What's New at the Junction City Scandinavian Festival 2006

These were our special performers for the
2007 Scandinavian Festival

Visiting Dancers from Norway:
Sogn og Fjordaneringen
This year, for one day only, we are thrilled to be able to have a visit from this authentic dance group from Norway!
Their repertoire features the dances from the west coast of Norway in the Sogn and Fjordane area, including the beautiful and graceful dance, Vestlandsspringar. They are well known for their research and revival of traditional songs, music and dances from this area.

The colorful costumes the group wears are called bunader, and are an important part of Norwegian folk culture. Bunader can be reproductions of surviving folk dress, reconstructions based on writings and drawings, or contemporary and often copyrighted designs. For all three, quality and authenticity of style, materials, embellishment, and workmanship make the costume a handsome tribute to and recognition of their Norwegian heritage..

Musicians for the group are Solvor Sundsbo who plays flat fiddle and Hardanger fiddle, a traditional Norwegian instrument embellished with inlaid ebony and ivory. It has eight strings, four strings played above four sympathetic strings. Often the scroll is a dragon head. Lars Petter Eliassen will be accompanying the group on his accordion.

Ukranian Dancers from Alberta, Canada:
Veselka
This year we are proud to feature the wonderful Ukrainian dance group, Veselka, with their unique and exciting production entitled “Seasons of Change”!

In 1983, few expected that a group of friends learning to dance for exercise and fun, would be the beginning of one of Canada's many prized Ukrainian dance ensembles. Slowly but surely, each year passed with new skills gained, an increase in dancers, and a special spirit building. Veselka was beginning to take shape. Twenty-four years later, this spirit has endured as countless audiences have since raved over Veselka's character, humor, and unique style of presenting Ukrainian traditions through dance and song.

Over 30 members strong, aged 19 to 50, Veselka has performed at numerous functions ranging from weddings and celebrations to festivals and special events. While most performances have been in the home province of Alberta, Veselka has toured across Canada, dancing at festivals in Dauphin, Montreal and Ottawa. You won’t want to miss this exciting visiting dance group!

Heavenly Music from a Eugene Performer
Noah Brenner

After the high energy of Veselka and the many authentic Scandinavian dancers, relax with the gentle sounds and consummate musicianship of Eugene artist Noah Brenner. He'll be playing every day at different times, and some performances will be held in the Art Courtyard, giving you and opportunity to listen to him more intimately in a more traditional setting.
LISTEN

Hear a Century Old Musical Instrument
Wanda Hartfield
A hundred years ago, families made music on this small reed organ which was known by several names including, Harmonium, Melodian, and Parlor Organ. They have not been manufactured for over 75 years, but Wanda's husband has completely restored this one.
She will be playing a selection of Scandinavian folk music as well as other short pieces. You and your family won't want to miss the unique experience of listening to this this historic instrument!
Performing on Saturday at 11:00 and 12:30

Authentic Dance Group
Leikarringen of Portland
This year the Scandinavian Festival welcomes back Leikarringen of Portland!
Leikarringen of Portland is proud to carry on the tradition of Scandinavian dancing via their multi-age performing group. The word Leikarringen loosely translate to "ring" (or circle) dancers. We perform traditional dances from a variety of Scandinavian countries including Norway, Sweden, Finland, Denmark and a few from neighboring countries as well. Their dance ensemble has three groups with varying age levels. Children begin their dance experience at age 4 years.
The group is open to any interested no matter their dance experience! They are sponsored by the Daughters of Norway, Frida Hansen Lodge.

Performing twice only: Saturday at 12:00 noon and 3:00

Authentic Swedish and Norwegian Dance Music
Fossegrimen

Fossegrimen is a dans orkester dedicated to performing folk dance music from Norway and Sweden. The group plays for monthly dances in Salem and occasionally in the Portland and Seattle areas. The group was founded by David and Claire Elliker-Vågsberg. David leads the group and performs on fiddle, hardanger fiddle and nyckelharpa. Claire plays fiddle and nyckelharpa. The other members are: Kurt Elliker, fiddle; Brian Wood, guitar & nyckelharpa; and John Blunk, bass. All of the folk music the group plays originates directly from Norway and Sweden and is performed in the authentic style of the area of origin. Fossegrimen plays both gammaldans music (vals, schottis/reinlender, masurka & polkas) and bygdedans music (springars, gangars, polskar, & polsdans) as well as runddansere (turdans - also known "set dances", usually choreographed), and various "mixers". The group wears bunader from Norway for special occasions.
Fossegrimen is in the process of recording their first CD for
release in September 2007. Contact David Elliker-Vågsberg at
delliker@peak.org for more information about the group.

Performing Friday & Saturday at 9:00 pm
accompanying the Gammel Dance (community dancing)