FinnFest Schedule

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Tentative Schedule

FinnFest was funded in part by the Unrestricted Endowment Fund of the Duluth Superior Area Community Foundation and the City of Duluth. The University of Minnesota Duluth provided sponsorship for the visit of Finland President Tarja Halonen and other dignitaries from Finland.

PRE-FINN FEST

MONDAY, JULY 21
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Mon, July 21, 8:30 am – 5:30 pm, Iron Range History Tour, Begins and ends at the DECC, TOUR, $64
     Tour Ironworld in Chisholm, the Soudan Under-ground Mine in Soudan State Park, and visit the Mine View in the Sky scenic overlook in Virginia. (Includes “pasty-in-a-pail” lunch) Preregistration required.

Mon, 8:30 am – 5:30 pm,
North Shore Scenic Tour
Begins and ends at the DECC, TOUR, $64
     Discover Gooseberry Falls State Park with guide David Salmela. Split Rock Lighthouse State Park and Northwoods Pioneer Gallery and Gifts. (Includes North Shore Sampler lunch at Northern Lights Café) Preregistration required.

Mon, 6:30 pm, “Ole & Lena’s Wedding”
Fitgers, Midi Change of Pace Interactive Dinner Theater
600 East Superior St. Duluth, $40, advance tickets required. 1-888-872-4880, 218-727-4880,
http://www.midirestaurant.net.
     Oh, for fun! In this original hit comedy and Finnish/Norwegian wedding, Lena Handspringinnen will tie the knot with her sweetheart, Ole Olaf Olafsson, Jr. at the Lutheran church up here in northern Minn. Join her cousin Karlene Kinnunen, her Uncle Eino, relatives and family friends. Guests will receive a nametag and relationship to the bride or groom. They’ll attend the ceremony followed by a reception complete with hotdish, jello, and also some fancy food prepared and served by Midi Restaurant. There’s gonna be a dollar dance, gift-opening, a polka party and everything. But a guy doesn’t hafta dance if he doesn’t feel like it. Whatever.

TUESDAY, JULY 22
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Tues, 8:30 am – 5:30 pm, Saint Louis County Tour
Begins and ends at the DECC, TOUR, $44
     Explore the Wirtanen Pioneer Farm in Makinen, a Finnish Heritage Homestead in Embarrass, & Kaleva Hall in Virginia. (Includes lunch) Preregistration required.

Tues, 8:30 am – 5:30 pm, Carlton County Tour
Begins and ends at the DECC, TOUR, $39
     Well known and respected author and speaker, Dr. Arnold Alanen, will host this fascinating tour of Carlton County with stops at Morgan Park, Jay Cooke State Park, Fond du Lac Cultural Center, and the Moose Lake, Esko, and Carlton County Historical Societies. (Includes picnic lunch at Kettle River Cemetery & Finnish Monument) Preregistration required.

Tues, 8:30 am – 5:30 pm, Northwestern Wisconsin Tour. Begins and ends at the DECC, TOUR, $39
     Visit the scenic towns of Brule and Oulu as well as the Davidson (Tapola) windmill, Old Brule Historical Society, Oulu Glass Works and other local sites. (Includes lunch) Preregistration required.

Tues, 6:30 - 8:30 pm, "Ole & Lena's Wedding"
Fitgers, Midi Change of Pace Interactive Dinner Theater
600 East Superior St. Duluth, $40, advance tickets required.
1-888-872-4880 218-727-4880, http://www.midirestaurant.net
Oh, for fun! All of Ole & Lena’s friends and relatives are invited to attend when they tie the knot at the Lutheran church up here in northern Minnesota. Then they’re gonna have a reception next door, complete with hotdish and jello (and some fancy food too). There’s gonna be a polka party and everything (but a guy doesn’t hafta dance if he doesn’t feel like it!)

WEDNESDAY, JULY 23

Unless otherwise indicated, lectures will run 45 minutes and include questions and answers and introductions. Therefore, it will be important to begin and end on time to allow the next program to set up. Thanks to one and all.

