Do you drink coffee? Have you read the book Out of Africa, by Danish writer Karen Blixen (whose pen name was Isak Dinesen)? Did you know that it is women who live and work in the world’s “coffee belt” who make it possible for us to enjoy Fika?
As a young girl in California, Erika Koss was a curious, voracious reader, who dreamed of traveling to the lands where her books were set. She longed especially to travel to Sweden, the place of her heritage, but never had the chance. Little did she know that reading about Karen Blixen’s years managing her family’s coffee farms in Kenya — in Out of Africa — would transform her own life, and lead her toward her own path of exploration about and through coffee.
After Erika’s first visit to Kenya in 1994, she returned this summer, including a visit to Karen Blixen’s coffee lands. Now Erika is writing a book that shares stories about the women behind the global coffee trade and the complex process from bean to cup.
Join us for this special preview of a chapter from Erika’s book-in-progress, where she will reveal what she’s learning from her travels to Africa and about why Out of Africa matters. Take a journey with Erika to discover the world inside your coffee cup will transform the way you drink these Magic Beans.
Finlandia Foundation and the SCC are excited to welcome author Anu Partanen to talk about her book “The Nordic Theory of Everything: In Search of a Better Life”. Come hear Anu Partanen talk in your town about what America can learn from the experiences of Nordic societies.
A Book You Desperately Need to Add to Your ‘To-Read’ Pile This Summer
—Gizmodo
“This is a wonderful, hopeful book about what American society could be—not by adopting Nordic ‘socialism,’ but by embracing the values that have allowed Nordic citizens to enjoy more freedom and equality than in present-day America. The American Dream was once an inspiration to the world. Anu Partanen shows us how to rediscover it.”
—Robert B. Reich
Chancellor’s Professor of Public Policy at University of California, Berkeley,
and former U.S. Secretary of Labor
ABOUT ANU: Anu Partanen is a journalist originally from Finland, now based in New York City. She has lived in the United States since 2008, and her work has appeared in the New York Times and The Atlantic. She also worked at Fortune Magazine as a visiting reporter through the Innovation Journalism Fellowship at Stanford University. In Finland she has held many positions ranging from managing editor to columnist, features writer to news reporter, lecturer to on-air commentator. Her book “The Nordic Theory of Everything: In Search of a Better Life” compares everyday life in the United States with life in the Nordic region.
Although anticipated, no one is really ready when the mountain pass above the scenic, narrow Norwegian fjord Geiranger, collapses and creates an 85-meter high violent tsunami. A geologist is one of those caught in the middle of it.
99 minutes. In Norwegian with English subtitles.
2015; Directed by Roar Uthaug.
Free; donations accepted.
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.
After their public showing movies in our film series become part of the Scandinavian Library’s collection of DVDs available for borrowing by Library members.
Sons of Norway, Norumbega Lodge and the SCC are thrilled to partner together again to present Steinway Artist, pianist Janice Weber. We welcome the Grammy Award nominee for an intimate performance that will feature Czerny, Beethoven, Schumann, Grieg, and Liszt.
Friday, October 7th | 7pm | $15 general admission; $7 seniors; FREE for SCC and Sons of Norway Norumbega Lodge members
ABOUT JANICE WEBER is a summa cum laude graduate of the Eastman School of Music. She was twice a fellowship student at Tanglewood and has appeared with the American Composers Orchestra, Boston Pops, Chautauqua Symphony, Hilton Head Symphony, New Bedford Symphony, New Hampshire Symphony, Sarajevo Philharmonic, Syracuse Symphony, and the Shenzhen Philharmonic. Her solo performances have been at the White House, Carnegie Hall, Wigmore Hall, Weill Hall, National Gallery of Art, Boston’s Symphony Hall, and the 92nd Street Y. She has performed at summer festivals in Newport and Bard and returns regularly to China for concerts and master classes. Her eclectic recordings include the complete transcriptions of Rachmaninoff; with the Lydian Quartet, Leo Ornstein’s vast Piano Quintet; waltz transcriptions of Godowsky, Rosenthal, and Friedman; the world premiere recording of Liszt’s Transcendental Etudes in the notoriously difficult 1838 version; solo piano music of Leo Ornstein; and Messiaen’s Quartet for the End of Time. Seascapes, a collection of virtuoso water music, was released in April and is on the ballot for a 2015 Grammy nomination. A member of the Boston Conservatory and Tabor Academy piano faculties, Miss Weber is the author of eight novels. Frost the Fiddler, her third, was named a Notable Book of the Year by the New York Times. She is the current Artistic Director of South Coast Chamber Players.
