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47th Annual Nordic Ball
Date: March 28, 2026 Location: Ukrainian Center. This evening of dance, music, culture, and community has been a beloved tradition in the Twin Cities Enjoy live music from a variety of local ensembles, open dancing as well as beginner-friendly mixers and the Grand March, a cash bar, and Nordic inspired cuisine. You are invited to wear your traditional folk costume if you have one, if not, lean into your creativity and wear an outfit you would enjoy dancing the night away in! |
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Irish Arts Minnesota: St. Patrick's Day
Date: March 17, 2026 Location: Landmark Center, Weyerhauser Auditorium and Location: Waldmann Brewery Irish Arts Minnesota celebrates St. Patrick’s Day with a special concert by The McNordiques on March 17, 2026 at the Landmark Center’s Weyerhaeuser Auditorium. Featuring Tom Klein (uilleann pipes), Dan Newton (accordion) and Renee Vaughan (nyckelharpa) their musical offering brings Irish, French and Nordic traditions together. Later that day stop in to Waldmann's to hear a Irish, French and Nordic band play in a German brewery. |
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Private Event
Date: March 9, 2026 Wedding Luncheon. Music will be inspired by 1700's traditional Swedish folk polonesse. |
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International Women’s Day: Nordic Newcomers
Location: American Swedish Institute & Tapestry Folkdance Center Date: March 8, 2026 Celebrate International Women’s Day at ASI with a program highlighting women who immigrated to the Upper Midwest from Nordic regions, bringing their tunes, instruments, and dances from the old country.We’ll honor the legacy of fiddler Tång Anna, säckpipa (Swedish bagpipes) players Anna Larson and Hol Brita Skifstrom, hardingfele player and telespringar dancer Dagny Quisling, kantele player Suoma Simi, plus more. This special event is hosted by nyckelharpist Renee Vaughan and features live performances with Diane Jarvi, Laura MacKenzie, Sarah Pradt, Mattie Snyder, Synneva Bratland, Carol Sersland, Kari Tauring, Elise Peters, and more! |
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We Midwinter Folk Festival
Date: February 22, 2026 Location: American Swedish Institute Strings and voice, poetry and story blend together to create Berätta, a new musical project with multi-disciplinary artist, Rose Arrowsmith and Renee Vaughan on nyckelharpa. Berätta, which means to tell, invites Midwinter Folk Fest listeners to journey through the dark of winter with the help of candlelight and legends, dancing and dreams of summer days to come. We will be joined by very special guest, Paul Sauey on cittern. |
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The Cedar Commissions
Date: February 21, 2026 Location: The Cedar Cultural Center Mikey Marget (they/them) is a Minneapolis-based cellist and songwriter. Their instrumental music combines traditional folk with modern electro-acoustic elements, and address topics including: the joy of community connection, personal and collective mental health, and queer experience. This project will weave traditional and modern musical elements with poetry and puppet masks to explore the concept of connection during our human-caused climate crisis |
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Midwinter Folk Festival
Date: February 21, 2026 Location: American Swedish Institute Ever wonder what tunes were played by a transgender nyckelharpist in a Stockholm tavern in 1702? Or what music filled the barn dances hosted by botanist and polska dancer, Carl Linnaeus? How did the stately polonaise evolve as it traveled from refined royal courts into the lively village dances of everyday people? And how do these tunes sound today, shaped by modern aesthetics and Nordic guitar? Renee Vaughan’s Nordstär Ensemble presents a set of lively 16th-note polska (commonly referred to as slängpolskor) and will feature Renee Vaughan (nyckelharpa) Paul Sauey (guitar and cittern), Laura MacKenzie (säckpipa and wood flutes), and Sarah Pradt (fiddle). Very special guests Rose Arrowsmith (poetry and song) and Elise Peters (dance!) and more! Together they bring to life some of Sweden’s hottest hits from the 18th century. |
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The Nordic Newcomers
Location: Sherburne County Historical Date: POSTPONED 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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Bakers Against ICE, Volume II
