Sons of Norway Showcases Scandinavian Dance

Event organizers say the whole concept came about due to a desire to use antique bunads the Sons had in storage.

FARGO, N.D. (KVRR) – The Sons of Norway in Fargo are always focused on maintaining traditions from their Scandinavian heritage.

This weekend, they held an event for one particular Norwegian activity: dance.

The “Keeping Culture Alive! Nordic Dance and Supper” took place on April 11.

First, there was an all-ages dance workshop hosted by the Gasper School of Dance, where anyone could practice classic Norwegian dances like “Kick the Hat”.

Then, following supper, there were youth and adult dance performances with live fiddle and accordion music.

The Sons of Norway said the whole idea came about because they had some garments that needed to be used.

“Back in ’75, when the club here got started, there was a lot of girls’ bunads and boys’ bunads that were made, and they were just hanging in the closet,” explained Karen Jensen, culture director for the Sons. “And I kept looking in the closet, and I was like, we have to do something with these bunads just sitting there.”

The next big celebration for the Sons of Norway will be Syttende Mai, or Norway’s Constitution Day, which takes place on May 17.