Grieg Lodge 2-15 to Hold Showcase of Norwegian Music and Dance
A highlight of Grieg Lodge’s Centennial Celebration this year (April 17 to May 17) will be a day-long variety showcase of Norwegian music and dance, Saturday, April 24, at historic Norse Hall, 111 NE 11th (at Couch), Portland, OR 97232.
The Showcase begins at 1 p.m. with The Norsemen, a men’s choral group from Eugene. The Lodge’s children’s dance group, the Little Leikarringens, will perform traditional folk dances, and classical pianist Molly Beiningen will perform music written by Agathe Backer-Grondahl, one of Norway’s most famous women composers. Starting at 3 p.m., three of the Northwest’s best Scandinavian performing dance groups will be on stage: The Seattle Sons of Norway Leif Erickson Lodge Adult Leikarringen Dancers; The Nordlys Dancers from Vancouver, Washington, Columbia Lodge; and the Junction City Scandinavian Dancers. There is no charge for these events.
A light supper hosted by the Ladies Social Club will be available from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. ($5 per person). The evening portion of the Showcase begins at 7 p.m. with a 90-minute concert. Dancing will be from 9 p.m. to midnight. Cost is $15 per person. Children 12 and under are free; ages 13-18 are half-price.
The concert will feature artists from the Northwest who are masters of authentic Norwegian folk music and dance. They will play music from various regions of Norway on typical Norwegian folk instruments–Hardanger fiddle, accordian, Seljefloyte, Munn-Harpe and the flat fiddle, and vocals will feature traditional vocals unique to Norway. The dancing will demonstrate the “bygdedans” dances, or village country dances. These are dances and musical tunes, unique to a specific region or village, that have been handed down over the centuries from one generation to the next. Starting at 9 p.m. you will be able to dance to the sounds of Fossgrimen. This band, from Eugene, is perhaps the best of the Scandinavian dance bands in the Northwest. The first hour will feature “called” dances, and you will not need a partner nor any prior Scandinavian dance knowledge. For the “mixer” dances we will match you up with a more experienced dancer and walk you through.
Find your “inner Scandinavian” and join us for all or any part of this very special day. National attire is encourage but not required. Advance tickets are available from Edna Koroch (503.771.2689) or see www.norsehall.org for more information.
Source: Grieg Lodge
