About the Northern California Spelmanslag

The Northern California Spelmanslag (NCS) is a non-profit public benefit corporation which aims to promote Scandinavian music, dance and culture through special workshops, regular meetings, concerts and performances. The organization consists of a central organization and five authorized programs: Nordahl Grieg Leikarring og Spelemanslag, Nordic Footnotes, Mid-Peninsula Scandinavian Dancers, Scandiadans and Golden Gate Nordic Music & Dance. In addition to dance groups, NCS contains many participants who are active in playing Scandinavian music, loosely organized in playing groups by locality.

NCS organizes and presents festivals which include extensive instruction in both folk dance and folk music, concerts with dance demonstrations, and dance parties. We also play host to visiting musicians, and organize musicians' workshops, concerts, and/or dances in conjunction with their visits.

We hold regular meetings for musicians in three locations where Scandinavian folk music is taught and shared, and we have been successful in introducing newcomers to Scandinavian music and dance. NCS sponsors occasional special music and and dance events as well as regular Scandinavian dance classes via our programs: Nordahl Grieg Leikarring og Spelemanslag, Nordic Footnotes, Mid-Peninsula  Scandinavian Dancers, Scandiadans and  Golden Gate Nordic Music & Dance.   

NCS works with other Scandinavian organizations in promoting Scandinavian culture. We provide performances of Scandinavian folk music and dance for other Scandinavian organizations and for the general public. We maintain contacts with numerous Scandinavian organizations and agencies, promote communication and inform them of our activities. We also seek to promote communication and cooperation among various groups across the United States who are involved in organizing events promoting Scandinavian folk music and dance. In the past, we have cooperated with several groups around the country in organizing tours of Scandinavian guest instructors. 


Board of Directors

The Northern California Spelmanslag has a board of 8 members. Current directors are: If you would like to provide any comments or suggestions regarding Spelmanslag activities, please call or email one of the board members with your ideas and opinions. You are welcome to attend board meetings. If you are interested in being a board member (particularly if you are a musician), please let one of the board members know. Normally, elections for the board take place on the first Saturday of October. Call Betsy McKone for the time and place of board meetings.

NCS Board Guidelines for Discussions and Decisions

NCS Board Guidelines for Proposals for Events


Organizational Affiliations

Folk Dance Federation of California. The Northern California Spelmanslag is a club under the Folk Dance Federation of California. The Spelmanslag obtains its liability insurance through the Folk Dance Federation.

The Nordahl Grieg Leikkarring og Spelemanslag is an authorized program of the Northern California Spelmanslag.

Nordic Footnotes is an authorized program of the Northern California Spelmanslag.

Mid-Peninsula Scandinavian Dancers is an authorized program of the Northern California Spelmanslag.

Scandiadans is an authorized program of the Northern California Spelmanslag.

Golden Gate Nordic Music & Dance is an authorized program of the Northern California Spelmanslag.

The Northern California Spelmanslag also cooperates with other Scandinavian organizations such as the Swedish and Norwegian consulates, the local Sons of Norway and VASA lodges, and the American Scandinavian Foundation. Maintaining communication and mutual support between the Spelmanslag and various other Scandinavian organizations in Northern California is one of the goals of the Spelmanslag. 


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Last update 2/25/22