Celebrate Norway in Music and Song!

After 15 incredible Upper Midwest tours, Norwegian Trumpeter Kai Robert Johansen is making his farewell autumn tour along with an all new troupe. Once again he brings the musical artistry from his home area of Østfold County in southeastern Norway.  Østfold County includes the picturesque cities of Moss, Fredrikstad, Halden and Sarpsborg, and the music he brings reflects their charm. We are privileged to once again have him perform for us along with Norwegian vocalist Ellen Karine Lanne accompanied by Jane Catlin Bracken. 

*Please note that due to limited space, registration for this luncheon is currently being offered for members only.*

Katy Smith has spent a career engaging communities in transformative conversations. She is a keynote speaker, an educator, a trainer, and a valued resource for parents and educators. Katy is the 2011 Minnesota Teacher of the Year, the first early childhood teacher in Minnesota, and the first parent educator nationally, to be honored with the award.

*Please note that due to limited space, registration for this luncheon is currently being offered for members only.*

Kari Tauring is a Nordic root musician, cultural educator, and spiritual leader living in Minneapolis, Minnesota. A völva (staff/wand woman in Old Norse), Kari carries the staff of tradition within the folkway of her maternal Norwegian ancestry as it was given to her and as revealed through folk songs, stories, runes and ancient poetry, music and dance, and material culture. Kari shares her own unfolding journey as a kjærringa med staven through performance, education, recordings, and authorship. Kari (the Lady with a Stick) will help Norway House host a series of "sweat bathing" workshops and experiences during the 612 Sauna Society residency being held there this February, culminating in Kalevala day on the 28th.

Major Georgette Danczyk will share her experiences participating in the Norwegian Reciprocal Troop Exchange (NOREX), in February 2013 and June 2016.

Major Danczyk was a Public Affairs Officer for the Minnesota National Guard Joint Force Headquarters, and is currently pursuing a PhD in Cognitive Science at the University of MN. 

Urban Growler® Brewing Company was opened in July 2014 by Master Brewer Deb Loch and co-head honcho Jill Pavlak. These two combined their complementary skills and passions to create great beer, food and space for everyone. When Urban Growler® Brewing Company opened, it was the first women owned brewery in the state of Minnesota. 

Leif and Janis Andol 

Leif Andol was 19 when he came to the United States with two friends, planning to return to Norway in two years.  He did visit Norway about five years later, and met a young woman and convinced her to come to the United States and marry him.  They were married 53 years and visited Norway many times. One month after arriving in the U.S., he had to register for the draft. Since English was not allowed to be taught during the Norway occupation, he learned most of the language after he was here, while serving in the U.S. Army. During World War II, Hitler’s army occupied Norway for five years. Leif was 15 when the war ended, so he has many memories of those years. Leif's wife, Jan will play a musical selection on her “saw” at the end of the program.