Classic Bean features Chris Biggs and Steve Henrichs onstage

Lisa Herdman

Chris Biggs, the 30th Kansas secretary of state, and Steve Henrichs, a practicing nurse, performed an acoustic variety from 8–11 p.m. on July 15 at the Classic Bean on Fairlawn Street.

Biggs and Hinrichs are an acoustic and vocal duo from Manhattan, Kansas. Both perform bluegrass, blues, rock, country and folk. The duo has performed at various festivals and local venues in the Topeka community, including Prairie Town and another coffee house called “Snoops.” The band has previously played at The Classic Bean.

The Classic Bean keeps a weekend entertainment schedule updated monthly online. Performance hours occur from 8–11 p.m. from Friday to Sunday each weekend and the list of bands can include anything from country to classic rock. Their numerous musical acts each weekend include local bands and artists who all perform a variety of genres, including classic rock, blues, folk and jazz. “Restless Native,” “Heartstrings” and “Pastense” are a few crowd favorite bands that are regularly featured throughout the year.

Despite being part of a band, both men have created successful careers outside of music. Biggs was a  a public defender from 1983 to 1988 and a Geary County Prosecutor from 1989 to 2003. He later became the Kansas Securities Commissioner from 2003 until 2010, when then Governor Mark Parkinson appointed Biggs as the 30th secretary of state of Kansas. Hinrichs works as a nurse, though he has been a part of many bands in the past. He boasts third place on three occasions at the National Flat Pick Guitar Championship, and first at the Kansas State Fiddling & Picking Championships on guitar and banjo.

The duo performed both original songs as well as classics from the likes of the Rolling Stones and Bob Dylan. A few crowd favorites seemed to be some of Biggs’s comedic originals.

A few solo songs by Briggs included “Send me to glory in a glad bag” – a song by Chris’ older brother, John Biggs, and “Courthouse Blues,” an original by Chris Biggs.

Together the duo played “Sitting on top of the world” by Tim McGraw, as well as “Rocky Top” by The Osborne Brothers on guitars.

The Classic Bean offers a selection of coffees, teas, pops and alcoholic beverages, as well as meals and desserts. The venue is set with both tables and couches and gives the audience the option to either be in front of the music to watch, or in another room to listen.

A schedule of upcoming bands can be found at TheClassicBean.com.

For more information call the Classic Bean at (785) 271-5005.