AMERICAN SWEDISH INSTITUTE | Experience Nordic culture at ASI!
If you’re resolved to find a place to spend time in 2023 that offers camaraderie, food, friends and new experiences, here’s a starting point! The American Swedish Institute museum and cultural center announces a winter-to-spring schedule of programs for every age and interest in language, cooking, and crafts; fun happenings in the cozy Turnblad mansion, including a series of cocktail tours, as well as can’t-miss musical events. We have something for everyone!
A suggested schedule of amazing highlights to register for includes:
• Nordic Table St. Knut’s Day cooking demo Thursday Jan. 12, 6– 8 pm
Wrap up the holiday season in style with a meal of small bites for the end of the holiday season celebration, St. Knut’s Day (Tjugondag Knut) led by instructor Patrice Johnson. Includes a full meal and a beverage from FIKA. $60 ($50 ASI members).
• Artist-Led Tours: Jo Andersson Thursday Feb 2, 2- 3 pm, 6 -7 pm.
Experience ASI’s new exhibit, Fluidity: Identity in Swedish Glass, through the eyes of the artist herself. Jo Andersson will lead you on an exploration of her craft and share stories about the pieces highlighted in the exhibition. $20 ($15 ASI members).
• First look party for Fluidity: Identity in Swedish Glass Friday Feb. 3, 5 – 9 pm.
Celebrate the opening of Fluidity and the U.S. premiere of Swedish glass artist Jo Andersson’s immersive installation, Being. Hear from Jo Andersson and other featured glass artists, and enjoy themed activities, food and drink inspired by the exhibition. $25 ($20 ASI members). This exhibit continues through May 28.
• Midwinter Folk Festival Kick Off Concert Friday Feb. 17, 6 – 9 pm.
Midwinter Folk Festival is a weekend of song and art, kicked off with this intimate evening concert featuring New York-based Nyckelharpa player Alyssa Rodriquez. $30 ($25 ASI member).
• Midwinter Folk Festival Saturday, Feb. 18, 10 am – 4 pm.
Join us for a packed day full of pop-up concerts, workshops, jam sessions, and more. All ages and skill levels are welcome to participate — and experimentation and curiosity are highly encouraged. Registration fee includes participation in all activities related to the festival. $50 ($45 ASI member)
• Cocktail Tours Themed cocktails and small bites included.
-Valentine’s Day Cocktail Tour Tues. Feb. 14, 5:30- 7 pm. $55 ($50 ASI member)
-Gal-entine’s Day Cocktail Tour Wed. Feb. 15, 5:30- 7 pm. $55 ($50 ASI member)
-Self-entine’s Cocktail Tour Tues. Feb. 22, 5:30- 7 pm. $55 ($50 ASI member)
-Women of ASI Cocktail Tour Wed. March 1, 5:30- 7 pm. $55 ($50 ASI member)
*Celebrate Women’s History Month with a special tour highlighting stories of the women of ASI, including Christina and Lillian Turnblad.
-Vaffeldagen (Waffle Day) Cocktail Tour Tues. March 21, 5:30 – 7 pm. $55 ($50 ASI member). Celebrate Swedish Vaffeldagen (Waffle Day) with a tour of the Turnblad Mansion and stories of Swedish food traditions. Go home with a recipe for your own waffle celebration.
-Disinformation Cocktail Tour Saturday April 1, 9– 10:30 am. $55 ($50 ASI member)
*Ever wonder what myths surround the Turnblad Mansion? Come find out on this tour, where the stories you hear just might be April Fool’s myths. Themed, brunch appropriate, cocktails and small bites included.
-Sustainability Cocktail Tour Tuesday April 18, 5:30- 7 pm. $55 ($50 ASI member)
*Did you know ASI was the first MN museum with LEED Gold certification?! Explore green features of the Nelson Cultural Center and Swedish traditions that have been sustainable for centuries.
• Music Thursdays 6 – 7 pm. A monthly event where guests of ASI can sit back at FIKA Café and listen to a musical performer playing various tunes.
-Scott Keever February 2
*Scott Keever is an award-winning fingerstyle guitarist who combines an American roots sound with styles as far ranging as Celtic, Balkan and jazz.
-Renee Vaughan March 2
*Renee Vaughan plays traditional Scandinavian music on the nyckelharpa, an instrument that has been around in one form or another for over 700 years.
-An Luan April 6
*An Luan is an Irish Traditional music ensemble based out of The Center for Irish Music in St Paul.
Events perfect for families and spending time with the little one’s in your life:
• Kids at the Castle Fri Jan 20, Sat Jan 21, Fri Feb 17, Sat Feb 18, Fri March 17, Sat March 18, Fri April 21, Sat April 22. 9 to 10 am.
Kids at the Castle has Valentine’s Day, Earth Day, and Viking themed fun-filled programs for your little ones. Advance registration required; adults required; suggested for ages 2–5. $10 per family.
• Intergenerational Swedish Meatball Dinner Workshop Saturday Feb. 11, 4–6 pm.
Instructor Anna Sharratt leads kids and adults through the whole process, from washing the vegetables, to mixing up and shaping the meatballs, to clean up. For young cooks 6-12 and an accompanying adult. $45 adult/child pair ($40 ASI member adult/child pair).
• Easter Egg Hunt at the Castle Saturday April 8, morning 9 am and afternoon 1 pm
Intergenerational event recommended for children ten and under and their special adults. Celebrate with storytime with the Easter Witch (påskkärring), add feathers to the Easter tree (påskris), and make your own Easter table decorations and Swedish-inspired Easter cards. $15 ($10 ASI members, under 2 yr old free).
ASI is located at 2600 Park Avenue in Minneapolis. Open 10 am to 8 pm on Thursdays, and 10 am to 4 pm on Wednesdays, Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays. General admission is free for ASI members and children five and under. $6 for ages 6 to 18 and students of all ages. $12 for adults. $8 for seniors age 62 and over. Walk-up museum admission is available, or register in advance.
The American Swedish Institute (ASI), designated to the National Register for Historic Places, is a historic castle-like mansion, museum and cultural center, and a gathering place for all people to explore diverse experiences of migration, identity, belonging, and the environment through arts and culture, informed by enduring links to Sweden. ASI, which The Wall Street Journal calls “[a] model of how a small institution can draw visitors through exciting programming,” is located at 2600 Park Avenue in Minneapolis. For more, visit asimn.org.
