FinnFest Schedule

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Tentative Schedule

FRIDAY, JULY 25

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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Fri, All-Day Activities
Tori and Tori Stage – Pioneer Hall
Genealogy – St. Louis River Room
Military Display – Lake Superior M & N
Sami Camp – Outside
Craft Demonstrations – Chester Creek Room
Food Court – Edmund Fitzgerald Hall

For information and times for these activities,
click here.

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Fri, 8:30 am, “Song Catcher for the Finns”
with Joyce Hakala
Lake Superior Ballroom L, Lecture
     During the 1930s and 40s, Girl Scout leader Marjorie Edgar immersed herself in the songs and folklore of Finnish immigrants and their descendants living in northern Minn. Joyce Hakala compiled biographical information about Marjorie Edgar and the people who contributed to Edgar’s collections. Hakala’s The Rowan Tree: The Lifework of Marjorie Edgar contains a previously unpublished Finnish folk song collection.
     Joyce Hakala, is the director of the Twin Cities kantele ensemble, Koivun Kaiku. Her first book, Memento of Finland: A Musical Legacy (1997) presents a history of the Finnish national instrument (kantele) and biographies of immigrant kantele players.

Fri, 8:30 am, “Finnish Winter War – A Learning Experience” with Sharon Franklin-Rahkonen
Lake Superior Ballroom O, LECTURE
     In 1939, the Soviet Union invaded its small neighbor, Finland. With a small population and poorly developed military, never-the-less, Finland fought well and held off the Soviet forces for over three months. This presentation will describe the events, in particular the defense of Moscow against the Nazi forces.
     Sharon Franklin-Rahkonen’s Ph.D. dissertation was entitled “Jewish Identity in Finland.” Her research also includes the development of secondary education in Finland, women’s suffrage in Finland, and the development of minority identity. Currently Dr. Franklin-Rahkonen is an associate professor of history at Indiana University of Pennsylvania, teaching Russian history, social studies education and European history.
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Fri, 8:30 am, “A Man for All Seasons: Heikki Lunta” with Hilary Virtanen
Gooseberry 1, LECTURE
     Heikki Lunta, the Finnish Snow God, a folklore character in Finnish America, is celebrated with music, costumed events, and even snowmobile clubs. Ethnic and regional stereotypes concerning Finnish-Americans, Upper Midwesterners and Yoopers (Upper Michigan residents), are evident in the portrayal. Explore the life and times, stories and songs, and many faces of Heikki Lunta.
     Hilary Virtanen is a folklorist from Toivola, Mich. who studied the Finnish language through Hancock High School. She holds a masters degree in folklore from Indiana University and is working on a masters and doctorate in Scandinavian Studies and Folklore at the University of Wisconsin-Madison.

Fri, 8:30 am, “Kindergartners Meet the
Moomintrolls” with Lydia Marie Fowler
Gooseberry 2, LECTURE
     Lydia Marie Fowler is a retired kindergarten teacher from Mich. She has been to Finland many times and while there purchased Moomintroll books. She brought the books back to her classroom to the delight of the children.

Fri, 8:30 am, “My Journey From Karelia to America” with Marjatta Lamberg Gabriel
Gooseberry 3, LECTURE
     Marjatta Lamberg Gabriel was born on Lake Ladoga’s “Riekkala Island,” near Sortavala, Karelia. The Lamberg family lost their home to Russia twice: during the 1939 Winter War and after the 1944 Continuation War. They moved to Oulu before beginning their journey to America, first immigrating to Thunder Bay, Canada in 1951 before settling in Ashtabula, Ohio in 1957. Marjatta moved to Edina, Minn. with her husband in 1972. She worked for American Family Insurance for 22 years before retiring in 2001. Marjatta is a member of the Finnish Genealogy Group of Minnesota and Finnish-American Cultural Activities, Inc.

Fri, 8:30 am, “Climate, Forests and Waters - Finnish Responses to Global Environmental Challenges”
with Mikael Hildén
Meeting Room 203, LECTURE
(Communication live between Helsinki and Duluth)
     Professor Mikael Hildén is programme director at the Finnish Environment Institute (SYKE) (Suomen ympäristökeskus), which is a research institute and government agency in Helsinki under the Ministry of the Environment. Hildén has a background in resource management. He has been responsible for the evaluation and environmental assessments of a number of national policies and has particularly studied societal responses to different environmental challenges. SYKE’s research focuses broadly on changes in the environment, and seeks ways to control these changes. SYKE collaborates extensively with other research institutes and universities in Finland and abroad.

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Fri, 8:30 am,  “Väinamöinen’s Virtual Kantele”
French River Room, MUSIC
     Three Rivers Kantele Ensemble from Haapavesi, Finland is directed by Norma Jane Ilmola. They perform on small and large kanteles. They are Finland’s Young Adult Cultural Ambassadors to the United States and are supported by the Ministry of Education of Finland through a grant. The members are: Norma Jane Ilmola, Anne Maarit Hintikka, Johanna Hietala, Päivi Ollikainen, Paula Kantola, Jaakko Meriläinen, Maiju Mertala, Laura Pesonen, and Maria Suihkonen.
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Fri, 8:30 am, “Telling and Acting Out Stories”
with Pat Eilola
Paulucci Hall, LECTURE
     Pat Eilola grew up in Alango, a farming community north of Duluth, on land that was part of her grandparents’ homestead farm. She remembers listening to her grandfather’s stories of a fabulous family in Finland called the “Holomolaiset,” who, though uneducated, solved all of their problems with cleverness and wit. Pat will offer readings from her newest book, A Finntown of the Soul (due out summer 2008), which is a sequel to the popular Finntown of the Heart (1998). Pat also wrote The Fabulous Family Holomolaiset (1996). She taught high school English literature and composition at Duluth East High School from 1970-1992.
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Fri, 9 am – 2 pm, Golf Tournament
Lester Park, Advance registration required, $50
Check with registration desk for availability.

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Fri, 10 - 11 am, President of the Republic of Finland Tarja Halonen,
Arena
The President has been invited to FinnFest 2008. A ticket is required for this free event.
Tarja Kaarina Halonen, the President of the Republic of Finland began her first term of office in 2000 and was re-elected in 2006. President Halonen is widely celebrated by Finns as a woman who has risen from modest circumstances with only her own competence to guide her to become the leader of their nation. During her career, President Halonen has paid close attention to issues of human rights, democracy and civil society. Issues concerning social justice and promotion of equality have been central themes throughout her political career. She obtained a Master of Laws from the University of Helsinki in 1968. Halonen served as the social secretary and organization secretary of the National Union of Students in Finland in 1969-1970 and partly thanks to this she obtained a position as the lawyer of the Central Organization of Finnish Trade Unions (SAK) for the years 1970-1974. She was a member of the Social Democratic Party from 1971-2000; Prime Minister's parliamentary secretary from 1974-1975; Member of Helsinki City Council from 1977-1996; Member of Parliament from 1979-2000; Minister of Social Affairs and Health from 1987-1990; Minister of Nordic Cooperation from 1989-1991; Minister of Justice from 1990-1991 and Minister for Foreign Affairs from 1995-2000.

