Past Events – Scandinavian Club

Semlor with Oskar Stenmark

Sunday, February 15, 2 – 4 pm

Oskar Stenmark is returning to the Scandinavian Club for another highly anticipated performance of Swedish blues, jazz, folk and pop. Oskar was born and raised in Gothenburg, Sweden. His trumpet and flugelhorn have been heard at the Super Bowl, the Matrix Resurrection and at New York Fashion Week.

Oskar will present a special repertoire honoring the 70th anniversary of his grandmother touring in the U.S. with a group of folk musicians from Rättvik, Sweden in 1956.

Semlor are fluffy brioche buns with a hint of cardamom, filled with whipped cream and almond paste, then dusted with powdered sugar.

Semlor have become a bit of an obsession in Sweden, as they are no longer only served for Shrove Tuesday (Swedish fettisdag, French Mardi Gras) sometimes appearing in bakeries before Christmas and all the way through Lent.

History has it that King Adolf Fredrik of Sweden died after consuming 14 of these creamy buns of goodness in 1771.

Sunday, February 15 marks Quinquagesima which is another way of saying 50 days until Easter. Related is Quadragesima which refers to the 40-day period of Lent. In Lent, many Christians commit to fasting, as well as giving up certain luxuries in order to replicate the account of the sacrifice of Jesus Christ’s journey into the desert for 40 days. So, before Lent starts on Ash Wednesday, let’s grab the last opportunity to indulge by semla.

Special guests from Sweden: Fränder

Sunday, January 11, 4 pm

From the deep forests of Sweden and Estonia comes Fränder with a “heavy folk” fusion of Nordic roots and modern attitude. The 5-member band delivers energy and a warm presence with heavy grooves and seductive harmonies that weave a mesmerizing soundscape.

$25 per person for Members and guests
$40 for general public

Website: frander.se

Glögg Party (Members and guests only)

Saturday, December 20, 3–5 pm

Glögg
Almond cake and braided cardamom bread
Coffee, tea, lingonberry juice and other beverages
Raffle!

No need to sign up. We’re not going to run out of glögg. 🙂

Christmas Market

Saturday, December 6, 10 am–4 pm

30 artisan vendors
Nordic gifts and food
Handmade crafts
Baked goods
Entertainment
Free parking
Much more

Hot lunch, sandwiches, Scandinavian candy and glögg

Finnish salmon chowder
Swedish split pea soup
Hot dogs with crispy onions, pickles, mustard and/or ketchup
Risalamande (Danish rice pudding) with cherry sauce or lagkage with berries
Glögg

Vendors

JEWELRY

emmy starr designs
Erin DeLuca Designs
Bead Free Forever
Lydia Tucci Jewelry
Lee Skalkos Jewelry
Pieces of Nature by Sofi

CANDLES

Wrenhouse Atelier
Oak & Vale
Sport Hill Honey Farm

WOOD TURNING, WOOD CARVED STATUES, LASER CUT ENGRAVED HOME ACCESSORIES

Holm-Hansen -Woodturning
Old Redding Farm
Mr Yannis Products

GLASS ART

Handpainted Glass by Linda
Papineau Studio
B’s Hive
Jason Curtis Glass

LEATHER ART

RAM Leatherwork

PET ACCESSORIES

Stephanie Lauren LLC

WOMEN ACCESSORIES

Deb Owen Designs
Knots on Euclid
Weir Street Workshop
Siw & Anita’s Cozy Knits

HOLIDAY ACCESSORIES & HOME DECOR

Fire & Ash Co.
Charter Oak Creations
Little Red Hen Redux
Decor from the Shore

FLORAL

Floral Surroundings

MIXED MEDIA

Brie’s Art Creations

STATIONERY

Vivid Cottage
Designer Journals

POTTERY

JQ Clay
Playing with Clay

MEATS

Walden Local Meats

Friday Happy Hour

Friday, November 14, 5:30 pm

Casual get-together in the Members Lounge.

Drinks and snacks
Fire in the fireplace

Event Chair: Tina and Betsy

Red Cross Blood Drive

Tuesday, October 28, 9 am–2 pm

Severe Blood Shortage, Donors Urgently Needed

Right now, eligible and healthy donors are strongly urged to make an appointment to provide lifesaving blood products to patients. Please sign up to give now.

