Artisans and traditional crafters share their knowledge and skills during Heikinpäivä.  The 2012 slate of classes is nearly finalized, so here is a look at confirmed offerings. 
 

Nisu Made Easy

Edith Maki, former proprietor of Spice of Life bakery, will instruct a class in making nisu at 2 or 6 p.m. on Monday, January 23 at Zion Lutheran Church, Hancock. Registration is $15 per student per class.

To register, call (906) 482-1413.

Finnish baking for Lent and Easter
 

Debbie Kurtti will offer instruction in baking Finnish items traditionally served during Lent and Easter.

6 p.m. Monday January 16, Zion Lutheran Church, Hancock. $15 fee; all supplies provided

To register, call (906) 482-1413.

Make your own 11-string kantele

Jim Lohmann will offer instruction in how to create your own 11-string kantele, which can be played in two keys. $195 fee includes all materials, and participants bring their own kantele home with them. No special skills or tools are needed. 9 a.m. - 7:30 p.m. Saturday, January 21. To register, call (906) 482-1413.

Note: This class includes break times.

Traditional tablet weaving

 

Aileen (Aili) Sundquist will teach the art of tablet weaving. 6 p.m. Monday January 16, Zion Lutheran Church, Hancock. $20 registration fee, materials provided.

To register, call (906) 487-7505.

Ten-string Kantele

Monday Jan. 23 6 - 7:30 pm, Zion Lutheran Church. $10 Five instruments are available, or bring your own! (See workshop Saturday, Jan. 21) The class includes basic introduction to playing the ten string kantele, including proper fingering, strumming (chords) and plucking (melody) techniques, tuning and an overview of available music. Previous experience with the five string kantele or a general musical background is suggested. Registration required. Please call instructor Kay Seppala at 523-6271 to register and to reserve an instrument.

Family Fun Night

Friday Jan. 13, Finnish American Heritage Center, 6 – 8 pm. $5 per “family”. Kids of all ages (4 – 94) will have a grand time doing traditional Finnish song games. If you can walk, you can join in the fun! Learn the traditional Raatikkoon, join in song games like “Pukki” (goat), or dance with the broom. Kay Seppala will teach a few simple Finnish folk dances, and costumed characters will portray the story of the origin of the first kantele (Finnish harp). Refreshments will be provided;the evening ends with an enchanting Nordic chain dance. Bring baby brother; bring grandma! Reservations requested, but not required. Call 523-6271.

Five-string Kantele

Five String Kantele Class, Monday, Jan. 16, 6-7:30 p.m, Zion Lutheran Church, Hancock. Instrument provided (limited to 16).  A class for adults or youth 13 and up, for the musical or the non-musical.  Instructor Kay Seppala will give you a basic introduction to the instrument so that you will be able to play some lovely Finnish folk tunes by the end of the evening. You will also learn a bit of folk culture, as Kay tells the story of the making of the first kantele. To register, call (906) 523-6271. 

Finnish folk dancing

Dance instructors Eero and Rosann Angeli will teach traditional Finnish folk dances. Friday, January 27, 6:30 p.m., Little Gem Theater, Lake Linden. $5 fee per person. No experience needed. Register at the door or call (906) 482-1413. These lessons are part of the annual Heikinpäivä dance.

Scandinavian Wheat Weaving

Instructor Midge Waters will teach students how to weave a snowflake or a Scandinavian wreath. Saturday, January 28, Finnish American Heritage Center, 11 a.m. (snowflake) or 1 p.m. (wreath). $20 fee includes materials. To register, call (906) 482-1413.