A Finnish folk dance performance by teens of the Kivajat Dancers.
For over 20 years, the Kivajat Finnish-American Folk Dancers, ages 5-18, have delighted audiences around the upper Midwest and beyond with their enthusiastic performances of traditional Finnish folk dances. The group is directed by Kay Seppala, and sponsored by the Finnish American Heritage Center in Hancock MI, (now a part of Finlandia Foundation National). They share cultural heritage, dance, and music by performing at community festivals and events, in nursing homes, and during Finnish celebrations such as Heikinpäivä, Juhannus, and Finnish Independence Day. The teen part of the group, known as Loistavat, are thrilled to perform at FinnFest USA this year.
A Finnish folk dance performance by teens of the Kivajat Dancers.
For over 20 years, the Kivajat Finnish-American Folk Dancers, ages 5-18, have delighted audiences around the upper Midwest and beyond with their enthusiastic performances of traditional Finnish folk dances. The group is directed by Kay Seppala, and sponsored by the Finnish American Heritage Center in Hancock MI, (now a part of Finlandia Foundation National). They share cultural heritage, dance, and music by performing at community festivals and events, in nursing homes, and during Finnish celebrations such as Heikinpäivä, Juhannus, and Finnish Independence Day. The teen part of the group, known as Loistavat, are thrilled to perform at FinnFest USA this year.
A selection of Finnish and Scandinavian folk music played with solo accordion. Classics like Raatikkoon, Kauhavan Polkka, Emman Valssi, and more!
Performer Bio: Jack Lind is a Folk Accordionist with roots in the Iron Range Finnish folk music tradition.
The Lindula Brothers return to the Tori stage to deliver their signature flavor of Finnish American folk and bluegrass music.
Performer Bios: Johnny and Brian Lindula play folk/bluegrass music. Hailing from Taconite Country and raised in Cherry, MN both are graduates of the University of Minnesota Duluth.
The Northern Stars Sami Girls will take you on a journey of oral music traditions along with their classical training to present creative arrangements that reawaken Finnish American dance tunes.
The Northern Stars Sami Girls, also known as the Northern Stars, is a family band (the Aho family) that started on the Iron Range in northern Minnesota in the late 1960s. The band originally consisted of the Aho family parents, Ernie and Joan, who played the accordion and drums, respectively. They raised five children on a family farm on the Iron Range just north of Virginia, MN. The band was then joined by the oldest daughter, Teresa, on the accordion and vocals, daughter Tina on banjo, and daughter Terri on drums and violin. More recently, Teresa’s daughter, Kristiina joined the band on bassoon and vocals. Other instruments, including the cello, banjo, tambourine and guitar, are featured on select tunes.
The band started using the title “Sami Girls” to recognize and honor their paternal and maternal grandparents, all of Sami heritage, who immigrated from Finland, Europe, to the United States in the early 1900s. This heritage is important to the family and is reflected in the unique musical style of the family band.
Teresa, Terri and Kristiina received their classical music training at the University of Wisconsin-Superior. Teresa received her Bachelor of Music in education, Terri received her Juris Doctor in law, and Kristiina also received her Bachelor of Music in education. Their music consists of traditional dance music including waltzes, polkas, jenkkas, mazurkas, humppas, and tangos.
The Northern Stars have completed several recordings (vinyl, cassettes and CDs) over the years. Their most recent CD was completed this past year and is titled, “What is Old is New Again,” and features vocals, the accordion, violin, bassoon, drums, cello, and banjo. This CD is full of traditional Finnish dance music with arrangements by Teresa which gives their music a classical flair.
This will be the last evening dance of the FinnFest 2025! Lauluaika with Dennis Halme and Metku, will be celebrating this year’s festival with those high energy Finnish dance tunes. Come and enjoy an evening of music and dance!
Lauluaika, Finnish for “Song Time,” is a group of musicians who share a passion for singing and playing Finnish folk tunes for audiences who enjoy listening or dancing.