To schedule your appointment visit
REDCROSSBLOOD.ORG
USE SPONSOR CODE: SCANDINAVIAN

Author Salon with Elizabeth Birkelund

Sunday, October 26, 2–4 pm

Join us for a special afternoon with the author Elizabeth Birkelund to discuss her latest novel A Light in Northern Provence. The book is brimming with romantic and escapist charm as it follows Ilse Lund, a translator from Greenland who travels to France to translate the works of poet Geoffrey Labaye. Charmed by Provençal life and Labaye’s son Frey, Ilse must choose between the security of her Greenlandic home and the life of her dreams.

Elizabeth Birkelund has previously written The Runaway Wife and The Dressmaker. Prior to writing novels, Elizabeth was the personal finance columnist for Cosmopolitan magazine and a full-time freelance writer for national magazines including Glamour, Self, Victoria, Working Woman, and Institutional Investor. She has served on the boards of the National Humanities Center and The Center for Fiction. She received a fellowship from the Virginia Center for the Creative Arts. Elizabeth raised her family in Greenwich, Connecticut and her 4 sons went to school there. She now lives in New York City.

Coffee, tea and light refreshments served.
Books will be available for sale.

More info: https://www.elizabethbirkelund.com

Sunday Yoga

Sunday, October 19, 1:30 pm

Yoga class with certified instructor Maura on the back deck (weather permitting). Otherwise will be held in the Main hall. Bring your own yoga mat. All levels welcome and first timers too.

Members: $10
Non-members: $15

Sauna Pop-Up!

Sunday, October 19, 1–5:30 pm

Wood-fired sauna and cold plunge designed for connection, recovery, and good times. Let the rhythm of heat and chill reset your body and mind. Whether you’re a longtime sauna enthusiast or trying contrast therapy for the first time, this is your chance to pause, connect, and recharge.

6-person mobile, wood-fired sauna
Cold plunge
1.5 hour session (time for approx. 2+ rotations between sauna and cold plunge)
3 sessions (each limited to 10 people)
Towels will be provided within the sauna
Changing tent

More info: https://www.dryypsauna.com

Symbio – Dinner and Concert

Saturday, October 11, 6–9 pm

Symbio is regarded as one of the most prominent new bands from the Nordic Folk & World music scene. With a magical interplay of hurdy-gurdy & accordion, an electrifying stage presence and captivating original compositions – the duo has become known as a phenomenon and have toured extensively in more than 20 countries – Europe, USA and Canada. In 2023 the duo was chosen to perform as the Official Showcase Artist Selection at WOMEX – World Music Expo.

The music of Symbio has been described as imaginative and soulful – where virtuoso folk & electronic dance music meet and becomes a cinematic experience for the listener. Hearing this symphonic duo makes you doubt about the fact that they are only two musicians on stage. Their latest album Endeavour is a sound painting where heartfelt melodies, dreamy soundscapes and hypnotic beats depict life-affirming themes. The album was awarded ”Best Album of the Year” at the Swedish Folk & World music Awards 2023.

They met during a jam-session in 2011, and when playing together for the first time – they both felt that there was a special energy and musical connection between them. Right there, after their very first meeting – they decided to form Symbio. Since then, their journey as a duo continues to take them to new places, musically and geographically.

6:00–6:45: Cocktail hour
6:45–7:30: Dinner
7:45–8:45: Music performance

Ticket includes:

World class concert
Swedish meatball dinner, including beverages and dessert
Coffee, tea or lingonberry juice

Friday Happy Hour

Friday, September 12, 7 pm

Casual get-together under the string lights outside the Picnic Pavilion:

Food and beverages
Firebowl
Music (radio, basically)
Corn hole (or other lawn games)
Donation jar

Event Chair: Lisbeth

Sauna Pop-Up!

Sunday, September 7, 1–5 pm

6-person mobile, wood-fired sauna
Cold plunge
2 hour session (time for approx. 2+ rotations between sauna and cold plunge)
2 sessions (each limited to 20 people)
Towels will be provided within the sauna
Changing tent

More info: https://www.dryypsauna.com

Fairfield International Food Fest

Saturday, August 30, 4–8 pm
@Fairfield Theatre Company, 70 Sanford St, Fairfield

The Scandinavian Club will participate in the first-ever Fairfield International Food Fest – a vibrant, family-friendly celebration of culture, community, and cuisine. A portion of proceeds benefits Operation Hope.

