LA's Nordic Weekend is upon us!

This edition of Reels & Riffs is dedicated to two major Norwegian, Scandinavian, and Nordic events in Los Angeles this weekend:

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Peer Gynt LA is one of the oldest and most historic Nordic organizations in Southern California, originally founded in 1911 as a gathering place for Norwegians who built new lives along the Pacific Coast. Today, Peer Gynt LA is evolving (and I am happy to help) into a modern cultural platform that connects Nordic creativity, heritage, business, and community in Los Angeles. Through events like Nordic Gateway LA, the organization brings together artists, filmmakers, musicians, entrepreneurs, families, and the wider LA community to celebrate the Nordic countries through culture, storytelling, music, film, food, and shared experiences. With roots stretching back more than a century (founded in 1911), Peer Gynt LA is building a new bridge between the Nordic region and contemporary Los Angeles.

Doors open at 11:00AM tomorrow, May 16, for a four-hour pop-up event with delicious baked goods, an exclusive reading by Norwegian Hollywood actor Thor Knai from the old Norse Viking Sagas, competitions and activities for families, friends and singles - and we also have some excellent prizes to win!

At 3:00PM, our Live Concert starts with five fantastic Scandinavian artists based in the LA area. More event details here.

You can still RSVP for Nordic Gateway LA.

Follow Peer Gynt LA’s Instagram Account and take a look at our posts about what is happening tomorrow.

There is really no comparison in LA to the 17. mai celebration at the Norwegian Church Los Angeles/San Pedro where Norwegians and others with an interest in Scandinavian culture flock to from Orange County to Thousand Oaks, Santa Monica to Riverside. The doors open at 11:30AM, there is entertainment, raffle, traditional speeches, music, and of course - the traditional 17. mai tog! The 17th of May procession that many of us who grew up in Norway recall as one of our fondest memories.

Find the 17. mai Program here and more information on the Norwegian Church LA’s Instagram Account.

Now I am off to pick up a delicious kransekake from Mandel and some bottles of wine from St. Avalo Wines for our prizes at Peer Gynt LA’s Nordic Gateway LA tomorrow, May 16, that will be added to a weekend getaway gift card from the Courtyard Marriott Irvine Spectrum, two IKEA gift cards already here, and two annual subscriptions to Films of Norway, the ultimate platform in North America to watch Norwegian films and TV shows with English subtitles. Toodles!