Happy Spring! And welcome to the latest listing of Nordic events. In addition to the usual list of virtual events, this month’s post includes two special events happening in Southern California.
On the weekend of April 5 and 6, the Scandinavian Festival returns to Kingsman Park at California Lutheran University in Thousand Oaks. There will be much to do and enjoy for all ages – entertainment on the Main Stage and Children’s Stage as well as both food demonstrations and historical craft demonstrations. Shop Nordic vendors and delight in Nordic foods. There’s also an opportunity to win an eight-day river voyage for two on board Viking River Cruises.
Later in the month on Saturday, April 26, the Scandinavian Heritage Fair hosted by the Daughters of Norway, Turid Jespersen Lodge #44 will take place in Mission Viejo. There will be demonstrations of traditional crafts such as rosemaling, spinning, weaving, wood carvers, and wood burners. Watch the preparation of traditional foods such as aebleskiver, krumkake, lefse, and Norwegian waffles. Enjoy open-faced sandwiches, riskrem, soups, kransekake, and other Scandinavian desserts. The fair will also feature products from many Scandinavian vendors. Admission is free. See their flyer for details.
Virtual Events in April
Online book clubs continue to meet. Visit Nordic Book Club Meetings: April 2025 to see details about book selections and meeting dates this month.
Vesterheim’s online folk art courses sell out quickly. To see what’s coming up in later months and sign up before it’s too late, visit Vesterheim: Online Folk Art Courses.
Greenland: Past, Present & Future (Wednesday, 4/2)
Join ASF and Scandinavia House as they present a virtual panel discussion with panelists Ebbe Volquardsen (Associate Professor of Cultural History, University of Greenland) and journalist and historian Gordon F. Sander on the past, present and future of Greenland. With moderator Thorsten Wagner (Danish-German historian and Executive Director of FASPE), the panelists will discuss topics including Greenlandic history, current debates in relation to Denmark and global actors, the recent parliamentary elections, and their political implications. This panel will take place via Zoom; advance registration recommended.
ASI Nordic Handcraft Event: Felted Påskris Ornaments (Sunday, 4/6)
Try needle felting while making sweet spring-themed ornaments for a Swedish påskris or Easter tree. In this virtual class, students will work alongside Seattle-based artist Kayla Ann and practice forming 3D objects and adding miniature details using the materials from the provided kit. Students will leave class with fundamental needle felting skills and a handful of colorful ornaments to celebrate spring.
ASI Nordic Table Event: Salmon Two Ways with Kristi Bissell (Thursday, 4/10)
Salmon is a staple of Nordic cuisine, and in this one-hour demo, Kristi will share some favorite ways to serve it from her blog, True North Kitchen. With a foolproof recipe for roasted salmon, Kristi will demo a classic open-faced sandwich with dill sauce and a spring-y horseradish-inflected cucumber and radish relish, both great options for weeknights and entertaining. As a culinary school-trained chef, Kristi will, as always, share great tricks for choosing and prepping ingredients and creating ideas for making these recipes work well in home kitchens.
ASI Nordic Handcraft Event: Needle Felted Rabbit (Saturday, 4/12)
Create the cutest spring rabbit in this afternoon-long class! Students will follow instructor Laura’s step-by-step instructions to transform hand-dyed wool from her family’s own sheep into a felted rabbit that will fit in the palm of your hand. Needle felting is fun, easy, and therapeutic, and as your wooly friend comes to life, you’ll enjoy conversation with other students and learn more about wool and the sheep who produced your kit materials! Kits ($32 value) are included in the class fee.
ASI Nordic Table Event: Easy at Home Danishes with Nichole Accettola (Wednesday, 4/16)
Take a page from Nichole Accettola’s recent cookbook Scandinavian from Scratch: A Love Letter to the Baking of Denmark, Norway, and Sweden to whip up some brioche-style Danishes perfect for a brunch or fika. A chef, baker, and cookbook author, Nichole opened the Scandinavian-inspired Kantine bakery café in San Francisco after living for many years in Copenhagen, Denmark. In this virtual demo, Nichole will show an easy, brioche-style dough that can be transformed into various pastries, sharing ideas for fillings and other variations, and tips for working with yeasted and enriched doughs.