Wednesday, February 4 from 6:30–8:30 PM Location: La Doña Cervecería An evening of fundraising, music, and community. More than nine bakers, (including Rachel Klose!) will be providing baked goods, alongside jewelry makers offering handmade items and a raffle with prizes valued at $200. Live music will be provided by Paul Sauey and I’ll join for a few tunes. All proceeds will benefit the Joyce Uptown Food Shelf, the Minnesota Immigrant Rights Action Committee, and families directly in need of rent relief and grocery support. |
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BalFolk Social Dance
Date: January 28 Location: Tapestry Folkdance Center Join Bob Walser & Friends to celebrate dances from Brittany, the Auvergne and other regions of France. No experience or partner needed for this enticing mix of circle, line and couple dances from the hypnotic and groovy to the energetic and sometimes even goofy All dances will be taught and live music from Bob Walser, Dan Newton, Elizabeth Rowan, Tom Klein, Laura MacKenzie and Renee Vaughan |
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Nordic Soundscapes Festival
Date: January 17, 2026. 6:15-6:45 Location: Minnesota Orchestra Hall, Roberta Mann Grand Foyer Renee Vaughan (nyckelharpa), Paul Sauey (guitar) bring traditional Swedish folk tunes to the Minnesota Orchestra’s "Nordic Soundscapes Festival." Their performance celebrates the distinctive rhythms and textures of Nordic folk music, setting the tone for an evening of orchestral works by Sibelius and more, conducted by Søndergård. PS The MN-O promises "the story of Hamlet’s Ophelia from her perspective". We might do that too, but tell the story of Ophelia from Taylor's perspective. |
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Nyckelharpa!
Date: January 24, 2026 Location: Heritage Library With an unbroken tradition spanning over 700 years, a typical nyckelharpa today boasts 16 strings—three dedicated to melody, one drone string, and the remaining 12 as resonant strings, contributing to its distinctive rustic and ethereal sound. This presentation shares the nyckelharpa's cultural significance, its journey to America, plus the musicians and makers who continue its legacy. |
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Our Stories Night
Date: January 16, 2026. 5:30-7:30 Location: Wayzata Our Stories night ight is a new event designed for the students, families, and staff of Greenwood Elementary to celebrate cultures and traditions, and to share what they value and how their cultural stories shape their lives. The evening features music, dance, and storytelling including Swedish nyckelharpa, African drumming, Irish dance, Classical East Indian dance, and Indigenous rap. |
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Minneapolis Institute of Art Family Day
Date: January 11, 2026, 10:30am - 12:30 Location: Minneapolis, Minnesota Nordstär Duo is thrilled to perform for the Minneapolis Institute of Art’s Family Day, a free monthly event filled with hands-on art activities, storytelling, artist demos, and more. Enjoy live music and an up-close look at traditional Swedish instruments, featuring Renee Vaughan on nyckelharpa and Laura MacKenzie on säckpipa (Swedish bagpipe) and wooden flute. |
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12th Day of Christmas Jul Ball
Date: January 5, 2026 Location: American Swedish Institute Send off the holiday season with a hop, leap, and twirl at ASI’s first annual 12th Day of Christmas Jul Ball! Bring a partner or find one here to dance the night away under the twinkling lights (of Larson Hall). All dance skill levels are welcome, and light instruction will be provided. Make new friends and traditions at this magical night. Renee and Paul Sauey will play a few tweeners through the evening. |
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WCCO Morning News
Date: January 3, 2026 The Minnesota Orchestra’s Nordic Soundscapes festival will be featured on WCCO’s Saturday Morning segment. Representatives and members of the MN Orchestra will be there, along with folkies, Renee Vaughan (nyckelharpa) and Paul Sauey (guitar) to keep the Nordic tunes flowing freely, we're taking it from Sibelius to Sahlström! |
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The Festival of Christmas & Midwinter Traditions
