The Swedish Folkdance Club of Denver invites you to the
SCANDINAVIAN MIDSUMMER DANCE FESTIVAL
|
|
|
The Swedish Folkdance Club of Denver invites you to the
SCANDINAVIAN MIDSUMMER DANCE FESTIVAL
|
|
|
|
|
|
What is midsummer?
Scandinavians celebrate the summer solstice, the longest day of the year, with a festival of light, flowers, food, and music. The summer solstice celebration has its roots in pre-Christian practices and is a day when the spirits of nature join the human community to rejoice in the long days of summer. Midsummer was originally a fertility festival with many customs and rituals associated with nature and with the hope for a good harvest in autumn. People gather to sing and dance around the festive maypole, women wear flower wreaths on their heads, and some people dress in traditional folk costume. It is a time to escape to the country to spend a relaxing time in nature - a time to connect with friends and family and exuberantly honor the joys of life. |
 |
 > |
When is midsummer?
While the traditional day for Midsummer is June 21, the summer solstice, Estes Park will hold its celebration on the weekend of June 22 and June 23, 2013. The festival is open from 9:30 AM to 5:00 PM Saturday, and from 9:30 AM to 4:00 PM Sunday. Admission is free. |
|
Where is midsummer?
The Festival takes place in Bond Park, in downtown Estes Park at the
intersection of Elkhorn (the main street) and MacGregor Ave.
|
 |
|
What to expect?
This is a wonderful family event with something to interest people of
every age. Entertainment runs continuously throughout the day, with
dancing by various folk groups and live Scandinavian music performances.
There will be opportunities to join in and and dance along.
You'll find Scandinavian food and craft vendors, a Viking encampment, a
silent auction, and a raffle booth to win round-trip airfare for two to
Scandinavia, donated by Icelandair .
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
LINDSBORG SWEDISH FOLKDANSLAG
One of the long-standing traditions of the Estes Park Midsummer Festival, the Lindsborg Dancers, return again with their wonderful dancing and audience leadership. This group of Swedish folk dancers and musicians is based in Lindsborg, Kansas, a town nicknamed "Little Sweden, USA". These traditional folk dances come primarily from Sweden, with a few from Denmark, Norway, and Finland. Most dances are choreographed variations of the polska, waltz, schottis, hambo, polka, and engelska. They are danced in lines, circles, and couples. Dances and games for the whole family are a major part of a Swedish Midsummer. Lindsborg Folkdanslag will lead and teach traditional Swedish "around the maypole" dances, just as you'd find in Sweden today. Lindsborg Folkdanslag has become a frequent performer at folk festivals and special events - both Swedish and American - throughout Kansas and the region. In addition to performing here in Estes Park annually, they have danced in nearly every county in Kansas, plus states throughout the Midwest. They were in Sweden in 1994, the only year they did not come to Estes Park. |
 |
 |
COLORADO'S FJELLBORG VIKINGS
In the tradition of educational re-enactors, Fjellborg Vikings presents a Viking tent encampment with demonstrations of various skills including textile arts, blacksmithing, and carpenter work. Throughout the event our warriers will be giving demonstrations of live combat using sword, axe, spear, and shield. When you visit them, you will have a truly hands-on experience by studying museum quality reproductions of Viking chests, tools, carvings, weapons, and armor. Viking age re-enactors will provide insights of the home life, merchant trade routes, and conquests of the greatest expansion of European culture, unequaled until the time of Columbus. Fjellborg Vikings campsite and warrier competitions provide great family fun and educational experience of historical Scandinavian culture of the classic Viking age. |
|
ELIN PALMER
Hailing from the Swedish countryside, Elin began playing the violin and nyckelharpa when she was six. After emigrating to America and becoming an acclaimed multi-instrumentalist she has performed and/or recorded with many pop groups, including The Fray, DeVotchKa, and Crooked Fingers. She accompanies her ethereal pop vocals and Swedish inspired compositions on the nyckelharpa, violin, guitar, cello and accordion. "She is one of the most accomplished, storied accompanists in Colorado rock history." - Ricardo Baca, the Denver Post. Elin will be performing with her band on Saturday. Currently she resides in Sweden. |
 |
 |
RON TOMOCIK
Ron Tomocik from Denver is a versatile accordionist who specializes in Icelandic music. He taught Scandinavian music and dance across the country at various events and schools. He leads each of the national anthems for the opening ceremonies, and can be found strolling the fairgrounds with his accordion when he's not on stage. |
|
NORWEGIAN SOCIETY OF TEXAS LEIKARRINGEN
The Leikarringens were organized in 1975 as part of the newly formed NST, with the purpose of preserving, promoting and enjoying the Norwegian heritage as they pass along the music, dance, and traditions of their ancestors to their children. Their bunader was designed in 1988 prior to their first trip to Norway, using a Nordic costume pattern, of cotton fabric and embroidered wildflowers of Texas. They have exchanged visits with the Rakne Leikarringen from near Oslo, and performed at festivals across the West and Mid-West. They perform Scandinavian dances, mostly Norwegian, which have choreographed "tur" patterns. |
 |
 |
MARYANN AND BRYAN SODERBERG
The Soderbergs have been dancing for 25 years. After recently moving from California to Denver they formed the Swedish Folk Dance Club of Denver, which meets on Wednesday evenings at the Eastridge Recreation Center in Highlands Ranch. They teach a variety of Swedish dances, from the family dances to the more traditional set or group dances, and have performed both in California and Colorado. They will teach some easy Swedish dances on Sunday. |
|
EDELWEISS SCHUHPLATTLERS
The T.E.V.Edelweiss Schuhplattlers are a German folk dance group founded in 1958, based in Commerce City, CO. They specialize in the costumes, dancing and traditions of the Bavarian region of Germany. Their adult and youth dancers practice weekly and perform regularly for their local community, and are recognized at competitions throughout the US and Germany for their precision dancing and costumes. |
 |
|
|
|
If you would like to be a volunteer during the festival please contact Erik Peters at 720-524-6929. |
|
|
|
|
 |
For information about the Boulder Scandinavian Dancers contact:
For information about the Swedish Folk Dance Club of Denver contact: For information about the Fjellborg Vikings, For information about Midsummer Festival, To make planning your Estes Park trip easy, view or order the 2012 INSIDERS GUIDE TO ESTES PARK,
click here
|
|
|
|
|
 
|
Starting May 11, 2012, Icelandair begins non-stop service from Denver to Reykjavik. For over 70 years, Icelandair has been the benchmark in quality and service for international travel. They offer service to Iceland from Boston, New York-JFK, Minneapolis/St. Paul (seasonal), Orlando, Sanford, Halifax, and Toronto (seasonal). Connections through Icelandair's hub in Reykjavik are available to more than 20 destinations in Scandinavia, Great Britain, and Continental Europe. As always, passengers can stop over in Iceland for up to four nights on their way to or from our European destinations at no additional airfare. Become a member of our free Lucky Club and receive the latest specials from Icelandair. As our lowest fares and package have limited availability, Lucky Club members will have the advantage of receiving first notice of these incredible offers. For more information about Icelandair, our destinations, or Lucky Club membership, just click on our logo.
|
|
|
|
