Barneleikarringen of Greater Seattle is made possible through the combined efforts & resources of dedicated parents, grandparents, musicians, the Swedish Club, Leikarringen of Leif Erikson Lodge 2-001, Leif Erikson Lodge 2-001, Katrilli Finnish Folkdancers and other Nordic organizations.  Kids and families learn traditional folk dances from all the Nordic countries and perform at various events throughout the year.  Normally, they practice twice a month September through June.  All are welcome to join and dances are taught so no prior experience is needed. 

Barneleikarringen@gmail.com

Bygdedeal is a play on words for a Seattle group that loves Scandinavian bygdedans. Performers are Skandia Folkdance Society teachers.  Hale Bill and the Bopps includes accomplished musicians who have trained extensively with Nordic tradition bearers. Music CDs are available at hfele@aol.com. 

Katrilli Finnish Folkdancers is based in the greater Seattle area and is 40 years young.  It is a blend of Finns, spouses of Finns, and Finn wanna-be's.  Finnish dancing is lively and keeps all of them in good health and young at heart.  Their dances show the distinct differences between the Swedish-speaking west coast and the eastern Karelian region with Russian influence.  Katrilli has performed in many different venues:  Midsommar festivals here and in Oregon; Folklife; Finnish festivals both in Washington State and Canada; local Finlandia Foundation and Nordic Museum events; and retirement homes.  They practice weekly at the Swedish Club and welcome new members. 

Contact:  Elaine Packard, espackard@msn.com 

Leikarringen has been performing traditional Norwegian dances and song dances for over 60 years. We are fortunate to have Bill Boyd as our fiddler playing both flat fiddle and Hardanger fiddle. We practice at Leif Erikson Lodge in Ballard on Tuesday nights; please come join us next fall when we begin practice again. Everyone is welcome. Leikarringenoflel@gmail.com 

NORDISKA: PAST, PRESENT, FUTURE

First there was the Skandia demonstration team in 1949.  Then in 1950, six couples toured Sweden for 2 months as Western American Folkdancers, performing square and round dances with Bill Holm wowing the crowd with native American dances.  Skandia founder Gordon E. Tracie spent another year in Sweden and on his return in 1951 decided it was time to have a separate performance team.  Thus in 1952 Nordiska was established.

Today many of those earlier dancers join us in this Skandia 50th Midsommar celebration.  In a truly thrilling moment, 2 sets of 8 couples simultaneously perform the traditional Swedish weaving dance Väva Vadmal.

If you think it can’t get better, keep watching, Yngre Nordiska Folkdancers join us for their set of Väva Vadmal.  The average age of this group is 10, almost all are grandchildren of Nordiska members.

Nordiska is blessed with live music from our incredible musicians.  Our history of live music began with the Pioneer Trio; Fiddlin’ John Sears on violin, Art Nation on Viola, and Gordon Tracie on guitar.  While the members have changed over the years, we have the awesome music of these talented and dedicated musicians which make dancing pure joy!

Thank you all for being with us today,

Janet Carlsson

Contact:  Vicki Nelson vickiandarne@gmail.com 

Finnish folk dance brightens up an unusual spring – here comes Lockdown Jenkka! 

Poulsbo Leikarringen meets weekly with more than 100 dancers ages 3-18 at the Poulsbo Sons of Norway. 

Contact:  Tess Doornink, mrsdoornink@gmail.com 

1. 1993 Skandia Midsommarfest, Poulsbo.  The dance is Birenbomskan (Sweden).  Band leader is Leslie Young, dance group leader is Rikke Rytter.

2.  Purpurit Finnish Folkdancers at the 2013 Scandinavian Midsummer Festival, Vancouver, BC. The dance is  Kesänmakkuhumppa (Taste of Summer Humppa).  Riitta Huttunen leads the group.

3.  Scandinavian Dancers dance the Malmö Mazurka at the 2015 Scandinavian Midsummer Festival, Vancouver, BC

4.  Scandinavian Dancers at the 2016 Scandinavian Midsummer Festival, Vancouver, BC. Springleik fra Vågå (Norway), danced by Paul Broste and Janet Gabites; Deborah Jones on fiddle.

5.  Scandinavian Dancers of Vancouver, at the 2016 Midsummer Festival, Vancouver Göingekadrilljen (Sweden)  music by Gammel Dansk.

6.  Scandinavian Dancers of Vancouver at the 2019 Midsummer Festival, Vancouver.  Karusellvals, music by Gammel Dansk with singers Yasushi Ishimura and Kaoru Henry.

http://www.vcn.bc.ca/scandi/