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Wed, All-Day Activities
Tori – Pioneer Hall
Sami Camp – Outside (southwest of the Auditorium by the “Statue of Liberty”)
Food Court – Edmund Fitzgerald Hall

For information and times for these activities,
click here.

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Wed, 8:30 am – 3:30 pm, Head of the Lakes Highlight Tour. Begins and ends at the DECC, TOUR, $69
     Breathtaking views of Duluth skyline, a visit to the Duluth Rose Garden and Harrington Arts Center, A World of Accordions Museum, Douglas County Historical Society, and a trip to the Superior Public Library featuring murals by Carl Gawboy. (Includes picnic lunch at beautiful Enger Park) Preregistration required.

Wed, 9 am – 5 pm, Tanhukurssi: Learning Folk Dances with Lennu and Jussi
Lake Superior J&K, DANCE ($80 for Wed. and Thur.)
     The theme for this summer’s Tanhukurssi (Finnish folk dance course) comes from name day celebrations and traditions. In the course, Juha-Matti Aronen (Jussi) and Leena Yläneva (Lennu) will teach traditional dances, sing traditional songs, and teach about Finnish name day traditions. In Finland, name day celebrations were once more popular than birthdays. In the 19th century, name day celebrations, especially summer name days, became occasions for children’s festivals, often including songs, puppet shows, pole dances, community dances, and name day foods. A resurgence of interest in old given names and name days allows people to be creative.

Wed, 9 am – 12 noon, “Oral History” with Brian Corrigan.
Meeting Room 203, LECTURE

Wed, 9:30 am – 3:45 pm, “A Day of Theology”
Harborside Ballroom, ALL-DAY EVENT
(Advance registration for box lunch required.)
     A Day of Theology for laypersons and clergy features presentations by Dr. Risto Cantell (Church of Finland), Pastor Pekka Palosaari (missionary in Russian Karelia), Dr. Frederick Gaiser (professor, Luther Seminary) and Dr. Philip Johnson (president, Finlandia University).

Schedule

9:30 – 10:30 am: “Mikael Agricola, Student of Martin Luther, Father of the Finnish Reformation and Spiritual Teacher of the Finnish Nation” with Dr. Risto Cantell
11 am – Noon: “Mission Work in Russia: Its Hope and Challenge” with Pastor Pekka Palosaari
Noon: Lunch
1:15 – 2:15 pm: “Isaiah, Servant of God” with
Dr. Frederick Gaiser
2:45 – 3:45 pm: “The Mission of God” with Dr. Philip Johnson
     The Day of Theology is made possible by grants from Suomi Special Interest Conference of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, Thrivent Financial for Lutherans, Suomi Klub of Esko, and Northland Funeral Home, Cloquet.
     Dr. Risto Cantell is executive director, Department for International Relations, Church of Finland, Helsinki, and Docent of Ecumenical Theology, Helsinki.
     Dr. Frederick Gaiser is professor of Old Testament and director of graduate studies, Luther Seminary, St. Paul, Minn. A former research chemist, Dr. Gaiser has served as a parish pastor and as a visiting professor at Africa University and the University of Zimbabwe. He edits Word and World: Theology for Christian Ministry.
     Dr. Philip Johnson is president of Finlandia University, Hancock, Mich. A pastor in the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, he has lived and worked in the United States, Tanzania, Kenya and Ethiopia.
     Pastor Pekka Palosaari serves an eight-village parish in Russian Karelia. A former teacher of biology, geography and religion, Pastor Palosaari has served as a pastor to the deaf, as a seamen’s pastor in Belgium and Finland, and as a parish pastor.

Dr. Risto Cantell	Pastor Pekka Palosaari	Dr. Frederick Gaiser	Dr. Philip Johnson

Lyz Jaakola

Wed, 12 – 2 pm, Finnish/Anishinaabe
Meeting Room 204-205, LECTURE
     Lyz Jaakola, an Anishinaabe/Finnish-American and member of Fond du Lac Band of Lake Superior, is a college teacher with a varied musical background. Her past performances include the Rome Opera Festival as mezzo soprano, choral music at Carnegie Hall, traditional ceremony singer, jazz scat singer, blues siren, and soloist. Her Native-based compositions have been heard on radio stations, television, video, and performed on stage. She directs a women’s hand drum group, the Anishinaabe Youth Chorus, and serves as composer in residence through the First Nations Composer Initiative program, a branch of the American Composers Forum.

