Lori Dokken has spent more than four decades bringing people together, usually with a piano nearby and a good story not far behind.

A pianist, vocalist, music director, producer and educator, Lori has performed on nearly every major Twin Cities stage, from The Dakota to The Guthrie to The Ordway. Along the way, she's opened for legends like Eartha Kitt, Carole King and Tony Bennett, shared a stage with Beatrice Arthur and built a career around the idea that music has a remarkable ability to connect people.

But for Lori, the most meaningful work has often happened beyond the spotlight. She's spent decades supporting Minnesota's LGBTQ+ community and helping raise hundreds of thousands of dollars for organizations serving people in need. Whether she's mentoring young performers, volunteering her talents or lending her voice to a cause, Lori has always believed that showing up matters.

That belief comes from her small-town upbringing and parents who taught her that a person's worth isn't measured by what they earn, but by how they treat others. It's a philosophy that's stayed with her through a lifetime in the entertainment business and continues to shape how she sees the world.

At The Porch, Lori hopes to explore the connections that bring us together, particularly the conversations between generations and the common ground we share with communities beyond our own. She believes we have far more in common than what separates us, and that even difficult conversations can happen with honesty, respect and a healthy sense of humor.

And about that sense of humor? Lori once delivered singing telegrams dressed as Wonder Woman. She was also the on-call substitute for Mae West. Apparently, saving the day has always been part of her repertoire.

Pull up a chair with Lori and she probably won't start by telling you about herself. She'll want to know how you're doing, what's happening in your life and whether there's anything she can do to help. And somehow, you get the feeling she'll mean every word.