Nordic Soundscapes Festival
Date: January 17, 2025 Location: Minnesota Orchestra Hall Renee Vaughan with Sarah Pradt and Ponyfolk bring traditional Swedish folk tunes and selections from other Nordic traditions to the Minnesota Orchestra’s Nordic Soundscapes Festival. This ensemble features Renee Vaughan (nyckelharpa), Paul Sauey (guitar), Clif Nesseth (fiddle), and Sarah Pradt (hardingfele). Their performance of traditional folk music highlights the unique rhythms of Nordic culture and sets the stage for an evening of orchestral works, including Edvard Grieg’s Peer Gynt. |
Opening for Skye Consort
Date: January 31, 2025 Location: American Swedish Institute On January 31, 2025, we’re excited to open for Skye Consort at the American Swedish Institute! Our new ensemble "FYRA" will be featured--Renee Vaughan (nyckelharpa), Sarah Pradt (hardingfele), Erin Walsh (cello), Laura MacKenzie (wind-powered instruments). Additional support from Paul Sauey (guitar), Dan Newton (accordion) and Tom Klein (cittern, pipes) We will perform tunes from the Nordic countries that you won't want to miss. |
Minnesota State Fiddlers Association
Date: February 22, 2025, 10:00-11:00 Location: Zoom Online Explore how Swedish musicians who immigrated to the Upper Midwest in the late 1800s - early 1990s adapted their music, influencing regional traditions with fiddles, accordions, nyckelharpas, and bagpipes. Learn about their enduring legacy in both Minnesota and Sweden. |
FRIGG! with FYRA Opening
Date: February 28, 2025, 7:30pm Location: Sacred Heart Music Center Finnish folk band Frigg combines nordic folk traditions with Americana influences creating a fresh world music sound often called "nordgrass." They have released 10 full-length albums and has been touring behind its 2023 release Perintö-Heritage. Opening for FRIGG is FYRA: Renee Vaughan (nyckelharpa), Sarah Pradt (hardingfele), Erin Walsh (cello), and Laura MacKenzie (wind-powered instruments Tickets Here. |
FYRA plays the Midwinter Folk Festival
Date: March 3, 2025, 12:00 noon Location: American Swedish Institute Join us for a dynamic weekend of Nordic folk music, where we will be one of many exciting performances, offering a blend of contemporary and traditional tunes. Alongside our quartet ensemble FYRA: Renee Vaughan (nyckelharpa), Sarah Pradt (hardingfele), Erin Walsh (cello), and Laura MacKenzie (wind-powered instruments), you'll experience a full schedule of concerts, workshops, and classes designed to dive deep into Nordic music and culture. Whether you're here to listen or to learn, this weekend promises a vibrant celebration of Nordic traditions. |
Nordic Social Dance
Date: March 8, 2025 Location: Tapestry Folkdance Center, Minneapolis Join us every Second Sunday of the month for dancing to live music from the Nordic countries. Renee Vaughan (nyckelharpa), Sarah Pradt (hardingfele) Dan Newton, (accordion) Elizabeth Rowan (accordion & washboard and Elise Peters (nyckelharpa) will play energetic and danceable tunes from the Nordic Countries. |
Irish Arts Minnesota
March 17, 2025, 2:20pm Location: St. Paul, MN. Weyerhauser Auditorium Waldmann March 17, 2025, 6:00pm Location: St. Paul, MN. Celebrate St. Patrick's Day with The McNordiques at the Landmark Center in Downtown St. Paul for a lively performance as part of Irish Arts Minnesota’s St. Patrick’s Day festivities. Then wrap up the festivities with us at Waldmann |
The Nordic Newcomers
March: March 23, 2025, 2:00pm Location: Hardwood Creek Library Explore how Swedish musicians who immigrated to the Upper Midwest in the late 1800s - early 1990s adapted their music, influencing regional traditions with fiddles, accordions, nyckelharpas, and bagpipes. Learn about their enduring legacy in both Minnesota and Sweden |
Twin Cities Nordic Ball
March: March 29, 2025, 5:00pm - 10:30 Location: Ukrainian Center, NE Mpls. Join us at the 46th Annual Twin Cities Nordic Ball for an immersive celebration of Nordic folk music and dance! Dress in your heritage folk costume or favorite attire and enjoy a night of live music, culinary delights, and dancing. Everyone is welcome to join. |
Private Event SASS
Date: April 26, 2025 Location: Minneapolis MN Renee Vaughan with Ponyfolk (Paul Sauey and Clif Nesseth) will perform traditional Nordic Music for listening and dance at the Society for the Advancement of Scandinavian Study (SASS) annual conference. SASS is an academic association dedicated to the history, languages, and cultures of the Nordic region, including Sweden, Norway, Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Greenland, Sápmi, and the Faroe Islands. |
Duluth-stämman: Folk Music & Dance Festival.
