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Community
Local and global organizations, people, and events, that promote Scandinavian and Scandinavian-American culture and traditions.
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A women’s choir that shares the music, culture, and language of Sweden. Currently on hold. Contact Gloria Rosen at (952) 240-7523.
Twin Cities Dalaforening
Explore culture, food, history, and links to Sweden at meets that include a lunch and take place the first Saturday of the month from September through May at 1 pm at the Danish American Center. Contact Arne Larson at (612) 998-9893. Saturday, February 5: Jeff Huset presents on Norwegian folk healers. Lottery available. Saturday, March 5: Natalie Norman presents "Beyond Folkdress Fantasy." Lottery items welcome. Saturday, April 2: Betsey Norgard presents "Tall Ships of Aland."
ASI Male Chorus
A men’s choral group that performs regularly in both Swedish and English. New members welcome. Contact Chuck Upcraft at (612) 371-3731 or Ted Johnson at tdreamintl@mindspring.com. asimalechorus.org.
ASI Male Chorus Circle of Friends
This group supports the ASI Male Chorus through promotion and fundraising. To volunteer or contribute contact asimccf@gmail.com
ASI Spelmanslag
An adult fiddlers club that performs regularly at ASI and community events. Planning for meetings and practices will begin in 2022. Contact Suzanne Walters at (651) 633-1607. asispelmanslag.org.
Kaffestuga Friends
Open to all ASI members, this club meets in ASI’s Kaffestuga on the last Wednesday of the month (except November and December) from 1–3 pm. Contact Margareta Beyer at (651) 644-5116.
The Karl Oskar House
Nya Duvemåla in Lindstrom will be open for the 2022 season on Sundays from 1–4 pm mid-May through September. Tours available. Contact friendsofthekarloskarhouse.org.
Lilla Spelmanslag
Learn and perform traditional Swedish folk music in this youth string instrument music group for ages 8–18. In 2022, Lilla Lag will travel to Sweden and attend a folk festival and fiddle camp. New members welcome. Contact Ingela Haaland at ingela_eilert@yahoo.com. asispelmanslag.org.
Scandinavian Friends
This women’s social group perpetuates an appreciation of Swedish culture, traditions, and contributions to global society. Meets for lunch at noon, February 14, March 14, and April 11 in Larson Hall at ASI. Contact Muriel Johnson at (952) 831-4180 or murjo3663@gmail.com.
Svea Club
This club practices and preserves Swedish and Swedish-American traditions, volunteers at ASI, and is the origin of ASI’s annual Lucia Celebration. Svea Club will meet this spring when considered safe again. Contact Margareta Beyer at (651) 644-5116.
SWEA International in Minnesota
Swedish Women’s Educational Association (SWEA) is an opportunity for Swedish-speaking women to embrace Swedish language, traditions, and heritage, and provides a network of support to Swedish families abroad. Members welcome at the annual board meeting in February, with ärtsoppa/pea soup and punch. Spring get-togethers will include Valborsmässoafton, and a variety of activities related to books, films, gourmets, outdoors, downtown, and mother and child. Contact sweaminnesota@gmail.com. minnesota.swea.org.
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American Scandinavian Foundation Artist Fellowship Feature: Renee Vaughan
ASF’s Artist Fellowship program provides support for cultural practitioners throughout the Upper Midwest who have made significant contributions to the practice and preservation of Scandinavian folk traditions. Over the years, numerous teaching artists, instructors, and performers connected to or currently teaching at ASI have received this prestigious acknowledgement. As a recipient of a 2022 Artist Fellowship, Twin Cities musician Renee Vaughan will head to Uppland, Sweden, to study with master nyckelharpist Cajsa Ekstav. 2022 Fellowships were awarded based on the quality of the work involved and the centrality of the work to the local community. The impact of the project on sustaining Scandinavian folk traditions was also a major consideration, as was its potential for engaging others in learning traditional arts and skills and thus fostering the intergenerational transfer of artistic knowledge and skill.
Watch for profiles on additional Artist Fellowship recipients in future editions of Posten magazine.
Swedish Cultural Society of Duluth
This organization offers programs that promote and support Swedish culture and language. Events held at First Covenant Church, 2101 W. 2nd St., Duluth, and include singing, program, and fika. Contact Jenn Conboy at (218) 624-2264. swedishculturalsociety.org. Sunday, February 20, 2:30 pm: Dale Sohlstrom shares his experience with bilsport, the hobby of classic cars. Sunday, March 20: Program awaiting confirmation. Sunday, April 17, 2:30 pm: Mary Johnson, Svenska Sångarna director, presents Swedish Folk Music, Part 1.
The Swedish Genealogical Society of Minnesota
Deepen your knowledge of Swedish genealogy, translation, ancestry, and heritage. For research or translation help contact sgsm1983@gmail.com. Saturday, March 18, 2 pm: Virtual hybrid meeting at the Minnesota Genealogy Center in Mendota Heights. Eleanor Brinsko presents ”What is Hiding in Your Storage Places That Can Help Your Genealogical Searches.” Visit sgsmn.org in February for details.
Twin Cities Nyckelharpalag
Performing regularly at ASI and community events, this group uplifts the music of the nyckelharpa, a stringed instrument from the Uppland province of Sweden. TCNL meets for lagspel sessions on 1st & 3rd Saturday mornings at ASI. Contact Cheryl Pashke at (612) 670-6356 or inquiries@tcnyckelharpalag.com. Saturday, February 26, 7:30 pm: Performing with Buffalo Community Orchestra at Buffalo High School Performing Arts Center, Buffalo, MN. Saturday–Sunday, March 5–6: Performing at ASI Midwinter Folk Music Festival.
Västergötland Society
A social group dedicated to promoting the awareness of ancestral roots in Västergötland region of Sweden, and to promoting fellowship locally with those interested in Scandinavian culture. Contact Gordon Anderson at (763) 788-8532. Saturday, February 12, 1 pm: Musician Ross Sutter presents "Svensk Entertainment" No March meeting scheduled. Saturday, April 9 at 1 pm: Marilyn McGriff presents "Swedes in Cuba."
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