Events in Swedish America

Don't pass up an opportunity to 'skål' or make - and eat - smörgåstårta. 

  • Skål! The Swedish American Museum in Chicago celebrated an evening with Swedish beer similar to that which the American Swedish Historical Museum in Philadelphia is doing in conjunction with their Skål exhibit through Sept. 17. Photo by Jenny Pfafflin
  • Join local Swedophiles for the Swedish Club of Houston's first-ever happy hour at the Ship and Shield Viking Pub, 403 West Gray on Thursday, May 4, 5-7 p.m.
    There is no cover charge, and it is open to all. Happy Hour pricing is $1 off Mead and $1 off draft beers. 978.524.0219 / www.swedishclub.org

  • Make a Swedish smörgåstårta, a Scandinavian treat composed like a sandwich, but with such a large amount of filling that it more resembles a layered cream cake with a garnished top.
  • And if you're in the Philadelphia area, Skål activities and exhibition/events abound at the American Swedish Historical Museum in Philadelphia:
    See their exhibition Skål! Scandinavian Spirits, or better yet attend one of the guided tours of the exhibits and learn how to properly "skill" at the end of the tour with an aquavit tasting (May 20 is the next tasting date; others are: June 18, July 9, Aug. 12 and Sep. 9). The exhibit is open during regular museum hours through Sept. 9, 2017. 215.389.1776 / www.americanswedish.org

  • Skål! There's a new renaissance in Sweden: the beer renaissance. Painting ”Young Man Drinking a Glass of Wine” by Jan van Biljert.
  • The Consulate General of Sweden and SWEA San Francisco invite you to "Shadows We Carry: Stig & The Mystery of The Monster Mother," a literary evening with Lo Dagerman on May 10. Lo will talk about the author Stig Dagerman (1923-1954) – a father she never knew. At Swedish American Hall, 2174 Market St. You need to book your seat today: www.sanfrancisco.swea.org/events/literary-evening-with-lo-dagerman/

  • Further north, the 2017 Nordic Culinary Conference begins in Seattle on Friday: http://nordicmuseum.org/culinary

  • And there are still a few spots left at the Nordic cake class and luncheon this Saturday, May 6 in Santa Cruz, Cal.:
    10:30 AM- 1 PM: Learn how to make smörgåstårta, the delicious savory Swedish luncheon cake, and Verdens Beste, the Norwegian world’s best cake, in this is a hands-on class. Then enjoy tasting the fruits of your labors. Viking Hall, 240 Plymouth St., 831.425.9725 / www.scc-santacruz.org

  • For events all over the United States, check http://www.nordstjernan.com/calendar/