Date: June 13 & 14 Location: Duluth, MN The Nordic Center is proud to present the second annual Duluth-stämman: Folk Music & Dance Festival. This year’s festival will offer dances, workshops, jam circles, performances, youth activities, and a unique experience that is inclusive to people of all ages, backgrounds, and abilities. This year’s musical performers will include many of the finest Nordic musicians from around North America! More program details coming soon. |
Døtre av Norge International Convention
Date: July 19, 2025 Location: Souix Falls, SD The International Daughters of Norway convention in Sioux Falls, SD brings together women from across the country who are passionate about preserving Norwegian traditions. I'll be sharing tunes from Norway, including those from my heritage in Årdal and Finnøy in Rogaland, as well as some Norwegian immigrant tunes that were popular in the Upper Midwest. Special guest Bill Peterson, tradition bearer of upper-midwest fiddling. |
Summer Camp in Bemidji
Date: Starts July 26 Location: Bemidji, MN Immerse yourself in Nordic folk arts with Renee Vaughan and Sarah Pradt (with Demi and Janita) during this engaging week-long camp.
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FinnFest
Date: August 2-3, 2025 Location: Duluth, MN FinnFest is a unique international event, providing a meeting place for people of various backgrounds, intrigued by and connected to the Nordic cultures. For over 40 years, the festival has featured lectures, films, live music, dances, tours, seminars, demonstrations, exhibits and of course Tori (market place) Nordic Fair with shopping and food. Each festival and each day at FinnFest is different. More program details coming soon. |
Norsk Høstfest
Date: September 24-27, 2025 Location: State Fairgrounds, Minot, ND Norsk Høstfest is a four-day Scandinavian cultural festival in Minot, ND, featuring top-tier entertainment, genuine cuisine, skilled artisans, merchandise, camping, and many other attractions. More program details coming soon. |
Nørsk Høstfest in the School
Date: September 24-27, 2025 Location: Elementary Schools in Minot, ND Excited to bring Nordic music and folktales to the classroom again with Høstfest’s In the Schools program! This unique learning experience gives students the chance to explore Sweden’s national folk instrument, the nyckelharpa, and immerse themselves in rich Scandinavian traditions. Throughout the week, I’ll blend Swedish folk music and storytelling, making history and culture come alive as part of the festival’s ongoing celebration of Nordic heritage |
Introduction to Swedish Dalmålning
Date: October 4, 2025 Location: Dodgeville Wisconsin Explore the world of Swedish folk painting, also known as dalmålning, or “kurbits” painting. Learn about the history and cultural significance of this art form, followed by a hands-on workshop to create your own kurbits-style painting. This session is perfect for beginners, intermediates and anyone who identifies as kurbits-curious. |
Harmony for Mayo Concert Series