11:15 am – 1 pm, “Three Rivers Kantele Ensemble”
French River Room, MUSIC CONCERT
     Three Rivers Kantele Ensemble from Haapavesi, Finland is directed by Norma Jane Ilmola. They perform with large “iso” kanteles, small kanteles, vocals, flutes, accordion, saw-playing, percussion, and jouhikko.

Fri, 11:15 am – 1:15 pm, “Salolampi Sampler”
Paulucci Hall, WORKSHOP FOR CHILDREN
     Salolampi Sampler is offered for youth seven to 15 years old, who are registered for FinnFest. Registration for children is free. Parents are welcome to participate. Instruction is in Finnish, using skits, motions, physical response, and repetition. Attend any or all of the sessions. Choose Finnish names, learn songs, dance, take a vocabulary tour, listen to a picture story, make crafts, play music, and play games.  

Fri, 11:30 a.m – 1:30 pm, Box Lunch Pick-up
Edmund Fitzgerald Food Court, Advance purchase only, $14. Includes sandwich, chips, fruit, cookies, and soda.

Fri, 11:30 am, “Shaming Finns:
The Americanization Program in Iron Range Schools” with Lynn Maria Laitala
Lake Superior Ballroom O, LECTURE
     University of Minnesota anthropologist A. E. Jenks designed the Americanization Program used on Minnesota’s Iron Range in the 1920s and 30s. It taught racial hierarchy and ethnic stereotypes where Germanic peoples were superior to Finns.
     Lynn Maria Laitala, whose parents came from Ely and Winton, Minn. received her MA from the University of Minnesota in history and anthropology. She has been the editor of Finnish-American Reporter and New World Finn. She lives on the Keweenaw Peninsula where she works as a librarian and researches the history of the Lake Superior region.

Fri, 11:30 am, “Báiki and the North
American Sami” with moderator, Marlene Wisuri
with panel members: Faith Fjeld, Nathan Muus,
and Ruthanne Cecil
Gooseberry Falls 1, LECTURE
     Báiki: The International Sami Journal has been instrumental in the reclaiming of Sami culture in North America. This panel, moderated by Marlene Wisuri, will feature editors and Báiki contributors, Faith Fjeld, Nathan Muus, and Ruthanne Cecil. They will give an overview of the journal and present a fascinating look at a myriad of projects undertaken to promote Sami culture in North America.
     Marlene Wisuri, Duluth, is a college teacher, artist/photographer, historian, author, and book publisher. She received her MFA degree from the University of Massachusetts. Her photographs have appeared in numerous exhibits throughout the country and in Finland and Norway. She has been the co-author of several books about immigrant issues, local history, and Ojibwe culture and history. She is an active member and elder of the Sami Siida of North America.
     Faith Fjeld, the editor of Báiki, has written and lectured extensively on the emigration of the Sámi to North America and is project director of “The Sami: Reindeer People of Alaska” traveling exhibit. Nathan Muus is co-editor of Báiki. He is a yoiker who has performed solo at major Scandinavian and Finnish festivals. Ruthanne Cecil’s ancestral roots trace back to the Kemi Sami region of arctic Finland. She is part of the Josephs clan of Minn. who were Laestadian immigrants from Finland in the 19th century. Cecil is the executive director of a nonprofit corporation working on sustainable communities, economics, and environment. Active in the North American Saami community for 12 years, she helps with a number of Báiki projects.

Faith Fjeld	Marlene Wisuri
	Nathan Muus

Fri, 11:30 am, “Heikki Heikkinen”
with Lauri Arvid Anderson
Gooseberry 2, LECTURE
     Learn about Heikki Heikkinen, the dominant character of Professor Anderson’s six fictional books on Finnish-Americans.
     Lauri Arvid Anderson is chair of Humanities and English at Finlandia University. He is the author of four short-story collections and a novel published by North Star Press of St. Cloud, Minn. His publications include: Back to Misery Bay (2007), Impressions of Arvo Laurila (2005), Misery Bay (2001), Children of the Kalevala (1997), and Heikki Heikkinen and Other Stories of Upper Peninsula Finns (1995).

Fri, 11:30 am, “The Finnish-American Mining
Company: A Tantalizing Prospect Turned Bad”
with Gary Kaunonen
Gooseberry 3, LECTURE
     Most Finnish immigrants entered the New World at the turn of the 20th century on the lowest level of the American labor hierarchy. Working dangerous, low-paying jobs in Lake Superior region copper and iron mines, few had the financial or technological resources to even dream of owning or operating a mine. An intrepid, well-healed group of upper-middle class Finnish immigrants saw the enormous wealth accumulating around them in Calumet, Mich. They leveraged their own surplus capital and economic vitality toward ownership of a working mine operation, in Finland, no less.
     Gary Kaunonen is a social and labor historian who currently works as a heritage preservation professional at Finlandia University’s Finnish-American Historical Archive.

Fri, 11:30 am, “Kalevala Today” with Margaret Olson Webster
Meeting Room 202, LECTURE
     The Kalevala Today is not just ancient storytelling; it’s important to contemporary thinking as well as an expression of ageless wisdom. This presentation explores how it sheds light on life today.
     Margaret Olson Webster is a graduate of University of Minnesota Duluth and has taught high school, college art and home economics for nearly three decades. Several of her books on Finnish culture have been nominated for book awards and her plays have been performed widely. 

Fri, 11:30 am, “Iittala: Modern Finnish Design”
with Ben Horn
Meeting Room 203, LECTURE
     Finnish manufacturer Iittala remains vibrant and fresh after two centuries of operation. This presentation includes an overview of Iittala and its products in glass, porcelain (Arabia) and stainless steel (Hackman). Examine the company’s extraordinary design talent and enduring product lines. Learn more about a company--and a philosophy--which continue to influence modern design worldwide.
     Ben Horn created websites FinnishGifts.com and FinnStyle.com. Both websites, as well as the FinnStyle store in downtown Minneapolis, specialize in Finnish design from Iittala, Marimekko, Aarikka, and Kalevala Koru.

