March 20 – 22, 2026
Velkommen to Spring Swedish Music & Dance Weekend! The festival will feature dance workshops, fiddle workshops, and nyckelharpa workshops.
Important Update: Folklore Village’s planned instructors, Stig & Helen Eriksson & Christer & Kristina Samuelsson, are still waiting to be issued their visas. If this does not happen before the festival, US-based teachers Jerry Walsh (dance), Peter Michaelson, (fiddle), and Becky Weis (nyckelharpa) will teach workshops. Learn more about these great teachers here.
Please stay tuned for more information about the festival. Questions? Contact the Program Manager, Kelli Emerson, at programs@folklorevillage.org or (608) 924-4000.
This program is funded in part by the American Scandinavian Foundation.
Schedule
The festival schedule is available below. The weekend starts with registration on Friday night, followed by an evening dance. Saturday features a full day of workshops and meals, with an evening dance to end the night. The weekend concludes with final review workshops and lunch on Sunday.
Registration
Online registration is now closed. Missed your chance to sign up? Call our office at (608) 924-4000; we may still have a spot for you.
Full-Time Adult Registration
$320 before noon Central Time on March 6
$370 after noon Central Time on March 6
Part-Time Adult Registration
Friday evening dance
Saturday all day (breakfast – evening party)
Saturday breakfast
Saturday AM workshops
Saturday lunch
Saturday PM workshops
Saturday supper/evening party
Saturday evening party (NO supper)
Sunday breakfast
Sunday AM workshops
Sunday lunch
Before noon Central Time on March 6
$30
$215
$16
$60
$22
$60
$65
$30
$16
$56
$16
After noon Central Time on March 6
$36
$258
$20
$72
$26
$72
$78
$36
$20
$68
$20
Scholarships
Dishwashing 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 $140. 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.
Young & First-Time Participant Scholarships
Thanks to generous funding from the American Scandinavian Foundation, Folklore Village is excited to offer free or reduced tuition for eligible young and first-time participants.
Participants aged 25 and under are eligible for a full scholarship (not including lodging). New participants over the age of 25 are eligible for a 50% scholarship. Scholarships will be awarded on a first come, first served basis.
Please contact Program Manager Kelli Emerson at 608-924-4000 or programs@folklorevillage.org to inquire.
Meals
Sharing meals together is an essential part of many Folklore Village events, and Folklore Village festivals feature catered meals prepared fresh in-house by the fabulous RedBarn Catering. Vegetarian and gluten free options will be available at every meal for those who register as vegetarian or gluten free. If you have additional dietary restrictions please let us know via the festival registration form. RedBarn Catering will do their best to accommodate various needs but cannot guarantee all dietary needs will be met. If you have questions or concerns please contact Folklore Village at (608) 924-4000 ahead of the festival.
Artistic Staff
Important Update: Folklore Village’s planned instructors, Stig & Helen Eriksson & Christer & Kristina Samuelsson, are still waiting to be issued their visas. If this does not happen before the festival, US-based teachers Jerry Walsh (dance), Peter Michaelson, (fiddle), and Becky Weis (nyckelharpa) will teach workshops. Learn more about these great teachers here.
Stig and Helen Eriksson, Dance
Stig & Helen live in Norrköping, Östergötland. They began dancing as teens growing up in Sweden. They have both received their big silver medals for polska dancing and they won the Hälsinge Hambo contest 1993. They lead a polska dance group called Östgötamix in Norrköping and both are members in the folk music band Klintetten.
Stig and Helen have a special ability to break down the dances and explain what they are doing in a clear way. They can also see and express what you need to do to improve your dancing. Their fun dances and clear lively teaching style provide an unforgettable wonderful experience.
Stig and Helen have been teaching for more than 30 years. They will present a selection of dances from many parts of Sweden.
Christer & Kristina Samuelsson, fiddle
Christer & Kristina Samuelsson have enjoyed dancing and playing together since they met. In their part of Sweden, you find a lot of “16 delspolskas” or “slängpolskas”, which is a polska of 16 parts type (16th notes). Christer & Kristina have been playing and dancing polska for more than 20 years.
Christer & Kristina have been members of Klintetten since 1992, and both have succeeded in earning their big silver medals in polska dance.
Christer grew up in Östergötland and started playing violin at 11 years of age. He encountered folk music in the late 70s. He is a music teacher and a became a Riksspelman in 1990 with tunes from Östergötland.
Kristina was born in Finland, but grew up in Skåne, Sweden. She has played violin since she was 11 years old. Kristina became a Riksspelman in 2007 playing tunes from Skåne.
Becky Weis, Nyckelharpa
Becky Weis has played and studied nyckelharpa on both sides of the Atlantic. She is known as a teacher and a player for dancers, and has fun teaching and making tunes danceable. Becky guides playing with technique tips, and likes the spirit of getting a good tune going.
Becky is also a scholar in the Swedish nyckelharpa tradition, the subject of her doctoral dissertation in ethnomusicology. She serves on the board of directors of the Twin Cities Nyckelharpalag, and teaches both nyckelharpa and hardingfele at St. Olaf’s College.
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 this link 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