Smorgasbord 101 with Patrice Johnson (Saturday, 4/19)
Swedish smörgåsbord has a fun and fascinating history, and we’ll cover both the history, etiquette, and some of the classic dishes typically served at this vast buffet. As we talk, we’ll prepare a light five-course tasting menu with each course representing the progression of tables in a smörgåsbord.
Vesterheim FamilieTid: Springtime Music from Scandinavia (Saturday, 4/26)
Gather the family together and join celebrated Finnish musicians Soili Perkiö and Maija Karhinen for an hour of Scandinavian music. Soili and Maija return to Vesterheim for some springtime music – this captivating and engaging hour of singing, dancing, and play will set toes tapping for participants of every age!
ASI Language & Culture Event: Intro to Swedish (Sunday, 4/27)
Curious about the Swedish language but not ready yet to commit to a multi-date class? Looking for a quick and low-pressure way to get excited and prepare for an upcoming visit to Sweden? This two-hour introductory workshop is the perfect way to get a feel for Swedish—pick up a bit of grammar and learn how to pronounce some words as part of basic conversation.
Visual Typologies and Race Biology in the Nordics (Tuesday, 4/29)
Join Swedish writer and filmmaker Maja Hagerman for a compelling discussion on her extensive research on the spread of racial theories in academic communities in the Nordic countries between 1910 and 1935, with a focus on Swedish race biologist Herman Lundborg. Hagerman’s research formed the basis of her documentary film, to be screened virtually at a later date. Presented in conjunction with Anne-Karin Furunes: Illuminating Nordic Archives, this program examines a critical chapter in Nordic history.
ASI Nordic Table Event: Cocktails for Spring with Emily Vikre (Wednesday, 4/30)
Join Emily Vikre, owner of Vikre Distillery in Duluth, MN, for some bright and creative ideas for spring cocktails featuring seasonal spring ingredients. From home bartending tips to insight into her cocktail recipe creation process, this demo will offer inspiration for making excellent cocktails at home all year round. Students will receive the recipes in advance and can work alongside Emily as she prepares each cocktail.
A Look Ahead at Virtual Events in May
Nålbinding – Needle Looping or Knotless Netting (Four Fridays, 5/2-23 and Saturday, 5/3)
Beginner – this class is designed for the student who has no experience in nålbinding! Using a simple needle and wool yarn, nålbinding is a method of making fabric from loops of yarn. Nålbinding, also known as needle looping or knotless netting, is found worldwide and dates back to early Bronze or Iron Age cultures. Fabrics made from wool nålbinding were often felted to create warm, airtight mittens, socks, and hats. In this class, students will be introduced to the nålbinding technique as they learn to make a neckwarmer, small bag, and mittens. A complete kit of materials shipped to your home (an $85 value) is included in the cost of registration. Enrollment deadline: April 11.
Smörgåstårta – Sandwich Cake with Kristi Bissell (Saturday, 5/3)
Gather some tips and tricks for building a smörgåstårta, or Swedish sandwich cake, at home. This savory centerpiece uses sandwich fillings of all varieties to feed a large group with style. Kristi Bissell of True North Kitchen will walk students through the fillings, cream cheese based “frosting”, and assembly of a classic smörgåstårta before discussing alternatives for a vegetarian or even vegan version, perfect for all sorts of gatherings. Enrollment deadline: April 18.
ASI Language & Culture Event: Intro to Finnish (Sunday, 5/4)
Are you curious about the Finnish language but not ready yet to commit to a multi-date class? Are you looking for a quick and low-pressure way to get excited and prepare for an upcoming visit to Finland? This two-hour introductory workshop is the perfect way to get a feel for Finnish, pick up a bit of grammar, and learn how to pronounce some words as part of basic conversation.
Scandinavian Flat-Plane Figure Carving: Nordic Fjords Man with Charles Banks (Three Wednesdays, 5/7-21)
Join Vesterheim Gold Medalist Charles Banks as he guides you through the creation of your very own flat plane figure carving. For this class, we will carve a Scandinavian classic, a stylized Nordic Fjords Man. Following the tradition of flat plane figure carving, you will use only a single knife to carve out this character. You will receive an overview of the history and traditions of this style of carving, be introduced to the cuts and techniques of the reductive carving process, and learn finishing techniques – all culminating in your very own carving. Live instruction and video tutorials will be utilized as educational tools, as well as practice sticks, a unique “head study,” and printed imagery of your character. Enrollment deadline: April 16.
