The Cedar Presents
ASI's Midwinter Folk Festival: Midwinter Nordic Dance + HELENA HALLBERG
Saturday, March 2nd, 2024 / Doors: 6:00 PM / Show: 7:00 PM
All Ages
Seated
$25 General Admission, $50 Two-Day Pass
This is a both a standing and seated show with general admission, first-come-first-served seating. The Cedar is happy to reserve seats for patrons who require special seating accommodations. To request seating or other access accommodations, please go to our Access page.
General Admission tickets are available online.
listen
ABOUT THIS SHOW
Presented by the American Swedish Institute and The Cedar.
Explore contemporary and classic Nordic folk music in a special evening of live performance and dancing at the Midwinter Nordic Dance!
This special collaboration features an opportunity to learn and perform Swedish folk dances accompanied by the ASI Spelmanslag and Twin Cities Nyckelharpalag. EventGoers are encouraged to join in lively dancing and celebration—or to sit back and take it all in!
The evening includes an exciting performance by Swedish musician Helena Hallberg, a uniquely diverse artist who blends Folk, Jazz, and Pop to create a captivating fusion of traditional Nordic and American folk music.
The Midwinter Nordic Dance is presented as part of the American Swedish Institute’s Midwinter Folk Fest, a two-day celebration of all things contemporary and traditional folkways. MFF features hands-on activities, workshops, and performances by top folk artists from near and far. Explore Nordic folk music and dance with artists like Helena Hallberg, who will be leading a dulcimer workshop at ASI on Saturday before her performance at The Cedar.
Midwinter Folk Fest takes place at the American Swedish Institute from 10am-4pm on Saturday, March 2 and Sunday, March 3. Visit asimn.org for fest updates and schedule. A ticket to the Midwinter Nordic Dance is included in admission to either day of the Midwinter Folk Fest.
Helena Hallberg
Born to Swedish parents in picturesque Zurich, Switzerland, Helena Hallberg's journey as an artist is as unique and diverse as her background.
Drawing inspiration from Folk, Jazz, and Pop, she seamlessly combines these elements to create a musical tapestry, exploring themes of mental health, female empowerment, and multiculturalism.
Originally trained as a jazz vocalist, Hallberg's musical path took a fascinating turn when she fell in love with American folk music and the traditional instruments that accompany it. With her beloved Appalachian dulcimer, Henrietta, in hand, Hallberg brings this age-old instrument into the 21st century, spinning enchanting melodies into the fabric of her songs. “I know some people have millions of streams on Spotify, but I’ve convinced at least seven people to buy a dulcimer, so that’s pretty good in my book,” she says with a laugh.
In March 2024, Hallberg will release her debut album, EPITHET. Recorded at the iconic Power Station at Berklee NYC in New York City and produced by an all-female production team consisting of Hallberg, Mary Bragg, and Gloria Kaba. EPITHET promises to be a musical journey like no other. It’s a transformative adventure through the captivating landscapes of her music and storytelling.
To learn more about Helena Hallberg:
ASI SPELMANSLAG
The ASI Spelmanslag is the fiddling group of the American Swedish Institute. They play traditional folk music of Sweden, primarily from the region of Dalarna. NEA National Heritage Fellow, Paul Dahlin, founded the group in 1985, which has now grown to more than 40 fiddlers of all ages, from teenagers to octogenarians. The group regularly performs traditional dance tunes such as waltzes, schottisches, and polskas at festivals in the Upper Midwest region.
TWIN CITIES NYCKELHARPALAG
The Twin Cities Nyckelharpalag (Key Fiddle Group) was formed in 1998 to practice and perform Swedish folk music. Their repertoire is drawn mostly from folk tunes in Uppland, Sweden, where the nyckelharpa tradition has its roots. Whether leading a procession, playing for dancing, performing in concert or providing focus for special events, the TC Nyckelharpalag enthusiastically carries on Swedish traditions through music. In performance, members of the group wear folk-dräkt, folk costumes modeled after clothing worn on special occasions in the 19th century. The group is based in Minneapolis/Saint Paul, Minnesota and is affiliated with The American Swedish Institute.