One Saturday evening of every month, a small group of dancers gathers in New Sweden to practice Swedish dancing.
Accompanied by fiddler Steve Boody, the group has been spending cold and dark winter evenings preparing for the Midsommar celebration in Maine’s Swedish Colony.
“Like in Sweden, the winters are long,” said Brenda Jepson while taking a break from dancing. “It’s just great fun and it helps keep the culture alive.”
Jepson helps organize the dancing with Nate and Cassie Germain. They are also all quite active in planning for Midsommar.
“We’re trying to keep the tradition alive,” said Nate Germain, noting that with the closing of the New Sweden Consolidated School in 2017 and other trends in the area, traditions need to be preserved.
Elyse Kiehn and Steve Boody play their violins during a March 17 dance and gathering at the Covenant Church in New Sweden. (Courtesy of John O’Merea)
“Cassie and I watch YouTube videos and come up with dances,” he said. “One of the main goals is to have fun.”
Nate and Cassie Germain, who have been organizing the dancing for about two years, are hopeful that more people will join the group so an adult group can be formed.
“The more the better,” he said.
The dancing is part of a larger effort to prepare for the widely known Midsommar celebration, which will occur at the end of June. In 2020, visitors will be coming from Sweden to attend the 150th anniversary of the founding of Maine’s Swedish Colony.
“There’s always coffee,” said Jepson, emphasizing that the dancers are like a family. Other refreshments are also often served.
On March 17, several adults and children danced a traditional Swedish dance while Steve Boody played his violin, which he had hand painted to look like a watermelon. “I’m the town fiddle player,” said Boody.
Both dancers and Boody displayed precision and talent, making the room come alive with visions of Sweden.
Some nights, Elyse Kiehn also plays the violin and Rob Barnet plays accordion.
At the end of the evening, Brenda Jepson said, “It’s fun for us to get together.”
The dancers packed off into the night, future dances and summer celebrations on their minds.
The dancing occurs year-round at the Covenant Church in New Sweden. The next dance is scheduled for 6-8 p.m. on April 6.
More information on dance schedules can be found on the New Sweden Historical Society Facebook page.
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- Brenda and Alan Jepson dance at the Covenant Church in New Sweden on March 17. (Contributed)
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- Nate and Cassie Germain dance at the Covenant Church in New Sweden on March 17. (Courtesy of John O’Merea)