Wed, 1 – 4 pm, Material Culture Workshop,
with moderator K. Marianne Wargelin
Gooseberry 3, WORKSHOP
     This presentation includes Darrel Nicholson, Yvonne Lockwood, Arnold Alanen, and Kate Roberts discussing the preservation of Finnish material culture and the concept of a Finnish-American national museum. Darrel Nicholson, Minneapolis, will discuss the results of a survey of Finnish-related museums and collections. Yvonne Lockwood, Michigan State University Museum, will present the concept of private collections and collectors. Arnold Alanen, University of Wisconsin-Madison, will present a survey of Finnish-American related architecture. Kate Roberts, collections curator, Minnesota Historical Society, will discuss general preservation issues as well as the 2005 survey of Minn. Finnish material culture conducted by the Minnesota Historical Society and the Finnish National Museum.
     K. Marianne Wargelin researches, lectures, and writes about Finnish America. She co-authored Women Who Dared: The History of Finnish-American Women, published four encyclopedia essays, and wrote articles on Finnish and Finnish-American folklore, popular culture, and the high arts. She is currently completing a history dissertation at the University of Tampere, Finland. She became President of FinnFestUSA in February 2004.

Wed, 1 – 5 pm, Art Displays
     Duluth Art Institute, 506 W. Michigan St., (9:30 am - 6 pm) has the exhibition “Naturally Finnish/Luonnollisesti Suomalainen” with artists Tiffany Besonen, Tia Salmela Keobounpheng, Lynn Korhonen, Joyce Koskenmaki, Lenore Lampi, Virginia Maki, Scott Murphy, Kristin Pavelka, Natalie Salminen Rude, John Salminen, Cherie Sampson, and Laura Ahola Young.
     Tweed Museum of Art, 1201 Ordean Court, (9 am - 4:30 pm) has the exhibition “Honoring Tradition: Finnish and Sami-inspired Textiles Exhibit” The work includes rag rugs, transparencies, poppana, felting, clothing, woven wall hangings, takana, raanu, rya, and others. Vintage Finnish textiles will provide historical context for the exhibit with participating artists: Mary Erickson, Paivi Homola, Laurie Jacobi, Irene Johnson, Susan Johnson, Edythe Karlstrand, Ruth Koski, Karen Lamppa, Annika Martilla, Wynne Mattila, Mel Olsen, Joyce Seppala, Carol Sperling, Mary Wovcha, Susan Saari, Karin KiviLuoma, Bill Schaffer, and Janelle Kallio.
     Finnish-American and Finnish artists also have work at the following galleries (hours vary): Art Dock, work of Louise Laakso Lundin, 394 Lake Ave. S., 218-722-1451. Blue Iris Gallery, Anishinaabe/Finnish-American painter Carl Gawboy, Finnish-American ceramic artist Bob Husby, 723 Lake Ave. S., 218-720-3300. Blue Lake Gallery, Finnish-American artists: Lenore Rukavina, Eve Riihiluoma, Judy Hedblom, 395 Lake Ave. S., 218-725-0034. Just for the Season Gallery, Finnish-American artists: watercolors by Paul Hemmila, paintings by Karen Maki, watercolors by Lyn Jutila, 207 West Superior St., Duluth. Kollodge Gallery, Finnish-American photographer Kathryn Nordstrom, 310 S. Lake Ave., second floor, 218-740-3255. Lizzard’s Art Gallery and Framing, etchings by Finnish-American artist Laura Myntti, 11 West Superior Street., 218-722-5815. Sivertson Gallery, offering “Art of the North,” 361 Canal Park Drive, 218-723-7877. Waters of Superior, photographs by Layne Kennedy, Finnish landscape paintings by oil painter Laura Ahola-Young, stoneware vessels and cast bronze sculptures by Chris Koivisto, canvas paintings by Finnish artist Joyce Koskenmaki, Oiva Toikka and art glass birds, 395 S. Lake Ave., Duluth, 786-0233.
     Other art offerings include: North End Arts Council Gallery, prose poems in English and Finnish by Jim Johnson, photographs by Marlene Wisuri, 1323 Broadway (corner of Broadway and Hammond), Superior, WI, 715/392-6007. Duluth Public Arts Commission exhibit cubes at the Duluth International Airport featuring fine art and crafts by a number of Finnish-American artists.

