Olav grew up in a family of fiddlers, dancers, and langeleik players in Øystre Slidre, Valdres. He has taught dance and fiddle in Valdres as well as in the U.S., and is a featured fiddler on a recent recording of Valdres dance music. Grounded solidly in the Valdres tradition, Olav's playing has a strength and a vitality that encourage dancing, and his teaching is sincerely caring and personable.

Mary has studied with master dancers in Norway and Sweden. She dances and performs with the Øystre Slidre spel- og dansarlag in Valdres and teaches Scandinavian dance in the Twin Cities.

Roo is a favorite instructor of novice and experienced dancers across the country. She and teaching partner Larry Harding are well known for their delightful teaching style and sensitivity to individual dancers' needs. Be sure to catch their early "warm-up" session on Friday.

Karin Code has been awarded several grants for intensive study of hardingfele in Norway, where she has also performed and taught at workshops and kappleiks. A skilled violin and viola instructor and member of the Kalamazoo Symphony Orchestra, she performs and lectures frequently about the hardingfele.

Workshops

Hardingfele: Each student must have a hardingfele in good playing condition. Beginners should be comfortable playing basic gammal dans tunes, be comfortable learning tunes by ear, and be able to tune the instrument.

Olav will work with advanced intermediate fiddlers, focussing on Valdresspringar tunes and hardingfele expression. Karin will work with fiddlers of all levels on playing techniques: producing a stronger, smoother tone, exercises for improving trills and intonation, foot tapping, what to practice, and more. Rather than working on new repertoire, Karin will help fiddlers play and sound bettter on tunes they already know.

Dance: Olav's dance workshops will focus on Valdresspringar. During fiddle classes, Mary, Roo, and Larry Harding will lead continuing dance sessions.

Workshops begin at 5 pm Friday with Roo's "Valdresspringar Basics" for those who are new to the dance or want an extra brush-up; and with Karin's "Introductory Valdres Hardingfele", followed by a potluck supper.

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 supplemetns. Saturday evening will feature a traditional Norwegian dinner.

Schedule

In addition to the Friday workshops described above, there will be a dance workshop for all from 8:00 - 10:00 pm. Fiddle and dance workshops will be held Saturday morning and afternoon, and Sunday morning. The Norwegian dinner and Valdres party on Saturday will begin at 7:00 pm.

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 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 January 23 are $100 for adults, $110 after. There are several part-time options available (see above note), 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 think you would like transportation for staying at a motel, we can let you know the one where most people stay. Or, you can rent a car at the Madison airport. 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.