Midsommarfest marks start of summer season in Chicago
The annual Scandinavian celebration of Midsommarfest will take place Friday, Saturday and Sunday, June 6 to 8, 2014, in Chicago’s Andersonville neighborhood along Clark Street north of Foster Avenue.
Traditional in Nordic lands, as well as in immigrant communities around the world, the popular event occurs in conjunction with the summer solstice in June. Midsommar signals the beginning of longer, sunnier days and brighter nights.
The Swedish American Museum is a center of Andersonville’s 49th annual Midsommarfest activities and a key sponsor. The Museum provides ethnic music and dance performances, and offers free admission during regular hours Saturday and Sunday.
The Museum stage, located near the Foster Avenue entrance, will be the site of the opening ceremony at 11:30 a.m. Saturday. The traditional dance around the majstång (maypole) will begin 15 minutes later.
Performances scheduled to follow on Saturday are: 12:15 p.m., Chicago Spelmanslag Scandinavian Folk Ensemble; 12:40 p.m., Nordic Folk Dancers of Chicago; 1:05 p.m., Chicago Swedish Men’s Chorus; 1:25 p.m., Merula Swedish Choir. At 12 noon on Sunday, the Nordland Band will take the stage.
Donations, and a portion of Midsommarfest entrance fees, will benefit the Museum’s fund-raising effort to repair or replace the famous blue-and-yellow water tower tank. The Andersonville icon on the roof of the Museum was removed in March after the water inside froze and damaged the structure.
June 1 Family Fest a benefit for rooftop tank
The Swedish American Museum will conduct a Family Fest on Sunday, June 1, in the parking lot at Foster and Ashland, where the damaged blue-and-yellow water tank is being stored. The event will raise funds for renovation or replacement of the Andersonville icon.
Games for children will take place from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., and food concessions will be available. Admission fees of $10 per person or $25 per family include tickets for free items. Reservations should be made at www.SwedishAmericanMuseum.org.
Summer classes of Swedish lessons to begin
The Swedish American Museum will begin its summer sessions of Swedish Language Classes during the first week of June. The eight-week schedules start Tuesday, June 3, with Beginners I at 6:30 p.m. and Beginners II at 8 p.m.
Starting Wednesday, June 4, weekly instruction classes will start for categories of Intermediate at 6:30 p.m. and Advanced at 8 p.m.
Tuition fees are $110 for Museum members and $145 for non-members. To register, email Museum@samac.org or call 773-728-8111.
SWEDISH AMERICAN MUSEUM HOURS
Regular hours of the Swedish American Museum, the Brunk Children’s Museum and the Museum Store follow.
The Museum building and exhibits: Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.; Saturday and Sunday, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
The Children’s Museum: Monday through Thursday, 1 to 4 p.m.; Friday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.; Saturday and Sunday, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
The Museum Store: Monday through Thursday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.; Friday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.; Saturday and Sunday, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
The Nordic Family Genealogy Center at the Museum is open by appointment to individuals who wish to conduct research from 12 noon to 3 p.m. each Wednesday. Experienced assistance is available. Free to Museum members; $10 per visit for non-members.
The Museum will be closed Monday, May 26, for Memorial Day.
About the Swedish American Museum
Founded in 1976, the Swedish American Museum is a not-for-profit educational center that interprets the immigrant experience for children and adults, and promotes an appreciation of contemporary Swedish-American culture. The Museum is located at 5211 N. Clark Street in Chicago’s Andersonville neighborhood and is open seven days a week. For information on events and admission fees, visit our website at www.SwedishAmericanMuseum.org
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