International Folk Dance Association   of University City presents . . .
	Past Event Page  •  IFDA Home Page

Olav Jørgen Hegge
Mary Sanford Hegge
with Loretta Kelley, Hardanger fiddle

in a workshop on the Norwegian dance

Valdres Springar

November 20 - 22, 1998
University City (St. Louis), Missouri

Schedule and Prices

Weekend package price covering all workshop sessions is $32. Tickets for individual sessions are also available at the door. The package price saves $4, but does not include items marked with an asterisk (i.e. the meals). Total for workshop package plus all meals is $50.

We strongly advise that you pre-register; see registration form. Reservations for the dinner need to be made by Monday, November 16.

Locations

Church of the Holy Communion (Friday and Saturday): 7401 Delmar Blvd., University City, Missouri. The church is on the northwest corner of Delmar and Jackson (see Map and Guide to IFDA Events). Park on either street and enter through the red double door in the middle of the L-shaped building.

Wydown Dorm (Sunday): Washington University Campus, St. Louis, Missouri. (see Guide to Wydown Dorm). Park on Wydown Blvd. Directions will also be available at the Saturday sessions.

About the Teachers, Dances, and Instruments

Olav Jørgen Hegge is an accomplished Valdres springar dancer and fiddler who grew up in a family of fiddlers, langeleik players and dancers. His fiddling and dancing style reflect a deep, elegant Valdres tradition. He has judged national Hardanger fiddle competitions and served as chairman of the Landskappleik in 1992. He is a fiddler’s fiddler, and out of respect for his tradition, he plays only Valdres music. His fiddling is very danceable, and his care for the music is transmitted into his teaching of the dance. His dance style crosses the bridge between the older tradition bearers and the younger, more athletic dancers.

Mary Sanford Hegge lives in Valdres, Norway, and St. Paul, Minnesota. She teaches dancing in the Twin Cites and has partnered several accomplished Norwegian dance teachers. Mary and Olav have taught extensively at folk dance groups in the United States.

Loretta Kelley is the best known American Hardanger fiddle player. She has won first prize in her class several times in Norwegian fiddle competitions, and has played in competition for many prize-winning Norwegian dancers. In addition to dance and music festivals in the United States and Norway, her many performances include appearances at the Kennedy Center, on National Public Radio’s "All Things Considered", and on an hour-long program on Norwegian Radio featuring her work. In 1996 she received a special guest invitation to perform at a concert in honor of Anund Roheim in Bø, Telemark, Norway. She is also well known as an author and teacher of Hardanger fiddle music.

Both Olav and Loretta have CD’s available. Olav has a CD produced by Øystre Slidre Spel- Og Dansarlag, and Loretta has recorded two CD’s of her own music. We especially invite you to experience the music first-hand, as Hardanger fiddle music is much more compelling when it is heard live.

Valdres springar is an older type of dance with a rich living tradition. The dance is improvised, but the figures are relatively limited in number and therefore accessible and popular with American dancers. (Above notes by Rex and Nancy Couture.)

The Hardanger fiddle (or hardingfele), named after the Hardangerfjord area of Norway where it originated, is often referred to as the national instrument of Norway. It features a highly decorated body as well as sympathetic strings under the fingerboard which resonate with the main strings and give the instrument its rich harmonic quality along with a characteristic drone. For more on the Hardanger fiddle with photographs and musical selections, see the web pages of the Hardanger Fiddle Association of America and the Norway Tourist Magazine.

Meals and Other Information

This workshop is supported in part by

Shoes: We recommend wearing clean, hard-soled shoes (leather or synthetic), as many couple dances require turning which is more difficult with rubber-soled shoes. Some people find the floors slick and others find them sticky, so you might bring more than one pair of shoes and see which works best.

Meals: Lunches will feature Scandinavian soups and sanwiches. Dinner will be a traditional Scandinavian meal. Please make dinner reservations by November 16. Contributions of fruits and sweets will be appreciated for snacks. Call Nancy Couture at 314-275-8228 for questions about food.

Joan Amsterdam of International Folk Rhythms, Ltd. will be selling ethnic recordings, books, clothing and accessories, and crafts on Friday and Saturday.

Crash Space is available. Please indicate your needs on the registration form, or call Diana Blanchard at 314-726-5737.

For Other Information: Call Rex Couture (home 314-275-8228, work 314-935-4194, E-mail rex@levee.wustl.edu), or Diana Blanchard (home 314-726-5737, E-mail blanchard@simon.wustl.edu).

Views and opinions expressed on this page are strictly those of the International Folk Dance Association of University City, which is not sponsored by or otherwise connected with Southern Illinois University at Edwardsville.