Finnish American Folk School Newsletter

February 2026

The bear has rolled over and here in Hancock the month of February is bringing us some much needed light and sunshine. We wish for the same for all of you, wherever you live. To celebrate Heikinpäivä 2026, the Finnish American Folk School featured weaving, spinning, and knitting demonstrations in Finlandia Art Gallery. Big thanks to members of the Buellwood Weavers and Fiber Arts guild for volunteering to share your fiber skills!

Though Heikinpäivä celebrations are now behind us, we're looking ahead to some exciting programming for February and March - both in person and online. On Saturday, February 21st, 6-9pm we're hosting another Community Dance featuring live music by White Water and our youth folk dance band Kuparikielet at the Finnish American Heritage Center. Thanks to support from Keweenaw Community Foundation and the North Woods Music Collaborative, we're nurturing the next generation of dance musicians together. Whether you love to dance, or just want to hear some excellent live music we hope you can join us.

If you can't make it to Hancock, be sure to check out our current online offerings: 4 sessions of beginner and conversational online Finnish language classes offered in partnership with Language Clubhouse.

Community Dance with White Water + Kuparikielet
Saturday, February 21, 2026, 6-9pm, $8 at door, free for children under 18, no pre-registration or experience required

Date Night with Clay [March] with Lindsey Heiden
Friday, March 13, 2026, 6-8pm

Date Morning with Clay [March] with Lindsey Heiden
Saturday, March 14, 2026, 10am-12pm

ONLINE Finnish Language Conversation [Mondays]
8 sessions: Mondays, March 9 – April 27, 2026, 10-11am ET

ONLINE Basics of Finnish Language Level 1, Part 2 [Wednesdays]
8 sessions: Wednesdays, March 11 – April 29, 2026, 11:25 am-12:55 pm ET

ONLINE Basics of Finnish Language Level 1, Part 1 [Sundays]
8 sessions: Sundays, March 15- May 17, 2026, 11:25 am-12:55 am ET

ONLINE Basics of Finnish Language, Level 1, Part 2 [Sundays]
8 sessions: Sundays, March 15 – May 17, 2026, 1:00 -2:30 pm ET

ONGOING PROGRAMS:

Carving Club - Next meeting Saturday, February 21, 2026, 1-3pm. FAFS Wood Shop Skyline Commons Room 102. Free, no registration required.

Community Singalong - 1-2 Mondays per month 5:15-6:15pm in the Finnish American Heritage Center- Free, led by Alice Margerum and Oren Tikkanen. RSVP requested by email to copper.country.singalong@gmail.com

Knitting Lunch Hour - Tuesdays - 12-1pm - FAFS Fiber Studio Skyline Commons Room 105. Free, no registration required.

Questions about programming?

Contact FAFS Director Clare Zuraw by email or phone at 906-370-3722

Students in our recent Inkle Band weaving workshop with Phyllis Fredendall really took off! Some got so hooked on band weaving and next-level pickup techniques they're still designing and weaving even though the class has wrapped up.

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