocalist Mollie Fischer, Electric Diva delivers a nostalgic, high-energy night of music designed to get audiences singing, dancing, and reliving the songs they love most. Electric Diva creates an unforgettable live experience that resonates with audiences of all ages.
Tuesday, February 24: LUKE LEBLANC BAND
Luke LeBlanc is a Minneapolis-based singer/songwriter who delivers dynamic and versatile original performances that feature a warm, organic merging of rootsy folk and pop. As noted by 89.3 The Current, LeBlanc’s music is, “delicate, understated, and careful in its construction, taking apart how to live in such an unstable world while giving solace and a place for rest.”
Saturday, March 21: ERIK KOSKINEN BAND
Real-Phonic Records artist Erik Koskinen is a singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist, delivering soulful Americana rooted in storytelling and groove. Koskinen blends folk, blues, and roots-rock with warm baritone vocals, creating songs that are honest, melodic, and deeply human. The Minneapolis Star Tribune calls Koskinen “the real deal” and “The best country songwriter in Minnesota.”
Thursday, March 26: JOHN MCANDREW
A Nashville singer-songwriter and recording artist, John McAndrew's music often explores themes of healing, transformation, and recovery. His CD, “Forgiven,” was in Grammy consideration in the Roots Gospel Category. His music has been placed in several feature films, including “One Little Red Wagon,” directed by David Anspaugh. McAndrew is the Music Services Coordinator at Cumberland Heights in Nashville, a nationally recognized treatment center. As a licensed counselor, he uses music therapy to aid in substance abuse and addiction recovery. Through his original songs and keen observations of life, McAndrew explores the depths of human emotion and an understanding of life’s lessons.
Monday, March 30: SARAH MORRIS & THE SOMETIMES GUYS
Rootsy singer Sarah Morris was a top four finalist in the NewSong Music Contest at Lincoln Center in New York City, 2nd place winner of the Chris Austin Songwriting Competition at MerleFest in Wilkesboro, N.C., and an Americana semi-finalist in the International Songwriting Competition in Nashville. The Minneapolis Star & Tribune writes, “Morris ups her John Prine-ian wordplay and continues to shine and soothe like a Norah Jones in Midwestern flannel on vocals.”
Thursday, April 11: Dessa & Friends
The one-of-a-kind artist Dessa returns to Mankato for a concert featuring a wide-ranging collection of original music – including brand-new material. Dessa will be joined by her frequent collaborators vocalists Aviva Jaye and vocalist/saxophonist Joshua Williams. Described by the Los Angeles Times as “like no one else,” Minnesota-born Dessa is known for spanning genres and disciplines in her work as a singer, rapper, writer, musician, podcaster and public speaker.
Saturday, April 18: REVEREND RAVEN FEATURING WESTSIDE ANDY
Reverend Raven & CSAB are winners of multiple Wisconsin Area Music Industry (WAMI) awards, specializing in traditional blues that features smooth guitar and hot harmonica. The Rev has opened for many legendary blues artists including B.B. King. The group features harmonica wizard Andy Linderman on chromatic harp. Andy blows harmonica on the virtuoso level, with great tone and an apparently endless stock of ideas.
Tuesday, April 21: CRUZANDO
Cruzando takes listeners on a Latin Music adventure, paying tribute to classic Cuban Son, Puerto Rican bomba and salsa, and boleros from the Buena Vista Social Club. Showcasing a wide range of musical styles, Cruzando transports you on a romantic journey of classic Latin songs from the 1950s.
In addition to Performance Series events, the Department of Performing Arts will offer a number of student ensemble concerts including the Concert Choir and Chamber Singers, Elisabeth Cherland, conductor; University Chorale, Angela Kasper, conductor; Concert Wind Ensemble, Amy Roisum Foley, conductor; the Jazz Mavericks Big Band, Sarah Costello, director; and Contemporary Vocal Ensembles, Nick Wayne, Christi Smith and Stephanie Thorpe, co-directors.
Online ticketing is available at hss.mnsu.edu/music-events or call the Performance Series office, 507-389-5549.
