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Duluth-stämman: Folk Music & Dance Festival.
Date: June 13 & 14 Location: Duluth, MN The Nordic Center is proud to present the 2nd annual Duluth-stämman: Folk Music & Dance Festival. Dances, workshops, jam circles, performances, youth activities, inclusive to people of all ages, backgrounds, and abilities. FYRA will be performing traditional Nordic music with fresh arrangements: Renee Vaughan (nyckelharpa), Sarah Pradt (hardingfele), Laura MacKenzie (wooden flute and säckpipa) and Erin Walsh (cello). |
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Salad Hilowle: Inscriptions: Exhibit Opener
Date: June 20, 2025 6:00PM-8:00pm Location: American Swedish Institute, Mpls Experience the moving image, sound, and sculpture of internationally acclaimed artist Salad Hilowle, offering a poetic exploration of the African experience in Sweden over time. Music by Nordstär Ensemble, featuring Renee Vaughan nyckelharpa, Laura MacKenzie wooden flute and säckpipa, Paul Sauey guitar, Sarah Pradt hardingfele, and Dan Newton accordion, plus we will be joined by very special esteemed guest, Somali percussionist Harbi Kahiye. Ticketed Event |
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Midsommar at American Swedish Institute
Date: June 21, 2025. 3:00pm Location: American Swedish Institute, Mpls Midsommar is a joyous tradition that welcomes summer with flowers, music, and dancing around the midsommarstång (maypole). Nordstär Ensemble, will perform a set and play for maypole dancing feature Renee Vaughan nyckelharpa, Laura MacKenzie wooden flute and säckpipa, Paul Sauey guitar, Sarah Pradt hardingfele, Dan Newton accordion, plus we will be joined by very special esteemed guest, Somali percussionist Harbi Kahiye . Ticketed Event |
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Harmonizing Identities: The True Story of a Transgender Nyckelharpist in 1700s Sweden
Date: June 26, 2025. 6:00PM (Pre & Post Program Music) Location: American Swedish Institute, Mpls Renee Vaughan—nyckelharpist, gender studies researcher, and ally—shares the powerful story of Magnus Johansson—a groundbreaking nyckelharpa player born in 1683 and assigned female at birth, (named Maria Johansdotter) they moved to Stockholm in 1702, performing in taverns while boldly defying gender norms. Their songs? Sharp political satire aimed at powerful figures who silenced dissent. After receiving a male passport, they began living openly as Magnus Johansson--led a church choir, lived passionately—earning a reputation both as a musician and a lorthario. Before and after the presentation, listen to live music Magnus may have played, along with other well-known tunes from the time and region. Renee Vaughan (nyckelharpa), Paul Sauey (guitar), and Mikey Marget (cello) and Dan Newton (accordion) Free event |
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American Craft Council Fest
Date: June 28, 2025. 9:00 - 11:00am Location: St. Paul Union Depot The American Craft Council Fest 2025—a perfect setting to celebrate Nordic folk music and the expert craftsmanship behind each of our traditional instruments. Renee Vaughan and the Nordstär Ensemble will feature Renee Vaughan on nyckelharpa, Sarah Pradt on hardingfele, Laura MacKenzie on säckpipa and wooden flute, and Paul Sauey on guitar. We’ll be sharing music and instrument insights—connecting Swedish and Norwegian folk traditions to the rich world of American craft. Ticketed event. |
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Red Pine Winery Midsommar
Date: June 28, 2025. 2:00 - 4:00pm Location: Cambridge, Minneapolis Celebrate Midsommar with Nördstar Ensemble at Red Pine Winery, a family-owned vineyard with Swedish roots over 100 years strong. Enjoy music by Renee Vaughan and the Nordstär Ensemble featuring Renee Vaughan (nyckelharpa), Paul Sauey (guitar), Laura MacKenzie (wooden flute and säckpipa) and Sarah Pradt (hardingfele), along with some of the best wine in a charming setting in Minnesota. Music, tradition, and the raising of the midsommarstång--welcome summer. Skål! |
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Scandia Farmer's Market
Date: July 9, 2025 Location: Scandia, MN Check out the small-town market offerings of local goods and fresh produce. Be sure to swing by the Bone Lake Meadows Apiary for the best honey and the biggest friendly smiles. More musical details soon |
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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. |
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Enchanted Echos: Tales of Nyckelharpa and Näcken
Date: July 25, 2025 Location: Lake Elmo Public Library Explore the rich folklore woven into Scandinavian Folk Music, including legends of the Näcken, a shapeshifting spirit with the power to enchant musicians and their instruments. Once enchanted, their music held the extraordinary ability to make chairs dance and stop waterfalls. Musicians themselves could cast spells at one another, necessitating protective measures like a trollpåse hidden in their instrument. Free event |
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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 3, 2025 Location: Duluth, MN FinnFest is an international event that features lectures, films, live music, dances, tours, seminars, demonstrations, exhibits and Tori Nordic Fair with shopping and food. 1:00 Harmonizing Identities: The True Story of a Transgender Nyckelharpist in 1700s Åland to Sweden Time TBD: Music with Tre Björn a new folk trio featuring Kyle Gray Young on guitar and banjo, Renee Vaughan on nyckelharpa and Sarah Pradt on hardingfele. We will showcases a a pawsitively delightful variety of waltzes from Finland, Sweden, and Norway. |
