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2018_Scandinavian Midsummer Festival in

LIVE ENTERTAINMENT

Revel in the eclectic mix of entertainment, featuring traditional dances and lively music that capture the spirit of Nordic culture across the Pacific Northwest. Friday evening sets the stage for music and dancing near a blazing bonfire, while Saturday showcases the traditional Midsummer pole raising.

FRIDAY SCHEDULE

SATURDAY SCHEDULE

5:00 PM

6:00 PM

7:00 PM

8:00 PM

9:00 PM

Doors

Dan Schlesinger

Dance lesson

Varelse

Varelse

10:00 PM

End

Vasa Rosebuds dance group

Tulehoidjad Estonian folk dancing

Catarina New Martin

Portland Nordic Chorus

Midsummer Pole Ceremony, Dancing, Tug of War

10:00 AM

11:00 AM

12:00 PM

1:00 PM

2:00 PM

3:00 PM

4:00 PM

5:00 PM

End

Hapsala folk dance music

Jimmy Gahnstro

Dan Schlesinger

Nordic Northwest is pleased to present Dan Schlesinger this year to showcase a contemporary approach to the traditional music. Dan will be performing Scandinavian folk tunes on euphonium with accompaniment. He plays a variety of styles of music, including jazz and classical, on euphonium & trombone. When the onset of the pandemic prevented musicians from performing alongside one another, Dan developed a "one man band" approach where he performs live as a single solo brass musician accompanied by backing tracks that creates a sound like an ensemble of instruments.  For more info:  https://www.gigsalad.com/dan_schlesinger_portland

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Amy Hakanson

Amy Hakanson was introduced to Swedish folk music and the nyckelharpa in 2008, In 2014 she purchased a nyckelharpa, later that same year, Amy was accepted to the Eric Sahlström Institute in Tobo, Sweden. There she studied traditional Swedish nyckelharpa with various tradition bearers, most notably mentored by Olov Johansson, the nyckelharpa player of the band Väsen. Amy is trained in classical violin but also grew up immersed in American roots music, playing bluegrass fiddle with her family band. She also plays a wide variety of traditional instruments including Norwegian Hardanger fiddle, guitar, and banjo. She now has a bachelor’s degree in ethnomusicology from Portland State University. She is interested in exploring ways to incorporate her varied musical background, education, and interests with traditional Scandinavian folk music. Amy performs regularly with her Nordic fusion band Varelse in addition to playing solo for Scandinavian events, teaching workshops, writing and performing string arrangements for studio recordings, and gigging with local bands in Portland. You can reach Amy at: amyhakansonmusic@gmail.com and www.amyhakanson.com

Amy Hakanson

Vasa Youth Group

The Vasa Rosebuds: Currently under the direction of Christine Smith. Vasa Rosebuds have routinely performed and led majstång dancing at Midsummer celebrations in Portland and Astoria. Within the past 5 years, they’ve traveled internationally to dance and participate in Midsummer celebrations in Sweden and Canada. In December they were featured at Nordic Northwest's ScanFair in Portland with a dance performance and a Lucia pageant. Additionally, they have performed many times at the Junction City Scandinavian Festival, participated yearly in the Junior Rose Festival Parade, and danced at many other local multicultural celebrations. They also performed at the Grand Opening of IKEA in Portland.

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Catarina New Martin

"How Swede it is", Born and raised in Sweden, multi instrumentalist Catarina New Martin and her husband/percussionist Al Martin is presenting a variety of Folk to Classical to Jazz music, well known to the Swedish traditional music library. 

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