This presentation will tell how Finnish American dance music was created and evolved, the connections with dance music in Finland, and also how it was preserved. It is the story of several generations of musicians who defined Finnish American identity with their music.
Finnish
Finnish American Music Series: Michael Loukinen and Filming Finnish American Folk Dance Music in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula
Michael Loukinen offers clips and insights from his forthcoming film. Commencing with a portrait of the UP’s diverse ethnic music, the film focuses on the cultural history of Finnish American folk dance music in the Copper Country and its vital relationship to musicians in the Twin Cities.
Finnish American Music Series: Eric Peltoniemi and My Finnish American Musical Life
Minnesota folksinger/songwriter Eric Peltoniemi, a fixture in the folk community for over half a century, sings in Finnish, “Finnglish,” and English, while accompanying himself on the guitar..
Finnish American Music Series: Diane Järvi and The Way She Told Her Story
Through songs and poetry from the voices and experiences of Finnish and Finnish-American women, Diane Jarvi shares their resistance, independence, sorrow, strength and legacy.
Concert: Sara Pajunen Performs Finnish and Finnish American Fiddle Tunes
In collaboration with the Society for the Advancement of Scandinavian Study, the Sustaining Scandinavian Folk Arts in the Upper Midwest project is excited to host an online concert featuring Sara Pajunen on Friday, May 14, …
Finnish American Music Series: Lyz Jaakola and Finnishinaabe Fusions
Elizabeth “Lyz” Jaakola performs and discusses original compositions in a range of musical genres encompassing her dual Anishinaabe and Finnish American experiences.
Finnish American Music Series: Ralph and Jaana Tuttila, with Tom DuBois and Marcus Cederström
Ralph and Jaana Tuttila, discuss Finnish-American music and dance in the Upper Midwest and perform songs from the Songs of the Finnish Migration: A Bilingual Anthology. Tom DuBois and Marcus Cederström, the book’s editors, offer insights into the significant contribution of songs to our understanding of the Finnish immigrant experience.
Songs of the Finnish Migration from Laulu Aika
Hundreds of thousands of migrants came from Finland to the United States beginning in the 1870s. Some sought religious freedom, others economic opportunity. Some followed family, friends, and lovers. Others fled Russification. Still others simply …
Gloria Johnson’s “Finnish bread with a Swedish touch”
Gloria Johnson is known for her cardamom bread, but it was only about 10 years ago that she made her first loaf. For 55 years, Gloria and her husband Arnold raised strawberries and ran …
Masculine Ideals: Folklore and Narratives on Men’s Work
The theme of masculinity was a key element in the old Finnish narrative culture. Historically, marriage was a foundation for production and reproduction in rural cultures. Husband and wife formed a team in which the …