ASI Nordic Table Event: Princesstårta with Kristi Bissell (Thursday, 5/8)
Learn to tackle a classic Swedish princesstårta in this virtual demo with Kristi of True North Kitchen. This celebratory cake, in which marzipan covers a dome of whipped cream, raspberry jam, vanilla pastry cream, and a sponge cake base, is a beloved fixture of Swedish birthdays, weddings, and special fikas. Kristi will share her best tips and tricks for shopping for ingredients, preparing the components, and assembling this showstopping dessert so students will have the confidence to tackle this recipe at home.
Classic American Cocktails with a Nordic Twist with Emily Vikre (Friday, 5/9)
Come celebrate the 200th anniversary of the crossing of the Restauration with a drink! Join instructor and founder of Vikre distillery Emily Vikre for a night of some classic American cocktails with some Norwegian twists to pay homage to the immigrants from Norway who took the journey to make the United States their new home. Enrollment deadline: April 25.
Introduction to the Basic Strokes of Rosemaling: Telemark Style (5/31 and 6/1)
If you’ve ever thought about trying rosemaling, here’s a great opportunity to take the brush in hand! Rosemaling is the wonderful folk art of Norway that is based on the flowing scrolls and flowers that are made up of “C” and “S” strokes. This class introduces students to these basic strokes that are the foundation of rosemaling, as well as the detailed line work that completes a rosemaling project. The class will include demonstrations and plenty of hands-on practice. Students will practice strokes and complete a project on board. The class will be taught using acrylic paint. If you’ve painted with oil, this would be a good opportunity to explore acrylics. A complete kit of supplies (a $45 value) is included in the cost of enrollment. Enrollment deadline: May 9.
June Family Handcraft at Home: Rosemaling Animal Crackers (Enrollment deadline: May 19)
This class is for the young and new-to-rosemaling with a focus on basic strokes used in Telemark-style rosemaling. The class begins with practice scrolls, basic color mixing, and blending on a practice board before painting with acrylics on the animal cut-outs. Emphasis is on having fun! A kit of materials is included with the cost of the class. The kit includes paints, brushes and wooden animal cracker templates.
Level 1 Introduction to Tapestry Weaving with Laura Berlage (Six Mondays, 6/2-7/7)
Curious about how tapestries are made and ready to try your hand at pictorial weaving? This most ancient form of textile creation is rich with history and an invitation for creative expression. Master weaver Laura Berlage will take you on a multi-week journey into the magical world of tapestry, where you will learn to transform warp and weft into a peaceful sunset landscape, measuring approximately 10 x 10 inches. Starting with a simple frame loom, focus will be given to establishing good tapestry technique and learning the process for horizontal and angled forms – beginning with foundational geometrics and building into more naturalistic forms. Fundamentals of cartoon creation and shading will also be covered, and we’ll explore tapestry pieces from Vesterheim’s collection along the way. Enrollment deadline: May 12.
Which events or experiences look interesting to you?
Open up those cupboards and freezers and dig out some pantry staples to whip up cozy snacks for cold winter days! Kristi Bissell of 
Join celebrated Norwegian Arctic cultural presenter and preserver Stina Fagertun to hear folktales from north of the Arctic Circle. Gather the family together to listen to Stina and be brought to the Arctic Circle with some ancient stories and folktales. The stories will delight the children and whoever else in the family loves a good story.
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 taught by Áila O’Loughlin 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!
Sámi author and journalist Elin Anna Labba will discuss her latest publication 
Spend an evening exploring Scandinavian silver work by creating your silver and gold-washed earrings! Ever wonder why sølje pins have those shiny dangles with silver disc drops? These discs are called “spoons” or “shells” in Norwegian. Historically, silver has long been seen as a protective element against evil and abduction by the hulder folk (hidden folk) in Scandinavian folklore. Legend has it that should you run into the devil wearing your sparkling sølje, he would see his reflection and run away! Don’t run away from a chance to create your earrings in this short class designed to introduce you to the beauty of Scandinavian silver work. Students will assemble up to two pairs of earrings using multiple disc elements suspended from sterling silver French hook ear wires.
Even though I didn’t quite follow through on all my end-of-year reading intentions, I’m happy and satisfied with how the 2024 reading year wrapped up! Unfortunately, I got waylaid with delays from library holds and an attempted read that ended up not working for me. Instead I seized the moment and jumped into a holiday read that crossed my path.
