Welcome back to another post of Nordic events happening virtually and in and around Southern California. Before we get to the virtual ones, here are some in-person happenings taking place soon that local readers might be interested in putting on their calendars.
Celebration of Leif Erikson Day — Saturday, October 12
The Scandinavian American Cultural and Historical Foundation will host its annual Leif Erikson Day Celebration on Saturday, October 12, at California Lutheran University in Thousand Oaks. The program begins at 2:00 p.m. and includes a brief recognition of the first Europeans to set foot on North America along with a tribute to Leif Erikson by the President of the United States. This will be followed by a preview of the 2025 Nordic Spirit Symposium, Before the Vikings: The Magnificent Nordic Bronze Age. After the presentation, a social will be held at the Scandinavian Center.
Newport Beach Film Fest: Swedish Spotlight — Tuesday, October 22
Here’s a chance to see Sweden’s submission to the Oscars for Best International Feature, The Last Journey, a documentary directed by Filip Hammar and Fredrik Wikingsson. “In a desperate attempt to make his old, depressed father embrace life again filmmaker Filip Hammar takes his dad on a surprise road trip to France – the same journey they made every summer during Filip’s childhood. Filip is confident that this trip will invigorate his dad, who certainly once more will become the joyous person he once was, if he can only re-live some of the best moments of his life. The spur-of-the-moment methods Filip uses fuels the film with chaos, creativity, love, humor and, inevitably, sadness. The documentary The Last Journey is an honest, genre-dissolving look at death’s approach, seen through the eyes of a desperate son who too long has lived in denial of the inevitable. A heartfelt investigation into the end we all face with our parents, and a peek into our own futures. It’s groundbreakingly original, but still relatable and real. Upon its release in March 2024, it was lauded in unison by Swedish critics as equal parts devastating and groundbreakingly humorous. It also started a national conversation (in the media, in workplaces, in homes) about family and ageing. The film has taken Sweden by storm and recently become the most seen documentary in the history of Swedish cinema.”
AFI Fest: The Summer Book – Sunday, October 27
Catch the North American premiere of The Summer Book, producer/director Charlie McDowell’s adaptation of Finnish author Tove Jansson’s novel of the same name. It features Glenn Close as the grandmother in a story where a father (played by Norwegian actor Anders Danielsen Lie) and daughter are mourning the loss of their wife/mother. “As her father withdraws further into his solitude and grief, Sophia and her grandmother spend precious time together exploring the island and growing closer. McDowell breathes new life into Jansson’s profound, heartfelt classic with this keen observation that explores the intertwining complexities of family, generational loss and life-altering grief.” The screening will be followed by a conversation with director and producer Charlie McDowell and actor Glenn Close.
Norwegian Christmas Fair — November 15-24
Southern California readers, mark your calendars for the Norwegian Church’s annual Christmas Fair which will take place Friday, November 15, through Sunday, November 24, in San Pedro. The church will be filled with Christmas goods and a festive atmosphere. Hours are 11:00 to 4:00 every day except Sundays 12:00 to 4:00. On the weekends including Fridays, Norwegian hot food and sandwiches will be served.
Aurora Live in Concert — November 21 in Los Angeles and November 23 in San Francisco
From her website: “Aurora Aksnes, known simply as AURORA, is a Norwegian singer, songwriter, and producer who has captivated global audiences with her ethereal voice and unique blend of electronic pop and folk influences… Her music is characterized by emotional depth and lyrical complexity, exploring themes of nature, love, and the human experience. Renowned for her dynamic stage presence and captivating live performances, AURORA combines elements of dance and storytelling to create an immersive concert experience. She is also an advocate for environmental and social issues, using her platform to raise awareness about climate change, mental health, and equality.”
Now on to virtual events…
Vesterheim Benefit Auction (October 6 – 13)
Each year, the auction includes one-of-a-kind folk art by artists working in the Norwegian tradition. There’s also a chance to win an 8-day European River Cruise for two in 2025 from Viking. Many of the pieces in the Benefit Auction are donated by Vesterheim Gold Medalists and exhibition ribbon winners from Vesterheim’s annual judged competition, The National Norwegian-American Folk Art Exhibition. Proceeds from the auction benefit Vesterheim’s Folk Art School, which has provided classes since 1967 in fiber arts, woodworking, painting, cooking, jewelry, blacksmithing, knifemaking, and more. View items now!
