Nordic Cool 2013
Free Events
Gustaf Sjökvist’s Chamber Choir
Founded in 1994, the 33-member, Swedish Grammi–nominated choir's repertoire consists mainly of contemporary Swedish classical music. Part of Nordic Cool 2013.
Tue., Feb. 19, 2013, 6:00 PM
Free Millennium Stage Performance
Exhibition: New Nordic--Architecture and Identity (Denmark)
From Denmark's Louisiana Museum of Modern Art, this exhibition explores the relationship of Nordic culture, identity, and architecture.
Feb. 20 - Mar. 17, 2013
Building Exterior Grounds
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Exhibition: Nordic Design Illustrated
This exhibition, presenting a range of design, craft, and industrial products from throughout the Nordic region, aims to highlight aspects of Nordic contemporary design in all its forms, and its ubiquitous nature in daily life.
Feb. 20 - Mar. 17, 2013
North Gallery
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Exhibition: Nobel Prize
Learn about the Nobel Prize, its founder, the Laureates, and their endeavors.
Feb. 20 - Mar. 17, 2013
Grand Foyer
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Exhibition: SUP-PLYWOOD or How to Be Singular in the Plural (Norway)
Invented in Sweden, plywood is one of the oldest mass-produced products in the world. This installation, created by famed Norwegian architecture firm Snøhetta, features large-scale plywood sculptures.
Feb. 20 - Mar. 17, 2013
Hall of Nations
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Exhibition: Archive--Endangered Waters (Iceland)
With the rise of hydroelectric dams, the number of waterfalls in Iceland has declined in recent years. Multidisciplinary Icelandic artist Rúrí seeks to archive these endangered waters in an interactive visual and auditory installation.
Feb. 20 - Mar. 17, 2013
South Atrium Foyer
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Exhibition: Are We Still Afloat? (Finland)
One of Finland's leading artists, Kaarina Kaikkonen uses a thousand dress shirts donated by people from the DC area to construct a large-scale, site-specific hanging installation that takes the shape of a boat.
Feb. 20 - Mar. 17, 2013
Hall of States
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Exhibition: Our World, Our Future: Youth Making a Difference through Creativity, Technology, and Art
The voices of Nordic children are featured in a special exhibit comprising short videos expressing their views on the environment and sustainability.
Feb. 20 - Mar. 17, 2013
South Gallery
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Exhibition: Migration (Faroe Islands)
This installation features approximately 90 of Faroese painter and sculptor Tróndur Patursson's trademark stained glass birds.
Feb. 20 - Mar. 17, 2013
Grand Foyer
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Exhibition: Elk Towers (Åland Islands)
Originally conceived for an exhibit at the Åland Art Museum, Juha Pykäläinen brings three of his wooden sculptures of elk to make the Kennedy Center landscape fun and alive.
Feb. 20 - Mar. 17, 2013
Building Exterior Grounds
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LEGO Exhibit & Play Space
These Danish children's toys have become an iconic brand in countries across the world. LEGO sculptures are on display as well as LEGO play stations for kids (of all ages!) to learn about and play with the tiny plastic creations.
Feb. 20 - Mar. 17, 2013
South Gallery
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Game Play Space
Companies from the Nordic region are responsible for many of the most popular titles in mobile gaming today. Several iPads will be set up, allowing people to experience these Nordic creations.
Feb. 20 - Mar. 17, 2013
South Gallery
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Exhibition: Northern Lights
Innovative Danish lighting designer Jesper Kongshaug recreates the effect of the Northern Lights on all four sides of the Kennedy Center's façade from 5:30 to 11 p.m.
Feb. 20 - Mar. 17, 2013
Façade of the Kennedy Center
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Tango-orkesteri Unto
The key ingredients of the Finnish tango are longing and passion, and the six virtuosos salute the classic Finnish tango repertoire with their freshly nuanced and powerful renditions. Part of Nordic Cool 2013.
Wed., Feb. 20, 2013, 6:00 PM
Free Millennium Stage Performance
Gaup Sisters
The three sisters perform a program of joik, a traditional form of song of the Sami people (the indigenous people of the northern Nordic region) and is one of the oldest forms of musical expression in existence. Part of Nordic Cool 2013.
