The Vasa Junior Folk Dancers, of Minnesota.

Vasa Junior Folk Dancers
Affiliated with Vasa Order Minnesota District No. 7

established: 1927

The VJF dancers learn a variety of Swedish folk dances, songs & cultural customs. The folk dancers are sponsored by the four Vasa Lodges in the Minneapolis/St. Paul area. Parents (and dancers 14 years and older) are encouraged, but not required, to join one of the Twin Cities Vasa Lodges, including: 137-RUNEBERG, 138-STENBOCK, 433-KRONAN, and 488-JOHN MORTON. Parents and dancers are welcome to visit lodge meetings.

PERFORMANCE SCHEDULE 2011-2012:

{For further details, click on the May-Pole in the bottom-right corner.}

Sat., Nov. 19th, 2011, 1:30 pm: A.S.I. building {re-opening of the Turnblad Mansion.}
Sun., Dec. 4th, 2011, 1:30 pm: Bethel Lutheran Church, 4120-17th Ave. S. 55407-3318; Lucia and Dancing
  Fri., Dec. 9th, 2011, 7:15 pm: Rescheduled, see Dec. 10th.
Fri., Dec. 10th, 2011, 7:15 pm: Performance at VFW Hall in Golden Valley, 7775 Medicine Lake Rd. Be there by 7:15 pm; Lucia and Dancing.
  NOTE CHANGE IN DEC. 10th's LOCATION!
May 3rd to 6th, 2012: Festival of Nations, Time: Saturday, "right after the Flag ceremony" (Dancers be there by 1:30, promptly!)
  {The 3rd to 6th is the entire duration of FoN, Vasa Jr. Dancers are only there on ONE of the days.}
NOT CONFIRMED: June 16th (third Saturday in June): May Pole event at A.S.I.
June 24th, 2012 (fourth Sunday in June): Svenskarnas Dag / Swedish Heritage Day, Minnehaha Falls Park, Time: TBA

Throughout the year, the group may be invited to perform at other Vasa programs, church functions, community festivals, and nursing homes.

2011-06-26 Group Shot at Minnehaha Falls - Svenskarnas Dag


JoAnn Thoreen, Sr. Vasa Leader/Instructor 612-722-6783	Janice Lehman, Vasa Leader/Instructor 612-729-0334 janicelehman57 at hotmail dot com	Kristin Johnson, Vasa Leader/Instructor 763-420-8942 dkjohnson95 at comcast dot net	Not shown: Marie Salisbury, Vasa Leader/Instructor 952-594-4574 marie52379 at yahoo dot com	The Vasa Jr. Folk Dancers' Musicians Antonio Spargo (fiddle), Carolyn Sparto (piano accordion), Cheryl Olson (fiddle), Julie Anderson (fiddle), Thomas Spargo (acoustic guitar).

Membership
Children ages 3 through 12th grade are invited to participate in Vasa Junior Folk Dancers. Practices are held at the American Swedish Institute from 1:00 pm to 2:30 pm on the 2nd and 4th Saturdays of the month beginning in September and concluding in May. (For 2011, the practice location has been changed for May, September and October due to contruction at the ASI.)

The annual membership fee is $20 per family and is collected by the Parent's Club. It is used for activities, crafts and parties for the children. The Parent's Club also organizes several fund raising events in support of the folk dance group.

Costumes
Dancers wear a folk costume that reflects the province or area they or their ancestors are from in Sweden. Dancers may also wear the yellow and blue national folk costume. New members will receive information on purchasing costume patterns, supplies or securing an experienced seamstress.

What do the Dancers like about the group?
"I like the history and learning about my heritage. We perform at some interesting sites and usually get a special tour." -Rutger, age 11
"We always get a treat after each practice and celebrate birthdays too!" -Taylor, age 5
"My great aunt and uncle were Vasa Jr. Folk Dancers, now I'm one too." -Zachary, age 9
"I like to dance, sing and perform in front of groups of people" -Laura, age 15

What do Parents like about the group?
"We wanted to learn more about our family's Swedish heritage and have included the cultural traditions we've learned during the Christmas holiday."
"The practice schedule isn't overwhelming and the participation costs are so much less than other types of dance groups."
"It's a great opportunity for both children & parents to get involved with."
"My daughter really enjoys dancing & playing with the other kids, she can't wait until she is old enough to be chosen as the group's Santa Lucia."

INTERESTING LINKS:
To view the below Youtube links, please right-click and select "Open Link in New Tab".
* This Youtube video "Midsommar 2008.m4v" features the Vasa Jr. Dancers between 0:52 & 1:17.
* This Youtube video "ox dance 31 05 09" features two older guys going at it full-bore. (You should NOT see our boys being this aggressive!)
* This Youtube video "Swedish folk dance fight - Oxdansen" features a pair of men doing an Ox Dance that's closer to "normal".

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History and Pictures page

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Schedule, Lyrics & Misc. page