Fri, 11:30 am – 3 pm, Art Displays
     Duluth Art Institute, 506 W. Michigan St., (9:30 am - 6 pm) has the exhibition “Naturally Finnish/Luonnollisesti Suomalainen.” Tweed Museum of Art, 1201 Ordean Court, (9 am - 6 pm) has the exhibition “Honoring Tradition: Finnish and Sami-inspired Textiles Exhibit.” Area Galleries: Finnish-American and Finnish artists also have work at area galleries (hours vary). See Wednesday’s listing for more information. (Note: A Gallery Hop and Receptions will be held from 3-6 pm.)

Friday, July 25 afternoon

Fri, 12:30 – 2 pm, “Finnish Lunch and Storyteller”
with Cheryl Sawyer
Lake Superior Ballroom J&K, LUNCH
     Lohi Keitto – (salmon soup) with Finnish rye bread, cheddar cheese, cucumbers, tomatoes, rice pudding and condiments. Advance tickets only. $18
     Cheryl Johnson Sawyer, Aah-Some Finnish Storyteller Extraordinaire. Laughter is internal jogging! Be amazed, amused, and entertained with Cheryl’s unique approach to entertaining audiences from preschoolers through adults. Favorite tales are enhanced with rib-tickling humor and slap-stick comedy. Cheryl uses some illusion. As something changes in the story, it also changes in her hands. In addition, she tells the “Three Bears” in Finnish.
     Cheryl Johnson Sawyer was born in Oulu, Wisc. and spoke Finnish at an early age. She and her husband live in St. Paul, Minn. because that’s all the farther south their retirement funds have taken them.

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Fri, 12:30 pm, “Contemporary Saami Yoik Concert” with Nathan Muus
Lake Superior Ballroom L, MUSIC
     Nathan Muus is co-editor of Báiki, the International Sami Journal. He is a yoiker who performs the yoik which is sometimes compared with other Indigenous music forms as the Inuit and American Indian music. The yoik is traditional Saami music, one of the oldest continuous musical traditions of Europe.

Fri, 12:30 – 2:30 pm, “Finlandia Foundation National POY Concert”
Lake Superior Ballroom O, CONCERT
     The Performer of the Year (POY) Program brings the talents of performers, who promote Finnish and Finnish-American culture to wider audiences than usual. Often these performers not only give concerts but teach as well. 1997 POY: Koivun Kaiku, Kantele Ensemble from Minneapolis, Minn.; 1999 POY: Craig Randal Johnson, pianist, string bassist, conductor from Minneapolis, Minn.; 2000 POY: Diane Jarvi, singer, songwriter, poet from Minneapolis, Minn., 2001 POY: Vicki Gornick, organist from Chisholm, Minn., 2002 POY: Ulla Suokko, flutist from New York City; 2005 POY: Richard Koski, two-row diatonic button accordionist from Trumansburg, NY; 2008 POY: Brent Buswell & Bert Stromholm Accordion Duo. Chad Salmela is Master of Ceremonies.

Fri, 12:30 pm, “Finnish Domestic Workers Panel” with moderator, Yvonne Lockwood
Gooseberry 1, LECTURE
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Fri, 12:30 - 1:45 pm, “Scandinavian Weaving Traditions from Home Handicraft to Contemporary Art” with Liisa Ojala
Gooseberry 2, LECTURE
     This slide presentation contains examples of Viking era coverlets, early pagan and Christian tapestries, rya folk art, and textiles as part of architecture in Norway, Sweden and Finland. “Brukkonst”, useful art, harmonious marriage of function and art, developed in certain cradles of culture in Scandinavia, Guldbrandsdalen, Dalarna, and Saarijarvi.
     Liisa Ojala’s family has a long textile tradition from Finland. With an M.A. and B.A. from University of Minnesota in German and Scandinavian literature, the opportunity to be involved with museum quality exhibitions has honed Liisa’s design sense. She worked at International Design Center for nine years before becoming an independent designer.

Friday, 12:30 pm, Knights of Kaleva
Gooseberry 3, LECTURE

Fri, 12:30 pm, “Writing Finnish-American History” with Auvo Kostiainen
Meeting Room 202, LECTURE
     Writing the history of Finnish Americans started in the 1900s with travel descriptions and boomed in the next decades to romantic views of the Finnish experience in America. As a result of tightening political atmosphere in the United States, works emphasized the Americanizing processes. A new memorializing of migration phase started after WWII, resulting in so-called state histories of Finns in America. The new interest in ethnic history in North America resulted in a boom of scholarly studies in the 1960s to 1980s. The last phase is in process. It is a re-interpretation of history, with multidisciplinary approaches and post-modern society features.

Fri, 12:30 pm, “Themes/Obsessions in Finnish-American Poetry” with moderator Jim Johnson
and panelists Beth Virtanen, Sheila Packa,
and Diane Jarvi
Meeting Room 203, LECTURE
     Jim Johnson’s poetry is closely tied to his roots in Northern Minn. and reveals his concern for the natural environment and the people and other living things of the area.
     His books are Finns In Minnesota Midwinter (1986), A Field Guide To Blueberries (1992), and Wolves (1993). He collaborated with the photographer Marlene Wisuri in Dovetailed Corners (1996) and The Coop Label (2005). He has taught in the Duluth public schools and has conducted workshops in the Upper Midwest. Jim is the 2008-2010 Duluth Poet Laureate.

Fri, 12:30 pm, “Spiritual Care of Finns at Home and Abroad” with Ilkka Mäkelä, Executive Secretary for Finns Living Abroad, Church of Finland
Meeting Room 204-205, LECTURE
     Ilkka Mäkelä is a Finnish pastor who heads the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America’s ministry to Finns abroad. He also serves as the Consultative Subcommittee for Ethnic Cultural and Religious Issues for the government of Finland and the Institute of Migration Board.

Fri, 1:15 – 2:15 pm “Kantele Practice Session”
with Barbara Hanka
French River Room, MUSIC
     Five and 10 string kanteles will be available to practice.



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Fri, 1:30 pm, “Show and Tell of the National Finnish Folk Costumes” with Eila Ivonen
Harborside Ballroom, LECTURE
     See two dozen plus authenticated folk costumes for men and women modeled for the audience. These beautiful and skillfully-constructed garments will illustrate how historic events, including the travels of the Vikings and the French Revolution, have influenced national costumes.
     Eila Ivonen, who was born in Finland and emigrated in 1953, is a retired R.N. who lectures and publishes articles on Finnish culture and customs. She is a member of Ladies of Kaleva, the Board of the Historic Kaleva Hall, and past president of the National Grand Lodge. She translates genealogy and family histories and teaches Finnish.