Thu., Feb. 21, 2013, 6:00 PM
Free Millennium Stage Performance
Ibrahim Electric
The eclectic, jazz-based trio from Copenhagen, Denmark creates experimental music that draws from a wide variety of genres, including jazz, pop, afro, and funk. Part of Nordic Cool 2013.
Fri., Feb. 22, 2013, 6:00 PM
Free Millennium Stage Performance
Kroumata
With more than 30 years of unparalleled performances, the ensemble has brought percussion from the back row of the orchestra to center stage through a strong commitment to contemporary percussion music. Part of Nordic Cool 2013.
Sat., Feb. 23, 2013, 6:00 PM
Free Millennium Stage Performance
Forum: Master Builder/Master Builders: Performing Architecture
Does the design of physical theater spaces and venues affect the experiential aspects of performing arts? Are there other, perhaps surprising, ways of relating architecture and theater? This panel discusses perspectives from both sides of the curtain.
Sun., Feb. 24, 2013, 1:30 PM
Terrace Gallery
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Forum: Designing Nature: Art & Architecture in Cities and Public Spaces
Danish architect Bjarke Ingels discusses the development, challenges, and responses to sustainable design in public spaces.
Sun., Feb. 24, 2013, 4:00 PM
Terrace Gallery
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Iceland Airwaves: FM Belfast, Retro Stefson, and Sóley
One of the world’s premier annual showcases for new music, Iceland Airwaves presents three bands--electropop group FM Belfast, pop septet Retro Stefson, and delicate electronic pop songstress Sóley. Supported by Icelandair, Iceland Naturally, and the Embassy of Iceland in Washington, D.C. Part of Nordic Cool 2013.
Sun., Feb. 24, 2013, 6:00 PM
Free Millennium Stage Performance
New Nordic Cuisine Demonstration: Finland & Iceland
Join award-winning chefs Petteri Luoto of Finland and Hákon Már Örvarsson of Iceland for a demonstration of New Nordic Cuisine. Audience members will be able to watch the cooking unfold in person and on large screens in the Grand Foyer. Part of Nordic Cool 2013.
Mon., Feb. 25, 2013, 6:00 PM
Free Millennium Stage Performance
Signmark
Creator of the world’s first sign language hip hop DVD, Finland's Signmark uses strong bass beats with low frequencies to adapt to rap and hip hop rhythms along with vocalist Brandon Bauer. In cooperation with VSA. Part of Nordic Cool 2013.
Tue., Feb. 26, 2013, 6:00 PM
Free Millennium Stage Performance
Forum: Living by Design: A Holistic Approach to Everything
How does design impact every aspect of our daily lives? This discussion on contemporary Nordic design tackles issues such as trends, influences, philosophies, and market differences, as well as production challenges.
Tue., Feb. 26, 2013, 7:00 PM
Terrace Gallery
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Eivør
While her roots are in Faroese ballads, the singer/songwriter has a wide range of interests in many kinds of music, from rock, jazz, folk, pop, to European classical music. Part of Nordic Cool 2013.
Wed., Feb. 27, 2013, 6:00 PM
Free Millennium Stage Performance
Forum: Artists & Audiences: Who Sees What?
This conversation will touch on issues such as trends and influences in contemporary Nordic performance; the relative importance of tradition and experimentation in the work; the age factor of audiences, and more.
Wed., Feb. 27, 2013, 6:00 PM
Terrace Gallery
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Skaran
The folk trio plays Swedish traditional tunes along with its own compositions bursting with attitude and joy. Part of Nordic Cool 2013.
Thu., Feb. 28, 2013, 6:00 PM
Free Millennium Stage Performance
Unni Løvlid
The highly respected Norwegian folk singer-songwriter was voted 2006 “Traditional Musician of the Year” in Norway. She performs with double bassist Håkon Thelin and Ingar Hunskaar on electronics. Part of Nordic Cool 2013.