In the “How to Winter” workshop, Kari Leibowitz will share research and practical strategies participants can use to embrace winter wherever they live. Drawing from her psychological research experience, her time living in the Arctic of Norway, and her travels to Nordic countries researching how to embrace winter, Kari will help participants learn how to cultivate a more positive wintertime mindset. Kari will also share interactive exercises for making winter wonderful and highlight how these evidence-based practices can help you find meaning and opportunity in times of darkness or difficulty year-round. Join us to participate in the chat, to expand your mindset, and to embrace the cold, dark days of winter!
This is the first in a series of four live lectures that will be held on Wednesdays in January. Each lecture has a separate registration. The Sámi are the only recognized Indigenous people in Europe whose lands, Sápmi, are claimed and divided by the Norwegian, Swedish, Finnish, and Russian nation-states. Despite the central roles they’ve played in the political, economic, and cultural histories of Northern Europe, the Sámi are commonly depicted as ahistorical wildlings whose lands are an unused frontier, ripe for development today. This series illuminates how untrue those depictions are. “Sámi History 101” examines the fundaments of Sámi history and culture, surveying oral histories, subsistence practices, societal organization, symbols of Sámi culture, and historical relations with neighbors. For information on the other sessions, visit 
Before bakers bought yeast at the store, they captured and used natural yeasts at home, and these flavors and techniques are essential to recreating certain Nordic breads. While we can use commercial yeast today, baking with natural yeast, otherwise known as a sourdough starter, still adds nutrition, flavor, and good keeping quality to breads of all kinds. In this hour-long demo, Kristi Bissell of 
Join woodcarver Steph Hughes and learn the art of kolrosing while being inspired by the story of the sloop Restauration, which will be the subject of the kolrosing design. Come learn as a family by kolrosing the ship that brought some of the first Norwegian immigrant families to America. There is no live Zoom event and no scheduled class time – your family can participate anytime during the month when it works for your schedule. Price includes a special folk art class kit designed for two participants to explore kolrosing. The kit includes all materials needed, some images from the Vesterheim collection as inspiration, and a treat.
In the period beginning in 1825 and for about 100 years following, nearly 40% of the population of Norway – more than 800,000 Norwegians – immigrated to the United States. Most of those immigrants came for “economic opportunity,” but the first immigrants – known as the Sloopers of 1825 – came for religious freedom. The voyage was three years in the planning by an alliance of Quakers and Haugean Lutherans. Beginning on July 4th, 1825, a 54-foot sloop named Restaurasjonen (The Restauration) took 52 passengers on a 98-day journey from Stavanger, Norway to New York City. This presentation follows the story from its roots (in the Napoleonic Wars), through the voyage itself, the reception in New York City, and finally to the first Norwegian settlement in the United States in Kendall, New York.
The Museum hosts genealogy sessions the fourth Saturday of most months via Zoom. In January, Dan Hubbard will present “I” is for Identity Crisis: Part 1 of 2. We think of identity as something fixed and simple, but as we try to reconstruct the identities of long-gone people, we need to realize that identity is a much slipperier concept. The things we use to define a person’s identity can change during that person’s lifetime. There are also questions of how a person self-identifies, the motivations they can have for changing how they self-identify, and how those changes affect the records they leave behind. Part 2 will take place Saturday, 2/22 (
Are you curious about the Finnish language, but not ready yet to commit to a multi-date class? Are you looking for a quick and low-pressure way to get excited and prepare for an upcoming visit to Finland? This two-hour introductory workshop is the perfect way to get a feel for Finnish, pick up a bit of grammar, and learn how to pronounce some words as part of basic conversation.
Norway has a variety of more than 450 different folk costumes, many of which feature highly embellished aprons, purses, beaded breastplates, and other adornment. Join textiles instructor Jane Addams and Vesterheim Chief Curator Laurann Gilbertson as they explore examples of the fine handcraft that makes each style of bunad so striking and special.
Dr. Maren Johnson, Luther College’s Associate Professor of Nordic Studies and Torgerson Center for Nordic Studies Director, facilitates a regular bokprat (book group), discussing Scandinavian authors and Scandinavian life. December’s discussion is a twist on the usual format and features the film Christmas as Usual available on Netflix. Thea is going to her rural hometown to celebrate a classic Norwegian Christmas with her family, but this year she’s bringing along Jashan, her Indian boyfriend, which will put everyone’s preconceived beliefs and traditions on their heads.
