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Grieg & Schumann
Pianist Jeffrey Siegel celebrates Norway's greatest composer with his signature Keyboard Conversations in Victor Borge Hall. He begins with comments on the music and the composer, offers a full performance of the works, and ends with a lively question and answer session. He will perform the brooding Nordic G Minor Ballade of Grieg, his “Little Bird,” and Schumann's Prophetic Bird, dreamy Arabeske, and rousing Novelettes. Tickets: $25 ($17 ASF members) A limited number of tickets are left. Please call (212) 847-8737 to purchase yours.
Swedish Walpurgis Celebration Come join us in celebrating Walpurgis (Valborg) Swedish-style at Scandinavia House. The visiting Swedish women's choir Cantores Sofiae will perform traditional Swedish songs associated with the holiday under the baton of Music Director Åsa Burman Laxvik. Walpurgis (Valborg in Swedish and Vappu in Finnish) is celebrated on April 30 in Sweden, Estonia, Finland, Germany, and Latvia. The festival is named after Saint Walburga, known in Scandinavia as Valborg, who was made a saint on May 1 in the year 779. Historically, the Valborg festivities are derived from Pagan spring customs in which the arrival of spring was celebrated with bonfires at night. Today, the most widespread Valborg tradition in Sweden is probably singing songs of spring. The songs, mostly from the 19th century, were spread by the spring festivities of students. The concert in Victor Borge Hall will feature spring songs and chorals typical of the Swedish Walpurgis celebrations. | ||
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Petrushka & the Unhappy Sideshow
Come and meet the Russian Carnival puppet Petrushka, who invites world famous street performers to be in his side show: Tigerlil the Whip-Cracking Gypsy Girl, Shep Huntly the King of Animal Traps, Captain Frodo the Amazing Rubber Man, and the world famous Space Cowboy! They are all famous for pushing their bodies to the edge of the impossible. One by one they start performing their acts, but everybody manages to fail. In despair, Petrushka does everything in his power to fix things that have gone wrong in order to please the demanding audience. Petrushka is a traditional Russian carnival puppet from the family of the British Punch, the Italian Puchinello, and the German Kasper. Although the show “Petrushka and the Unhappy Sideshow” shares the same main character as the traditional performances, it has very little in common with the old slapstick comedy. The street performers that used to perform this type of puppetry together with jugglers and fire eaters in the Middle Ages are now the main puppet characters of the show. Founded in 2005, the Walking Puppet Theater has performed in Iceland, Spain, U.K., and Russia. The performance is 25 minutes long. Presented in collaboration with the Icelandic Consulate General in New York. Tickets: $6 ($4 ASF members). Call (212) 847-9740 for reservations. | ||
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We Shall Overcome (Drømmen)
Directed by Niels Arden Oplev, 2006. In this story based on actual events, 13-year-old Frits has fallen out of favor with the headmaster of his provincial school. Corporal punishment has been banned, but the tyrannical headmaster hasn't bothered to notice. The year is 1969, and the world is changing rapidly; Frits spends his summer holidays watching the family's first television and is influenced by the winds of change. Martin Luther King's speeches and dreams of a better life have armed him with courage and the desire for rebellion. When the headmaster steps over the line, the boy takes up a battle against the authorities. In Danish with English subtitles. 105 min. Tickets: $8 ($6 ASF members). Advance tickets may be purchased at Scandinavia House (Mon-Sat, 12-6 pm) or by phone at (212) 847-9737. | ||
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From Another Shore: Recent Icelandic Art
Exhibition Preview & Reception
: Thursday, May 1, 6-9 pm
This survey of contemporary Icelandic art from the National Gallery of Iceland includes sculpture, installation, painting, photography, and videos by 20 of Iceland's most acclaimed artists. No strangers to the international art scene, they draw vitality and creativity from the contrast between the majestic landscape of their isolated island nation and the bustling energy of cosmopolitan cities like New York. The exhibition includes work by Þórdís Aðalsteinsdóttir, Olga Bergmann, Hildur Bjarnadóttir, Margrét H. Blöndal, Ólafur Elíasson, Steingrímur Eyfjörð, Gabríela Friðriksdóttir, Jón Óskar, Hulda Hákon, The Icelandic Love Corporation (Sigrún Hrólfsdóttir, Jóní Jónsdóttir, and Eirún Sigurðardóttir), Guðný Rósa Ingimarsdóttir, Hekla Dögg Jónsdóttir, Ólöf Nordal, Eggert Pétursson, Katrín Sigurðardóttir, Hrafnkell Sigurðsson, Magnús Sigurðarson, and Hulda Stefánsdóttir.
The exhibition is generously supported by Alcoa Foundation. Gallery hours: Tuesday-Saturday, 12-6 pm. Admission is FREE. | ||
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The Kautokeino Rebellion (Kautokeino-opprøret)
For centuries the windswept mountain plateau of northern Scandinavia has been inhabited by the indigenous Sámi and their reindeer. In 1852 a group of 35 Sámi, outraged by years of subjugation, staged a riot at Kautokeino in northern Norway that lead to one of the most dramatic episodes in northern Scandinavian history. A sheriff and merchant were killed, and a clergyman flogged. Two years later, one of the leaders of the rebellion was decapitated and buried without his head. Norwegian director Nils Gaup, a descendant of the executed rebel, will give a lecture on the rebellion and screen clips from his latest film, The Kautokeino Rebellion (Kautokeino-opprøret). Presented in collaboration with the Royal Norwegian Consulate General in New York Tickets: $10 ($8 ASF members, students free). Call (212) 847-9740 to reserve tickets. | ||
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Big Movies for Little Kids: Pippi on the Run
One of children's literature's most endearing heroines and our favorite red-headed scamp delightfully takes her pals Tommy and Annika on a series of exciting adventures. Inger Nillson stars as the one-and-only Pippi. (1977) Big Movies for Little Kids is the innovative, only-of-its-kind classic film series for children. Created by three Brooklyn Moms, this unique series is a gentle introduction to the wonderful world of cinema. Films are carefully screened to include top-quality childhood favorites, diverse vintage animation, international gems and kid-friendly timeless selections. This is a unique communal experience that parents and kids can share together. Come join the fun and discover the magic of the movies—on the BIG silver screen!
Ages: 2-7
Choir Concert with Troendegruppen from Piteå Music Conservatory
Swedish Valborg Celebration and a Spring Greeting by Karin Oldfelt Hjertonsson
5 East 48th Street, NYC | ||
| www.scandinaviahouse.org |
58 Park Ave. (between 37th and 38th Streets) To be removed from this e-list, click here: Unsubscribe |