The Nordic Roots Program provides a space for artists of different experiences and cultures to work together and learn from each other. The large number of Scandinavian-Americans living in Minnesota makes it an ideal location for education and promotion of Scandinavian heritage.
Helping us celebrate our 35th Anniversary and part of our Nordic Roots Series, beloved Swedish duo, VÄSEN return! A very 'fiddle forward' night with support from The Nordic Fiddler's Bloc making their debut on The Cedar stage. Stringed instruments galore!
Making their Cedar debut and as part of our Nordic Roots Series, we welcome Jenni Venäläinen & Melkutus Party from Finland! Old Karelian tunes played by kantele, the traditional string instrument, have a minimalistic, improvisational and rhythmic nature that compliments the aesthetics of modern electronic ambient and party music. The concert program also contains new compositions based on the rich tradition of kantele.
Tall Poppy String Band and Northern Resonance are kindred spirit string trios at the forefront of their respective fields, deeply informed by American Old Time and Swedish music traditions while bringing together new instrument combinations and approaches to add to the canon of tradition. Like the Appalachian mountains of the US and the Scandinavian Mountains of Sweden which were once connected before continental drift, there’s a musical through line that connects the historic string band music of Sweden and the string band music that emerged in the US with the convergence of European and African influences. Together these bands present a musical journey across geography, modality and dance forms connecting the music of Sweden, America and beyond and then performing together to reconnect the old continents once again through music.
