Saturday, November 14, 3 to 5 P.M. and 7 to 9 P.M.
John Campbell, dance director of Nordlys,will hold a Scandinavian dance workshop for those interested in participating in the Lucia Ceremony on November 27. 

John Campbell, dance director of Nordlys, a Scandinavian dance performance group in Portland, will present a late afternoon and evening workshop on Saturday, November 14, to prepare community members to be able to participate in the open dance following the Lucia Ceremony on November 27.  The introductory Scandinavian dance workshop will be held from 3 to 5 P.M. and 7 to 9 P.M. at Astor Elementary School Gym, 3550 Franklin Ave, in Astoria.  Instructor John Campbell will teach basic footwork for traditional Scandinavian dance and some common forms of Scandinavian social dance. Participants will be prepared to take to the dance floor after the Lucia Celebration on November 27 and be able to do more than just the Chicken Dance or the Hokey Pokey.  Admission is free, but donations will be gladly accepted to help fund future workshops.  To register for this class, call Janet Bowler at 503.325.2431 or e-mail her at jlbowler@charter.net.

Friday, November 27, 7 P.M.
Lucia Festival of Lights at , at the Astoria High School Auditorium and Commons

The Scandinavian Midsummer Festival Association will also sponsor the Lucia Festival of Lights at 7 P.M. on Friday, November 27, at the Astoria High School Auditorium and Commons.  The Lucia bride tradition has its roots in Italy and Sweden and has been celebrated in Astoria for years as the beginning of the holiday season. Doors open at 6:15 P.M. and Coreen Bergholm and the Scandinavian Country Band will play holiday music starting at 6:30 P.M.  Kara Takalo will be Mistress of Ceremonies and Lucia Bride Andrea Patten, dressed in white with a crown of lights, will lead the Lucia procession of 2009 Scandinavian Festival Court princesses and star boys into the AHS Auditorium.

Violinist Jeffrey Reynolds will perform the Santa Lucia song and other special Scandinavian tunes during the ceremony.  The Nordic, Viking and Scandia dance groups in traditional Scandinavian costumes will each perform one dance and the 2010 Scandinavian Midsummer Festival Court will be introduced. 

Following the brief Lucia ceremony in the auditorium, Coreen Bergholm and Scandinavian Country will present Scandinavian dance music in the Commons for open dancing until 10 P.M. Refreshments will be available and there will be seating for those who want to observe the dancing. Astoria High School is located at 1001 West Marine Drive. Admission is a $1 donation benefitting the Astoria Scandinavian Midsummer Festival Scholarship Fund