Date: December 28, 2025 - January 1, 2026 Location: Dodgeville, WI The Festival of Christmas & Midwinter is Folklore Village’s longest running festival. Now in its 78th year, the festival includes workshops in dance, song, music, and craft; kids programming; cultural meals; evening parties; and so much more. Artist and musician Renee Vaughan will lead this year’s Community Art Project, a painting of Folklore Village in the Swedish Dalmålning style. “If These Walls Could Talk” featuring Farwell Hall, Aslak Lie House, Plum Grove Chapel, Wakefield Schoolhouse, Folklore Village "Star," Jane Farwell playing accordion, Prairie grass and design elements from vintage Folklore Village brochures |
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Christmas Eve Family Service
Date: December 24, 2025, 11:00am. Location: First Presbyterian Church of Stillwater A warm and interactive retelling of the Christmas story, the Christmas Family Service invites children and adults to participate as carols are woven throughout. The service will also include featured music by Renee Vaughan on nyckelharpa. |
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Gammelgården Annie's Jul Kaffe Party
Date: December 20, 2025 Location: Scandia, MN Celebrate the holiday season at Gammelgården’s annual gathering in Välkommen Hus, festively decorated for the Jul season. Savor three courses of Swedish seasonal favorites—cardamom bread, scones, meats, cheeses, fruits, breads, crackers, and sweet endings of rice pudding and cookies. Enjoy the sounds of live Swedish Jul music with Renee Vaughan on nyckelharpa. To RSVP, please call the Butik at (651) 433-5053 on Wednesday-Saturday from 10am-4pm |
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The Acreage Private Holiday Party
Date: December 19, 2025 Location: The Acerage at Osceloa Renee Vaughan (nyckelharpa) and Paul Sauey (guitar) share a private performance at The Acreage, a stunning creative retreat focused on community, wellness, and responsible earth stewardship. |
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Jazz Inspired Nordic Jul Tunes
Date: December 17, 2025 Location: Finnish Bistro Vårvindar brings a fresh blend of jazz inspiration to traditional Nordic melodies. Come to our inaugural perfomance at the The Finnish Bistro and enjoy authentic European cuisine and bakery. Vårvinder features Oliver Hunter (saxophone), Mattie Snyder (cello), Mary Cait Bayliss (violin) and Renee Vaughan (nyckelharpa) |
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Jul Concert & Dinner Braham Brewing
Date: December 12, 2025 Location: Braham, Minnesota This festive evening brings together the tastes and sounds of a Scandinavian Christmas, with a traditional Nordic holiday meal and live music to fill the room with warmth and cheer. Music will feature Renee Vaughan (nyckelharpa,) Mattie Snyder (cello) Sarah Pradt (hardingfele,) and Judy Peterson (pump organ) Celebrate Jul in true Nordic style. |
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Julmarknad at American Swedish Institute
Nordstar Ensemble Sets: December 6, 2:00 - 4:00 will be Renee Vaughan (nyckelharpa) with Paul Sauey (guitar) Laura MacKenzie (wood flutes and säckpipa) and Sarah Pradt (hardingfele) December 7, 10:00-12:00 will be Renee Vaughan (nyckelharpa) with Paul Sauey (guitar) Mattie Snyder, (cello) and Sarah Pradt (hardingfele) The sights and sounds of the holiday market, or Julmarknad, come to ASI during the first weekend in December at one of the largest handcraft markets and holiday festivals. |
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Julmarknad at American Swedish Institute
Solo Sets Saturday: December 6 – 12:30-1:30pm Sunday: December 7 – 12:30-1:30pm Location: American Swedish Institute Ballroom The sights and sounds of the holiday market, or Julmarknad, come to ASI during the first weekend in December at one of the largest handcraft markets and holiday festivals. |
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European Christmas Market
Date: November 29, 2025. 6:00-7:30 Location: St. Paul Union Depot Enjoy the wonderful atmosphere of an authentic European Christmas Market while supporting our local crafters and artisans selling unique, handmade holiday gifts and delicious European and festive foods! Renee Vaughan (nyckelharpa) and Paul Sauey (guitar) will be sharing Swedish Jul favorites |
Renee Vaughan and the Skandibears Orkester play lively Nordic dance tunes including polska, hambo, schottis, sønderhoning, polka, waltz and more. Their unique pack of instruments has included nyckelharpa, hardingfele, fiddle, accordion, guitar, cittern, pipes, and washboard—a pawsitively delightful treat to listen and dance to!
