Norske Runddansere

Ever feel like you don't have a good handle on what all the Scandinavian folkdance and folkmusic workshops happening in the USA and in Scandinavia are, and that you might be missing out?

You're in luck - I have now updated the NR website to include lists of all these events that happen annually. For events in Scandinavia check out this page: http://www.norskerunddansere.org/international-scandinavian-music-and-dance-events.html

For USA scroll to the bottom of this page (below upcoming community events): http://www.norskerunddansere.org/community-flyersevents.html

Let me know if I missed something ([email protected]). Hope to see you at a future festival or workshop!
~Michelle

International Scandinavian Music and Dance Events All of these workshops and festivals are very interesting and enriching, and well worth attending. ​

This monday - Birthday Ball!

Come celebrate Norwegian Constitution Day on Sunday May 17 at Norse Hall in Portland. Be sure to support our local musicians with a fun dancing opportunity 5:30 -8 pm with Nya Älgen! (Admission is free!)

Updated Norske Runddansere teaching schedule for spring.

Greetings Norske Runddansere Dancers and Musicians!

Thanks to all of you who have been enjoying Monday night dancing with Norske Runddansere at Nordia House! For those who haven’t had the chance to join us for a while, you would be impressed with the increased attendance over the past several months. Long-time NR members might see this as reminiscent of the numbers experienced prior to the pandemic. Even for those remembering that period, the current environment seems higher energy with increased socializing on and off the floor. This is the foundation for strong, enjoyable community. As word of such a welcoming social dance setting gets around, it would not be surprising to see even more folks join us, especially with great live music weekly.

NR has long held the value of welcoming all who come to dance with us, accepting and helping even the most novice dancers. As a result, many beginners have stayed to develop into wonderful dancers. It is a new challenge for NR accommodating a number of skill levels simultaneously and ensuring all have a wonderful dance experience. But my belief is if they do, they will return and NR will continue enjoying the wonderful energetic atmosphere created over the last few months. I mentioned to one of our members that our American culture is accustomed to instant gratification and short-term results. Commercial construction in this country is reflective of this tendency: too much of it is based on a forty-year lifespan. The Scandinavian way, as exemplified by the wonderfully crafted building where we dance, is a thoughtful process that ensures sustainability over the long term.

For NR, following this course will require flexibility: a willingness to tweak, adjust and accommodate, not just over the course of a term, but also within a month, a night and maybe even a couple of times a night. We will intend to do that as smoothly and as simply as possible. A bit of sacrifice and willful accommodating on everyone’s part should ultimately lead to a meaningful, joyous dance experience for all. Please be patient, understanding, and at times, forgiving as we work to provide this experience.

The other thing NR is always working on is to have enough leadership and volunteers to provide the organizational support for dancing. Those who have belonged to other organizations likely realize the three pillars of successful ones are: vibrant membership, solid finances and dependable, dynamic leadership. Building on the work of previous boards, the current Board has done a great job solidifying the first two pillars. It has also made conducting business easier and it has laid out steps for continuing the efforts that have enhanced NR’s wonderful atmosphere. This should make it easier for those following behind to still do what they love to do: dance.

But the third pillar is always at risk unless enough members step forward once a year to keep it steady. As NR starts its new business year at the end of March (as opposed to the October – September membership year), several officer and board positions need filling to give long-serving NR members a well-deserved break. This will also allow new energy, perspectives and ideas to come forth. With the increased attendance and energy, this is an exciting and rewarding time to help lead NR. I was advised once while staffing the donation boxes at Northwest Folklife in Seattle to greet those entering with, “If you enjoy what you see, consider dropping some money in the box!” If you are enjoying dancing with NR on Monday nights and are a dues-paying members, consider some time as an officer or a Board Member – it is also a way to guarantee the good times continue.

Thanks,

Robert Sisk, Norske Runddansere President

In case you didn't get the memo...

NR members and friends,

Nordia House (where we usually meet for regular monday evening dances) will be closed on Monday for the MLK Jr. Day holiday, but NR will continue dancing with a guest teacher at a special location: Norse Hall, 111 N.E. 11th Ave., Portland OR.

Our special guest teacher is Tom Sears, who many of you have met over the years. Tom currently resides in Oakland, California and teaches Norwegian bygdedansar ("country dances", i.e., gangars, springars, etc.) and Scandinavian dances in the SF Bay Area and western states. He has completed teacher training for Norwegian folkdance, and has earned his Stort (big) silver in Swedish polska dancing. Tom joined the Røros Folkedanslag (Røros Folk Dance Group) in 1998 and has danced with the team at Landskappleiken in Norway since then. He also dances in the A-class couple dance in Norway.

Tom will be teaching the Norwegian dance known as Busserull, named after the blue and white striped Norwegian work shirt of the same name. This is a lively four section dance very similar to Rørospols (or Røros pols), but in 2/4, not 3/4 time.

Remember since Nordia House will be closed, we will see you at Norse Hall, located at 111 N.E. 11th Ave., Portland OR on Monday evening. Doors open at 7 pm and we can dance until 10pm.

Back to Nordia House next week!

Winter/ Spring Teaching schedule 2026

The pepparkakor are ready for SnoBall. Are you? If you are not registered, you have until noon tomorrow! http://www.norskerunddansere.org/snoball.html

Just announced, Portland Community College Scandinavian Social Dance (Winter 2026 Non-Credit Class) to be held again at Norske Runddansere! Registration starts Nov 19.

Scandinavian Social Dance | Class Schedule at PCC Campus contactsLearn poetic, graceful dances of Scandinavia, accompanied by folk tunes that sprang up alongside them. First hour is a step-by-step lesson, followed by an hour of open dancing. New...

11/10/2025
Hello dance friends,

Please note that there will be no dance this week, due to circumstances beyond our control. We will be pleased to see you as we resume as usual next Monday.

Another reminder: December 20-21 is our annual SnoBall at Menucha Retreat, with music this year by Seattle’s Hale Bill and the Bopps! Don’t miss the highlight event of our year. Register here:

SnoBall Earlybird Discount Extended to 11.3.2025 - Sign up now to get your discount! SnoBall 2025 is set for December 20-21, 2025 ​Menucha Retreat in Corbett, OR We have gone paperless! Instead of...

BREAKING NEWS: If you missed the Halloween deadline for the early bird discount to SnoBall you now have another opportunity to claim it. The deadline has been extended to Monday, November 3. Don't let this slip by again. Click link

SnoBall Earlybird Discount Extended to 11.3.2025 - Sign up now to get your discount! SnoBall 2025 is set for December 20-21, 2025 ​Menucha Retreat in Corbett, OR We have gone paperless! Instead of...