Join Vesterheim to ring in the New Year with some appetizers inspired by New Nordic cuisine! Celebrated chef, cookbook author, food historian, and Nordic Food Geek Patrice Johnson will demonstrate creative takes on classic appetizers. Recipes will include new spins on old favorites, something sweet, and signature cocktails/mocktails. This Vesterheim cooking class is designed as a small-group cook-along and they invite exchange between the instructor and students in order to build community around food traditions.
Create a felted reindeer ready to take off for the North Pole in this afternoon-long class. Students will follow step-by-step instructions to transform hand dyed wool from instructor Laura Berlage’s own sheep into a felted reindeer complete with antlers and bell! This class builds on basic needle felting skills and is appropriate for students who have previous needle felting experience, such as one of ASI’s other ASI classes. Suitable for ages 16+. Kits ($32 value) are included in the class fee. Each kit includes the tools and materials for one student. Registration closes December 11.
Join Kristi Bissell of 
Get cozy this fall with a vegetarian soup dinner! Kristi Bissell of 
Join the National Nordic Museum for a virtual talk on Icelandic flora with Dr. Pawel Wasowicz, senior scientist at the Icelandic Institute of Natural History. In this talk, inspired by the special exhibition 
Start preparing for the holidays with make-ahead recipes perfect for gifting and entertaining! Kristi Bissell of 
Light some candles, grab your favorite mug, and join Vesterheim for an evening of warm drinks and good company as we celebrate the coziest time of year! Malina Bickford will guide you in exploring different styles of hot cocktails (mocktails!) incorporating ingredients from the pantry, some unexpected flavors, and plenty of aquavit! Whether you’re an aspiring mixologist or simply looking to unwind with a steamy nightcap, this promises to be a very koselig experience. Enrollment Deadline: 11/4
Kransekake is considered the “queen of Norwegian cakes,” and Nordic cooking expert and cookbook author Patrice Johnson will help you construct your own traditional cake tower during this fun interactive baking experience. During this special online cooking class, you will learn how to prepare this almond wreath cake baked in graduated rings. This class is currently sold out but you can be added to the waitlist.
Are you just starting your Swedish language learning journey, but are already keen to start reading? Are you looking for an opportunity to keep up with your Swedish after the term ends? This class is for you! Read and discuss the winter story Julen kommer till Mumindalen (Christmas Comes to the Mumin Valley) by Tove Jansson and participate in activities to support your reading and vocabulary building. This class is for students with at least one year of Swedish language study or equivalent. Class materials will be provided by the instructor.
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! Students 
Delve into ancestry and history at this genealogy session with Sue Schlichting focused on the resource 
Join Vesterheim and Kate Running to learn how to work with two colors of yarn to make this patterned hat. Work with a Nordic-inspired motif and learn the cultural tradition of stranded knitting. Intermediate level, no colorwork experience necessary but students should know how to knit & purl. A kit of materials (a $40 value) with Strikkegarn yarn is shipped to your home and included in the cost of registration. Enrollment Deadline: 11/11
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 
Bake along with Kristi Bissell of 
Himmeli making is a Nordic tradition brought by Finnish immigrants to northern Minnesota. Traditionally hung above a table or dining area, these geometric straw mobiles are a Christmas tradition with a link to old folk farming beliefs for ensuring a bountiful harvest. Students will gain experience working with natural material (straw) as they construct a medium sized himmeli mobile. Focus will also be on the cultural and historic significance of this craft found in Finland, Norway, Sweden, the Baltic countries, and beyond. Enrollment Deadline: 11/23
Create a jolly felted gnome ready to bring home some holiday joy in this afternoon-long class. Students will follow step-by-step instructions to transform hand dyed wool from instructor Laura Berlage’s own sheep into a felted festive gnome (known in Sweden as a tomte or in Norway as a nisse) complete with long cap and beard! Students will get tips for shaping a cheerful face as well as hear stories from Laura’s farm and discuss gnomes in Scandinavian culture and beyond. Suitable for all skill levels, ages 11+. Kits ($32 value) are included in the class fee. Each kit includes the tools and materials for one student. Registration closes December 2.