Norsk Høstfest: An experience of a lifetime!
Høstfest 2007. Photo by Henrik Pryser Libell
Norsk Høstfest, North America’s largest Scandinavian Festival, is celebrating its 32nd year, starting the evening of September 29 – October 3. Tens of thousands of people attend the event annually to celebrate and partake in the Scandinavian culture and entertainment. Over 200 internationally recognized artisans, craftsmen and chefs participate. The experience is an eclectic array of contemporary and traditional. The cuisine as well as the clothes, art and jewelry are authentic, fine quality and exquisitely Nordic.
The 2009 Norsk Høstfest promises to be the biggest and best festival ever. Headlining this year’s festival are, Reba McEntire, Frankie Valli & The Four Seasons, Ray Stevens, George Jones and Clint Black. When asked about the 2009 festival, Chester Reiten, Norsk Høstfest President remarked, “We have to continually improve and grow our festival so it remains a great value to our guests.”
Frankie Valli and The Four Seasons kick off Norsk Høstfest with Tuesday evening’s opening concert, September 29th at 7:30 PM. Frankie Valli, who came to fame in 1962 as the lead singer of the Four Seasons, is hotter than ever in the 21st century. Thanks to the volcanic success of the Tony-winning musical Jersey Boys, which chronicles the life and times of Frankie and his legendary group, such classic songs as “Big Girls Don’t Cry,” “Walk Like a Man,” “Rag Doll,” and “Can’t Take My Eyes Off You” are all the rage once again.
Clint Black performs in the Great Hall of the Vikings on Wednesday, September 30th at 1:00 PM, and again at 7:30 PM, Thursday, October 1st. He is a profound, not to mention prolific, songwriter. To date, he has written, recorded and released more than 100 songs, a benchmark in any artist’s career. An astounding one-third of the songs eligible for single release achieved hit song status on country radio
Reba McEntire graces the Great Hall of the Vikings stage at 7:30 PM , Wednesday, Sept. 30th and 1:00 PM, Thursday, Oct. 1st. From the moment you hear the voice, you know it: fierce and powerful, clear and passionate, a voice that could belong to no one else but the woman millions of fans the world over know only as Reba.
Ray Stevens takes the stage at 1:00 PM, Friday, Oct 2nd and Sat. Oct 3, 7:30 PM. Ray Stevens just thinks funny. His humor is keenly observant and rich in nuance. His style is unaffected and unpretentious which for the past fifty years has allowed for entertainment that is both witty and guileless. From his multi-million selling comedy hit, “The Streak” to the socially aware “Mr. Businessman” to his Grammy award winning pop standard “Everything Is Beautiful” his talent has touched so many.
George Jones is back on-stage at Norsk Høstfest at 7:30 PM, Fri. Oct 2nd and 1:00 PM Sat., Oct 3rd. From “She Thinks I Still Care” to “He Stopped Loving Her Today” to 14 other #1 Country hits, George Jones’s rich baritone voice is legendary. Over the past twenty years, Jones has frequently been referred to as “the greatest living country singer”.
In addition to the star-studded talent lineup in the Great Hall of the Vikings, other changes are coming to the 2009 Norsk Høstfest. The Norsk Høstfest Theatre is being added to the list of stages, bringing with it a new stage, entertainers and additional guest seating.
Many new acts as well as crowd favorites from past years will again perform on the 6 side stages. New entertainment to the festival include, “The Church Basement Ladies”, a hilarious musical highlighting what goes on behind the scenes when everyone else thought red and green jello on a lettuce leaf was as exciting as it got. You will not want to miss this national touring company production. adbacadabra the ultimate ABBA concert, will add to the festival excitement by performing 20 of the group’s greatest hits in full ABBA fashion and flair. You won’t be able to sit still in your seats as songs like S.O.S., Super Trooper and Dancing Queen are re-created with such precision you’ll swear you were listening to the originals themselves. Tom Netherton will be making his first appearance at Norsk Høstfest. One of the stars of “The Lawrence Welk Show”, Tom will take us on a musical journey that will enliven everyone’s spirits. JoAnn Castle returns, as well as Williams & Ree, Bjøro Haaland, The Oak Ridge Boys, The Peking Acrobats, The Ringling 5, Leah Durelle and many other favorites.
This year’s festival includes great performers, great food and great shopping. So make plans now to attend the 2009 Norsk Høstfest. Go to www.hostfest.com for more information and to order tickets. Tickets go on sale May 18th, 2009, or call 701-852-2368 (1020 South Broadway, Minot, ND).
