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.
Folk Music
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.
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 …
“Displaced Sympathies: Finnish Out- and In-Migration Then and Now”: A Musical Lecture with Jimmy Träskelin and Tallari
A lecture and musical performance featuring Jimmy Träskelin and Tallari of the Finnish Folk Music Institute, to mark the publication of the new book Songs of the Finnish Migration (by Thomas DuBois and B. Marcus …