2011 Hardanger Fiddle Music and Dance Workshop
The HFAA's Annual Workshop offers a very special opportunity for getting to know Norwegian Hardanger fiddle music and dance traditions in depth. We are dedicated to nurturing beginners and providing challenges for the more advanced. Come join us in an environment that has been called "the warmest and most supportive in North America".
In 2011 our workshop focused on the dynamic, intriguing music and dance of Valdres. The Hardanger fiddle music tradition of Valdres is rich and varied; in addition to melodies for the springar, bonde and halling dances, there are enchanting, often haunting listening tunes. The Valdresspringar dance, characterized by unceasing energy and forward drive, features quick changes of direction in turns for the women, lightning fast moves for the men, and a dazzling couple turn.
Folklore Village is the setting for all activities. Located on the edge of a restored prairie 35 minutes west of Madison, Wisconsin, Folklore Village offers a perfect venue for hardingfele classes, dance workshops, concerts, lectures, and dance parties. The beautiful, air-conditioned Farwell Hall includes a spacious sprung wood dance floor and separate classrooms for fiddle instruction. Across the road, Plum Grove Church (1882) offers excellent acoustics for small lectures or classes. Bunkhouses offer simple accommodations, as does the tenting area. For those who want more privacy or air conditioning, there are motels nearby in Dodgeville.