Fri, 1:30-2:30 pm, “Sinivalkoinen” with the Veteli Boys Choir
Auditorium, MUSIC (doors open at 1 pm)
      The Veteli Boys’ Choir, founded by director Simo Kangas, started in Veteli, Middle Ostrobothnia, in spring 1985. Its repertoire consists of Piae Cantiones, spiritual or religious tunes, Finnish folk songs and larger choir works. Their sound is considered the most pure and desirable imaginable.

Fri, 1:30 pm, “Nyt Naura-Now Laugh” with the Suomalainen Sisters
Lake Superior Ballroom L, COMEDY/MUSIC
     The Suomalainen Sisters, Sherry ‘Kyro’ Saarinen, Kris Kyro and Linda Kyro, developed an original script based on their Finnish heritage. It’s in English with a smidgen of Finnish throughout. The sisters, who received the Michigan Heritage Award and were nominated twice for the Finlandia Foundation National’s performer of the year, help preserve the vanishing customs, traditions, and language of Finnish immigrants.

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Fri, 1:30 pm, “Finglish” with Belinda Brunfelt
Gooseberry 1 LECTURE
     Having learned to speak Finglish from her grandfather, Belinda Brunfelt sometimes is asked to speak to others in Finglish. She found learning this “language” as a child was much easier than learning proper Finnish as an (old) adult. The trials and tribulations of learning Finnish and Finglish will be discussed. Some scholarly research will be included.
     Belinda Brunfelt, who grew up on the Iron Range and plans to move back, currently lives in Maine. She is a member of the Finnish-American Heritage Society in West Paris, Maine, the Ladies of Kalevala in Virginia, Minn., and was a member of the Maine Kanteles.

Fri, 1:30 pm, “The Rocks of Finland: Vanha, Varied and Valuable!” with Richard Ojakangas
Gooseberry 3, LECTURE
     The rocks of Finland constitute the central and main portion of one of Earth’s ancient continental nuclei, the Fennoscandian Shield. Their ages range from 3500 million years to 600 million years. Mining was important in Finland until a few decades ago. Today there is a major rebirth of mineral exploration, with more than 40 international firms engaged in the search for copper, nickel, platinum group elements, uranium, gold, and diamonds. A new gold mine is presently under development. Environmental safeguards are being emphasized.
     Richard Ojakangas is University of Minnesota Duluth Professor Emeritus, recently retired from the Department of Geological Sciences. He has published dozens of articles and several books.

Fri, 1:30 pm, “Finnish Immigrant Architecture” with Arnold Alanen
Meeting Room 202, LECTURE
     Arnold R. Alanen teaches landscape history and historic preservation in the Department of Landscape Architecture at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. Alanen has written extensively about the Finns, mining towns, and agricultural settlements of northeastern Minn. His recent book, Morgan Park: Duluth, U.S. Steel, and the Forging of a Company Town, features the famous Duluth community that once housed steelworkers.

Fri, 1:30 pm, “The Colorful World of Marimekko” with Susan E. Harstad
Meeting Room 203, LECTURE
     Marimekko is a leading Finnish textile and design company. Since 1951, Marimekko’s Finnish, Swedish and Japanese designers have created clothing, interior decoration textiles, bags and other accessories in designs ranging from subtle patterns inspired by nature to bold cityscapes and bright abstract prints. Learn about Marimekko’s designers, view fabric and samples of colorful Marimekko products, and discover why Marimekko is at the height of modern fashion.
     Susan E. Harstad’s strong interest in Finnish language, culture, art and design stems from her travels to Finland, her 19 summers of camp-counselor work at Salolampi: the Finnish Concordia Language Village, her graduate studies in art history focusing on Nordic art, and her work at the Minneapolis design store FinnStyle.

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Fri, 1:30 – 3:30 pm, “Poetry Writing”
with Jim Johnson
Paulucci Hall, WORKSHOP/POETRY READING
     Learn techniques for writing your own original poetry with an option to read at a 2:30 pm poetry reading.
     Jim Johnson’s poetry is closely tied to his roots in Northern Minn. and reveals his concern for the natural environment and the people and other living things of the area. His books are Finns In Minnesota Midwinter (1986), A Field Guide To Blueberries (1992), and Wolves (1993). He collaborated with the photographer Marlene Wisuri in Dovetailed Corners (1996) and The Coop Label (2005). He has taught in the Duluth public schools and has conducted workshops in the Upper Midwest. Jim is the 2008-2010 Duluth Poet Laureate. Poetry reading follows.

Fri, 2:30 pm, “Songs of Pikes and Passion and Everything In Between” with Saana Ensemble
Lake Superior Ballroom L, MUSIC
     Saana Ensemble is a quartet of Finnish women living in the Twin Cities, Minn. who perform Finnish traditional folk tunes often with “a modern twist.” Their repertoire ranges from folk and dance tunes to sacred hymns and contemporary music, both a cappella and accompanied by guitar, accordion, clarinet, recorder, piano, and percussion. Saana Ensemble is: Elina Kala (vocals, piano, guitar, percussion), Elina Ruppert (vocals, guitar, percussion), Sari Rönnholm (vocals, clarinet, recorder, piano) and Ulla Tervo-Desnick (vocals, two-row accordion, percussion). The fifth member, Eeva Savolainen, is currently living in Finland.

Fri, 2:30 pm, “Jazz Standards”
with the Juli Wood Quartet
Lake Superior O, MUSIC
     Juli Wood has enjoyed her many trips to Finland to play at clubs and festivals in Helsinki, Pori, Oulu, Tampere, Turku, and Lapland. She plays alto tenor, and baritone saxes and loves to sing. She has entertained around the world at jazz festivals and clubs. Her quartet is made up of some of the best jazz musicians in Chicago; Jordan Baskin on piano, Jake Vinse on bass, and Mike Schlick on drums. Terve! Svengaa Kuin Hirvi!

Fri, 2:30 pm, “Ladies of Kaleva:
A Second Century of Activity” with Elaine Ahlgren
Gooseberry 1 LECTURE
     Learn what attracted Finnish immigrant women to the Ladies of Kaleva (Kalevan Naiset) organization in the early 1900s. Over the last century, 61 tupas, or lodges, were established throughout the U.S. and Canada, including Duluth in 1907. Learn how many still exist today and what their goals are for keeping Finnish traditions alive and continuing into a Second Century of activity in their communities.
     Elaine Ahlgren is a 36-year member and current president of the Aallottaren Tupa in Duluth. She is a UMD grad and is involved in the Minnesota Finnish-American Historical Society Duluth Chapter, Sampo Association, and the Järvenpää Singers.