We welcome to the Nordic Hall he first Chamber Music Exchange between Harvard and Uppsala Universities initiated by Paul-André Bempéchat, Artist-In-Recidence at Leverett House, Harvard University and Director musices Stefan Karpe. The result is an exchange between students from Harvard and members from the Royal Academic Orchestra.
The group will be performing Mozart’s Kegelstatt Trio for clarinet, viola and piano, Schumann’s Piano Quintet, and sextets for piano, clarinet and string quartet by Prokofiev and Steven Stucky, as well as medley of Scandinavian folk songs adapted for string quartet, as well as well-known Swedish piano works.
Sunday, October 16th 4:30pm | $10; free for SCC members and Uppsala Alumni
Workshop Description:
This workshop will feature tunes and discussion from the rich traditions of Scandinavian and American fiddle music. The workshop will be taught by nyckelharpa player Anna Gustavsson (SWE), and fiddle/banjo player Laurel Premo (USA). All instruments are welcome. After a formal welcome and short 15 minute concert, we’ll dive into learning tunes from both countries by ear, and through the material discuss rhythm, syncopation, intonation, and ornaments inherent in each style.
Band Bio: This October, Premo & Gustavsson will release their debut album on a tour throughout the Midwest and Northeast. Swedish nyckelharpa player Anna Gustavsson and American fiddler and banjo player Laurel Premo have forged a new collaboration that weaves together the driving dance-based music traditions from their home countries. With great technical skill and creative sensitivity, Premo & Gustavsson draw not only from deep roots but also their adventuresome musicality as 21st century musicians.
The wise and peace-loving Queen Christina (Greta Garbo) has ruled Sweden since the age of 6, when her heroic father died in battle. Pressured to marry her cousin Karl Gustav (Reginald Owen) and produce an heir, the queen slips away incognito and ends up at a country inn, where she meets and falls in love with Antonio (John Gilbert), a Spanish envoy on his way to the palace. However, Count Magnus, himself in love with the queen, does not approve of her foreign lover.
1933 ‧ Drama film/Drama ‧ 1h 39m
Film is directed and written by Rouben Mamoulian.
Free; donations accepted.
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.
After their public showing movies in our film series become part of the Scandinavian Library’s collection of DVDs available for borrowing by Library members.
This year we are takin’ it to the streets with NORDIC STREET FOOD! Enjoy a taste of interpretations of street food from Norway, Denmark, Sweden, Finland and Iceland!
Enjoy a taste of Nordic street food while visiting Nordic vendors, listening to live music and taking part in other foodie fun! Don’t forget the return of everyone’s favorite Vikings! Visit their encampment, listen to their music and watch them fight to the “death”.
General Admission: $25 advance ($30 at door)/$20 SCC Members/ Kids 12 & under: $7
GUEST SPEAKERS in the NORDIC HALL:
Author, Blogger and founder of Lulu the Baker Melissa Bahen
New York City-based, Swedish born Celebrity Chef/Event Planner Linnea Johansson / Elle (Sweden)
Did you know the name ‘LEGO’ is an abbreviation of the two Danish words “leg godt”, meaning “play well”. It’s true! Although LEGO seems completely American to many the LEGO Group was founded in Denmark in 1932 by Ole Kirk Kristiansen!
