OK Factor is playful and fun violin-cello combination; to perform Wednesday, Oct. 4

The OK Factor isn’t from Oklahoma. The group’s performances rate far better than an O.K.

So, just how did OK Factor gets its name? The group is named for cellist Olivia Diercks and violinist Karla Dietmeyer — because their names are Olivia and Karla.

They bring their combination of folk-inspired music influenced by Americana and Irish fiddle styles — including old favorites and their own compositions — to the Fine Arts Series at the College of Saint Benedict and Saint John’s University. They perform at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 4, at Sacred Heart Chapel, Saint Benedict’s Monastery, St. Joseph.

They find great joy in defying expectations and delivering an experience outside of what audiences anticipate from a cello and violin combo.

Diercks and Dietmeyer are passionate about educational outreach and community engagement, and will conduct a number of workshops and performances in the area Oct. 2-4.

OK Factor has performances planned at St. Cloud Veterans Affairs, Country Manor in Sartell and Quiet Oaks Hospice House in St. Augusta. The group also has workshops scheduled with CSB and SJU students, at Whitney Senior Center in St. Cloud and with string students in grades 6-8 at Kennedy Elementary in St. Joseph.

The group plans to release its latest album, “Have Yourself an OK Christmas,” on Dec. 1. OK Factor also released albums in 2016 (“That’s Enough of That”), 2015 (“Water Street”) and 2014 (“Happy Holidays”).

Tickets for OK Factor’s concert are $10 for adults, seniors and CSB/SJU faculty and staff, and $5 for students and youth. Please note that all tickets are general admission, and there is no reserved seating. For tickets, call the Benedicta Arts Center Box Office at 320-363-5777 or order online.

The event is sponsored in part by Woodcrest of Country Manor.

These activities are made possible in part by the voters of Minnesota through a Minnesota State Arts Board Operating Support grant, thanks to a legislative appropriation from the arts and cultural heritage fund.