Date: November 17, 2025. 12:00 noon Location: Rochester Minnesota Traditional Swedish folk music featuring Renee Vaughan on nyckelharpa and Paul Sauey on guitar will be showcased in the Harmony for Mayo Concert Series, a music program made possible through the generosity of Rosemary and Meredith Willson (the "Music Man."). Performance will be live streamed throughout Mayo internal network. |
American Swedish Institute
Norsk Høstfest
KFAI Radio
Minnesota History Center
Mall of America
Morphy Hall
Vesterheim Norwegian Museum
St. Mane Theater
Norway House
Hjemkomst Festival
Minnesota State Fair
Scandinavian Fest New York
Nisswa-stämman
Duluth-stämman
Gammelgården Spelmanstämma
MN Bluegrass Festival
Milwaukee Bastille Days
Celtic Junction
Mounds Theatre
Pangea Festival
String Festival
Danish Sisterhood of America
IKEA
Folklore Village
Norsktoberfest
Waldmann's
Ginko Coffeehouse
St. Paul Central Library
Live from Studio J
Mindikirkin
Target Center
Danish American Center
Landmark Center
Gingko
Roseau County Historical
East Side Freedom Library
Duluth Folk School
Underground Music Cafe
University of MN
Macalester College
Isanti Historical Society
St. Croix Riverboat
Music Forrest Cafe
Twin Cities Nordic Ball
Hosmer Library
Stoughton Opera House
Java River Cafe
Julebyen
Nordic Julemarket
LogJam 7
Englewood Underground
Norwegian Am. Geneaology
Black Dog Coffee and Wine Bar
Nordic Culture Clubs Gala
Daughters of Norway Int.
Sons of Norway, Mpls.
Contented Cow
Dunn Bros. on Grand
331 Club
Eagle's Club
Saint Paul Farmer’s Market
Menahga Midsummer Festival
Alexandria Art in the Park
Flekkefest
Swedish Cultural Heritage Sciety
Alliance Française
Saga Klubban
Christmas in the Fort, Alexandria
Runestone Museum
Galleria, Edina
Hallinglag of America
House of Mercy
Alexandria Community Center
Aamodt’s Apple Farm
Finnish Bistro
Dubliner
Caydence Records
Linnea Garden
Trotter's Cafe
Claddagh Coffee
Good Templar Hall
Norsk Høstfest
KFAI Radio
Minnesota History Center
Mall of America
Morphy Hall
Vesterheim Norwegian Museum
St. Mane Theater
Norway House
Hjemkomst Festival
Minnesota State Fair
Scandinavian Fest New York
Nisswa-stämman
Duluth-stämman
Gammelgården Spelmanstämma
MN Bluegrass Festival
Milwaukee Bastille Days
Celtic Junction
Mounds Theatre
Pangea Festival
String Festival
Danish Sisterhood of America
IKEA
Folklore Village
Norsktoberfest
Waldmann's
Ginko Coffeehouse
St. Paul Central Library
Live from Studio J
Mindikirkin
Target Center
Danish American Center
Landmark Center
Gingko
Roseau County Historical
East Side Freedom Library
Duluth Folk School
Underground Music Cafe
University of MN
Macalester College
Isanti Historical Society
St. Croix Riverboat
Music Forrest Cafe
Twin Cities Nordic Ball
Hosmer Library
Stoughton Opera House
Java River Cafe
Julebyen
Nordic Julemarket
LogJam 7
Englewood Underground
Norwegian Am. Geneaology
Black Dog Coffee and Wine Bar
Nordic Culture Clubs Gala
Daughters of Norway Int.
Sons of Norway, Mpls.
Contented Cow
Dunn Bros. on Grand
331 Club
Eagle's Club
Saint Paul Farmer’s Market
Menahga Midsummer Festival
Alexandria Art in the Park
Flekkefest
Swedish Cultural Heritage Sciety
Alliance Française
Saga Klubban
Christmas in the Fort, Alexandria
Runestone Museum
Galleria, Edina
Hallinglag of America
House of Mercy
Alexandria Community Center
Aamodt’s Apple Farm
Finnish Bistro
Dubliner
Caydence Records
Linnea Garden
Trotter's Cafe
Claddagh Coffee
Good Templar Hall