Main Stage Performers
Patricia Mendoza
Patricia Mendoza was born in Mexico City in 1973. She is of Mexican nationality and Oaxacan decadence. She is
the sixth of seven children. From childhood she began her interest in the arts by influence of her uncles and
her brother Norberto, also a painter.
During secondary school her works were selected for the private collection of the school. In her drive to learn
to paint she volunteered as an assistant for various painters, cleaning brushes. She learned the discipline of
the arts. She worked as a caricaturist and cover designer for a political magazine and state newspaper. She
completed works in airbrush and watercolor for notebook covers and for school biography texts. After she completed
her initial university years, she entered the school of Biology at the Automous National University of Mexico.
Her real interest is in the arts and she abandoned her biology studies to dedicate herself to mural painting and
to participate in various collective expositions in Mexico.
In 2001, following the death of her father, she traveled to Minneapolis and divided her time between working as a
travel agent and working in the arts. She participates in numerous exhibitions and arts projects, teaching
classes in painting and paper máche.
Her works have been recognized with several awards in Minnesota, the first of which was through General Mills for
a work in paper máche. The same year she was awarded first place at the Minneapolis Institute of Arts "Day of the
Dead" competition for an altar which she dedicated to her father and again in 2002 won a second award for an altar
she dedicated to her grandmother, who died the same year.
In 2003 she helped to coordinate the "Day of the Dead" celebration in the Midtown Greenway, where several artists
installed six altars for the dead and a procession in honor of the women murdered in Ciudad Juarez.
One of her principal interests is to include social and cultural content in her work and she has a studio on Lake
Street where she is involved with numerous projects in painting, sculpture, paper máche, video and small theater
pieces.
- Contests:
- 1994 - "Latino Artist of Minnesota", General Mills Corporation, Plymouth, MN
- 2001 - "Dia de los Muertos", First Place, Minneapolis Institute of Arts
- 2001 - "Dia de los Muertos", Creative Latino Art Center and Museum
- 2002 - "Dia de los Muertos", First Place, Minneapolis Institute of Arts - 2nd time
- Finished Work:
- 1994 - Political cartoon and bookcover, "Expectativas de Actualidad"
- 1995 - Illustrations for Social Communication
- 1996 - Proyec "El Molino del Patron" done in the Mixtic Oaxaca, founder of "Organizacion de Craetciones Independientes"
- 2001 - Mural "Bailarines Ciudad of Mexico
- 2002 - Interior Decoration of "Mena’s" International Records, Minneapolis, MN
- 2002 - Fanzin "Laberinto Cultural", Minneapolis, MN
Ash and Reuben Fast Horse
Ash and Reuben Fast Horse are International and National Native performers, originating from the Standing
Rock Sioux Tribe, also known as the Hunkpapa band of Lakota, which has noted leaders such as Sitting Bull,
Rain in the Face, and Gall.
The Standing Rock Reservation can be located alongside the Missouri River, straddling the borders of North and South Dakota.
As accomplished dancers and singers, Ash and Reuben exercise and preserve their heritage through these mediums. The Northern Plains Traditional Woman's Dance, the stomping Buffalo Dance, the high-flying Eagle Dance and the roving Round Dance, are a mixed array of rare and common songs and dances featured in their performances.
As re-enactors, Ash and Reuben, portray a living history of the 1800's utilizing outfits, tools and crafts, made traditionally by their hand. They can be found at many primitive festivals, called Rendezvous, throughout the Midwest, lecturing on the relationships and holistic lifestyles of the Native influence in the Fur Trade era.
QuetzalCoatlicue - Danza Mexica
Azteca is a collective of Mexican American and Mexican Natives brought together by the desire to learn and
share the traditional culture of ancient Mexico.
We are a grassroots effort engaged in the promotion and development of leadership skills through the learning and teaching of history, music and dance. Our dances are metaphors displaying the history of the Indigenous people known as the Chichimeca (or Aztec) and the relationship between the human race and the universe.
Each dance tells the story of the balance sought between dual forces seeking the harmony needed to sustain life.
Beverly Cottman
I am a storyteller. In my thirty years of high school biology teaching, I told stories about cells, plants,
DNA, the environment and all things related to the study of life. My student audiences were sometimes
resistant to the hard facts of science but became very interested when I began a lesson with "Let me tell you
a story about..."
The stories told by Beverly Cottman are based on African and African-American myths, folktales and traditions that reflect her culture and heritage. Her audiences are children and adults in environments as varied as libraries, birthday parties, theaters, shopping centers and school auditoriums, where she uses the African oral tradition to educate and to entertain. These age-old stories pass on values and morals, instill pride, evoke self- love and celebrate culture in a very unique way.
The Irish Minstrels
Known as The Irish Minstrels for about 10 years, the members of this group have all been playing music together
for 30+ years. They have performed at nearly every function imaginable; Fairgrounds, festivals, weddings,
business parties and concerts are all old-hat to this group.
Hundreds of performances and endless hours of rehearsals later, the group has finally found what is most dear to their hearts: the foot stomping, sea chanties, rollicking fiddle tunes and the beautiful melancholy ballads of the Irish genre.
For more information, visit thier website atwww.irishminstrels.com
Johnsmith
Johnsmith was born in Dewitt, Iowa, where he shared his small town mid-western life (and house) with his two
parents, and nine brothers and sisters. The experience of growing up in such a large family nurtured within
him a keen awareness of the value of community, and, at the same time, the absolute necessity of solitude.
Johnsmith is one performer who doesn't wear hype well.
His artistry speaks for itself. In fact, the idea of 'just being real' is a prominent theme throughout his music. And yet, to simply say that Johnsmith is a great singer/songwriter would not be enough.
In addition to his incomparable musical abilities and finely tuned songwriting skills, Johnsmith possesses the even rarer gift of being able to share his soul. That gift is the foundation on which everything else about him is built, and it comes shining through in every song he sings.
For more information, visit his website atwww.johnsmithmusic.com
The German Narren
The Heritagefest "Narren" from New Ulm, Minnesota, provide fun and good humor for people of all ages.
With their hand carved wood masks and colorful costumes they greet people, shunkel and dance with anyone
willing to join them.
Some members of the Narren include: Hatti, the Hexon; Tillie, the feather lady; Fritz, the sausage maker; Pinella, the flower lady; Otto, the bachelor; Rosa, the baker; Sepp, the unmusical musician; Anna, the owner of a local establishment and many others. In the German language, the word "Narren" means "a group of fools" which you will be able to see in action when they come to visit CulturFest.
For more information, visit thier website atwww.heritagefest.org
The CulturFest Band
Local musicians will get together to share their talents with others in the community in a special set of
peace and justice music. You are invited to sing along to many familiar songs that have transcended the
last several decades.
Featured are Dan Leer, David Dow, Dave Schroeder, John Weisenburger, Jayne Jacobson, Jodi DeKam, and Gary Ebnet.
The Children's Band
Enjoy a selection of fun songs for children of all ages! This group of local musicians will delight you and get you on your feet with a variety of children’s songs.
Featuring Deb Schreiner-Brecht, Charlie Brecht, Denny Meyer and Paige Moon.