Oktoberfest Entertainer Bios
AlpenFolk
Style: Yodeling and Classic Polka Oktoberfest Music
With authentic instruments, singing and yodeling, AlpenFolk presents the music and folklore of the Alps. They offer alpine music the way it was meant to be played – the way it is played today in rustic inns and mountain chalets of Bavaria, Tyrol, Styria and throughout the Alps!
Aqua-Nets
Style: Pop Music Cover Band
Dance and sing along to your favorite guilty pleasure songs from the 70’s to today with The Aqua-Nets, Seattle’s favorite cover band! The Aqua-Nets are a 12-piece band with a big sound, including a horn section and dancers! Whether you feel like dancing or rocking out we have something for everyone.
Bonnie Birch Quartet
Style: Classic Polka Oktoberfest Music
The Bonnie Birch Bavarian Quartet has been performing together for 25 years. Bonnie Birch, a virtuoso accordionist in the Northwest who plays many styles of music including Oktoberfest music, is joined by Nick Heiting (guitar, vocals) born in Munich, Germany who speaks and sings in fluent German, Paul Ostler (tubab) a superb musician with a background of 20 years performing in the Navy band all over the world, and a drummer.
Die Jungen Weststeirer (Austria)
Style: Classic Polka Oktoberfest Music
New sounds in the field of Oberkreiner music, The Jungen Weststeirer (The Young West Styrians) are Christian Ruprechter (trumpet), Martin Seidl (clarinet), Mario Höllmüller (accordion), Michael Wagner (guitar), and Florian Fauland, vocals, electric bass and Baritonhorn. Formed in 2019, they are an up and coming band from Austria excited to make their USA debut.
Edelweiss Dance Academie
Style: Youth Folk Dance Group
Edelweiss Dance Acadamie is Leavenworth’s own ballet school. Under the direction of Briar Hoper, the school has been operating in Leavenworth since 1997. Yearly performances of The Nutcracker are a local favorite. Dancers from the Academie’s summer intensive are here today to perform their Character Class “Peasant Dances”, set to German music.
Enzian Schuhplattler Dancers
Style: Professional Folk Dance Troupe
Enzian Schuhplattler, based out of Seattle, is dedicated to promoting Bavarian folk dancing, culture and costumes.
The Europa Band
Style: Polka Variety Band
The Europa Band is a nationally acclaimed group that plays festivals from Miami to Montana, California to New York. Covering a very wide variety of music and songs from old German Polkas and sing alongs, to current Country. Accordion (with Midi), Trumpet, Guitar, Violin, Drums and plenty of vocal harmonies can be heard from the group, with a strong groove and passion for what they do.
European Takeout
Style: Classic Polka Oktoberfest Music
The European Take-Out (ETO) band plays Oktoberfest plus other European-based music and favorite American standards. This includes dances such as the polka, waltz, fox trot, swing, country western, rumba, and of course the ever-popular Chicken Dance. They also have easy dances they teach for audience participation. ETO is based in Portland, Oregon.
The Hosen Ones
Style: Rock Band
80’s classic and heavy rock, Oktoberfest style. Big guitars with accordion and lots of Lederhosen!
Leavenworth Alphorns
Style: Alpine Music
12 foot long horn played by Alpine herdsmen and villagers, sounded for intercommunication and at ceremonies and festivals
Manuela Horn
Style: Yodeling Queen and Cover Band
Cut loose and let your new BFF (Beer Friends Forever) take you on an interactive yodeling roller coaster! Often referred to as the WEIRD AL YANKOVIC of Oktoberfest, Manuela Horn performs lovingly hilarious song twisting beer centric versions of top 40 popular tunes that are sure to get you shaking your Sauerkraut!!! “So strap on your Lederhosen and expect the unexpected”
Michael Fischer
Style: Classic Polka Oktoberfest Music
Michael Fischer has been playing polka music for about 35 years in the Pacific Northwest at Oktoberfests, polka fests, and breweries. Originally from a German community in South Dakota, Michael plays German, Slovenian, and Scandinavian music, plus tangos old standards, and foxtrots. Music to dance to!
Michael Stoessl
Style: Yodeling and Classic Polka Oktoberfest Music
Michael Stoessl is a folk singer and professional yodeler from Germany. He is a recording artist who performs all over the world.
Pech und Schwefel (Austria)
Style: Polka Variety Band
Pech Und Schwefel is an authentic Oktoberfest band based out of Vienna, Austria, well known for performing a mixture of traditional “Oompah” and party music wearing traditional German/Austrian outfits. They perform each year at the biggest Oktoberfest events in Germany, Austria, Switzerland, and Dubai. They have a long list of impressive references as well as multiple CD recordings.
S-Bahn (Canada)
Style: Polka Variety Band
Singer & accordionist Richard Tyce founded the S-Bahn Band in Vancouver, Canada, in the 90′s. With diverse and eclectic repertoire and soaring vocals, S-Bahn rocks Oktoberfests and all kinds of parties. Why the name “S-Bahn”? S-Bahn is the commuter train that connects cities in Germany with their suburbs. S-Bahn connects people – brings them together. S-Bahn is Richard Tyce – Singer/tenor, Accordion & Keyboards; Jim Hopson – Trombone, Tuba, Alphorn, Bass Guitar & Vocals; Alex Flock – Guitar & Vocals; James Bartz – Drums & Vocals.
Smilin’ Scandinavians
Style: Classic Polka Oktoberfest Music
The Smilin’ Scandinavians draw from a collection of lively polkas, old-time country, and big band swing with folksy humor and superb musicianship, showing everyone a rollicking good time. Based out of Graham, WA, the Smilin’ Scandinavians consist of Bandleader, accordionist, and singer Toby Hanson; two-time Washington State Tuba Champion Mike Woolf; drummer Erick Cohn; banjo and guitar player Glenn Dudley; and clarinet/saxophone virtuoso Eric Likkel.
Ted Lunka Polka Band
Style: Classic Polka Oktoberfest Music
The Ted Lunka Polka Band consits of Ted Lunka, Andy Mirkovich, John Giuliani and Dave Hoskins who have has been performing for over forty years for festivals and private parties in the Pacific Northwest, including Leavenworth’s Autumn Leaf, Oktoberfest and Christmas Lighting festivals. They will on occasion take requests for a variety of songs for appropriate circumstances to “Keep Your Toes A Tappin”!
Tirolean Dancers of Oregon
Style: Professional Folk Dance Troupe
The Tirolean Dancers started in 1976 as a traditional Bavarian and Austrian Schuhplattler and Volkstanz dance performance group. Today, with new members, The Tiroleans continue to perform and bring the joy of traditional Alpine dance to numerous Oktoberfests, Maifests, special and international events, and cultural and folk festivals in Oregon and Washington.
West Coast Prost
Style: Polka Variety Band
One of the country’s premier polka-variety bands! Much more than your average polka band, this group, led by accordionist and singer Jason Fabus, plays polkas, waltzes, dixieland, swing, and country/western favorites. West Coast Prost brings an exciting sense of youth to an older tradition of music!