Wed, 1 – 2:45 pm, “From Finnish Classics to
Gypsy Music” with Marjatta Airas, Folke Gräsbeck and Zingara
Lake Superior Ballroom O, MUSIC
     Songs and instrumental solos are featured, including those by Merikanto, Sibelius, Linkola and Zingara.        
     Marjatta Airas is well known as an artist of many talents with a lyrically dramatic high dark voice and extensive register. Her repertoire encompasses opera, operetta and Lieder as well as gypsy music, light music and spiritual music.
     Folke Gräsbeck, pianist, has performed more than 200 of Sibelius’s compositions, and has given the world premier performances of 82 of them.
     Zingara performs a variety of programs which include gypsy songs, folk and contemporary music. Strong emotions, dance, and virtuosity are distinctive features of their performances. The group includes: Marjatta Airas, vocal and dance soloist, Tero Airas, cellist, and Jyrki Myllärinen, virtuoso guitarist.

Jyrki Myllärinen	Marjatta Airas	Tero Airas	Folke Gräsbeck

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Wed, 2 – 4 pm, Anishinaabe Dance Workshop
Meeting Room 204-205, DANCE

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Wed, 4 – 7 pm, UMD Housing Check-in

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Wed, 4:30 – 5:30 pm, FinnFest Membership Meeting
Meeting Room 202, MEETING

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Wed, 4:30 – 5:30 pm, Heroes in Action
Lake Superior Ballroom L, THEATRE
     In this presentation, Harold Haapoja, who understands Väinämöinen, “man of quiet waters,” plays a kantele player and singer of runos. Paul Webster, who studies ancient metal works and appreciates the spirit of Ilmarinen, ancient magician in metal, plays an exceptional blacksmith. Kelly Smith plays Lemminkainen with humorous gusto. Margaret Webster, who has a unique understanding of the leader from Northfarm, performs the part of Louhi, Mistress of the North. Andrew Webster narrates this humorous and action-packed play which imparts the meaning of the Kalevala in today’s terms. An optional short discussion of the play follows the half-hour free presentation of the play.

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Wed, 6:30 – 8:30 pm, “Ole & Lena’s Wedding”
Fitgers, Midi Change of Pace Interactive Dinner Theater
600 East Superior St. Duluth, $40, advance tickets required. 1-888-872-4880, 218-727-4880,
http://www.midirestaurant.net. See Monday’s listing for information.

