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This event is also occurring on Saturday, December 2.
Included with paid museum admission; free for members
Join MIM for a celebration of the music and culture of Scandinavia! Explore the vibrant musical traditions of Norway, Sweden, Denmark, Iceland, and Finland—just in time for Finland’s centennial this year. See musical and dance performances, participate in an instrument-making craft and dance workshops, listen to Culture Talks, and more.
Gifts Available for Purchase 9:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m. Shop the Museum Store for a very special selection of gifts from Scandinavian countries—from beautiful blankets and home décor to holiday ornaments and books. The Museum Store will be filled with authentic Scandinavian gifts as well as those that are Nordic-inspired.
Photo Booth 9:30 a.m.–4:00 p.m. Have your picture taken with costumes and props at MIM’s custom photo booth, and instantly get your own copy to take home.
Lur Craft-Making Activity 9:30 a.m.–4:00 p.m. Take home an iconic Scandinavian instrument with a craft lur. Sound from this mellow but powerful horn can travel long distances, making it the perfect tool for farmers to signal their livestock through dense forests and over vast plains. Look for MIM volunteer team members to help you build your own.
Scandinavian Folk Dance Performance 10:15–11:00 a.m. Come experience traditional folk dances from Scandinavia. In colorful costumes, the Scandinavian Folkdancers of Phoenix showcase both the joyful movements and intricately woven patterns of traditional Scandinavian dance. If this performance piques your interest, be sure to attend the Scandinavian Folkdancers’ workshop happening later in the day.
MIMkids Junior Museum Guides Mini Tours and Music Making 10:30 a.m., 11:30 a.m., 12:15 p.m., and 1:30 p.m. Join MIM’s Junior Museum Guides (6th–12th graders) on short, family-friendly tours of the Europe Gallery with a special focus on Scandinavia. Or drum up some fun with a music-making activity led by Junior Museum Guides in one of our Event Rooms! Mini tours and music making will take place four times throughout the day, so be sure to drop in on these fun activities.
Tales of Fire and Ice: Icelandic Saga Storytelling 11:00–11:30 a.m. Experience the thrills and laughs of Scandinavian folklore. Storyteller Harriet Cole, adjunct faculty at South Mountain Community College Storytelling Institute, guides audiences through the twists and turns of the Icelandic Sagas. These are stories of many gods, of dragon-slaying heroes, and of fierce brave women. Originally passed down orally and eventually written down, these exciting tales give us a glimpse into life in Old Iceland—as well as an entertaining time!
Face Painting 11:00 a.m.–3:00 p.m. Add some of the bold colors of Nordic dance costumes to your look! Have your face painted with a custom design by Sarah Schweiger of Evolving Through Art.
Scandinavian-Inspired Lunch Menu Available for Purchase 11:30 a.m.–2:30 p.m. Enjoy a smörgåsbord of Scandinavian food, including Swedish meatballs, potetsuppe or potato soup, and sweet Norwegian lefse for dessert.
Nordic Jazz Performance 11:45 a.m.–12:15 p.m. Scandinavia has been home to trailblazers in the world of jazz since the 1970s. Characterized by “stark” tones, allusions to natural sounds, and folk music influences, jazz with a “Nordic sound” has a distinctive style. The PVCC faculty jazz ensemble, known as Union 32 Jazz All-Stars, joins us to perform music in the style of Nordic jazz.
Scandinavian Dance Workshop 1:00–1:45 p.m. Learn about traditional folk dances from Scandinavia, and try out some dance moves yourself! The Scandinavian Folkdancers of Phoenix will lead a workshop on some of the dance techniques they used in their performance earlier in the day.
Culture Talk: “Danish Popular Music—From the Treasure of Danish Song to Bubblegum Rock” 2:15–3:00 p.m. Join MIM volunteer team member Per Schelde for a talk about the popular music of his home country, Denmark. Denmark has a rich and varied popular music culture that includes songs celebrating the natural beauty of the ocean, songs about the Danish language, and upbeat, amusing songs known as “bubblegum rock.” Come listen as Schelde discusses the world of Danish pop—covering everything from the traditional “Treasure of Danish Songs” to Otto Brandenburg, hailed in Denmark as the “Danish Elvis.”
Scandinavian Folk Music Performance 3:15–4:00 p.m. Don’t miss this performance of the ensemble Gladamusik. This talented group performs traditional Finnish, Norwegian, and Swedish music on iconic folk instruments, such as the nyckelharpa. Be sure to wear your dancing shoes as this lively ensemble may inspire you to get up and join in the fun.