Fri, 2:30 pm, “Rag Carpets”
with Phyllis Fredendall
Gooseberry 2, LECTURE
     Associate Professor of Art and Design, Phyllis Fredendall has been teaching fiber and fashion design at Finlandia University since 1993. She has been an artist-in-residence on Isle Royale and the Felt Center in Petäjävesi, Finland.

Fri, 2:30 pm, “Finland-Minnesota Environmental Emergency Exchange” with Steve Leppälä
Gooseberry 3, LECTURE
     Finland and Minnesota share similarities: cold snowy winters, moderate warm summers, geological features like shallow bedrock, and an abundance of lakes. Finland and Minnesota also share a strong emphasis on environmental protection, including spill prevention and preparedness. With assistance through a grant from Finlandia Foundation, a trip to Finland was arranged to learn more about Finland’s approach to environmental emergencies and to share experiences from a Minn. perspective.
Steve Leppälä is an Emergency Response Team member for the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency.

Fri, 2:30 pm, “Swede-Finns in America: The rejuvenation of a distinct part of Finnish culture”
with Mika Roinila
Meeting Room 202, LECTURE
     This presentation will examine the early history of the Swede-Finn settlement in North America (including the Minn. North Shore); the association with Swedes in rural and urban settings; and the changing ethnic identity, which have been recorded over time. The maintenance of a distinct Swede-Finn heritage is exemplified by the widespread founding of lodges as part of the Order of Runeberg, while religious and other cultural activities thrived in the past.
     Mika Roinila received his Ph.D. from the University of Saskatchewan in 1997 in the field of cultural-historical geography, resulting in the publication The Finland-Swedes in Canada (2000). He is assistant professor of geography at Bethel College, Mishawaka, Indiana.

Fri, 2:30 pm, “Fusion, Confusion and Finnish Food” with Beatrice Ojakangas
Meeting Room 203, LECTURE
     In this program, Beatrice Ojakangas will explore the questions: How much of the traditional foods of Finland are still known in the country? How is Finnish “fusion” different from ours? Is there still a “seasonal” difference in what typical Finns eat? and To what degree has “McDonald’s” type food infiltrated Finnish cuisine?
     Beatrice Ojakangas grew up on a farm near Floodwood, Minn., and graduated from the University of Minnesota Duluth. Her first cookbook, The Finnish Cookbook (researched when she lived in Finland), was published in 1964 and is still in print. After writing The Great Scandinavian Baking Book, Beatrice received a James Beard Foundation Award, the highest industry honor awarded to a culinary professional. She has written over 25 cookbooks and writes a regular magazine column.

Fri, 2:30 - 5:30 pm, Anishinaabe / Finnish Panel “Trail of Success”
Meeting Room 204-205, LECTURE
     With moderator Warner Wirta and panel members Donald F. Bibeau, Arne Vainio, George Himango, Lyz Jaakola, Frank Bibeau, Nancy Gordon, Michael Himango, Bill Howes, Bryan Jon Maciewski, and Shelly Ceglar.
     The commonalities of two cultures (Ojibwe / Finnish) created a framework of a unique heritage that provides synergistic strength that enables “success” within both worlds. The panel is comprised of Ojibwe (Anishinaabe) /Finnish individuals who have been successful personally and professionally. Their stories and struggles are provocative and inspiring.
     Warner B. Wirta taught at Orr High School in Orr, Minn., before working on social issues such as the creation of the Indian Veteran Mental Health program in St. Cloud, Minn. He is a commissioner for the Duluth Indian Commission dealing with urban problems including toxic, radioactive barrels in Lake Superior and caretaking the treaty and “sacred rights” of Indians on Spirit Mountain.
     Donald F. Bibeau, a member of the Minnesota Chippewa Tribe, is a Korean Era Air Force veteran. He is a graduate of St. Olaf College and Chemical Dependancy Counselor Training at Hazelden. He holds advanced degrees from the University of Minnesota. He is currently an associate professor and chair of the Social Work Department, Metropolitan State University, St. Paul and he maintains a dwelling at Ball Club, Minn., on Leech Lake Indian Reservation.
     Arne Vainio is a member of the Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe. He now is a Family Practice Physician at the Min-No-Aya-Win Human Services Clinic on the Fond du Lac Ojibwe Reservation in Cloquet.
     George Himango, a member of the Minnesota Chippewa Tribe, is a U.S. Navy Special Operations, Vietnam Vet. He has been the executive director of Fond du Lac Reservation and executive director of Mental Health at UMD. He is currently employed as the director of desegregation for Duluth Public Schools.
     Lyz Jaakola, an Anishinaabe/Finnish-American and a 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 many stages near her home on the Fond du Lac reservation. She has directed a women’s hand drum group, the Anishinaabe Youth Chorus, and is a composer in residence through a program sponsored by First Nations Composer Initiative, a branch of the American Composers Forum.
     Frank Bibeau is a Finndian or Finnjun, part Finn and part Indian. He is an attorney for the Anishinaabe Legal Services, serving Leech Lake, White Earth and Red Lake Reservations. Frank grew up on military bases and then settled with his Finndian father in the Washington, DC area. He spent several childhood summers with his Grandmother Lempi, on the Iron Range north of Nashwauk listening to the Finnish language.
     Nancy J. Bakka Gordon was raised on the Iron Range, in the Finnish community of Palo. She is affiliated with the White Earth Band of Ojibwe and is a college admissions representative at Fond du Lac Tribal College. Nancy resides in Cloquet and retains the family farm on the White Earth Reservation.
     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. Bill has traveled all over the country with his family dancing at powwows and dance presentations. 
     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 currently studying for the ministry.
     Shelly (Bakka) Ceglar, a member of the White Earth Band of Ojibwe, was raised on the Iron Range. She has worked as an Ojibwe language and art instructor, Ojibwe language writer, and is currently a public school K-12 media specialist.
     This event was funded in part by the
Anishinaabe Fund of the Duluth Superior Area Community Foundation.

Lyz Jaakola

Frank Bibeau

Arne Vainio

Fri, 3 pm, Finnish Expatriate Parliment,
Auditorium Mezzanine

Fri, 3 – 6 pm, Art Gallery Hop and Receptions
Start at any gallery and ride the “Port Town Trolley.”
Take a shuttle to the Tweed.
     Duluth Art Institute, 506 W. Michigan St., Tweed Museum of Art, 1201 Ordean Court, University of Minnesota Duluth, (9 am – 4:30 pm), Art Dock, 394 Lake Ave. S., Blue Iris Gallery, 723 Lake Ave. S., Blue Lake Gallery, 395 Lake Ave. S., Just for the Season Gallery, 207 West Superior St., Kollodge Gallery, 310 S. Lake Ave., Lizzard’s Art Gallery and Framing, 11 West Superior Street., Sivertson Gallery, 361 Canal Park Drive, and Waters of Superior, 395 S. Lake Ave. See Wednesday’s Art Display listing for more information on artists and exhibits.