Family Handcraft at Home: Nordic Cooking with Brunost and Lingonberries (Enrollment deadline 10/11, starts 11/1)
This experience starts November 1 and is available all month. Looking for a fun way to explore Norwegian culture with your family on your own schedule? November’s Family Handcraft at Home with Patrice Johnson is for you! You’ll get to learn some simple recipes using brunost (brown cheese) and lingonberry jam. Lingonberry jam is a staple of Northern European countries and brunost is regarded as one of Norway’s most iconic foodstuffs, considered an important part of the country’s cultural identity and heritage. Using these two items as the basis of our recipes, join us for a culinary and cultural adventure. The best thing about this class is that you can watch the video and open your kit of materials to explore these recipes whenever it is most convenient to you and your family members!
Vesterheim FamilieTid: Enchanted Echoes – Tales of Nyckelharpa and Näcken (Saturday, 10/12, 1:00 p.m. CT, Free)
Join musician and storyteller Renee Vaughan for a journey into the world of the nyckelharpa and the rich folklore of Swedish folk music. Learn about Näcken, the mystical shapeshifter known for enchanting musicians and their instruments, sometimes causing the instruments to play on their own! Experience the tales and tunes of Swedish folk classics like “Hårgalåten” and “Balzar Jungfrun,” and the music of wizards like Byss-Kalle, Gulamåla-Viten, and Olov August Widmark. This course is perfect for kids and their families who love music, stories, and a touch of magic.
ASI Nordic Handcraft Event: Needle Felted Fall Landscapes (Thursday, 10/17, 6:30 p.m. CT)
Enjoy the relaxing art of needle felting while making a textile as pretty as a painting! Using a piece of felt as your canvas and wool roving as your paint, you’ll work alongside artist Kayla Ann to create an autumnal landscape you’ll be proud to display. You’ll come away with the skills and tools to keep needle felting beyond the online workshop. While the entire class will work on the same fall-inspired vista, Kayla will also discuss how to adapt other images into 2-D felted pictures and where to find supplies to do more needle felting on your own. Suitable for ages 14+.
Nordic Spirit Classics’ (Second) Friday Series (Friday, 10/18, 7:30 p.m. PT)
Normally, scheduled for the second Friday of the month, this month it takes place the third Friday due to the Scandinavian American Cultural & Historical Foundation‘s Leif Erikson Day Celebration on October 12. This month’s program is a virtual presentation from the Nordic Explorers Nordic Spirit Symposium in 2011. The program will be a presentation on the explorer Roald Amundsen given by Prof. Tommy Dickey of the University of California Santa Barbara.
Cooking Class with Swedish American Museum (Monday, 10/21, 4:00 p.m. CT)
Participants are taught Swedish recipes and can cook along with the group and ask questions as they go. In October, you will be making pasta dishes and chocolate desserts.
Genealogy Session with Swedish American Museum (Saturday, 10/26, 10:00 a.m. CT)
Delve into ancestry and history at this genealogy session with Thomas MacEntee focused on artificial intelligence. Some might think technology and historical research are opposites. The truth is “tech people” like Thomas are needed to guide today’s genealogists through the maze of options so they can deploy the best apps and devices as they break down those research brick walls.
The Norwegian Character of Norwegian Mangle Boards Webinar (Saturday, 10/26, 1:00 p.m. CT, Free)
The host of this webinar is Jay Raymond, author of the book Mangle Boards of Northern Europe, which displays and describes the mangle boards of seven European countries. The mangle boards of Norway present a unique challenge to describe in that they borrow from the styles of the other six countries and, yet, maintain characteristics all their own. Jay estimates that 5,000 to 10,000 mangle boards are currently in the collections of the museums of Norway, more than any other country. In his research, he identified the maker of one board in Vesterheim’s collection, which appears in his book, an absolute rarity in this realm.
Swedish Christmas Food Traditions from the Past to the Present (Sunday, 10/27, 1:00 p.m. CT)
What is the history behind many of the most important Christmas dishes in Sweden and why is the iconic potato sausage nowadays so rare on a Swedish Christmas table? This lecture will put light on those questions, but also on how the Christmas table was served before and how it is served in a traditional way today. The Christmas dishes are however not free from being influenced by food trends and of course food influencers, so therefore the Christmas table changes over time, in small steps and sometimes almost imperceptibly.
