Nordic Happenings

ASI Cloudberries On September 10, 10:30 a.m.–5 p.m. the annual Nordic Music and Arts Festival is planned at Lions Park, Victoria, MN. Two stages of Scandinavian dancers and musicians will be performing throughout the day. Nordic artists, authors and craftsmen will sell their work, along with a Silent Auction. Scandinavian and American food and beverages will be on sale. A Viking Village will share tales of Viking history, sword fighting and examples of ancient craftwork. The festival concludes with the annual Lutefisk Toss. Parking and admission are free. For more information, contact Gloria Rosen at (952) 240-7523 or visit ASI Cloudberries Facebook page. ASI Male Chorus New members welcome. Rehearsals Tuesdays, 7-9 p.m. There will be a St. Croix River Dinner Cruise fundraiser, September 21, 6-9 p.m. Tickets are $54.95. Congratulations to the ASI Male Chorus which is celebrating its 85th Anniversary this year. The Chorus remains an integral part of ASI celebrations, regularly performing at Midsommar and Julmarknad festivals as well as traveling to Sweden to share their talents. Contact Chuck Upcraft at (612) 371-3731 or email Ted Johnson at tdreamintl@mindspring.com for more information or visit asimalechorus.org. ASI Male Chorus Circle of Friends This group supports the ASI Male Chorus through promotion and fundraising. To volunteer or contribute contact us at ASIMCCF@gmail.com ASI Spelmanslag The ASI Spelmanslag is looking forward to resuming practices in September 2021. Since 1985, the Lag has been playing traditional Swedish fiddle music at ASI events such as Midsommar and Julmarknad, at times being called "the house band" at ASI. The Lag has also played at events including Nisswastämma, Scandia Stämma and has traveled to Sweden and hosted many Swedish fiddlers. New members welcome.

Clubs & Performing Groups

Ingela Haaland and Jon-Anders Persson. ASI Spelmanslag: Love is Hard to Hide is available for purchase at the ASI Museum Store.

Visit: asispelmanslag.org or call Suzanne Walters, (651) 633-1607. Spelmanslag recordings are available at the ASI Museum Store. Friends of the Karl Oskar House Formerly the Lindstrom Historical Society, the Karl Oskar House (Nya Duvemala) in Lindstrom, MN, was spotted on a visit by Vilhelm Moberg in 1948 and incorporated into his Emigrant book series as a home of Karl Oskar and Kristina. Open typically mid-May through September for tours on Sundays, 1-4 p.m., and by appointment. Contact: Carla Norelius at neilcar@frontier.com or the Friends of the Karl Oskar House on Facebook. Lilla Spelmanslag This youth fiddle/cello group of musicians ages 8 to 18 learns traditional Swedish folk music. In 2022, we will travel to three different parts of Sweden to connect with youth folk music groups, and attend a folk music festival and a fiddle camp. For updates on rehearsals, contact Ingela at ingela_eilert@yahoo.com. For upcoming events, visit www.asispelmanslag.org and click on the “youth” link.

Scandinavian Friends We are still uncertain when we can reunite for our first luncheon after the onset of Covid 19, but hope to gather sometime this fall. We will stay in touch with members and share information as we know it. SWEA International in Minnesota: Fall starts with Räkfrossa/shrimp feast followed by several get-togethers. Our interest groups — book, film, gourmet, outdoor, downtown, mother and child — offer a variety of activities. Contact: sweaminnesota@ gmail.com or visit Minnesota.swea.org. Swedish Genealogical Society of Minnesota Visit sgsmn.org for meetings and other information. For questions, research and translation help contact sgsm1983@gmail.com. Twin Cities Nyckelharpalag For information about rehearsals and events, contact inquiries@tcyckelharpalag.org or Cheryl Paschke at (612) 670-6356 Twin Cities Swedish Folk Dancers Our group will not be practicing at ASI until further notice. Contact: tcsfdmn@gmail.com Västergötland Society The Society will meet in the fall, on the second Saturdays of September 11, October 9 and November 13, 2021. All meetings are set for 1 p.m. in Paulson Hall at ASI. Contact: Gordon Anderson at anderson.gpagpa.gordon@gmail.com or 763-788-8532 for meeting details. Valkommen!

ASI MALE CHORUS HISTORY

The American Swedish Institute Male Chorus was established in 1936, the first organization of ASI, now 85 years young. The Woman’s Auxiliary followed a year later and only recently disbanded. A Circle of Friends is now organizing. The Chorus is a comradery of friends who support each other and enjoy our weekly rehearsals. Edgar Ekloff, who taught music at Augsburg University, directed the Chorus from 1970 until 2007 and was awarded the King of Sweden’s Gold Medal in 1978. Since 2007 the Chorus has been ably led by Jeff Wressel. The Chorus is a group of volunteers with both a professional director and accompanist. Our mission is to promote and share our Swedish heritage through the Swedish choral tradition. We also represent Swedish Americans abroad with singing tours to Nordic countries, and we host choruses from there when they tour the US. As a member of the American Union of Swedish Singers the group performs at its conventions around the US. We perform concerts and sing for events at the ASI, and perform around the Twin Cities at senior facilities, civic events, and churches, as well as at Scandinavian events. Its next tour abroad will be in 2024.