2008 Stevne - Entertainment

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Land Logging Legends

7-Lag Stevne

July 16-19, 2008

Ramada Stevens Point

Stevens Point, Wisconsin

When Lars Torvik’s grandmother Inge dies in 2004, he is faced with a decision – sell the family farm on which she lived since 1920, or cling to the legacy of the land. Seeking advice, he turns to the memory of Inge and the stories that she had passed on to him.

Inge arrives in Minnesota in 1920 to marry a young Norwegian farmer named Olaf but her German heritage and lack of official immigration papers makes her an object of suspicion in the small town, and she and Olaf are forbidden to marry. Alone and adrift, Inge goes to live with the family of Olaf’s friend and neighbor Frandsen and his wife Brownie, where she learns the English language, American ways, and a hard-won independence.

Inge and Olaf slowly come to know each other, and against the backdrop of endless farmland and cathedral skies they fall in love, a man and woman united by the elemental forces of nature. Still unable to marry, they live together openly, despite the scorn of the neighbors and the disapproval of the local minister. But when his friend Frandsen’s farm is threatened by foreclosure, Olaf takes a stand, and the community unites around the young couple, finally accepting Inge as one of their own.

The cast includes Elizabeth Reaser, Tim Guinee, Lois Smith, Alex Kingston, Paul Sand, John Heard, Ned Beatty and Alan Cumming.

David Fischer and David Olson come to you as Aslak og Engebret, a male version of the Lutheran basement ladies. They tell jokes and sing songs, sometimes with audience participation. For more, click the "Opening Session" tab.

This 1945 classic tells the story of two young girls in rural Wisconsin. Selma and Arnold, aged 7 and 5, pal around together between their two farms. Selma (Margaret O'Brien) has a newborn calf that she named 'Elizabeth'. Nels (Edward G. Robinson) is the editor of the Fuller Junction Spectator and the kids just call him 'Editor'. Viola (Frances Gifford) is the new school teacher from the big city. Nels wants to marry Viola, but she does not want to live in a small quiet, nothing happening town.

Landingsleiken, a group of young dancers from Søndre Land kommune in Norway

The Søndre Land Culture School offers instruction in Norwegian folk dance and theater, and instrumental training in guitar, piano, brass, clarinet, drums and flute. The local band is also sponsored by the Culture School.

Folk dancing is offered to children of all ages. From ages four to six children dance with Minileiken. They then advance to Mellomleiken, the 6-9 year age group. The oldest students, from 10-14 years of age make up Landingsleiken.

There are currently 63 students enrolled in dance classes at the Søndre Land Culture School. They meet for practice once a week and hold performances throughout the year.
The older members have five to seven performances a year, while the younger students have three to four.

Fifteen of the 24 members of Landingsleiken are pleased to be a part of the 2008 Stevne. Their dance music will be played by a 15 year old fiddler from the school.

The Twin Cities Hardingfelelag plays gammaldans and bydgedans music from Norway. Their repertoire includes tunes in many folk music dance styles including valdresspringar, telespringar,vals, pols, gangar, reinlender, rudl, and bruremarsj.

The Hardanger fiddle is similar to the violin. Its most distinguishing feature is the four or five sympathetic strings that run underneath the fingerboard which add echoing overtones to the sound. The instrument originated in the area around the Hardanger fjord of Norway and the oldest known fiddle dates to around 1651.

Wonder what Hardanger fiddle music sounds like? The Hardanger Fiddle Association of America offers a variety of samples of Hardanger fiddle music here.