Destination Stoughton- A Norwegian Weekend of Fun
 
 
The Stoughton Norwegian Summit Group, an informal group of Norwegian themed businesses, groups and organizations, builds a weekend of Norse opportunities around a signature event. The group was organized in 2011 under the leadership of Sons of Norway- Mandt Lodge to bring “all those things Norwegian” together to help promote each other’s events, activities, businesses and organizations. The group helps promote two Destination Weekends each year and of course, all are busy Syttende Mai Weekend! The groups have put together a great weekend of opportunities for February 4-6^th.
 

Our “featured” event: The Stoughton Norwegian Dancers- Norse Afternoon of Fun 2022

On Sunday, February 6th, the internationally known Stoughton High School Norwegian Dancers will present their annual “Norse Afternoon of Fun” at 1:30 p.m. in the Stoughton High School gymnasium, 600 Lincoln Avenue, Stoughton, WI.  While celebrating their 69th year, the Dancers will present their answer to “cabin fever.” This lively group of dancers will present a program which includes humorous dances, gymnastics, skits and audience participation dances. A bake sale featuring Norwegian lefse and desserts is also part of the afternoon activities as well as the announcement of the Community Appreciation Award and 2022 Syttende Mai Royalty.  The admission for adults is $8.00 at the door.  Admission for children under 14 is $1.00. There will be a Raffle for 23 amazing prizes.  Raffle tickets are available online only at  http://go.rallyup.com/norse2022
 
Livsreise, the Norwegian Heritage Center will be open that Friday and Saturday for our normal hours of 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. but will be closed on Sunday. Featured now in our small gallery is an exhibit of paintings by the Norwegian emigrant painter, Herbjørn Nilson Gaustå. He was born in Vestfjorddalen, Telemark, Norway on June 16, 1854. On Saturday February 5 at 1:00 pm Livsreise is hosting a virtual presentation featuring author Margi Preus, who will give a review of her book, West of the Moon. You can register for this event by going to the Livsreise website www.livsreise.org  and clicking on the news and event tab and find the event for February 5. As a follow-up to their recent ZOOM lecture about Sami clothing given by Dr. Tom DuBois of the University of Wisconsin, there are two Gakti (native clothing of the indigenous for people of northern Norway, Sweden and Finland) on display along with the accessories for these traditional pieces of clothing.
 
Several Stoughton Norwegian Summit Group members will have joint displays in the Stoughton High School hallway during Norse Afternoon of Fun. Norwegian American Genealogical Center & Naeseth Library in Madison serves a worldwide audience by building and sharing stellar research collections, publishing useful and popular genealogical materials, and reaching out to all those who seek to know and venerate their Norwegian roots. We have been teaching in-person and virtual classes, providing programs for Sons of Norway and other group meetings, and are open to have people come in for research. Sons of Norway-Mandt Lodge - Sons of Norway is a fraternal organization for all ages, genders, and ethnic backgrounds for those who have an interest in Norwegian heritage and culture. Visit with us about our events, membership, classes and youth activities. Learn more at http://sonsofnorway5.com/ is our District website and like us on Facebook: Sons of Norway Stoughton WI. We also will have information about the District 5 Convention in June which will be held in Middleton in conjunction with Sangerfest. Celebrate Stoughton 175^th Anniversary Events - Learn more about the collaborative efforts to celebrate Stoughton’s 175^th Anniversary in 2022! Online interviews, walking tours, events and much more are being planned! Pick up information about the events, sponsorships, and how you can help us celebrate! Stoughton Chamber and Visitor Services - Pick up your Stoughton Visitors Map! Livsreise, the Norwegian Heritage Center- Livsreise includes interpretations of the immigrant journey from Norway, and features the cultural heritage brought to Stoughton along with sharing stories of individual immigrants. Edvard Grieg Chorus and Sangerfest 2022 - Every two years the Norwegian Singers Association of America (NSAA) hold a Sangerfest (Singers Festival) for the purpose of performing and cultivating the love and understanding of Scandinavian music. Sangerfest 2022 will be held June 16-18, with a Grand Concert that is open to the public at Marriott Madison West Hotel in Middleton WI on Saturday evening, June 18^th starting at 7:00 PM. The concert will be performed with over 100 chorus members from throughout the Midwest joined by Brian Leeper, soloist, baritone who is in his 16^th year teaching at the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater, where he teaches Studio Voice, Meistersingers, and directs the UWW Opera Workshop. Tickets to the Grand concert will be available soon!