Swedish Dance & Music Weekend
Folklore Village Farm in Dodgeville, Wisconsin
April 24 ~ 26, 1998
Featuring Stig & Helen Eriksson and Thomas Westling
and also with Becky Weis
 

Stig and Helen Eriksson, who live in Norrkoping, Ostergotland, are talented instructors who began dancing as teens growing up in Sweden. Stig taught Helen to dance, and she taught him to fiddle. They have been teaching for 20 years, in Europe and the US as well as in Sweden. The Erikssons won the famous Halsingland Hambo contest in 1993. Helen plays in the "Klintetten" Band.

Stig and Helen will present dances form Ostergotland, as well as a variety of their favorites from Jamtland and other parts of Sweden, including hambo plus hambo choreographies (variations). Their fun dances, clear, lively teaching style and fluent English make for an unforgettably delightful experience!

Thomas Westling, a Riksspelmann from Halsingland, began learning fiddle when he was 10, from both his father, Hugo Westling and his grandfather. Since the 1980s the Westling Spelmann have played for the Halsingland Hambo contest. They have produced 10 cassettes and have played on radio and TV. Thomas toured in the US with Bengt Jonsson in 1982 and worked with the Erikssons at Mendocino in 1997.

Thomas will work primarily with fiddlers able to pick up tunes at a moderate to quick pace, plus he will play for some dance workshops.

Becky Weis is a multi-talented fiddler from Minneapolis who has studied and played extensively in Sweden. She will offer instruction for fiddlers newer to Swedish fiddling, and will also play for some of the dance workshops.
 

Workshops

Workshop level(s), material and pace will be determined by the instructors, based on participants present. The more information you provide with your registraiton the easier it is for us to plan ahead.

Workshops begin at 5 pm Friday with an Advanced Fiddle Workshop (taught at a faster pace) and a Scandinavian Dance Basics Workshop. These workshops will be followed by a potluck supper.

Schedule

In addition to the Friday workshops described above, there will be a dance workshop for all from 8:00 - 10:00 pm followed by a dance party. Fiddle and dance workshops will be held Saturday morning and afternoon, and Sunday morning. Saturday evening will feature a traditional Swedish dinner at 7:00 pm followed by a concert and dance party.

Food

The cost of full-time registration includes breakfast, lunch, and dinner on Saturday, and breakfast and lunch on Sunday. Folklore Village serves excellent, hearty meals, including vegetarian offerings. People with specific dietary needs are asked to bring their own supplements.

Registration

Workshops are progressive, therefore this festival is designed for full-time participants. Part-time registrants will be accommodated as space permits. Your early registration is a great help in planning meals, workshop spaces, etc. If you would like additional information or a flyer to register, please contact Andrea at Folklore Village at 608-924-4000, or in writing to: Folklore Village Farm, 3210 Co. Hwy. BB, Dodgeville, WI 53533. Or you can contact Cassie Kight for additional information or to receive a flyer.

Cost

Full time fees before April 10 are $105 for adults, $115 after. This includes all workshops, meals, and dances. Housing is additional. There are several part-time options available as space permits, and different fees for teens and children.

Work Scholarships

Dishwashing and cooking opportunities are available for work scholarship. Please inquire early if you are interested in a work scholarship.

Accommodations

Bunkhouses are within walking distance at $8/person/night, one for women and one for men. They contain cots and pillows. Limited space. Showers are available at Farwell Hall for 25 cents. Tenting on grounds is available at $6/tent/night. Motels are available within 7 miles of Folklore Village. Please contact us for further information.

Travel to/from Madison (CEK Note)

Dodgeville is about 45 minutes west of Madison. You may be able to get a ride from Madison to Folkore Village (and returned after lunch on Sunday) with Madison folks. If you stay at the bunkhouse, it is within walking distance, and you will not need further transportation . If you would prefer to stay in a motel, several folks who attend the workshop will also be staying at a motel, and you can probably get a ride to/from with one of them. If you would like to arrange transportation from Madison to Folklore Village, please contact Andrea at Folklore Village, and she will contact Madison folks who have registered.