“You might not know this but I’m originally from Norway and every year I participate in The Swedish Christmas Fair. It is one of our family’s Christmas traditions. This year we have a new Nordic festival in the city and we are looking forward to check it out as a family.”
-Kari
NORDEN promises to infuse the dark nights of winter with “hygge” – the Danish word for a feeling of wellness, coziness, and contentment. During this week-long Festival, visitors will experience the rich and spirited Nordic culture through music, visual arts, film, panel talks, a pop-up holiday market, and of course, food.
More than ninety per cent of NORDEN’s programming is FREE to attend for all ages, including Pop by the Rink! a series of music events on the Natrel Rink. The Nordic invasion continues with “cool music” that will add a new experience to skating on Toronto’s most scenic outdoor ice rink with live performances by acclaimed artists from Iceland, Denmark, Greenland and Norway. Skate to the music of Copenhagen-based experimental pop trio, WhoMadeWho; indie rock band from Greenland, Nive and The Deer Children; and a special edition of DJ Skate Night with a set by Annie, Norway’s Queen of Pop.
POP BY THE RINK – MUSIC PERFORMANCES BY THE RINK – All FREE!
- Hildur – Friday, November 30 (8:00pm): Solo artist, songwriter and lyricist Hildur, is among Iceland’s fastest rising stars. Her first single “I’ll Walk with You” landed #1 on the Icelandic radio chart and won for Pop Song of the Year at the 2017 Icelandic Music Awards. She’ll showcase her unique sound of experimental pop in her first-ever Canadian performance.
- WhoMadeWho – Friday, November 30 (9:30pm): Experimental dance band WhoMadeWho burst onto the scene in mid-2000s and have been touring together non-stop for the past 10 years including with well-known electronic duo, Daft Punk. Hailing from Denmark, they will take the stage at the Natrel Rink for a rare Canadian performance showcasing their fusion-defying sound of rock and roll, electric-pop, techno and indie music.
- Annie – Saturday, December 1 (8:00pm): Norwegian DJ Annie brings her spin of pop, disco, dance and cool techno tunes to the Natrel Rink in this special edition of DJ Skate Nights, which follows the Canadian film premiere of Northern Disco Lights (6:30pm) at Harbourfront Centre Theatre. Annie is one of the key artists featured in this film about a group of teenagers who change dance music and Norwegian culture forever.
- Nive and The Deer Children – Sunday, December 2 (4:30pm): Charismatic Inuk folk-pop singer Nive Nielsen and her band The Deer Children play original hummable folk melodies with a streak of vocal jazz, cowboy ballads, with mischievous charm. Nive is a Greenlandic artist who travels the world playing shows everywhere from Europe to Asia, and the Americas, including performing for the Queen of Denmark.
FAMILY FESTIVITIES:
- Swedish Christmas Fair November 24th to Sunday 25th,presented by SWEA. Warm up by the sounds of children singing carols at The Lucia Pageant. Make some craft with your kids and sample some Scandinavian treats. Shop in the market hall for unique Scandinavians gifts.
- Holiday Market Pop-Up – November 29 to December 2: Shop from craft, one-of-a-kind, local and Nordic-inspired gift ideas that are artisanal, quirky, and sure to bring smiles to people’s faces. This intimate holiday pop-up is far removed from the over-packed crowds of other Christmas markets and shows, bringing a fresh new shopping experience and nostalgia to the holidays.
- Create like Marimekko – December 1 & December 2: Finnish design house Marimekko is known for their bold use of colour and simple repetitive shapes. This workshop will use Marimekko’s designs as a point of inspiration for the entire family to create personalized patterns on available textiles and wrapping paper.
- ABBA on Ice – Sunday, November 25 (3:30pm): Mama Mia! Dance, skate and sing the night away to the hits of ABBA, one of the most commercially successful groups in pop culture history. A high-energy playlist will pay tribute to ABBA’s catchy and uplifting songs such as “Dancing Queen,” “Mama Mia!” and “Take a Chance On Me.”
For more information about NORDEN: The Festival of Cool, please visit harbourfrontcentre.com/norden. Ticketed events start from $20 and are available for purchase at harbourfrontcentre.com, in-person or by calling the Harbourfront Centre Box Office at 416-973-4000. Tickets on sale now.
