SOLWAY — When Kristian Bugge picked up the violin at 11 years old, he had no way of knowing that one day his playing would take him over the Atlantic to perform across the United States.
“It's certainly a dream coming true for me to be here and be able to do this as a living and tour around and meet people and play for concerts and dances," he said on KAXE's Area Voices.
Bugge will travel to the Bemidji area on Saturday, May 16, to perform with Seattle musician WB Reid at the next Bemidji Contra Dance event at Lammers Town Hall in Solway as part of a tour.
Bugge was attracted to folk music at a young age when he was brought to folk dances at 7 years old. The music stuck with him until he picked up the fiddle four years later. Now, he performs at folk and country dances around the world.
He got involved in Northern Minnesota thanks to the O’Neil Family Band in East Grand Forks. They have performed at the Bemidji Contra Dances and helped Bugge and Reid make the connection.
The Saturday dance will also feature a potluck dinner at 5:30 p.m. in honor of Bugge and Reid. The dance begins at 6:30 p.m., with special caller David Kirchner.
All ages, including beginner dancers, are welcome at the event. Everything is taught on the spot by the caller. Attendees don’t need to bring a partner. If people show up alone, they will be paired up with someone.
In addition to the music, there is also a silent auction to raise funds for the Bemidji Contra Dance group. Organizers reported it can cost anywhere between $800-$1,000 to put on a dance. Some items in the auction include a handmade charcuterie board, yoga sessions, mushroom hikes and more.
This weekend's event is Bemidji Contra Dance’s final one planned this year, so the club will be exploring new ways to make these dances more sustainable and spread the word.
In addition to listening to unique music, the dance is a great exercise as well, they noted.
Follow the Bemidji Contra Dance Facebook page to keep up to date with the club.
Tell us about upcoming arts events where you live in Northern Minnesota by emailing psa@kaxe.org.
Area Voices is made possible by the Minnesota Arts and Cultural Heritage Fund and the citizens of Minnesota.
-
Larissa Donovan/KAXEReports of funnel clouds, strong wind, large hail and power outages accompanied the well-defined “bow echo,” a storm system that often produces straight-line wind events. -
Tammy Bobrowsky/KAXEFamily, friends and skateboarding are at the center of this heartfelt and compelling new young adult novel “Medicine Wheels” by Red Lake Nation writer Byron Graves. -
Students in Deer River are tending to a "pizza garden" this summer, with the hopes of hosting a pizza party using ingredients from the garden in September 2026. -
Jennifer Barr/KAXEIn celebration of the 50th birthday of KAXE, Heather Johnson, Andrew Dziengel and Julie Crabb look back at the films of 1976. -
Plus: Tourism-based businesses brace for slower summer amid high gas prices and consumer costs; Little Fork River watershed plan open for comment; and fireworks galore in the Northland.
-
Contributed/Leech Lake Tribal College Facebook PageErin Stresow will start the position July 7, 2026. She comes from her position as senior director of diversity, equity and inclusion at Colorado State University Pueblo. -
Megan Buffington/KAXEThe library will have to raise its own $30,000 by Sept. 1, 2026, to receive the anonymous grant. The money will be used to increase public hours in 2027. -
Public Media Journalists Association 2026 AwardsThe KAXE News team won awards across key categories, including Breaking News, Investigative Reporting, and Continuing Coverage. -
Events this week include the beginning of the Northern Lights Music Festival in Aurora and the First Friday Art Walk in Grand Rapids. -
Lorie Shaull/KAXEStudents in Deer River are tending to a "pizza garden" this summer, with the hopes of hosting a pizza party using ingredients from the garden in September 2026.