Wed, 7 – 8:30 pm, Opening Ceremony
Auditorium
No ticket required. (Doors open at 6 pm). Enjoy the music of Brent Buswell & Bert Stromholm’s Accordion Duo from 6 - 7 pm in the lobby.
     Guests will be welcomed with the energetic and joyful sounds of violins filling the auditorium. Fiddlers of all ages will perform arrangements of traditional Finnish folk music. The event will include the following: baritone Gregg Santa accompanied by pianist Craig Randal Johnson, Ameriikan Poijat, Kaarina Kiviluoma reciting a poem, Järvenpää Singers and the Veteli Boys Choir performing together, Mika Roinila Family Singers, the Kisarit dancers, Pipestone along with Fancy Shawl Dancer LaTisha ‘Animikii Ikwe’ McRoy, Grass Dancer Bill Howes, Sami yoiker and drummer Nathan Muus, a pipe ceremony with Bryan Jon Maciewski, Lyz Jaakola, Oshkii Giizhik Singers and greetings from Finnish and local dignitaries and FinnFest 2008 co-chairs. Davis Helberg is the Master of Ceremonies. The entire community has been invited to this opening event. All are welcome!
     Davis Helberg, a grandson of Finnish immigrants and native of Esko, Minn., began his career as a deckhand aboard a Great Lakes freighter. He became a newspaper reporter, public relations director, ship pilotage manager and president of a stevedoring and warehousing company before serving as executive director of the Duluth Seaway Port Authority.
     Gregg Santa, baritone, has held a permanent position with the Norwegian National Opera in Oslo since 1997. He performed numerous roles in works of Verdi, Puccini, Wagner, Poulenc, Grieg, Søderlind, Handel, Kverndokk, Bizet, Strauss, Giordano, Lehar, and others. He has a Bachelor of Music degree from the University of Wisconsin-Superior and a Master of Music degree from the University of Minnesota.
     Craig Randal Johnson is a Finnish-American, Minneapolis-based conductor, concert pianist/recitalist and double bassist. As Finlandia Foundation Performer of the Year in 1999, Craig played over two-dozen Finnish piano recitals across the United States. He has a CD devoted to the Finnish piano music repertoire. At three FinnFests he organized and conducted gala symphony concerts featuring world premieres or first American performances of Finnish orchestral works. He held positions for six seasons in three German opera houses, and conducted concerts and opera in Italy and many locations in the U.S.
     Ameriikan Poijat or Boys of America (loosely translated) is a brass septet formed from professional third-generation American Finns. They are reviving the tradition of the Finnish Brass Septet. Their music evolves around the old music and dance arrangements.
     Kaarina Kiviluoma, who emigrated 59 years ago to the United States from Kauhajoki, Finland, lives in Palo, Minn. She will recite in Finnish, “Kesäjuhlaan,” (Summer Celebration), a poem by well-known Finnish poet Hilja Haahti. Kivilouma’s spellbinding style of recitation is reminiscent of the Finn Hall days and is rapidly becoming a lost art.
     Järvenpää Singers, a chorus group, performs in the summer at ethnic celebrations. They began performing at the 1992 FinnFest in Duluth and have performed widely, including events at Iron World on Finnish Day, at Pikku Joulu, and at several FinnFests. Dolores Carlson directs the chorus, accompanied by Linda Bray and accordionist Marlene Sherlin.
     The Veteli Boys’ Choir was founded by choir director Simo Kangas in Veteli, Middle Ostrobothnia, in spring 1985. In 1991 the President of Finland awarded Simo Kangas the title Director Cantus. The choir has grown to about 70 members and has presented concerts in Germany, Sweden, Norway, Denmark, the former Czechoslovakia, Austria, the U.S. and most recently Rome where the Pope was in attendance. They take part in national and international choir events and also sang the theme song for the worldwide TV program “Children of the World” in spring 1985. They perform Piae Cantiones, spiritual or religious tunes, Finnish folk songs, and larger choir works.
     The Mika Roinila Family Singers from Mishawaka, Ind. has performed individually and together by singing and playing instruments in settings such as church services and local musical events in Canada and the United States over the past 20 years. The family includes Dr. Mika Roinila, wife Grace, and children Ari, Anna, Sinikka, and Laura.    
     Kisarit Finnish-American Folk Dancers from the Twin Cities area of Minn. was founded in 1972 to promote awareness and appreciation of the Finnish culture in America through Finnish folk dance and music. Since the first performance in March 1973, the group has performed at numerous festivals (including some in Finland), nationality gatherings, business promotions, and other functions. 
     Pipestone, a traditional Ojibwe drum group, is from the Lac Courte Oreilles Ojibwe reservation in northern Wisconsin. They sing in the original “old style” of their people, straight songs with a snappy beat, Ojibwe music passed down to them from generations ago. Their fifth CD “Good Ol’ Fashioned NDN Lovin” received Record of the Year at the 2007 National Native American Awards. Well known for their jingle and grass dance songs, Pipestone is gaining popularity for their hand drum singing.
     LaTisha ‘Animikii Ikwe’ McRoy is a member of the Bad River Band of Lake Superior Chippewa in Wisconsin. She began dancing as soon as she could walk and now performs as a Fancy Shawl Dancer, imitating the butterfly by wearing extravagant regalia colors, and using intricate footwork and fast-paced dancing. A student at the University of Wisconsin-Superior, she performs widely as Head Female Dancer at pow-wows and gives Ojibwe dancing demonstrations.
     Nathan Muus has been co-editor of Báiki: The International Sámi Journal for 15 years. He explored his family’s Norwegian and Saami heritage, which led to his interest and involvement in traditional yoik music. He has relatives today involved in reindeer herding in Snaasa, Norway, and is also related to Saami in Finnmark. Nathan has learned from many yoik performers in Sámi land and while visiting North America.
     Bryan Jon Maciewski, a member of the Fond du Lac Band of Lake Superior Chippewa, teaches business, finance, and marketing at the Fond du Lac Tribal College. As Pipe Carrier for the college he is also a spiritual advisor to the students, faculty, and administration. He is studying for the ministry.
     Bill Howes, Anishinaabe from the Fond du Lac Band of Lake Superior Chippewa, dances a “Grassdance” using regalia designed to move like the tall grass of the plains. He travels across the country with his family, dancing at powwows and dance presentations.
     Lyz Jaakola, an Anishinaabe/Finnish-American and member of Fond du Lac Band of Lake Superior, is a college teacher with a varied musical background. Her Native-based compositions have been heard on radio stations, television, video, and performed on stage. 
     The Oshkii Giizhik (New Day) Singers are a group of Native American (Anishinaabe and Hochunk) women from Minnesota’s Northland. The group has an evolving membership and they sing for tribal ceremonies, gatherings, celebrations, and performances across Minnesota. Their mission is to empower by encouraging women to use their voices.  
     Brent Buswell and Bert Stromholm’s Accordion Duo (pre-concert music) are Finlandia Foundation National’s performers of the year for 2008. Bert Stromholm, a talented accordion player and entertainer, has been performing and playing dances since his youth. Brent Buswell pays the accordion as well as organ and percussion. He received a degree in professional music from Berklee College of Music. They will be joined by Crista Buswell, Brent’s wife, pianist and a graduate of Penn State.

