In the early 1900s, there were hundreds of Scandinavian immigrant newspapers. Meet Lori Ann Reinhall, the Editor of the last remaining Norwegian newspaper in the USA, the Norwegian American. You'll hear how this amazing and talented woman keeps this excellent paper alive in a time of quarantine, unemployment, decreased popularity of print media, the "noise" of the internet, and biased opinions and interpretations masquerading as "news". She affirms the importance of bringing people together as a community rather than seeking to divide them.

We'll also hear cuts from Lori Ann's CD, Duo Scandinavica, featuring songs that were favorites of immigrants in the early 1900s.

Links and Pictures for Lori Ann Reinhall

By day he works in the computer learning industry, but by night he puts on his sunglasses, pulls out his instruments, and creates amazing CD-quality music in his studio.

He is lead and bass guitarists, lead vocalist and harmonizer, drummer, and keyboardist.  Who would suspect this mild-mannered man to have arisen out of a musical family, to have started his own recording studio, "played Vegas" with a number of bands....to later in life devote all his spare time to making music in his own studio, now available only online? 

Join me as we visit the talented Darryl Jackson in his recording studio south of Seattle to see what kind of musical chops it takes to create such a wide range of genres: classical, new age, rock, and electronica. 

Links and Pictures for Darryl Jackson

Join us for an exploration of Nordic folktales, why we value them, and how they define the cultures from which they come. We hear two of  the most beloved tales of Norway and Sweden, and finish with a haunting duet of a traditional folksong from the Nordahl Grieg Spelmanslag, and one arranged by yours truly.  This podcast is for all story lovers, from 4 to 104. So grab your sippy cup, latte, or hip flask and prepare to escape into the realm of adventure.

With the full or partial closure of many businesses, institutions, and organizations in Seattle in late March 2020 due to COVID-19, we wonder how are our cherished Nordic haunts, restaurants, museums, and fraternal organizations making it through in Seattle. 

We talk with Erik Pihl of the National Nordic Museum, Bjørn Ruud of Scandinavian Specialties, Rachel Antalek of Byen Bakeri, and report on the Scandinavian Hour, Nordic Roots and Branches, the Swedish Club, The Dane Restaurant, Nordiska (Poulsbo), the 17th of May (Syttende Mai) Parade, and the Norwegian-American News, among others. If we value these outfits, how can we support them so they survive?

Links and pictures for Scandinavian Businesses in Seattle

Beyond keeping us warm and preventing public embarrassment, why do we wear clothes?  What does our dress say about us, who and what we are, and where we come from? Join Nordic on Tap for this dive into the world of fashion design with Seattle-based designer, Madison Leiren of Leiren Designs (https://leirendesigns.com/).  We sit down with Madison to discuss her path into fashion design and the influence of her Norwegian heritage and Norwegian culture in what she creates.  Madison talks about how she custom makes unique clothes such as wedding gowns as well as clothing for men. Finally, we talk about Madison’s experience as a designer in the greater Nordic community, especially in Seattle, and mention a few of our favorite haunts.  We conclude the show by listening to excerpts of songs and hymns derived from classic music, highlighting the inspirational hymn derived from Finlandia, the symphony written by Finnish composer Jean Sebelius.

Leiren Designs, Madison's website and boutique, with examples of her unusual, lacy, Scandinavian-influenced bridal gowns. You can book an appointment right on her website for a consultation at her Seattle shop.

"Clothing with an adventurous spirit", an article about Madison's fashions in the Norwegian American News.

An article (2018)on Madison's work in the Seattle Sister City Association newsletter.

Leiren Designs is also on Instagram.

Check out this beautiful film (2011) of "Wild Scandinavia - Finland", showing the countries pastoral landscapes and dramatic shots of Finland's wildlife (from reindeer to flying squirrels, lynx, bears, and loons) and the beauty of the aurora borealis, all set to Jean Sebelius' Finlandia (full version) by Wildes Skandinavien/Gulo Film Productions.

This video of the Finlandia-hymni, the part of Jean Sebelius' Finlandia with words by Veikko Antero Koskenniemi, is sung in Finnish by the Ylioppilaskunnan- YL Male Voice Choir; shots of modern, mostly urban Finland, accompany the music.

Join us as we travel to Oslo, Norway to talk to a barnehage (literally: kindergarden) teacher named Torhild to learn how Norwegian kids have it differently and the same as us in the USA.  We also examine Norwegian folk costumes, or bunads...and what it takes to get one. We meet Hanne at Heimen Husfliden in Oslo as she tells us about her job selling bunads.

We finish the show with some foot-stomping fiddle and guitar tunes by Ruthie Dornfeld and Alfred Morten Høirup. Check out Darryl Jackson's music too at darryljacksonmusic.com.

Join us as we travel to Oslo, Norway to talk to a barnehage (literally: kindergarden) teacher named Torhild to learn how Norwegian kids have it differently and the same as us in the USA.  We also examine Norwegian folk costumes, or bunads...and what it takes to get one. We meet Hanne at Heimen Husfliden in Oslo as she tells us about her job selling bunads.

We finish the show with some foot-stomping fiddle and guitar tunes by Ruthie Dornfeld and Alfred Morten Høirup. Check out Darryl Jackson's music too at darryljacksonmusic.com.

If you enjoy our show you'll soon be able to visit us on Facebook and at our website, NordicOnTap.com! Vi sees!