Nordic Heritage Museum Presents All for Norway Concert
Seattle's Scandinavian roots run deep. Our landscape was reminiscent of the homes 19th Century immigrants had left behind. There were similar occupations, especially fishing. The lure for Norwegians, Swedes, Danes, and Finns was so strong that by 1910 at least one-third of Seattle's foreign born residents hailed from Scandinavian countries. To this day we still have a Norwegian Constitution Day parade each May. Therefore, when the horrific bombing and shootings rocked Norway last month, for many in our city, the tragedy hit awfully close to home.
This Sunday, the Nordic Heritage Museum in Ballard is offering an opportunity for healing with "Alt for Norge: A Memorial Concert to Heal Norwegians Far From Home." Featuring acclaimed Norwegian concert pianist Knut Erik Jensen; Norwegian-American soprano (and Bellevue resident) Laura Loge; Pacifica Chamber Orchestra's principal cellist Erika Pierson; and Seattle-born, New York-based soprano Signe Mortensen, the concert will be part celebration and part commemoration. Enjoy traditional Norwegian folk songs, well-known Rachmaninoff pieces, classical selections from Scandinavian composers, and even an original work by Jensen written for the victims of the attacks.
The concert kicks off at 2pm tomorrow at the Nordic Heritage Museum. You don't have to be Norwegian or any claim any other Scandinavian ancestry to attend. And, while the concert itself is free, all donations collected will be given to the Norwegian Red Cross to help with their recovery efforts.
