Scandinavian Midsummer Festival - Folklore Village Farm

Annual Scandinavian Midsummer Festival

Folklore Village Farm

Dodgeville, Wisconsin

July 3 - 6, 1997

Aune Nokkala and Oiva Ylonen teaching Finnish folk dance with accordion player Dennis Halme
Join us for great folk dancing to live music, delicious Scandinavian foods, children's and family activities, and traditions of the summer solstice.

Aune became director of the Karelia Region Folk Dance Activities in 1970. Since moving to the USA in 1980 she has been an instructor and a dancer for the Kisarit Finnish American Folk Dancers (MN), and an instructor at several Tanhukurssi Minnesota.

Oiva has been involved in Finnish folk dance for 45 years. One of the original members of the Kisarit Finnish American Folk Dancers, he served as director/instructor for about 20 years, and was the principal organizer and translator for all the Tanhukurssi Minnesota.

Dennis has a wide repertoire of Finnish dance and folk music, and he has artistic mastery of the accordion. He has been the principal musician for the Kisarit Dancers since 1978 and accompanying musician for the Tanhukurssi Minnesota seminars. Dennis has also entertained and accompanied extensively in the USA, Canada, and Finland.

Aune and Oiva will teach a variety of Finnish dances: couple dances including Humppa, Jenkka (schottisch), Polkka, and possibly a Minuetti. They will also lead figure dances (sets, circles, line), teach Finnish songs, and present a fascinating "culture hour".

Dennis will provide music for dance workshops and evenings and lead musical "jam sessions" playing some beautiful and fun Finnish tunes.

The weekend will also feature Laulupaasi, a small group of women from Madison who play the Kantele, Finland's national instrument. Laulupaasi will present traditional melodies in a mini-performance Friday evening.

There will be a Scandinavian Majstang to be decorated, raised and danced around on Friday afternoon. In the Finnish Juhannus (midsummer) tradition, Saturday evening's program will include a specially constructed bonfire (weather permitting).

Other activities will include crafts (himmell, hardanger embroidery, leaf printing, and card weaving), children's activities, music jam sessions, and a fundraising auction.

For additional information or to receive a flyer, please contact Folklore Village at 608-924-4000. Flyer information can be obtained by contacting Cassie Kight.