Here are links to social dances, performing dance groups, and dance instruction, as well as some background information about Scandinavian dancing generally.
Couples' dances and mixers
~waltz, schottische, polska, hambo, tango, polka, mazurka, humppa, springar~
Everyone is welcome, singles or couples, beginner or experienced. No partner necessary.
1st Sunday Swedish Hambo
Tapestry Folkdance Center, 3748 Minnehaha Avenue, Minneapolis
(map)
6 to 8 p.m.
$6 regular, $5 Tapestry members
Dance and Music Lessons from 6 to 7 p.m. Dancing from 7 to 8 p.m.
Students will learn to dance or play the music for the most popular folk dance in Sweden, the hambo. During the first hour, musicians will learn Swedish hambo styling while the dancers learn the steps in another space. The second hour dancers and musicians come together in the large room. Music lessons will emphasize bowing technique but all instruments are welcome.
October 3
Dance Instructor: Mary Hegge with Judy Kjenstad playing for teaching
Musician instructor: Daniel Dahlin
2nd Sunday Dance
Tapestry Folkdance Center, 3748 Minnehaha Avenue, Minneapolis
(map)
6 to 9 p.m.
$9 regular, $7 members
Lesson from 6 to 7 p.m. Social dance from 7 to 9 p.m.
September 12 - Swedish Schottis variations
Dance Instructor: Elise Peters with Judy Kjenstad playing for teaching
Musicians: Namnlös.
Special guest: Mary Seim all the way from Norway! Mary, Sigurd and Ella will be visiting Minnesota so we will spend the last half hour jamming to celebrate how far the dances have come since she started them here at Tapestry years ago. Bring your instruments and join in.
3rd Sunday Progressive Dance
Tapestry Folkdance Center, 3748 Minnehaha Avenue, Minneapolis
(map)
6 to 9 p.m.
$6 regular, $5 members
Lesson from 6 to 7 p.m. Social dance from 7 to 8 p.m.
The 3rd Sunday Dances are especially tailored for beginning dancers. Starting with the basic polka step, the difficulty of the dances will slowly increase each month until the next thing you know, you are dancing a hambo!
During the dance lesson the musicians will learn to play for dancing next door in the small space.
The last hour dancers and musicians come together in the large room and work together.
September 19 - Norwegian Polka
Dance Instructors: Mary Crimi and Craig Johnson
Musicians: Char Bostrom and Art Bjorngjeld
October 17 Swedish Polkett
Dance Instructors: Mary Crimi and Craig Johnson
Musicians: Char Bostrom and TBA
4th Sunday Dance
Tapestry Folkdance Center, 3748 Minnehaha Avenue, Minneapolis
(map)
6 to 9 p.m.
$9 regular, $7 members
Lesson from 6 to 7 p.m. Social dance from 7 to 9 p.m.
September 26 - Finnish Polka
Dance instructors: Daniel and Gaelyn Beal
Musicians: Finn Hall
October 24 - Bingsjö Polska
Dance instructor: Mary Hegge
Musicians: Paul Dahlin and Friends
Occasional Friday Dance
Kramarczuk's Deli and Sausage Co., 215 East Hennepin Ave, Minneapolis (map)
6:30 to 8:30 p.m.
$2 cover charge
Kramarczuk's is Finn Hall's "Nordeast home." Bring the children; this is a family-friendly place.
Great food, beer and wine available, and of course dance space! Contact Ralph Tuttila (raulit [at] msn [dot] com) for more info.
Dannebrog Folk Dancers
Danish American Center, 3030 W. River Parkway S., Minneapolis
(map)
Finnish
Kisarit Finnish American Folk Dancers
Thursdays from 7 to 9 p.m.
International Institute, 1694 Como Avenue, St. Paul
(map)
Contact Gaelyn (952) 835-0529, or Coleen (651) 407-0588.
Norwegian
Det Norske Folkedanslaget
First and third Mondays from 7 to 9 p.m.
American Swedish Institute, 2600 Park Avenue, Minneapolis
(map)
Fjell og Fjord Youth Dance Group (kids' group)
Thursdays
Fuller Community Center, 4800 Grand Avenue S., Minneapolis
(map)
Contact Carol (612) 822-7416 or sersla [at] aol [dot] com.
Swedish
Twin Cities Swedish Folk Dancers
Second and fourth Mondays from 7:30 to 9 p.m.
American Swedish Institute, 2600 Park Avenue, Minneapolis
(map)
Contact Joyce (612) 729-2047 or joyce [dot] hanson [at] hotmail [dot] com.
Vasa Jr. Folk Dancers (kids' group)
Saturdays
Contact Janice (612) 729-0334, or JoAnn (612) 722-6783.
Pan-Scandinavian
Tapestry 2nd Sunday Dance
Carol Sersland, Mary Hegge, Elise Peters, and Mary Crimi
American Swedish Institute
Elise Peters
Festivals
Dance instruction by local and visiting teachers is offered at Folklore Village and Nisswa-stämman.