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Scandia Farmer's Market
Date: August 13 & September 3, 2025 Location: Scandia, MN Check out the small-town market offerings of local goods and fresh produce. Be sure to swing by the Bone Lake Meadows Apiary for the best honey and the biggest friendly smiles. More musical details soon |
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Nordic Music Fest
Date: September 6, 2025 Location: Victoria, MN Elise Peters and Renee Vaughan --- aka "The Keyed Duo: Polska is Our Superpower!" are performing deeply rooted traditional Swedish music at the Nordic Music Festival in Victoria, MN! It’s a full day of Nordic music, dance, food, and culture—come for the music, stay for the lutefisk toss! 🐟🎉 |
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The Nordic Newcomers
March: September 19, 2025 Location: Sherburne County Historical Explore how Swedish musicians who immigrated to the Upper Midwest (late 1800s–early 1900s) shaped regional traditions with fiddles, button boxes, nyckelharpas, and bagpipes—leaving a legacy in both Minnesota and Sweden. Discover Tång Anna, a Swedish immigrant from the late 1800s who settled in Blue Hill, Sherburne County. Coming from a musical family, she left behind a tune still played in Sweden today. |
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Norsk Høstfest
Date: September 24-27, 2025 Location: State Fairgrounds, Minot, ND Renee Vaughan (nyckelharpa) and Laura MacKenzie (wooden flute, säckpipa) bring the heart of traditional Nordic music to Norsk Høstfest, performing tunes and playing instruments with roots that go back centuries. Their sound features the rich, resonant nyckelharpa—the national folk instrument of Sweden—alongside the säckpipa, a small Swedish bagpipe, and the wooden flute, known for its warm, earthy tone. Their performance highlights the signature rhythms and dance tunes of the Nordic countries, especially the many polska variations with distinctive regional styles found throughout Sweden, Norway, Denmark, and Finland. Many villages developed their own unique folk tunes and folk dances, creating a rich tapestry of local tradition. Renee and Laura also share stories and background that connect the music to its people and places. It’s a chance to experience Nordic folk music as it’s been passed down through generations—rooted in the old country and carried into the present with respect, energy, and heart. |
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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 |
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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. |
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Nordic Newcomers
Explore how Swedish musicians who immigrated to the Upper Midwest (late 1800s–early 1900s) shaped regional traditions with fiddles, button boxes, nyckelharpas, and bagpipes—leaving a legacy in both Minnesota and Sweden. Dates and Locations in October Tuesday, October 7 6:00 pm – Rush City Public Library Tuesday, October 14 6:00 pm – Milaca Community Library Saturday, October 25 10:30 am - McGregor Public Library |
Dalmålning av Kers Erik Jönsson, Lima, Leksand. 1836-7. "Tre Kvinnor ut Til Christi Graf." (Three Women at Christ's Grave) Dalarnas Museum, Sweden.
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Introduction to Swedish Folk Painting Dalmålning:
Learn about the history and cultural significance of this art form, Dalmålning, also known as kurbits painting, is a distinctive form of Swedish folk art from mid 1700's to the mid 1800's Dalmålnings are highly decorative and features imaginative fantasy plants with borders and typically tell a story of daily peasant life, royalty and religious motifs within local settings. Dates and Locations in October Monday, October 13 6:00 pm – North Branch Area Library Thursday, October 23 6:00 pm – Mille Lacs Lake Community Library Tuesday, October 28 6:00 pm – Hinckley Public Library Thursday, October 30 6:00 pm – Wyoming Area Library |
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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. |
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Jul Concert & Dinner Braham Brewing
Date: December 12, 2025 Location: Braham, MN Minnesota More details coming soon. |
Mpls. St. Paul International Film Fest (2025)
MN Orchestra: Nordic Soundscapes (2025)
Opening for Skye Consort (2025)
Opening for FRIGG (2025)
Midwinter Folk Festival at ASI (2025)
Minnesota State Fiddlers Association (2025)
Duluth Nordic Music Festival (2024)
Norsk Høstfest Festival (2024)
Vesterheim Norwegian Museum (2024)
Hjemkomst Festival (2024)
Folklore Village (2024)
Musician-in-Residence, UW-Madison (2024)
Morphy Hall
Minnesota History Center Theater
Landmark Center Theater
Mounds Theatre
St. Mane Theater
New York Scandinavian Festival
MN Bluegrass Festival
Nordic Music Festival
Minnesota State Fair
Norway House
MN Orchestra: Nordic Soundscapes (2025)
Opening for Skye Consort (2025)
Opening for FRIGG (2025)
Midwinter Folk Festival at ASI (2025)
Minnesota State Fiddlers Association (2025)
Duluth Nordic Music Festival (2024)
Norsk Høstfest Festival (2024)
Vesterheim Norwegian Museum (2024)
Hjemkomst Festival (2024)
Folklore Village (2024)
Musician-in-Residence, UW-Madison (2024)
Morphy Hall
Minnesota History Center Theater
Landmark Center Theater
Mounds Theatre
St. Mane Theater
New York Scandinavian Festival
MN Bluegrass Festival
Nordic Music Festival
Minnesota State Fair
Norway House