ASI Nordic Handcraft Event: Wool Embroidered Sheepskin Mittens (Fridays, 11/8-11/22, 2:00 p.m. CT)
Get excited to jump into a cozy, interdisciplinary experience of all things sheep while making your own custom embellished sheepskin mittens! Explore Scandinavian-style wool-on-wool embroidery using hand dyed wool yarns from the instructor’s sheep on upcycled washed wool fabric. Then, using naturally bark-tanned leather from the instructor’s farm, learn how to stitch shearling sheepskin pelt to create comfy chopper-style mittens. This class is unique in the locally sourced items that will arrive in your kit! Three, small-scale woman-owned operations from rural Wisconsin make each aspect of this project possible — the instructor’s farm raises the sheep, the artisan mill spins and dyes the yarn, and the natural tannery that turns the hides into leather. Savor this multifaceted course infused with cozy stories and warm hands for years to come. While previous wool embroidery experience is helpful, no prior experience is required. Suitable for ages 16+.
Intro to Northern Sámi (Sunday, 11/10, 2:00 p.m. CT)
Are you curious about the Sámi language and culture? Are you looking for a quick and low-pressure way to get excited and prepare for an upcoming visit to the north of Finland, Sweden, or Norway? This two-hour introductory workshop is the perfect way to learn some history of the nine living dialects of Sápmi, get a feel for North Sámi, pick up a bit of grammar, and learn how to pronounce some words as part of basic greetings. Families welcome!
ASI Nordic Table Event: DIY Holiday Gifts with Kristi Bissell (Thursday, 11/14, 1:00 p.m. CT)
Start preparing for the holidays with make-ahead recipes perfect for gifting and entertaining! Kristi Bissell, the creator of the food blog True North Kitchen, will demo a savory seed cracker, sturdy cookie, and a DIY glögg (mulled wine or juice) kit in this hour-long virtual class. All these recipes make terrific stocking stuffers, care packages, or gifts for a lucky host, and as a bonus, these recipes keep well and are worth stocking at home for yourself, too! Plenty of other tricks, tips, and further gift ideas from the blog will also be shared, allowing students to get ahead on holiday gifting.
ASI Nordic Handcraft Event: Felted Ornaments (Thursday, 11/21, 6:30 p.m. CT)
Create a festive, quick decoration with needle felting this season! This fun project makes use of cookie cutters you may already have at home to make a felted ornament with clean lines, even shape, and adorable details. Students will work alongside instructor Kayla Ann to learn needle felting basics which are applicable to a range of other projects. Once you get started, felted ornaments become an easy project and the perfect gift to decorate a present or tree!
ASI Nordic Table Event: Scandinavian Holiday Sweets with Nichole Accettola (Thursday, 12/5, 3:00 p.m. CT)
Get a peek into San Francisco chef and baker Nichole Accettola’s kitchen this holiday season! Nichole, who lived and cooked for many years in Denmark, today runs Kantine bakery café in San Francisco and is the author of Scandinavian from Scratch: A Love Letter to the Baking of Denmark, Norway, and Sweden. In Scandinavia, making simple candies and confections at home is a beloved holiday tradition, and they are perfect for sharing on the cookie platter or giving as gifts. In this demo, Nichole will share some of her favorite holiday confections and go-to cookie recipes, along with some of her best tips and tricks from her many years as a professional chef and baker and some stories about the Christmases she spent in Copenhagen, Denmark.
ASI Nordic Table Event: A Festive Brunch with Kristi Bissell (Thursday, 12/12, 1:00 p.m. CT)
The holidays call for special meals at every time of day! Join Kristi Bissell of the True North Kitchen food blog and gather a collection of new recipes perfect for holiday breakfasts and brunches. Whether you’re interested in mastering a classic like aebelskiver (Danish filled pancakes) or prefer a make-ahead dish like baked porridge, these Nordic-inspired recipes will make your holidays both memorable and delicious. You’ll be ready for any holiday breakfast or brunch, from a visit from Tomte on Christmas morning to New Year’s Day and beyond.
Which events or experiences look interesting to you?