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Fri, 3 – 4 pm, Vicki Lundberg Gornick performs
Finnish Organ Music
First United Methodist Church (Copper Top), 230 E Skyline Parkway, Duluth. See www.fumc.com for directions.
     Vicki Lundberg Gornick of Chisholm, Minn., was selected as the 2000 Finlandia Foundation National Performer of the Year and has toured throughout the U.S. performing Finnish organ music. She has performed as a soloist and accompanist in the United States, Canada, Sweden and Finland, and now plays professionally for three churches, directs two choirs and maintains a private studio for organ and piano instruction.

Vicki Gornick

Fri, 3:15 – 4:15, “Nyt Naura-Now Laugh” with the Suomalainen Sisters
Paulucci Hall, COMEDY/MUSIC
     Nyt Naura Suomalainen Sisters are comic reminiscing, humorous songs and lyrics for the whole family. Their comedy and music will tickle the funny bone.

Fri, 3:30 pm, “Highland String Quartet”
Lake Superior Ballroom L, MUSIC
     Highland String Quartet was formed in 1985 and presents concerts as well as other festivities and events in the upper Midwest with its four original members: Steve Highland, first violin; Laurie Bastian, second violin; Ron Kari, viola; and Betsy Highland Husby, cello. All members are native Duluthians and hold positions in the Duluth-Superior Symphony Orchestra.

Fri, 3:30 pm, “Fantasy Piano Music from Finland”
with Craig Randal Johnson
Lake Superior Ballroom O, LECTURE/MUSIC
     Craig Randal Johnson is a Finnish-American Minneapolis-based conductor, concert pianist/recitalist and double bassist. As the 1999 Finlandia Foundation Performer of the Year, Craig played over two-dozen Finnish piano recitals across the United States. He has a CD devoted to the Finnish piano music repertoire. He has organized and conducted gala FinnFest symphony concerts in Ashtabula (2007), Marquette (2005) and Minneapolis (2002). Each Finnfest concert featured 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.

Marja Puhakka

Debbie Karstu

Fri, 3:30 pm, “Finland’s Health Care System” with moderator Doris Ravotas
Gooseberry 1, LECTURE/PANEL               
     Finlandia University students and faculty will discuss observations made of Finland’s health care system from a trip to Finland in May 2008. A nursing instructor from Finland will discuss the health care system from the point of view of a professional.
     Debbie Karstu, instructor and students Melinda Seppanen and Kristen Koljonen, all from Finlandia University will join Marja Puhakka, an instructor from Finland. Marja Puhakka is a lecturer and registered nurse from Finland. In addition to working as a registered nurse and specialized nurse at several hospitals in Finland, she worked in Youth With A Mission, International Christian Mission Organization in Finland and Sweden, and teaches practical nursing at the Vocational School of Savonlinna.

Fri, 3:30 pm, Pekka Lintu, Ambassador of
Finland to the U.S.
Gooseberry 2, LECTURE
     Pekka Lintu has been the Ambassador of Finland to the U.S. since January 2006. Prior to coming to Washington, his postings abroad included tenures in Marseilles (1972-73), in Geneva at Finland’s Permanent Mission to the United Nations (1975-79), and in Paris at Finland’s Permanent Delegation to the OECD (1984-87). More recently, he spent six years in Tokyo as Finland’s Ambassador to Japan (1994-2000). During his home postings at the Ministry for Foreign Affairs in Helsinki, he has focused predominantly on economic and trade issues, ranging from multilateral negotiations to regional and bilateral issues between Finland and other countries. He was the Under-Secretary for External Economic Affairs from 2001 to 2005.

Fri, 3:30 pm, “Papermaking in Finland” with Raimo Olavi Malkki
Gooseberry 3, LECTURE
Raimo Olavi Malkki is vice-president of investment management for UPM-Kymmene, a Finnish pulp, paper and timber manufacturer with operations in several countries. Before his position at UPM he served as vice president and general manager for the Kaipola Paper Mill in Finland, as mill manager and general manager for the Blandin Paper Company in Minnesota, project manager for the construction of the Caledonian Paper Mill in Scotland, and he held several positions at the Kaukas Paper Mill in Lappeenranta, Finland. He has a master of science degree from Lappeenranta University of Technology and an MBA from the University of Jyväskylä.

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Fri, 3:30 pm, “Finnish-Americans Today”
with Jouni Korkiasaari
Meeting Room 202, LECTURE
     Jouni Korkiasaari, Turku, Finland, has worked as a researcher and expert of Finnish migration at the Institute of Migration since 1980. His special area of interest is Finns abroad. He is one of the authors of the six-volume book series on the history of Finnish emigration. His current research focuses on the Finnish North Americans today. He is also an expert in using computers and the internet in genealogical research of Finnish emigrants.

Fri, 3:30 pm, “Lottas — Finnish Warriors in Skirts” with Hilja Hautamaa Nast
Meeting Room 203, LECTURE
     Lotta Svard was a womens’ volunteer organization during the Finnish-Russian war, 1939-1944. The organization worked with distinction behind the lines in support of the men in the Finnish Army.
     Hilja Hautamaa Nast was born in Finland and immigrated to the U.S. at age 19. Since then, she has raised a family and owned and operated a ski resort in up-state New York. She has had a book published that tells of her childhood memories of war-time Finland. She lives in Duluth and is active in the University for Seniors where she teaches Tai-Chi.

“Remembering Finn Hall”	Diane Jarvi

Fri, 3:30 - 5 pm, Kantele Concert with Poetry
French River Room, MUSIC
     “Remembering Finn Hall” is a kantele and poetry performance by Barbara Hanka, Jim Johnson and their children Diana & Sergei from Duluth.
     Diane Jarvi, from Minneapolis, will sing and perform on the small and large kantele. Jarvi is a versatile jazz and pop singer, songwriter, and instrumentalist. She sings and records her own original songs in contemporary folk style and is accomplished on both the guitar and kantele. She is known in Finland as “Minnesotan Satakeili,” the Minnesota nightingale. She is a published poet, and a recipient of the Finlandia Foundation Performer of the Year.

