The Nordic Fiddlers Bloc is a fiddle trio from Norway, Sweden and the Shetland Islands who swiftly gained a reputation for their gripping and unique blend of fiddle music since their inception in early 2009.
Comprising Olav Luksengård Mjelva (Norway), Anders Hall (Sweden) and Kevin Henderson (Shetland Islands), each regarded as leading exponents of their respective traditions, they have found themselves in great demand throughout the world performing together as ‘The Nordic Fiddlers Bloc.’
With a firm focus on the rich traditional fiddle music from where they each belong, they have developed a sound that has been described as “unique”, “meaningful”, “intense” and “invigorating”. Their clever use of harmony, rhythm, riffs and bass lines creates a sound that leaves the listener enthralled but at the same time dumbfounded that the sound only comes from three fiddles.
Wednesday, May 2nd | 7pm | Tickets $20; $10 for SCC Members
Join Jenn for a basic, all levels yoga practice to celebrate the release of her book, Lunar Love Flow: practicing yoga with the Moon!
With the waning moon energy, she will take you through shapes that remain low-to-the-ground to introduce a more yin-like approach to movement and breath connection.
Saturday, May 12th | 9am – 9:40am | FREE with registration
Bring your own mat if you can.
Then, join Jenn and photographer, Liza Voll, to stay and discuss the book project coupled with Liza’s Icelandic nature photography series on exhibition in the Nordic Hall.
“Confrontation with mystery excites wonder. Whether as a child, when we discover a small universe, or as adults when overwhelmed by the beauty of some place. The Lofoten Islands 100 miles off the coast of Arctic Norway are such a place for me, where a vast, severe beauty forces breathless contemplation. This sort of experience takes us to a private place within.”
Lois T. Andersen is an expressionist and realist painter, illustrator, and art educator who lives and works in Concord, MA. She maintains a studio at the Umbrella Community Arts Center in Concord Center. View more of the artist’s work here.
STILLNESS will be on display March-April 2018 in the Nordic Hall. The free opening reception will be held Saturday, March 3rd from 7-9pm.
The German war machine arrives in Oslo in April 1940, leaving Norway’s king with a difficult choice that will change his country forever.
Saturday, May 19th | 1:30 | Free; donations accepted
130 minutes. In Norwegian with English subtitles.
Films start at 1:30pm. Refreshments for attendees are served at 1pm. Lunch (not included) is available in the Kaffestugan, which is open until 3pm every Saturday.
Swedish singer and accordionist Sunniva Brynnel grew up immersed in the Swedish folk song tradition. Together with her mother, also a folk singer, she travelled far and wide to festivals, concerts and spelmansstämmor – a folk jam meet-up made up of tunes, songs and of course fika (coffee and buns).
During her masters studies in jazz at the New England Conservatory, the conservatory library staff called her up and said … “Sunniva, we’ve found an old book of Swedish folk songs in our archive. We thought of you – do you want it?” She, of course, jumped at the chance!
From this book sprung the idea of this one-off concert; Swedish folk songs performed in a jazz context, by Sunniva with her trio of students from the New England Conservatory.
Saturday, April 28th | 1pm | admission $10 | free for SCC members
Maj Doris’ is a documentary that follows the 74-year-old legendary Sámi woman Maj Doris Rimpi. Twenty years ago she had another kind of life. She travelled all around the world and she experienced a lot. Nowadays Maj Doris lives alone on a farm above the arctic circle in Sweden. She keeps reindeers but she’s also a sought-after artist, painter and actress (e.g. Sámi Blood 2016).
Last winter was filled with hard work and she almost gave up. This winter Maj Doris gets help in an unexpected way, but does she have the energy to continue like this?
73 mins| In Swedish and Sami with English subtitles
Join us in the Nordic Hall as we welcome writer, activist, and author of Live Lagom: Balanced Living, the Swedish Way. Anna will discuss the Swedish concept of lagom–finding balance in moderation–featuring inspiration and practical advice on how to find a happy medium in life, home, work, and health.
Following the cultural phenomena of fika and hygge, the allure of Scandinavian culture and tradition continues in the Swedish concept of lagom. From home design and work-life balance, to personal well-being and environmental sustainability, author Anna Brones presents valuable Swedish-inspired tips and actionable ways to create a more intentional, healthy lifestyle. Instead of thinking about how we can work less, lagom teaches us to think about how we can work better. Lagom at home is about finding balance between aesthetics and function, focusing on simplicity, light, and open spaces. Health and wellness in lagom is a holistic approach for the body and mind–including connecting more in person, caring for self, managing stress, keeping active, and embacing enjoyment in daily routine. Live Lagom inspires us to slow down and find happiness in everyday balance.
Books will be for sale. All proceeds to benefit SCC programming.
ANNA BRONES is a Swedish-American freelance writer based in Seattle. She is the editor of the online food magazine Foodie Underground, has been featured in the New York Times, and is a contributor to a variety of publications including BBC, Guardian, Sprudge, Women’s Adventure, GOOD, and PUNCH. She is the author of several books, including Fika and Hello, Bicycle.
*please note this film will be screened at the MFA*
We are pleased to co-present the opening night film A Moment in the Reeds (Tämä hetki kaislikossa) as part of Wicked Queer: The Boston LGBT Film Festival with Special Guest director Mikko Makelo.
A Moment in the Reeds is an intimate drama about the chance encounter of two men by the Finnish lakeside. Leevi, who left Finland behind to study abroad, has returned for the summer to help his father renovate the family lake house. Tareq, a Syrian asylum seeker, has also been hired to help, and when Leevi’s father returns to town on business, the two young men give in to their mutual attraction, spending a few midsummer days discovering one another. Among the first queer-themed feature films made in Finland, A Moment in the Reeds puts the long-marginalized voices of sexual and ethnic minorities at center stage in a story about the search for freedom, acceptance, and a place to call home.
Ticket purchases include a post-film party with the director in the MFA’s Taste Café with music and refreshments.
Thursday, March 29th | 7:30 | $30 purchase tickets here.
This film is presented in English and Finnish with English Subtitles.
Join a group of families for Norwegian playgroup! Give your kids a chance to speak Norwegian with other children while playing and learning. This month the kids will make Easter crafts!
Saturday, March 17th | 10:30 – noon | $5 suggested donation per child
In Sound An Echo, Rachael Kilgour and Sara Pajunen bridge their distinct yet complementary musical histories within traditional music from their European heritages. Kilgour is an award-winning songwriter whose sincere and lyric-driven work (‘a heartfelt slice of indie folk’ [Billboard]) has been heard at Lincoln Center and The Sundance Film Festival. A classically-trained violinist studying contemporary improvisation at New England Conservatory, Pajunen is a sound artist, composer and an acclaimed progressive practitioner of Nordic folk music with “extra elusive appeal…” (fRoots).
Pajunen’s sonic-focused aesthetic and Kilgour’s fluency in storyline combine artfully to highlight their shared sensitivity in powerful, inventive arrangements.
Saturday, March 10th | 1pm | tickets $15; $7 for SCC Members
Listen to an interview with Rachael and Sara on WTIPhere.
Books will be for sale. All proceeds to benefit SCC programming. 