​Bringing Reykjavik to Fargo at the Nordic Gala

Anyone who has been living in Fargo for an extended period of time is well aware of the strong Scandinavian heritage in the area, between the ‘Minnesota nice’ accents and the sheer amount of Nordic paraphernalia. When we think of our Scandinavian ancestors, the countries that come to mind are Norway, Denmark, Sweden, and Finland. But although it does not neighbor them on the European continent, the small island country of Iceland is still very much a part of the Nordic region.

This year, our very own 30+-year-old Icelandic Klub of Fargo-Moorhead will be hosting both the soon-coming 13th annual Nordic gala and the Hjemkomst’s Scandinavian festival this summer.

And yes, as much as I love her music, there is more to the country of Iceland than just the musical artist Björk. The president of the Klub, Susan Sigurdson, made that perfectly clear when she summed up the festivities.

All visitors will be greeted in traditional Icelandic costume (no, not Björk’s swan dress). People can get things started by sipping on Blue Lagoon punch, a blue-colored punch named after, you guessed it, the Blue Lagoon located in Iceland. There will also be appetizers, including traditional cheese, pickled herring and crackers, fruit cups, and a national treat called rúllupylsa on Icelandic brown bread. Other hors d’oeuvres that can be eaten with the Icelandic bread include smoked salmon and cream cheese.

During these warm-up festivities, patrons can also check out the silent auction. Many of the wares included are vintage Nordic items as well as a number of items donated by local businesses and individuals.

There will be a short presentation on Iceland, which will include the story of its traditional Thorrablot, or mid-winter Viking feast. Those who are culinary adventurers are encouraged to try, (or ‘dared’ as Susan put it) to try a number of traditional Icelandic dishes, like pickled ram’s testicles, smoked lamb, and brennevin, a liquor made from fermented potatoes.

One of the food items included in this feast (and an Icelandic delicacy) is the infamous hakarl, a type of fermented and smoked shark which chef Anthony Bourdain referred to as “the single worst, most disgusting, and terrible tasting thing” he ever ate, that chef Gordon Ramsay spit out, but that Anthony Zimmern of Bizarre Foods called an acquired taste with a ‘sweet, nutty, and faintly fishy’ taste. Susan suggests a $5 minimum donation for trying these foods, and any money from the Thorrablot dare table will go toward the summer’s Scandinavian Festival.

Don’t let some of the more daunting menu items scare you off, however, because there will also be plenty of dessert. “There’s vinarterta -- a seven-layer cake with prune filling;kleinur, an Icelandic donut, poennukoekur, a crepe that is sprinkled with sugar and rolled; haldakoekur, a pretzel-shaped sweet dough seasoned with caraway seeds; piparkoekur, ginger cookies; and kumen kaffi, coffee flavored with caraway,” Susan says.

Throughout the evening, the Skol Klubb Fiddlers, comprised of Harold Herbolt, Janet Hill, Becky Heimark, and Bud Larsen, will be playing Scandinavian folk music. Everyone is encouraged to join on the floor, even if they don’t know any traditional Scandinavian dances. The bidding in the silent auction will finally end around 9:15. The proceeds of the auction will go to the several Nordic culture clubs around town as well as the Hjemkomst’s summer festivities.

There is a cover charge of $25 ($30 at the door) to join in the festivities, but that by no means should discourage anyone from joining. Even if your ancestors don’t hail from the frozen North, there’s still plenty of food and fun to be had. So break out your best dancing shoes, remember to drive safely, and get ready to try some hakarl, if you dare.

IF YOU GO

The Nordic Gala

Saturday,February 27, 7 p.m.

Sons of Norway, 722 2nd Ave N

Tickets: $25-$30 at the door