FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
February 5, 2008

Contact:
Ira Salmela, Chair, FinnFest 2008 Publicity Committee
iraturunen@finnfest2008.com
(218) 213-6080
Marianne Wargelin, President, FinnFest USA
(612) 374-2718

FINN HALL TO PLAY FOR FINNFEST 2008 FUNDRAISER
Event Features Special Guests: Jonathan Rundman, Carl Rahkonen and Kisarit Dancers

Dance your winter blues away and get ready for this summer’s FinnFest2008!
The International Institute in St. Paul, MN will transform itself into a Finnish Hall, on March 1, 7:00-11:00 p.m. when Finn Hall band plays waltzes, polkas, tangos, and humppa to help raise money and awareness for this summer’s FinnFest 2008 event.

Kisarit Dancers will perform a set as well as be available for on the spot dance lessons for all who want to learn or refresh their Finnish dancing style skills to use at FinnFest. Family style dancing will be featured throughout the evening.

Carl Rahkonen, folk music scholar and violinist, visiting that weekend from Pennsylvania will sit in with Finn Hall for some special numbers. Jonathan Rundman, young rock musician and composer, will also play a special set.

A raffle, featuring prizes like free FinnFest 2008 registrations,tickets to the Minnesota Orchestra concert as well as other concerts and dinners at FinnFest, will be held during the event. FinnFest 2008 t-shirts, coffee, and note cards will be for sale, and other information about the festival will be available.

Admission to the dance will be $5 for adults and children under 12 free. Sweet and savory Finnish treats, coffee, beer, fruit juices, and sodas will be available. Free parking at the International Institute, located at 1694 Como Avenue, St. Paul, just east of Snelling and across the street from the State Fair grounds.

This fundraiser is sponsored by the 15-member FinnFest USA Board of Directors. “The board members will be coming from across the country
for two days of meetings that weekend. They see this party as an opportunity to get to know the Twin Cities community and to listen to peoples’ opinions about FinnFest 2008,” says Marianne Wargelin, the president of FinnFest USA.

FinnFest 2008 will be held in Duluth, MN on July 23-27, 2008 at the Duluth Entertainment and Convention Center. The event will be one of the biggest summer events in Duluth with over 7,000 Finns and friends expected to attend. "Sharing the Spirit of Finland" will be the main theme for the FinnFest 2008, which marks the 25th FinnFest USA event celebrating the Finnish culture and heritage.

For further information on the event, call Marianne Wargelin at 612-374-2718. More information about Finn Hall band can be found at:
http://www.finnhall.com/