East Central Regional Library in partnership with the Pine County Historical Society in Askov welcome people of all generations and dance levels to check out a series of folk dance instruction and live performance at the Pine County Historical Society in Askov.
The series begins on Saturday, March 4 at 1 p.m. with Norah Rendell and the Lost Forty, featuring Live Ireland’s “Best Irish Vocalist of 2011 and 2012,” Canadian singer and flutist Norah Rendell. She is joined by multi-instrumentalists Brian Miller and Randy Gosa. Inspired by Celtic traditions from Newfoundland to Minnesota, they perform songs that crossed the Atlantic and became part of the cultural heritage of the Great Lakes and Canada.
Next on the schedule, on Saturday, April 1 at 1 p.m., is an award-winning group from Minneapolis called Finn Hall. These musicians recreate the feel and sounds of the historic Finnish-American dance halls for local dancers offering waltz, polka, schottische, mazurka, tango, humppa and other dances.
The folk dance series continues with the Norwegian sounds of De glada on Saturday, May 6 at 1 p.m., followed by an Octoberfest event later in the fall.
No registration is necessary for these events, which are free and open to the public. The dance workshops are geared for ages 14 and up, and singles and couples are welcome. This project was funded with money from Minnesota’s Arts and Cultural Heritage Fund.