Fri., Mar. 1, 2013, 6:00 PM
Free Millennium Stage Performance
Game Design: Behind the Screen
Join moderator Mike Snider, Tech Reporter for USA TODAY, and Nordic video game developers Kristoffer Touborg (EVE-Online) and Saku Lehtinen (Max Payne, Alan Wake) as they speak about the creative process behind some of the most popular games today, accompanied by visuals from the games on the screen above the stage. Part of Nordic Cool 2013.
Sat., Mar. 2, 2013, 6:00 PM
Free Millennium Stage Performance
New Nordic Cuisine Demonstration: Denmark, Norway, & Sweden
Join award-winning chefs Mads Refslund of Denmark, Morten Sohlberg of Norway, and Ulrika Bengtsson of Sweden for a demonstration of New Nordic Cuisine. Audience members will be able to watch the cooking unfold in person and on large screens in the Grand Foyer. Part of Nordic Cool 2013.
Sun., Mar. 3, 2013, 6:00 PM
Free Millennium Stage Performance
Rasmus Lyberth / Greta Sundström
A Greenlander, singer/songwriter Lyberth has captivated Danish and Greenlandic audiences since the 1970s and is increasingly popular with international audiences. An Åland Islander, accordion virtuoso Sundström is master of a vast repertoire ranging from classical pieces to folk music and dance-friendly pop tunes. Part of Nordic Cool 2013.
Mon., Mar. 4, 2013, 6:00 PM
Free Millennium Stage Performance
Duo Harpverk
From Iceland, harpist Katie Buckley and percussionist Frank Aarnink came together in 2007 with the intention to commission and perform music from young composers. To date, they have commissioned more than 60 pieces from composers in Iceland and all over the world. Part of Nordic Cool 2013.
Tue., Mar. 5, 2013, 6:00 PM
Free Millennium Stage Performance
Sousou and Maher Cissoko
The Swedish/Senegalese couple, winners of the “Best Newcomer” prize at the 2010 Swedish Folk and World Music Gala and “Band of the Year” in 2011, combines a variety of styles, influences, and techniques in its music. Part of Nordic Cool 2013.
Wed., Mar. 6, 2013, 6:00 PM
Free Millennium Stage Performance
Nanook
One of the best-known bands in Greenland, the group tours internationally and is quickly gathering new fans despite the fact that their songs are sung entirely in Greenlandic. Their songs have been featured in the Discovery Channel’s series Flying Wild Alaska. Part of Nordic Cool 2013.
Thu., Mar. 7, 2013, 6:00 PM
Free Millennium Stage Performance
Danish National Girls’ Choir
Since its founding in 1938, the choir combines old song traditions with new music, always working to develop the strong Danish choir tradition. Part of Nordic Cool 2013.
Fri., Mar. 8, 2013, 6:00 PM
Free Millennium Stage Performance
Wimme
From Finland, the Sami joik singer’s music has been described as "shamanistic chant meets modern soundscapes." Joik has certain elements in common with Native American music, most importantly a reverence for the earth and the elements. Part of Nordic Cool 2013.
Sat., Mar. 9, 2013, 6:00 PM
Free Millennium Stage Performance
Henrik Vibskov
Known for the tantalizing universes he creates, Danish designer and musician Henrik Vibskov presents The Russian Boys Quartet Puppet Performance, featuring Mountain Yorokobu, with Bille Bahncke plus the Hess Brothers. Part of Nordic Cool 2013.
Sun., Mar. 10, 2013, 6:00 PM
Free Millennium Stage Performance
Forum: Breaking the Ice: Images of Climate Change
In this conversation, Greenlandic photojournalist Jørgen Chemnitz will speak about the realities of global warming, as witnessed through his lens.
Mon., Mar. 11, 2013, 7:30 PM
Terrace Gallery
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Nordic Cool 2013 is presented in cooperation with
and Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway, and Sweden.
Presenting Underwriter
HRH Foundation
Festival Co-Chairs
The Honorable Bonnie McElveen-Hunter, Marilyn Carlson Nelson, and Barbro Osher
Major support is provided by the Honorable Bonnie McElveen-Hunter, Mrs. Marilyn Carlson Nelson
and Dr. Glen Nelson, the Barbro Osher Pro Suecia Foundation, David M. Rubenstein,
the State Plaza Hotel,
and the Kennedy Center International Committee on the Arts.
