Finnish-American Concert with
Pekka Pentikäinen and Ruthie Dornfeld
24th October, Finnish Lutheran Church, Ballard, WA
and
Tannsikurssi 2004
Finnish Folk Dance and Music Workshop
Oct. 22-24, Richmond Masonic Center, Shorline, WA
The Tanhuajat Finnish Folkdancers have been learning and dancing both traditional
folkdances and more modern choreographed dances since 1974. Using authentic
Finnish National Costumes (kansallispukut), the group brings Finnish dance to a
larger audience in all of its color and flavor.
Over the years, Tanhuajat has performed internationally in Finland, Canada
and the United States in authentic costumes. This has included appearances in
the Finnish Canadian Grand Festival, FinnFest USA, various county fairs and
festivals in Washington and Oregon, as well as regularly scheduled ethnic
performances in the Seattle area. The most recent Finnish tour was in 1995,
where the group performed in Lappeenranta and Savonlinna. These performances
have inspired other groups to add some of the many Finnish dances to their
repertoire. As well, Tanhuajat has played host to groups touring from Finland
and other countries.
Tanhuajat also gives presentations on the history of Finnish dances and
the traditional costumes. Sirkku Vasama, our dance leader, and
Nancy Hsu, one of our members, have been adding and updating summer
costumes. They have made beautiful new red shirts for the men
and lovely dresses and aprons for the women. All with sewing skills have
pitched in to help.
Our non-professional group is open to all persons of whatever ethnic
background, and currently about half of the members are not Finnish but simply
interested in Finnish dance or Finnish culture. It is also open to all persons
regardless of your perceived skill level in the beginning!
As new cycles of learning and performing are always beginning, Tanhuajat
encourages any interested individuals (dancers or non-dancers!) to call, or
drop by any time to one of their regularly scheduled practices...
7:30 PM, Wednesday nights
Finnish Lutheran Church
located in Ballard, at
8504 13th Ave. NW
Seattle, WA, 98117
Tanhuajat is available for performances and presentations on the dances and
costumes. If interested in any of these subjects, please contact Sirkku for more information:
See you at practice or a performance!