Fri, 4:30 pm, “The Tuohitorvi Soi! Kalevala”
with Helinä Pakola and the Singing Strings
Lake Superior Ballroom L, MUSIC
     The Tuohitorvi Soi! Kalevala performance features Liana-Kaarina, Eeva Savolainen, Hilpi Leino-Kantola and Helina Leino Pakolä in the performance group, The Singing Strings. They are recipients of a Kordelini Foundation grant for filming of Kalevala.

Fri, 4:30 – 5:15 pm, “Between Two Stages”
with Marjatta Airas, Folke Gräsbeck and Zingara
Lake Superior Ballroom O, MUSIC
     This performance leads from great hits of music theatre – operetta and opera – to gypsy camp; in the centre is Jukka Linkola’s dazzling concerto for three, composed and dedicated for these versatile performers.
     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.

Zingara Quartet

Folke Gräsbeck

Marjatta and Folke

Fri, 4:30 pm, “Finnish Relief Efforts from the U.S.”
with moderator Gladys Aukee
Gooseberry 1, LECTURE
     Gladys Aukee, Raymond S. Carlson, and others will discuss the highly organized efforts in Finnish-American communities to raise funds for the people in Finland whose supplies were devastated by the Winter War and Continuation War.
     As a Rudyard, Mich. youngster, Gladys (Mayry) Aukee, watched her mother, Impi, pack boxes of food for her family living on the shores of Kyrösjärvi, Finland. Finland’s war with Russia was an emotional concern, not only for the welfare of family members, but because of the death of an uncle, a soldier on the eastern front. Gladys, a Suomi College and UMD graduate with a BS and MA in speech pathology, taught for many years.
     Raymond S. Carlson, a retired educator in Mich. schools, has a BS degree from Northern Michigan University and an MS and Ed.S from Wayne State University. He is registered with Finlandia University and Michigan Technological University as a historic researcher especially for genealogical assistance. His geographic area consists of Houghton, Baraga, Ontonagon and Keweenaw Counties (Michigan).

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Fri, 4:30 pm, “Salolampi Finnish Language Village”
Gooseberry 2, LECTURE
     The unique and successful Finnish language and culture immersion program, the Salolampi Finnish Language Village, is operated by Concordia Language Villages at a site with Finnish-styled buildings near Bemidji, Minn. See photos and hear about the history of its development; the content and goals of its summer programs, and the involvement of Finnish dignitaries. The presentation will also include some Finnish songs and examples of the language immersion used at Salolampi.
     The Salolampi Ambassadors are a group of supporters, Salolampi Foundation Board members, and staff of the Salolampi Finnish Language Village.

Fri, 4:30 pm, “Slippery Borders of Finnish-American Identity” with K. Marianne Wargelin
Gooseberry 3, LECTURE
     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 has written articles on Finnish and Finnish-American folklore, popular culture, and the high arts. A graduate of Suomi College, she earned degrees in English language literature at Augustana College (Illinois) and the University of Michigan, and studied American Studies at the University of Minnesota. She is currently completing a history dissertation at the University of Tampere, Finland. She became President of FinnFestUSA in February 2004.

Fri, 4:30 pm, “Finnish-Americans Working Toward Whiteness” with Peter Kivisto
Meeting Room 202, LECTURE
     Many within the Finnish-American community have long been concerned about their racial identity. Specifically, they have been intent on “proving” that they are white--and not Asian or as a fictional character in Jim Harrison’s recent novel suggests, “northern European Indians.” This presentation explores the history of their quest to become white.
     Peter Kivisto is the Richard Swanson Professor of Social Thought and Chair of Sociology at Augustana College.

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Fri, 4:30 pm, “Health Care”
Meeting Room 203, LECTURE
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Fri, 4:30 - 6 pm, John Berquist and Friends
Paulucci Hall, MUSIC
     John Berquist and fellow musicians from the Northland, Ted Heinonen, Kim Monson, and Mike Monson, present a set of music for listening and dancing. Button accordions, mandolins, guitars, and a big bass fiddle are all part of the band’s mixed repertoire of Finnish and Scandinavian songs, a few originals, and some well-known old favorites..

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Fri, 5:30 – 6:30 pm, Concert
with John Nurmi and Jon Romer
French River Room, MUSIC
     John Nurmi from Ossining, NY and Jon Romer from Cass Lake, Minn. will perform original songs on the small kantele and native flute.

John Nurmi	Jon Romer

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Friday, July 25 evening

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Fri, 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! 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 Minnesota. 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.

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Fri, 6:30 - 9 pm, A Finnish Dinner and Three Finnish One Act Comedies
Rubber Chicken Theater, Proctor Area Community Center, 100 Pionk Drive, Proctor, Minn., Advance tickets only. $30, (218) 213-2780
This evening of Finnish dinner theater includes an authentic Finnish dinner, followed by the one-act comedies: The Betrothal (Kihlaus) by Aleksis Kivi, No Wonder! (Ihmekos Tuo!) by Matti Kurikka and Personal Ad (Naimailmoitus) by Edith Koivisto. All of the plays were translated by Harri Siitonen.

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Fri, 7 pm, Dance featuring May Prachar Band and Hilkka Helena and Heikki Perttu.
Lake Superior J & K, DANCE
Advance tickets $5/$10 door
     The May Prachar Band, a family band specializing in Finnish, Polish and Czech old tyme music, consists of May Prachar, daughter Marie Ojala, son Mark Prachar and son-in-law Esa Ojala. They have performed at the UMD International Finnish Festival, the Finnish Ethnic Days at Ironworld-Chisholm, the Heritage Days Finnish Festival in Finland, and events in Thunder Bay, Canada.
     Heikki Perttu and Hilkka Helena are popular and experienced entertainers.Their lively dance music consists of Finnish tangos, foxtrots, valses, humppas, jenkkas and polkas but they are just as comfortable breaking into such great American hits as “Crazy”. They have just released a CD entitled Amor. They have performed in Florida, Georgia, Ohio and Canada.

May Prachar Band	Heikki Perttu	Hilkka Helena

Brent Buswell and Bert Stromholm	Conga Se Menne
	Wiita Brothers Band

Fri, 7 pm, Dance featuring Wiita Brothers Band, Buswell and Stromholm, and Conga Se Menne
Harborside Ballroom, DANCE
Advance tickets $5/$10 door
     The Wiita Brothers Band is well known for traditional, old-time dance music. They have played for dances since 1983 and have performed at Iron World and many other area festivals and dances. Band members, Mark Wiita, Brian Wiita, Glen Bayless and Tim Churchill, play their rhythmically smooth songs with enthusiasm and energy.
     Brent Buswell and Bert Stromholm’s accordion duo are the 2008 Finlandia Foundation National’s Performers of the Year. Bert Stromholm, a talented accordion player and entertainer, has been performing and playing dances since his youth. Brent Buswell plays 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, a pianist and a graduate of Penn State. They play classical, American standards, novelty, Christian and Scandinavian music.
     Conga Se Menne is a high-energy alternative reggae band performing original music, “experimental sound” with a mix of calypso/funk/sauna/reggae, in combo with ethnic Finnish sounds. Derrell Syria’s original songs carry the flavor of Michigan’s Upper Peninsula in lyrical silliness and hearty spirit. Syria’s Suomalainen background shows up in his comedic themes, Finnish lyrics and yooper-accented crooning.