Develop and enhance students’ problem solving and critical thinking skills
Expose children to concepts and vocabulary of Engineering, Architecture and Physics
Provide an opportunity to have a great time with a terrific and versatile building system
The Pre-Engineering summer camps are primarily focused on BUILDING techniques
Choose one:
Pre-Engineering: Let your imagination run wild with tens of thousands of LEGO®! Build engineer-designed projects such as boats, bridges, mazes and motorized cars, and use special pieces to create your own unique design! Explore the endless creative possibilities of the LEGO® building system with the guidance of an experienced Play-Well instructor. This is an ideal way to prepare young builders for the challenge of Engineering FUNdamentals. (ages 5-6)
Engineering Fundamentals: Power up your engineering skills with Play-Well TEKnologies and tens of thousands of LEGO®! Apply real-world concepts in physics, engineering, and architecture through engineer-designed projects such as arch bridges, skyscrapers, motorized cars, and the Battletrack! Design and build as never before, and explore your craziest ideas in a supportive environment. An experienced instructor will challenge new and returning students to engineer at the next level. (ages 7-11)
What makes Denmark the happiest country in the world–and what are the secrets of Danish parents for raising happy, confident, successful kids, year after year?
This upbeat and practical guide brings together the insights of a licensed psychotherapist and a mom — a Dane and an American married to a Dane, respectively — on the habits of the happiest families on earth.
The book delivers fresh advice on how to:
– Encourage free play
– Foster authenticity and confidence
– Nurture empathy
– Emphasize teamwork over power struggles
– Celebrate togetherness
Filled with practical takeaways and inspiring examples, The Danish Way of Parenting will help parents from all walks of life raise the happiest, most well-adjusted kids in the world.
The SCC welcomes author Jessica Joelle Alexander for a talk and Q&A followed by a signing.
Join us for this special preview of a chapter from Erika’s book-in-progress, where she will reveal what she’s learning from her travels to Africa and about why Out of Africa matters. Take a journey with Erika to discover the world inside your coffee cup will transform the way you drink these Magic Beans.
ABOUT ANU: Anu Partanen is a journalist originally from Finland, now based in New York City. She has lived in the United States since 2008, and her work has appeared in the New York Times and The Atlantic. She also worked at Fortune Magazine as a visiting reporter through the Innovation Journalism Fellowship at Stanford University. In Finland she has held many positions ranging from managing editor to columnist, features writer to news reporter, lecturer to on-air commentator. Her book “The Nordic Theory of Everything: In Search of a Better Life” compares everyday life in the United States with life in the Nordic region.
ABOUT JANICE WEBER is a summa cum laude graduate of the Eastman School of Music. She was twice a fellowship student at Tanglewood and has appeared with the American Composers Orchestra, Boston Pops, Chautauqua Symphony, Hilton Head Symphony, New Bedford Symphony, New Hampshire Symphony, Sarajevo Philharmonic, Syracuse Symphony, and the Shenzhen Philharmonic. Her solo performances have been at the White House, Carnegie Hall, Wigmore Hall, Weill Hall, National Gallery of Art, Boston’s Symphony Hall, and the 92nd Street Y. She has performed at summer festivals in Newport and Bard and returns regularly to China for concerts and master classes. Her eclectic recordings include the complete transcriptions of Rachmaninoff; with the Lydian Quartet, Leo Ornstein’s vast Piano Quintet; waltz transcriptions of Godowsky, Rosenthal, and Friedman; the world premiere recording of Liszt’s Transcendental Etudes in the notoriously difficult 1838 version; solo piano music of Leo Ornstein; and Messiaen’s Quartet for the End of Time. Seascapes, a collection of virtuoso water music, was released in April and is on the ballot for a 2015 Grammy nomination. A member of the Boston Conservatory and Tabor Academy piano faculties, Miss Weber is the author of eight novels. Frost the Fiddler, her third, was named a Notable Book of the Year by the New York Times. She is the current Artistic Director of South Coast Chamber Players.
