MINNEAPOLIS, MN — The American Swedish Institute kicks off summer festivities with events giving a nod to The Vikings Begin exhibition, including a new Summer Lawn Party series on Thursdays, June 6, July 11 and August 8; and ASI’s annual, outdoor Midsommar Celebration on Saturday, June 15, 2019. ASI is located at 2600 Park Ave., Minneapolis, MN 55407. For ticket information and additional details, visit ASImn.org or call 612-871-4907.

The Summer Lawn Parties, from 6 – 10 p.m. on selected summer Thursdays, are all-ages gatherings on ASI’s outdoor grounds complete with live music, craft demonstrations, games by Viking Encampment and food/drink from FIKA. Each evening will conclude with a viewing of a Viking film. Lawn Party tickets are $15 for ASI members / $20 non-members. Add on a special, pre-party tour of The Vikings Begin exhibition led by the improv. performers of The Theatre of Public Policy. Tour tickets, including the Lawn Party and a libation, are $45 for ASI members / $50 non-members.

Midsommar, on June 15 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., is a tradition that dates from ancient times as a moment to welcome back warm weather and the growing season. Similar to festivals in today’s Sweden, ASI’s event includes making fresh flower head-wreaths, live music, singing Swedish songs and dancing around a greenery decorated Midsommar pole. After raising the midsommarstång (midsummar pole), it becomes the focus many of the day’s activities. Guest musicians include the Swedish Smålandslag and the Danish duo Teho. They will perform in addition to ASI’s artist groups Spelmanslag, Nyckelharpalag, the Cloudberries Choir, the TC Swedish Folk Dancers and the Vasa Jr. Folk dancers.

Families can participate in a Midsommar Seek and Find and story time. FIKA is serving festival food and all-age refreshments, plus offering a cash bar. Tap Minneapolis is supplying a complimentary water refill station. The ASI Museum Store will host a Pop-Up Shop featuring Troentorp/Baståd with Swedish clogs and footware, Egos of Copenhagen tennis shoes and slippers, Horredsmattan Swedish rugs and Dottir Jewelry, a local company. Don’t miss seeing The Vikings Begin exhibition in the Turnblad Mansion and in Osher Gallery.

Midsommar Admission
The celebration is FREE for ASI members as a thank you to our valued supporters. Become a member on Midsommar day and your admission is covered! For the general public, the festival is included with regular museum admission: $12 adults, $8 ages 62+, $6 ages 6-18 and full-time students with ID. Buy your tickets on the day of the event. No discounts or special museum passes accepted. *Note: The Store and FIKA’s hours will be the same as the festival on this day.

More Details — Summer Lawn Parties at ASI
Thursdays June 6, July 11 & August 8, 6-10 p.m.
Tickets: $15 ASI members / $20 non-members

These all-ages, Vikings-themed, evening gatherings are held on ASI’s outdoor grounds with live music, craft demonstrations, samples from Hammerheart Brewing, games run by the Viking Encampment and food and drink on sale from FIKA. Each night ends with an outdoor viewing of a different, curated Viking film.

• June 6: live music with the SlovCzech Band, blending folk melodies with contemporary music. Warp-weighted loom and nålbinding (“Viking knitting”) demonstrations by Melba Granlund. Outdoor film viewing of The Vikings (1958, directed by Richard Fleischer). This is a rousing epic about a slave, Eric (Tony Curtis), who is the heir to the Northumbrian throne. When his lineage is revealed, Eric unites with his half-brother Einar (Kirk Douglas) to take back the crown.
• July 11: live music with the Roe Family Singers, mixing old time and bluegrass music with clogging, plus wool weaving and dying demonstrations by Viking Fiber accompanied by live Icelandic sheep and a Horn Ceremony by Kari Tauring (also offering private $10 rune readings). The Knives of the Avenger film (1966, directed by Mario Bava) is about a mysterious, knife-throwing warrior who enters a village to feed his horse, only to stumble on a gang of evildoers.
• August 8: live music soon to be announced, craft demonstrations by Tom & Kitty Latané and the Outlander film (2008, directed by Howard McCain). In the year 709, a space explorer crashes into a northern lake and is captured by Vikings. He unites them to battle a space dragon.

Pre-party, Add-On: Special Exhibition Tours with The Theater of Public Policy (T2P2)
Thursdays 5-6:30 p.m., June 6, July 11, August 8
$45 ASI members / $50 non-members includes the Lawn Party and a libation.
See The Vikings Begin exhibition during one-of-a-kind interactive tours involving Viking-inspired games led by improv. comedy performers from The Theater of Public Policy (T2P2).

Private Group Tours - The Vikings Begin
Book an exhibition tour for groups of family, friends, work colleagues, business contacts or more. Can also add on dining options. Email grouptours@asimn.org or call 612-871-4907.

Save the Date - Cocktails at the Castle
September 13, 7-11 p.m.
Celebrate all things Viking with ASI’s signature “museum party done right,” showcasing Viking-themed activities indoors and out, from music and dancing to food, hands-on fun and cocktails! $17, $20, $25 at the door.

THE AMERICAN SWEDISH INSTITUTE (ASI) is a vibrant arts and cultural organization, museum and historic home located at 2600 Park Avenue near downtown Minneapolis. ASI serves as a gathering place for people to share stories and experiences around universal themes of tradition, migration, craft and the arts, all informed by enduring ties to Sweden. The Wall Street Journal called ASI “[a] model of how a small institution can draw visitors through exciting programming.” www.ASImn.org. For tickets, visit ASImn.org or call 612-871-4907.