Closing Banquet and Midsummer Dance

Our Crossings and Connections conference culminates with a banquet and dance on Saturday, June 21, at the Northfield Armory in downtown Northfield. You won’t want to miss this final evening of commemorating our shared transatlantic history, forging lasting connections, and making new memories with your fellow conference attendees. 

Social hour with appetizers and a self-pay bar begins at the Armory at 5 pm. A catered 3-course meal will be served beginning at 6:15. And you’ll want your dancing shoes after dinner when The Foot-notes of Decorah, Iowa, take the stage. 

The Foot-notes represent a rich Norwegian-American musical tradition from northeastern Iowa, southeastern Minnesota, and western Wisconsin. Collecting tunes from a variety of local musicians, the Foot-Notes have made a name for themselves as bearers of Norwegian-American dance music that reaches back to the house party and barn dance eras in the Upper Midwest. The group has appeared on regional, national and Norwegian radio, at the Smithsonian’s Festival of American Folklife in Washington D.C., and the Festival of Iowa Folklife in Des Moines, IA. They have also performed as part of the “Masters of Tradition” series at the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, Washington, DC. 

Whether you’re kicking up your heels or just connecting with friends and colleagues, you won’t want to miss this special evening as we celebrate midsummer and bring our conference to a close.  

A shuttle will run approx. every 20 minutes from St. Olaf College to the Armory and back from 4.45 pm to midnight.

Dress is festive. Bunads and/or other festive attire encouraged. Wear comfy, non-stick shoes for dancing. 

Youth 13+ are welcome to attend with their adult companions. If you need childcare recommendations for children under 13, please contact cc2025@stolaf.edu.