ENTERTAINMENT
Marvel at the talents of Nordic artists and dance groups from around the Pacific Northwest.
There's always a great line-up of dancing groups, local talent, Nordic musicians, historic talks, kids acting troupes and much, much more! It's two days of non-stop live entertainment.
2024 SATURDAY LINEUP
10 am
10:15 am
11:15 am
12:15 pm
1:00 pm
1:15 pm
1:30 pm
2:45 pm
3:45 pm
5 pm
Doors
Portland Finnish School
Revontuli (Finnish strings and woodwinds)
Liam Barnes and friends (Traditional Nordic folk dance tunes/songs)
Scandinavian of the Year Award (Winner Announced)
Pickled Herring Eating Contest (sponsored by Broder Söder)
Adams, Martin & Linahon (Ballads and more)
Susse Fusse International Youth Dance Group
Adams, Martin & Linahon (Ballads and more)
Show ends
2024 SUNDAY LINEUP
10 am
10 am
11 am
11:45 am
12:15 pm
2 pm
3 pm
3:45 pm
4 pm
Doors
Skandi Leikarringen from Junction City
Vasa Youth Dancers (Swedish folk dance youth group)
Meatball Eating Contest (sponsored by Scandinavian Cafe)
Portland Nordic Chorus & Lucia Court of Oregon
Jimmy Granstrom & Brent Rogers w/ Gunilla (Contemporary music from Sweden and Oregon)
Tulehoidjad (Estonian traditional dance/music)
Raffle Drawing
Show ends
Revontuli
Revontuli ("Northern Lights") is Valerie Blessley and Jennifer Pratt-Walter. Valerie plays Finnish kantele, harp and woodwinds with fellow harp and kantele player Jennifer. They played at Midsummer and at the Naselle Finnish-American Folk Festival last July. Valerie has performed at Scan Fair several times as well in the past with the kantele group Livakat and as a solo performer. They have been performing together as Celtic Muse since 1995.
Liam Barnes
Liam has been playing accordion for fifteen years, and has loved Scandinavian music from a young age. He has traveled extensively by land and sea as a musician. After finally finding others who share a love of Swedish folk music, he is excited to be playing for the Nordic community. Liam connected with local musicians here and was about to join in playing for our regular Monday night Nordic social dance group when the pandemic hit. He was able to provide music for the League of Swedish Societies in 2021 along with Amy Hakanson. Liam is Icelandic on his Amma's side and loves the old sagas and rune songs.
Granstrom, Rogers & Admund
Granstrom, Rogers & Admund is a trio consisting of Jimmy Granstrom, Brent Rogers and Gunilla Admund. Jimmy is a songwriter who has had his songs played on the radio in more than a dozen countries on five continents. Together with Thomas Karlsson, he forms the songwriting duo Project Earthbridge (www.projectearthbridge.com), which have had their songs “Alicia” and “Made Of Stars” in rotation on the major Swedish regional radio station P4 Sörmland. Their most recent single "Back To Life" was released in October and has already been played on the radio in Sweden, France, Italy and California. Jimmy also co-wrote the song "Only Summer", which was played on the SiriusXM The Spectrum show "Nordic Rox" co-hosted by the legendary singer/songwriter Per Gessle of Roxette (Sweden's second best selling music act after ABBA) in September. Brent is a professional musician, producer, audio engineer and songwriter who has worked with the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra in London and recorded and released songs with the likes of Tim Gorman of “The Who” (www.brentrogers.com). Gunilla has previously performed with Jimmy and Brent at Midsummer and ScanFair in 2018, 2019 and 2024. At this year’s ScanFair celebration, Jimmy will provide spoken introductions and lyrical excerpts while Brent and Gunilla will sing a variety of traditional Christmas songs and original ones co-written by Brent and/or Jimmy, including Jimmy’s English translations of Swedish songs by both million-selling songwriters as well as up and coming artists.
Vasa Youth Group
The Vasa Rosebuds: Currently under the direction of Christine Smith. Vasa Rosebuds have routinely performed and led majstång dancing at Midsummer celebrations in Portland and Astoria. Within the past 5 years, they’ve traveled internationally to dance and participate in Midsummer celebrations in Sweden and Canada. In December they were featured at NNW ScanFair in Portland with a dance performance and a Lucia pageant. Additionally, they have performed many times at the Junction City Scandinavian Festival, participated yearly in the Junior Rose Festival Parade, and danced at many other local multicultural celebrations. They also performed at the Grand Opening of IKEA in Portland.
Tulehoidjad "Torch Bearers"
Tulehoidjad "Torch Bearers" is the Estonian folk dance group of Portland, Oregon. Formed in 1950, Tulehoidjad has taught Estonian folk dances to the four generations of Estonian immigrants and many American friends. Keeping Estonian traditions alive and teaching Americans about Estonian folk dance are the primary aims of Tulehoidjad folk dancers.
Portland Nordic Chorus & Lucia Court of Oregon
Portland Nodic Chorus is a mixed community chorus celebrating their friendship and common interest in Nordic Culture and Music by rehearsing and performing music with a Scandinavian connection. They sing primarily in Danish, Finnish, Icelandic, Norwegian, Swedish, and English.
An Oregon tradition since 1956, the Lucia of Oregon scholarship program puts young women interested in Nordic heritage in touch with the beloved Lucia legend of Scandinavia, while offering them the opportunity to serve their community and receive scholarships.
Süssefüsse International Folk Dance Troupe
Süssefüsse International Folk Dance Troupe was founded in 1985 by folk dance enthusiast Heidi Vorst who currently directs the classes and performances. Dancers wear international costumes to represent the many global cultures of our world and the dances they learn, as well as to connect to some of their own heritages. Süssefüsse has performed for farm workers, students, retired seniors, kings and queens, and has travelled and performed in both Japan and Hungary. They often perform locally in the Pacific Northwest for Scanfair and Midsommar, the Japanese Obon Festival, Portland's Polish Festival and Folklife in Seattle.
Adams, Martin, and Linahon
The trio of Adams, Martin and Linahon muster a unique performance steeped in history and stories old with a sound inspired by Celtic music throughout the ages. Long time friends and collaborators, these three performers have a lively chemistry on stage and present a list of songs and stories with multiple instruments and origins. Songs of love and rebellion, adventure and the old ways. Join us for a show you won’t want to miss!