For sale: Scandinavian baked goods

More info: https://www.connectfairfield.com/fairfield-international-food-fest

Sankt Hans Aften Bonfire and Dance Performance

Friday, June 20, 7–10 pm

While all of the Scandinavian and Baltic countries celebrate the summer solstice, the way in which each recognize this event varies. In Denmark, the solstice is tied to the feast of Saint John the Baptist, known in Denmark as Sankt Hans (“Hans” being the diminutive for Johannes, or John) and celebrated by lighting a big bonfire.

Originally, the cause for celebration of midsummer arose from a pagan belief that in the period around the summer solstice nature would have reached a peak in the sense that humans, plants, soil, trees and even springs were filled with energy coming from the sun and that from this point on nature’s energy stores would deteriorate as the hours of daylight and sunshine gradually decreased.

On top of the bonfire we’ll put a straw witch. The story goes that when the witch is burnt, she flies to Bloksbjerg in Germany, which was through to be the location of a witch gathering.

Food and beverages will be available
Performance by the Southern New England Witch Dancers: https://www.instagram.com/southernnewenglandwitchdancers/

Event chairs: Hedyeh and Peter

Midsummer Celebration

Sunday, June 22, 1–4pm

Celebrate Midsummer with Ring Dance around the Maypole to traditional Swedish music by Wivan Sundman.

There will be Hot Dogs, Hamburgers, Strawberries, Beverages, Fiskdamm etc for sale.
Fun for all ages.

Event Chairs: Marianne and Jennifer

Sunday Fika

Sunday, June 8, 2 – 5 pm

Join us for a Swedish and Finnish Fika.
Coffee and tea, Swedish and Finnish pastries and treats served.
$10 per person.
All proceeds donated to the Scandinavian Club. Members and non-members welcome!

Please support our sponsors:

Somewhat simpler and more spontaneous than the Brits’ afternoon tea tradition, Swedish people of all ages and genders are partial to the custom of “fika”, enjoying it casually at work with colleagues or opting for a more elaborate outing with friends at the weekend.

“Let’s do fika,” is one of the most uplifting messages you can receive from a long-lost friend. And the social aspect is as important as the delicious pairing of steaming coffee and sugary pastry – Swedish cinnamon bunsbeing arguably the most popular fika accompaniment.

Event Chairs: Tina and Christine

Eurovision Song Contest Viewing Party

Saturday, May 17, 3–6 pm

Switzerland was the winner last year, which means that the Grand Finale of the Eurovision Song Contest 2024 will take place at St. Jakobshalle in Basel, Switzerland. We’ll stream the broadcast live on the Club’s 85-inch flatscreen in the Members Lounge.

Visit the official website for more info: https://eurovision.tv/

Light refreshments available

Event chairs: Leena and Birgitta

Sweden’s entry is from Finland
Yes, it’s complicated. Sweden’s 2025 Eurovision entry, KAJ, is a band from Finland’s Swedish-speaking minority. They are representing Sweden with their song “Bara bada bastu,” a comedic ode to Finnish sauna culture. This song is sung in the Vörå dialect. It’s the first Swedish-language song the country has submitted since 1998.

See below for a compilation of “Bara bada bastu” fan videos from all over the world.

Happy Hour – Deck Lights!

Friday, May 16, 6:30 pm

The Rental Manager and a team of Member volunteers (Thank you to Dan, Ed, Matt, and Catherine!) have installed 200 small light bulbs above the deck, so for this Happy Hour we’ll be in the back (NOT by the Pavilion).

Food: Sausage with mashed potatoes and peas
Beverages
Streaming music
Donation jar

Event chair: Peter

Happy Craft Hour: Easter Egg Workshop

Friday, April 11, 5:30pm

Please join us for an Easter craft where we’ll make papier-mâché Easter eggs. Craft supplies and candy will be provided, but please bring your own scissors for cutting paper. Each person will have the opportunity to decorate one egg (3 x 4 inches).

$15 for Members and guests
$20 for non-members
(includes craft supplies and candy)
Limited to 12 participants.

