Swedish American Museum Midsommar Festival June 21

The Swedish American Museum's Midsommar Festival will be held at the Swedesburg Iowa Parish Hall on Saturday, June 21, beginning at 6 p.m. Festivities will include singing and dancing around the Majstang, (midsummer pole), and honoring the August & Ellen Johnson family, the featured immigrant family.

A concert will be presented by the Lower Iowa Nordic Ensemble, led by Dr. Tyler Hendrickson, Assistant Adjunct Professor of Viola at the University of Northern Iowa and the Instructor of Violin & Viola at Kirkwood Community College.

The Lower Iowa Nordic Ensemble, (L.I.N.E.) is a group of fiddlers based in Iowa City who meet regularly to play folk music from Norway, Sweden, and Finland. A notable feature of this ensemble is its focus on music for the Hardanger fiddle—the national folk instrument of Norway. This unique instrument is highly decorated with carving, inlay and inkwork in addition to the 4 or 5 sympathetic strings that add to the instrument's unique sound. The first half of L.I.N.E.’s concert will feature tunes for the Hardanger fiddle. The second half will be devoted to folk tunes of Sweden and will be played on regular violins.

The Midsommar program will close with the customary singing of Halsa dem Darhemma, followed by a dessert of strawberries and ice cream. Free will donations will be gratefully accepted.

For anyone interested in visiting the museum and gift shop, becoming a member, donating or for more information please follow us on Facebook at Swedish American Museum, or call 319-254-2317. Email: swedish@iowatelecom.net.

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