The Grand Marais Public Library will present “Music of the Immigrant” by Arna Rennan at 3 p.m. Oct. 26 at the library.
Rennan grew up hearing Norwegian songs in her home that her parents sang – especially on Saturday nights with their friends. She later moved to Norway and studied art at the National Academy of Art in Oslo. During the summer, she worked at the Roisheim Hotel in Boverdalen, where she encountered the magical real world of folklore and traditional folk music.
Her interest in folk music led her to attend the Folk Music Institute in Rauland, Telemark. Rennan’s songs span from ballads of the Middle Ages, stev, broadsides, hymns and dance tunes. She also plays the langeleik (relative of the dolcimer), seljefloeyte (overtone flute) and piano accordion.
Her “Music of the Immigrant” is designed for adult audiences and shares songs about immigration, longing for their homelands, plus vaudeville comedy tunes with mixed language and music.
“Join us for an exploration of the Norwegian culture from the old country to the traditions of our friends and family today,” Rennan said.
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