Event Co-Chairs: Catherine and Lisbeth

Wait, there’s more…
Immediately following the Easter egg craft, the Club will host a regular Friday Happy Hour. Come down for some food, drinks and camaraderie, even if you’re not crafting. Starts around 6:30 pm.

Friday Happy Hour: March Madness

Friday, March 21, 4 – 10 pm

Multiple screens! Come view tomorrow’s games on the Club’s 85 inch flat screen plus an additional 50-incher in the Members Lounge!

NCAA men’s:
4:05pm: North Carolina Tar Heels at Ole Miss Rebels
9:25pm: Oklahoma Sooners at Connecticut Huskies

Food (and plenty of drinks!):

Pea soup
Bread
Baked potatoes (sour cream, chives, parsley, dill, butter)
Hot dogs

North Carolina Tar Heels and Sweden!
Elliot Cadeau is an American-Swedish college basketball player for the North Carolina Tar Heels of the Atlantic Coast Conference. Since Elliot has dual citizenship, he also plays for the Swedish national team. His mother, Michelle, is from Malmö, Sweden. Standing at 6 feet and 1 inch tall, Elliot plays the point guard position.

Event Chair: Kevin

Swedish Waffle Day with Oskar Stenmark & Co

Sunday, March 23, 2 – 4 pm

We’ll have an array of the traditional Swedish waffle irons that make thin, crispy, heart-shaped waffles. Served with strawberry jam and sweetened whipped cream.

Oskar Stenmark is returning to the Scandinavian Club for the third year in a row for another highly anticipated performance of Swedish blues, jazz, folk and pop. Oskar was born and raised in Gothenburg, Sweden. His trumpet and flugelhorn have been heard at the Super Bowl, the Matrix Resurrection and at New York Fashion Week. Joining Oskar is guitar player Aleksi Glick.

Price of admission (paid at door, no online tickets):

Member: $15
Non-member: $20
Child: $10

Ticket includes:

Concert (approximately 1 hour)
Waffles
Beverage (coffee, tea or lingonberry juice)

“Våffeldagen” (Waffle Day in Swedish) stems from a mispronunciation. The traditional Feast of the Annunciation, or “Vårfrudagen” (Our Lady’s Day) in Swedish sounds an awful lot like “Våffeldagen”, and so over time, this became less about the conception of Jesus, and more about crispy, delightful waffles.

In earlier times most Swedes were poor, living off the land and coping with a very harsh climate. Late March marked the start of the crop growing season and the increased availability of eggs and milk. As eggs symbolized the start of spring, it became popular to use them to make waffles to celebrate.

Welcome!

Event Chairs: Catherine and Peter

Semlor

Sunday, March 2, 2 – 4 pm

History has it that King Adolf Fredrik of Sweden died after consuming 14 of these creamy buns of goodness in 1771.

Sunday, March 2 marks Quinquagesima which is another way of saying 50 days until Easter. Related is Quadragesima which refers to the 40-day period of Lent. In Lent, many Christians commit to fasting, as well as giving up certain luxuries in order to replicate the account of the sacrifice of Jesus Christ’s journey into the desert for 40 days. So, before Lent starts on Ash Wednesday, let’s grab the last opportunity to indulge by semla.

Event chair: Catherine and Peter

Lena Jonsson Trio

Sunday, February 16, doors open 1:30 pm, concert @ 2pm

Award-winning Lena Jonsson Trio has the ability to balance traditional Swedish folk music with innovative artistic sensibilities, joy of life and rock star charisma.

Lena Jonsson is one of Sweden’s most visionary musicians. She has created a unique style inspired by traditional Swedish music as well as rock, pop and American old-time and bluegrass traditions.

Together with guitarist Erik Ronström and bassist Krydda Sundström they create a virtuosic yet playful trio. Their album “Stories from the Outside” won both a Swedish Grammis (a.k.a. the Swedish Grammy Awards) and the Manifest prize in 2021 and Album of the year by LIRA Music Magazine. In April 2023 the Lena Jonsson Trio won Artist of the year at the Swedish Folk Awards. Their third album ”Elements” was released in June 2023 and was nominated for a Grammis.

Ticket includes:

World class concert
Freshly baked Swedish cinnamon bun
Beverage (coffee, tea, lingonberry juice, or water)

More info: https://lenajonsson.com