Norwegian Dancers meet Steampunk

With Google delivering 36,100,000 search results, Steampunk is much more than an unknown genre in the back row, yet it remains under the radar, attended to by some very devoted fans and participants. It is a fast-growing sliver of culture that is big enough to have its own entry in Wikipedia, and is big enough to have a three day "convention" right here in Madison. The Wikipedia link is well worth reading. Steampunk is a hard to explain mix of Jules Verne-fantasy meeting steam-powered airships meeting Victorian era fashion. And more. The convention was big enough to fill the west side Marriott, which is where the dancers found themselves Friday night, for what is most likely one of the most unusual venues the dancers have ever entered. The dancers held up well, a small group of traditionally dressed Norwegian kids and parents surrounded by an ocean of people dressed in full costume and role playing Steampunk characters from the Victorian era. German airship captains with handlebar mustaches are the easiest to describe. There were numerous other characters as well, that somewhat defy description. A very unique venue, filled with happy people that obviously enjoy getting into period costume and finding another dimension. The dancers were part of the opening ceremony and did two dances then, as well as a longer performance later on in the evening after Teslacon Prime Minister(?), Lord Hastings R. Bobbins had concluded his keynote. Lord Bobbins' web page does quite a good job further explaining Teslacon, which is officially where the dancers found themselves Friday night (11/1/13).

pictures in the blog entry are from Jeff Bach.

by the way, here's an interview (from 2012 so it's a year old) with the Wisconsin gentleman driving the whole Teslacon show.

the Dancers go to Monona Grove

The dancers made one of their first appearance of the new year at an elementary school in Monona Grove. Lots of smiling kid faces. Even the mascot got in on the act! With several new dancers in this year's group, the emphasis of the early part of the year is the training and rehearsals that the group needs to get their timing. Gymnastics needs to be learned and practiced and of course the hat kick does not come naturally, it too needs some practice time. With dances throughout the year, we hope you will follow along with the dancers. There is a performance schedule on the dancer website. The dances come from all over the Scandinavian part of the world - Norway, Finland, Sweden, even Denmark has a dance or two in the group's list of dances.
The dancers are self-contained. The group has three keyboards, speakers and speaker stands that come along for every performance. Each performance features gymnastics from the boys. They train hard during the summer to perfect their moves. Many of the boys have never done gymnastics prior to joining the dancers and working on these dances. Most of the kids have never danced as a couple before or even performed in public, so their learning curve is steep and nerves always have to be dealt with.
Pictures in thi blog entry are from Stu Joannes.

Norwegian Dancers on TV

The SHS Norwegian Dancers made an appearance this AM on WKOW 27. The station gave them enough time to explain a bit and perform a dance live on the air for the morning viewers. Great job dancers!

Norse Afternoon of Fun is on the Way

The dancers have been hard at it training and perfecting their dances for the past few months. The 2013 edition of the Norse Afternoon of Fun is the 48th annual and takes place on February 10th. It is once again at the Stoughton High School gym from 1:30-4:30 PM or until the Troll kicks everyone out. Lots of fun dances happen at the Norse Afternoon. Parents come out on the dance floor, alumni dancers come out and relive their glory days, even some fourth graders get in on the act. It's a great way to lessen the cabin fever and chase away the winter blues.

The Halling Dance is the finale and probably the centerpiece. It is based on traditional Norwegian wedding parties. These parties back in the old country on the family farm, often lasted for six days and drew everybody in from miles around. These multi-day events evolved to have all sorts of things to occupy people's time. The young men of that era worked on what we would call gymnastics today. In fact, one of the moves in this hallingkast dance is a headspin, very much in the same form as what is seen many years later in a sidewalk breakdance.

So come on down to Stoughton, eat some varme pølse, maybe even some lefse, watch a few hats get kicked, and enjoy the dancing that a group of modern day teenagers energetically perform based on old Norwegian traditions.

by the way, there's a great article on wikipedia that talks at length about the wedding dances in the Norway.