Fall Swedish Music & Dance Weekend

October 17 – 19

Welcome to Fall Swedish Music & Dance Weekend! This annual celebration celebrates the music that “Grandpa” Edwin Johnson brought to the United States from Sweden in 1924. We hope you will join us for this weekend of workshops, parties, and activities lead by Paul & Marikay Dahlin. Questions? Call (608) 924-4000 or email the Program Manager, Kelli Emerson, at programs@folklorevillage.org.

Schedule

The festival schedule will be posted here when available. The festival will begin on Friday evening with registration, dinner, and evening music and dancing. Saturday features a full day of workshops and meals. The festival concludes on Sunday after lunch.

Registration

Registration and festival pricing will be available soon.

Scholarships

It takes a village to put on our festivals. If you sign up to help us out by washing tableware (plates, silverware, and cups) after meals, you can attend the festival for only $120. Dishwashers spend approximately 30 – 60 minutes in the kitchen per meal. Please contact Program Manager Kelli Emerson at 608-924-4000 or programs@folklorevillage.org to inquire about dishwashing scholarships.

Artistic Staff

Paul Dahlin

For the past 45 years, Paul has been sharing the folk music of Dalarna, Sweden brought to the U.S. by his grandfather Ivares Edwin Johnson, who emigrated to Minnesota in 1924. Paul learned to play fiddle from his grandfather when he was a young boy. Paul, his grandfather, and Uncle Bruce formed the group American Swedish Spelmans Trio and performed at the Snoose Boulevard Festival in Minneapolis, on the radio program A Prairie Home Companion, and even for the King of Sweden! Edwin Johnson died in 1984, but his musical legacy lives on in Paul who, together with his family, carries on the style of music Grandpa Edwin played as a young man–traditional dance polska, vals and gånglåt walking tunes. Paul was awarded an NEA National Heritage Fellowship in 1996.
Through the American Swedish Institute in Minneapolis and at Folklore Village, Paul’s goal has been to make this rich traditional music available to all those interested, teaching the melodies and communicating the subtleties in the rhythms to keep the music as authentic as possible–even if it has a slight American accent. Each year Paul creates a team of musicians: the “Folklore Village Spelmanslag.”

Accommodations 

Bunkhouse (Very rustic): $20 per person per night
Stay on-site within walking distance (about 3 blocks) of Farwell Hall (main activities building). The bunkhouses are heated, with cots provided, and camp-style toilets and handpump nearby. Showers are located in Farwell Hall. Bring your own bedding, pillow, towel, flashlight, etc. Men and woman are housed in separate buildings. Heated and air conditioned!

Tenting: $10 per tent, per night
Many sites are available No campfires allowed. Showers and bathrooms are located in Farwell Hall (main activity building). You can register for tent camping via the festival registration form. 


RV Camping with Electrical Hook-up: $15 per RV, per night
*Extremely limited; reserve early!*
To register for an RV spot with electrical hook-up please email programs@folklorevillage.org.

Other Lodging:

Folklore Village is glad to partner with AmericInn Dodgeville. Use the QR code below or this link below for discounted rates!


Other hotels may offer a discount if you mention you are coming to a Folklore Village event.

Deer Valley Lodge (608)924-1600
Best Western (608)935-7739
Pine Ridge Motel (608)935-3386
Quality Inn (608)987-4747