Events in Swedish America

See what's happening near you - or close to where you may be traveling this week. 

  • Gudrun Sjödén at work. Just a few more days to see her extraordinary exhibit at ASI in Minneapolis.

  • THURSDAY, OCTOBER 25
    -New York, NY
    Music on Park Avenue, 7-9 PM
    Swedish pianist Per Tengstrand returns to Scandinavia House with a special presentation of Beethoven’s Concerti. Scandinavia House, 212.847.9729 / chelsea@amscan.org / www.scandinaviahouse.org/event/concerts

  • See Kaisa’s Enchanted Forest at the Sami Film Minifest in Seattle. Image source variety.com

  • FRIDAY, OCTOBER 26
    -West Newton, MA
    Bergman Retrospective: Autumn Sonata, 6-10 PM
    As part of the Ingmar Bergman Centennial Retrospective, see Autumn Sonata (1978), the only collaboration between cinema’s two great Bergmans: Ingmar and Ingrid. The grande dame, playing an icy concert pianist, is matched beat for beat in ferocity by the filmmaker’s recurring lead Liv Ullmann, as her eldest daughter. Over the course of a day and a long, painful night that the two spend together after an extended separation, they finally confront the bitter discord of their relationship. This cathartic pas de deux, evocatively shot in burnished harvest colors, ranks among the director’s major dramatic works. 83 minutes, in Swedish with English subtitles. Scandinavian Cultural Center, 617.795.1914 / kerry@scandicenter.org. www.scandicenter.org

  • More Bergman 100 celebrations with screenings at the Scandinavian Cultural Center in West Newton MA. “I said that Persona saved my life—that is no exaggeration,” remarked Bergman. “If I had not found the strength to make the film, I would probably have been all washed up. One significant point: For the first time I did not care in the least whether the result would be a commercial success.” - The 2008 stamp from Posten features Ingmar Bergman.

  • SATURDAY, OCTOBER 27
    -Chicago, IL
    Genealogy Session, 10 AM-12 PM
    The four estates Riksdag of the Estates was the name used for the Estates of Sweden. It was the institution with the highest authority in Sweden next to the King. The Four Estates were the lines of division in Swedish society: nobility, clergy, burghers and land-owning peasants. It was dissolved in 1866.
    Learn how these estates are related to genealogy research. Free/ $10/ $15 - reservations are appreciated and can be made via email to genealogy@samac.org or by calling Swedish American Museum, 773.728.8111 / swedishamericanmuseum.org

  • See Helena Hernmarck in her studio, with special hours during her Weaving In Progress exhibit in Ridgefield, CT. Photo: Helena Wallenberg

  • -Lindsborg, KS
    Auction of Birger Sandzén, 11 AM-4PM
    The Red Barn Studio Museum hosts two Consignment Art Auctions every year, this one including more than 170 works of art. Consigned to the auction are 11 works by Swedish artist Birger Sandzén, including an oil painting, lithographs and lino-cuts. There will also be works from regional, national, and international artists and much more. Red Barn Studio Museum, 785-227-2217 / www.redbarnstudio.org

  • -Minneapolis, MN
    Svensk frukost, 8 – 11 AM
    Wake up like a Swede! Join the ASI Male Chorus for their breakfast fundraiser, Svensk Frukost. Enjoy a breakfast smörgåsbord of Swedish pancakes, eggs, kringler and much more while enjoying traditional Swedish choral music. $12-$25/advanced sale includes breakfast and a tour of the historic Turnblad Mansion or $30/door. ASI Male Chorus at the American Swedish Insitute, 612.870.3349 / info@asimn.org / www.asimn.org

  • -West Newton, MA
    Bergman Retrospective: Persona, 1:30- 4:30 PM
    As part of the Ingmar Bergman Centennial Retrospective, see Persona (1966). By the mid-60s, Bergman had already conjured many of the cinema’s most unforgettable images. But with the radical Persona, he attained new levels of visual poetry. In the first of a series of legendary performances for Bergman, Liv Ullmann plays a stage actor who has inexplicably gone mute; an equally mesmerizing Bibi Andersson is the garrulous young nurse caring for her in a remote island cottage. While isolated together there, the women perform a mysterious spiritual and emotional transference. In Swedish with English subtitles. Scandinavian Cultural Center, 617.795.1914 / kerry@scandicenter.org /www.scandicenter.org