Fri, 7 pm, “Finnish Films — Fire and Ice:
The Winter War of Finland and Russia”
Meeting Room 202, FILMS
     Fire and Ice is a documentary about November 1939, when Finland was invaded by the Soviet Union. No one expected this tiny nation would resist the largest military force in the world and no one anticipated one of the coldest winters in recorded history. The program, which includes accounts of soldiers on both sides of the conflict, many from war diaries translated into English, was shot in HD-Cam, on location in Finland and Russia. Archival footage is enhanced by reenactments.

Fri, 7 - 8:30 pm, Three Finnish One Act Plays
Douglas County Historical Society, 1101 John Avenue, Superior, Wisc., Advance tickets only. $10
The Strike, by Kathy Laakso is about ore dock men, many of whom were Finnish immigrants, who were crushed beneath rail cars. The story of a strike and its resolution unfolds the true story of workers' - especially the Finns' - involvement with the radical anti-capitalist I.W.W. and their protest against the Great Northern Railway. Gurley and the Finn, by David Brunet is about the famous labor organizer Elizabeth Gurley Flynn who came to the Mesabi Iron Range in 1916 to organize a strike and to help create a labor union for miners. When she was arrested it was discovered that she wasn't the notorious Gurley Flynn but rather a young Finnish woman whose husband was a miner. Not Red, Just a Little Pink, by Dan Reed delves into issues of Finnish-American workers from the points of view of two men with differing political ideas.

Fri, 7:30 – 9 pm, Minnesota Orchestra with Osmo Vänskä, Music Director.
Auditorium, MUSIC,
Doors open at 6:30 pm,
Tickets $35 at the registration desk or at the door.
     The program will include Rautavaara - Cantus Arcticus, AHO - Symphony No. 9 with R. Douglas Wright, trombone soloist, and Sibelius - Symphony No. 5. For more information about the orchestra and Osmo Vänskä’s career see page 79. This performance was funded in part by Finlandia Foundation National.

Fri, 7:30 – 9:30 pm, Barry Pirkola and The Hoot Owls
Paulucci Hall, DANCE
     The Hoot Owls blend classic surf, country, and early 1960s garage rock. The three piece band, led by the very Finnish Barry Pirkola, has played for the “Back to the Fifties” classic car show at the Minnesota State Fairgrounds. Pirkola’s original music called, “autobilly”, has Hot Rod and Rockabilly influences. Their newest CD, Alien Scrapyard, combines the American icons of hot rods and science fiction aliens in a combustible blend of surf guitar rocks.

Fri, 9– 11 pm, “Jazz Cabaret” featuring Juli Wood Quartet, Ari Lahdekorpi, Diane Jarvi, Ted Heinonen, Lyz Jaakola-Barry Schwarz Duo, and Tyler Kaiser
French River Room, MUSIC
     Juli Wood has enjoyed her many trips to Finland to play at clubs and festivals in Helsinki, Pori, Oulu, Tampere, Turku, and Lapland. She plays alto, tenor, and baritone saxes and loves to sing. Her quartet is made up of some of the best jazz musicians in Chicago: Jordan Baskin, piano, Jake Vinsel, bass, and Mike Schlick, drums.
     Ari Lahdekorpi is a Finnish-Canadian guitarist and composer who has performed jazz, blues and world music as a solo artist, session musician, and a sideman for over thirty years. He has released 10 CDs of original material including, Letters from Karelia.
     Diane Jarvi is a versatile jazz and pop singer, songwriter, and instrumentalist. She sings and records her own original songs in contemporary folk style and is accomplished on both the guitar and kantele. She is known in Finland as “Minnesotan Satakeili,” the Minnesota nightingale. She is a published poet, and a recipient of the Finlandia Foundation Performer of the Year.
     Ted Heinonen has performed professionally for the past 35 years in various bluegrass, swing, country-rock and Scandinavian roots bands and has been a studio musician for several CDs. He has shared the stage and taught workshops with mandolin greats such as Jethro Burns, Butch Baldasari, Adam Steffey and Peter Ostrousko. He also plays the fiddle, guitar, kantele and the nyckleharpa.
     Tyler Kaiser is an award-winning jazz guitarist and composer. He also performs as a chamber musician, accompanist, and soloist with organizations such as the Lake Superior Chamber Orchestra, the University of Wisconsin, Superior Orchestra and the Itasca Symphony Orchestra. He has studied baroque and renaissance era instruments and is a member of the Minnesota Lute Quartet. Live recordings of his performances have been broadcast on public radio and television. His guitar compositions were featured as a soundtrack for the NEA and ACF funded “Continental Harmony” program. He is a music instructor at the University of Wisconsin, Superior and the College of St. Scholastica.
     The Lyz Jaakola-Barry Schwarz Duo has performed together for four years. Both are teaching at Fond du Lac Tribal and Community College. Barry performs with other area musicians including Billy Southern, The Lake City Smokin Section, and with Lyz Jaakola and the Smokin’ Chimokes. Lyz performs as a traditional ceremony singer, jazz scat singer, blues siren and regional soloist and has been heard and seen on radio stations, television, video, and many stages near her home on the Fond du Lac reservation in Minnesota.

Juli Wood	Ari Lahdekorpi	Diane Jarvi	Ted Heinonen	Tyler Kaiser

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Fri, 9 pm, “Finnish Films — The Man Without a Past”
Meeting Room 202, FILMS
     The Man Without a Past (Mies Vailla Menneisyyttä) is a 2002 Finnish film directed by Aki Kaurismäki and starring Markku Peltola, Kati Outinen and Juhani Niemelä.  An unnamed man arrives by train to Helsinki. After falling asleep in a park, he is mugged and beaten by hoodlums and is severely injured in the head. He finds that he has lost his memory then starts his life from scratch, living in container dwellings, finding clothes with help from the Salvation Army and making friends with the poor. 97 minutes.

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Fri 12 midnight, Midnight Sun, Midnight Run
and Finnfest 5K Run/Walk.
Lakewalk. Includes T-shirt. (On-site registration: $25)
Call 218.349.0496 or check with registration desk for availability.