Strolling Nyckelharpa Musicians

Twin Cities Nyckelharpalag Performs as Strolling Musicians in Minnesota 

  • The Galleria Mall in Edina, MN. was decorated for the season providing a visual invitation for shopping, as the Twin Cities Nyckelharpalag added traditional Swedish music to the venue creating an ambience for a pleasurable experience. Photos by V.S. Arrowsmith.

  • Edina, MN—Retailers understand that multiple senses are in play when people go shopping, especially at the Christmas season. The more interesting the experience and the more senses that are positively engaged, the more likely we as consumers will be inspired to buy that second cup of coffee, another pair of shoes, or a gift for a child or relative. As strolling musicians the Twin Cities Nyckelharpalag added to the shopping ambience at the Galleria in Edina, Minnesota, on four Sundays during the Christmas holiday season. They performed traditional Swedish folk music in an informal procession with Santa Claus as he visited with young at heart.

  • Shoppers in the Galleria in Edina, MN were treated to traditional Swedish music performed by the Twin Cities Nyckelharpalag on four Sundays during the Christmas shopping season. Shoppers lingered to listen in between forays into the stores.

  • Following the musicians was supporter Galen Hokanson, engaging guests at the mall in conversation after they listened to the music. He introduced himself as the husband of one of the performers and asked,
    “Do you know what that instrument is?” then offered them an informational card that talked about its history, dating back hundreds of years, to possibly as early as the 1300s. One learned when reading the card, that while there are thousands of nyckelharpa players in Sweden today, the U.S. is home to about 175, twenty of whom are in the Twin Cities area. The group’s web site, www.tcnyckelharpalag.org was included along with the message that it is available for parties, festivals and events.

  • Members of the Twin Cities Nyckelharpalag are surrounded in reflections of the snow-filled through a sky light at the Galleria in Edina, MN. In the background Gaylen Hokanson engaged shoppers in conversation about the nyckelharpa and its history.

  • The nyckelharpalag has the mission to conduct educational programs that promote awareness and knowledge of the instrument and to provide practice and performance opportunities for its members. A visit to its web site shows many of the events in which it has participated.

  • Jana Lindgren Early, the newest member of the Twin Cities Nyckelharpalag participated in its gigs at the Galleria in Edina, MN. The group stopped to perform outside shops and then strolled behind St. Nick while he made his rounds.

  • By Valorie Arrowsmith

  • The Twin Cities Nyckelharpalag performed as strolling musicians at the Galleria in Edina during four Sundays in the Christmas shopping season.

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  • Santa Claus visited with guests at the Galleria in Edina, MN while the Twin Cities Nyckelharpalag performed in the background.

  • 3845
    The Galleria Mall in Edina, MN. was decorated for the season providing
    a visual invitation for shopping, as the Twin Cities Nyckelharpalag
    added traditional Swedish music to the venue creating an ambience for
    a pleasurable experience. Photo by V.S. Arrowsmith.

  • 3849 or 3847
    Shoppers in the Galleria in Edina, MN were treated to traditional
    Swedish music performed by the Twin Cities Nyckelharpalag on four
    Sundays during the Christmas shopping season. Shoppers lingered to
    listen in between forays into the stores. Photo by V.S. Arrowsmith.

  • 3851
    Members of the Twin Cities Nyckelharpalag are surrounded in
    reflections of the snow-filled through a sky light at the Galleria in
    Edina, MN. In the background Gaylen Hokanson engaged shoppers in
    conversation about the nyckelharpa and its history. Photo by V.S.
    Arrowsmith.

  • 3852
    Jana Lindgren Early, the newest member of the Twin Cities
    Nyckelharpalag participated in its gigs at the Galleria in Edina, MN.
    The group stopped to perform outside shops and then strolled behind
    St. Nick while he made his rounds. Photo by V.S. Arrowsmith.

  • 3854
    The Twin Cities Nyckelharpalag performed as strolling musicians at the
    Galleria in Edina during four Sundays in the Christmas shopping
    season. Photo by V.S. Arrowsmith.

  • 3860
    Santa Claus visited with guests at the Galleria in Edina, MN while the
    Twin Cities Nyckelharpalag performed in the background. Photo by V.S.
    Arrowsmith.