A Main-Drag New Ulm Fundraiser With Heart
Felix And Fingers Dueling Pianos brought music, laughter, and a whole lot of generosity to Lola – An American Bistro in New Ulm, Minnesota, on April 16, 2026, for a Tea for Cancer fundraiser that turned an intimate restaurant setting into a lively, request-driven celebration. The event raised almost $8,000 for families affected by cancer, making it not only a memorable night of entertainment but a meaningful success for the community.
Set on the main drag in New Ulm, Lola – An American Bistro offered a warm and distinctive backdrop for the evening. The venue had the feel of a coffee shop, bistro, and confectionery counter all rolled into one, giving guests a comfortable, local gathering place with plenty of character. With teapots decorating the tables in keeping with the Tea for Cancer theme, the room felt personal, thoughtful, and perfectly suited for a fundraiser built around connection.
Sandy, Amy, and Maddie put together a beautiful event, and Felix And Fingers loved performing for such an engaged and generous crowd. From the moment the music began, guests leaned into the interactive spirit of dueling pianos, sending in requests right away and helping shape a show that felt custom-built for the people in the room.
Dueling Pianos in the Round at Lola – An American Bistro
One of the most interesting features of this event was the room itself. Lola – An American Bistro has a long, narrow layout without an obvious traditional stage location, so Felix And Fingers adapted by setting up in the middle of the space and performing “in the round.” That setup turned out to be a major advantage. Instead of placing the entertainment at one end of the room, the pianos became the center of the action, allowing guests throughout the bistro to feel included in the show.
For anyone considering a dueling pianos event in New Ulm, this was a great example of how flexible the Felix And Fingers format can be. A room does not need a built-in stage to create a high-energy, professional performance. With the musicians just steps from the street for an easy load-in and positioned right in the heart of the venue, the evening flowed naturally from the first song to the final chorus.
The staff at Lola – An American Bistro was welcoming and friendly, helping create the kind of smooth event experience that matters for fundraisers, private parties, and community celebrations alike. Guests enjoyed a buffet line featuring a nacho bar and charcuterie board, while the performers were treated to the house specialty: chicken pot pie. By all accounts, it was the kind of dish worth stopping for anytime someone is within 15 minutes of New Ulm.
That combination of hospitality, adaptable event space, and standout food made Lola – An American Bistro a strong match for Felix And Fingers. The venue’s cozy, local charm balanced beautifully with the big, participatory energy of dueling pianos, proving that a restaurant setting can still deliver a full-scale entertainment experience when the layout is used creatively.
Requests, Donations, and a “Fight Song” Finale
The crowd wasted no time getting involved. Requests came in from the very first song, and the show quickly became a musical conversation between the performers and the guests. Felix And Fingers thrives on that kind of interaction, where every request has the potential to spark a sing-along, a laugh, a dedication, or a surprise moment from the audience.
Song Drop was once again a hit, bringing in more than $700 in donations during the event. The generosity did not stop there. Guests contributed more than $2,600 in tips on the pianos, turning favorite songs into fundraising momentum throughout the night. It was a clear reminder of why dueling pianos work so well for fundraisers: the entertainment is not just something the audience watches, but something they actively help drive.
Two songs stood out as major moments. “My Way” became a must-play request and alone brought in more than $1,000, showing just how powerful the right song can be when paired with a generous crowd. Later, the evening closed with “Fight Song,” a fitting anthem for Tea for Cancer and one of the many highlights of the night. As a theme for the event, it delivered exactly the kind of emotional, uplifting finish that guests could carry home with them.
Multiple guests even joined the show for donations, adding another layer of fun and spontaneity to the performance. Felix And Fingers was happy to play along, and those guest moments helped make the fundraiser feel even more personal. By the end of the night, the combination of music, giving, food, and community spirit made the event a rousing success.
For organizations planning a fundraiser, corporate gathering, private party, or celebration at Lola – An American Bistro or anywhere in New Ulm, Felix And Fingers Dueling Pianos offers an entertainment format that can adapt to the room, energize the crowd, and help inspire donations. To bring that same interactive excitement to an upcoming event, contact Felix And Fingers at (800) 557-4196. If this Tea for Cancer celebration struck the right note, share this blog post with someone planning their own unforgettable dueling pianos event.
Performers At This Event
Meet the Felix And Fingers entertainers who helped bring this event to life.
Aaron Lotzow
Pianist/Certified Groan Specialist
Aaron spent many years thinking he was a real comedian, only to find out that all of the perceived laughs, were really groans. Groans that ultimately crowned him the King of Dad Jo-King. You never know when he’ll fire one at ya,…