Nathan Muus

Wed, 8 – 11 pm, Ameriikan Poijat “Iltamat” Dance, Stromholm and Buswell, Finn Hall Band.
Advance tickets $5/$10 door
Lake Superior Ballroom J&K , DANCE
     Ameriikan Poijat (Boys of America) is reviving the tradition of the Finnish Brass Septet and their music evolves around the old music and dance arrangements.
     Stromholm and Buswell: Brent Buswell and Bert Stromholm’s accordion duo are joined by Crista Buswell, Brent’s wife. They play classical, American standards, novelty, Christian and Scandinavian music.
     Finn Hall Band is a group of Minn. musicians dedicated to preserving the feel and sounds of dances at the Finn Halls found in most Finnish-American communities from the 1800s into the 1950s. They’ve toured in Finland and try to remain true to the original tunes, and have also added dances that came into vogue in the 50s and 60s – like the humppa and tango. Their CD is Reflections/Muistelmia.

Ameriikan Poijat Stromholm & Buswell Finn Hall

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Wed, 8 – 11 pm, Northern Stars
Harborside Ballroom, MUSIC/DANCE
     The Northern Stars is a family band that originated in Virginia, Minn. and has performed at dances and festivals for over 30 years. The group features Finnish and Scandinavian dance music recorded by Viola Turpeinen, Walter Eriksson, and Veikko Ahvenainen. 

The Northern Stars

Wed, 9 pm – close, Area Coffeehouses,
MUSIC
Finnish-American and Finnish performers will be showcased at area coffeehouses including: Amazing Grace, 325 Lake Ave. S. (Ninni Poijärvi Trio); Beaners, 324 N Central Ave., (Band’o); Pizza Luce, 1 E Superior St. (Jonathan Rundman); and Lakeside Coffee Shop and Bistro, Fitgers, 600 E Superior St.
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