  • -West Newton, MA
    Skylark Ensemble, 6-9 PM
    Saga SAGA Skylark once again welcomes storyteller Sarah Walker to help open our season with a dramatic evening of music and tales from Norse Mythology and the land of the Vikings. This storytelling concert is always among our most requested – you won’t want to miss this journey to the North Sea! 7 p.m.; pre-concert talk at 6 p.m. $20-$30. Scandinavian Cultural Center, 617.795.1914 / kerry@scandicenter.org /www.scandicenter.org

  • -Seattle, WA
    Sami Film Minifest, 11 AM-8 PM
    What is it about the Sami values, visions, and stories that speak to diverse audiences? Discover for yourself on this day of shorts and documentaries from Finnish, Norwegian, and Swedish Sápmi! The program includes the screening of the documentary Kaisa’s Enchanted Forest, a wide variety of Sami documentaries and shorts, a panel discussion, a tour of the Sámi collection and happy hour. Nordic Museum, 206.789.5707 / katiep@nordicmuseum.org / www.nordicmuseum.org/events/samifilmfest

  • -Seattle, WA
    Introduction to Lace Knitting, 1-4 PM
    Knitters in Nordic countries often added lace to embellish mittens, wrist warmers, scarves, and shawls. Learn the basics of how to match yarn-overs with decreases to in this class while knitting a small sampler that later can be used as a coaster or mug mat. Students will be able to practice a variety of stitch decreases, shaping techniques, and reading charts. Basic knitting experience required. Nordic Museum, 206.789.5707 / michaelk@nordicmuseum.org / www.nordicmuseum.org

  • SUNDAY, OCTOBER 28
    -Seattle, WA
    The Jan Harbeck Quartet, 3-5 PM
    Modern acoustic jazz with a warm, accessible and expressive sound. In 2008, the quartet received a Danish Grammy for In the Still of the Night; today, they are one of the best-selling Danish instrumental jazz groups. The quartet will play a mix of Harbeck’s compositions and selected lesser-known jazz standards with focus on strong melody, irresistible swing, and heart-wrenching melancholic blues. $18- $20. Nordic Museum, 206.789.5707 / katiep@nordicmuseum.org / www.nordicmuseum.org

  • WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 31
    -New York, NY
    Cirkus Cirkör, 7:30 PM
    Satyagraha, Cirkus Cirkör, together with Swedish opera company Folkoperan, matches one form of sublimity with another to Philip Glass’ most affecting and personal work: a mesmerizing operatic account of Mahatma Gandhi’s experiments with civil disobedience in South Africa, presented as a serene minimalist ritual. Satyagraha is supported by The Embassy of Sweden Washington, The Swedish Arts council and The City of Stockholm, and performed through Nov. 4 at Brooklyn Academy of Music, 718.636.4100 / info@bam.org / www.bam.org/opera/2018/satyagraha

  • Ongoing
    -Ridgefield, CT
    Helena Hernmarck: Weaving In Progress, exhibit - Hernmarck is an internationally acclaimed artist and weaver who is recognized for revolutionizing weaving tapestry as a medium suited to modern architectural environments. Her technique is a play on traditional Swedish weaving techniques, which she has evolved to achieve powerful photorealistic effects. Many of her 20 tapestries will be hung from the ceiling, so visitors can experience the complex three-dimensionality of her weaving technique, and the unusual materials she sometimes uses, such as leftover sequin material. Aldrich Contemporary Art Museum, 203.438.4519 / www.aldrichart.org/article/weaving-in-progress

  • -Minneapolis, MN
    Gudrun Sjoden - A Colourful Universe ends Oct 28: Stroll through Gudrun’s design world on your own or sign up for a special tour to enjoy the visually striking collaboration with Swedish designer Gudrun Sjödén. American Swedish Institute / info@asimn.org /www.asimn.org

  • Philadelphia, PA
    From the Heart, Made by Hand: Treasures from the Women of Sweden. This exhibition includes selections of the handmade textiles presented to the museum in 1938 from every province of Sweden. Exhibit opening is free with museum admission. American Swedish Historical Museum, 215.389.1776 / www.americanswedish.org