Grammy-nominated Fiddler Andrea Hoag and Scandia D.C. to Perform at TIES’ Annual Fundraising Gala and Ecotourism Auction
March 25, 2008, Washington, DC—The International Ecotourism Society (TIES)’s annual Ecotourism Gala & Auction, to be held at the House of Sweden, Georgetown, Washington DC on May 1, will offer a chance to experience the exquisite cultural flavors of Scandinavia, not only through the “Discover Sweden” exhibit, but also a live performance of tradition Swedish folk music.
Andrea Hoag, a Grammy-nominated fiddler and violinist, will delight the gala guests with a live performance of traditional Swedish music, together with fellow fiddle players Göran Olsson and Sonja Benson. One of the finest American-born Swedish fiddlers, Hoag has performed traditional Swedish music at a variety of venues both in North America and abroad. Her 2006 album, Humbo in the Snow, produced in collaboration with Loretta Kelley and Charlie Pilzer, was nominated for a Grammy Award as Best Traditional World Music Album in 2007.
“I fell in love with Swedish music in the early 1980s,” Hoag says, describing the connection between her love of Swedish music and environmental conservation. “Back then, for example, battery-disposal receptacles were in every grocery store in Sweden, and I noticed that Sweden was leading the curve of environmental awareness. Even the native-folk-music craze that swept Scandinavia in the 70s was called The Green Wave!”
“It is a delight to participate in TIES’ Gala and to help celebrate ecotourism,” adds Hoag. “I am enthusiastic about the way ecotourism can provide local income and bring people together while promoting environmental awareness and conservation.”
Accompanying the trio of fiddler players, Linda Brooks and Ross Schipper will perform traditional Scandinavian folk dances. Brooks and Schipper are head of Scandia D.C., a Scandinavian folk dance group active in the Washington, DC metropolitan area. Scandia D.C. serves as a network in the greater Washington area for those interested in Norwegian and Swedish couple-turning dances.
“Ross and I are excited to be performing at the 2008 TIES Fundraising Gala,” says Brooks. “We look forward to the opportunity both to share the cultural experience of traditional Swedish folk dance, and to support sustainable tourism in Sweden and around the globe!”
TIES is proud to partner with these talented performers who share our passion for conservation and sustainable travel and showcase their cultural performance at the upcoming Ecotourism Gala & Auction. The House of Sweden is an ideal venue for this exciting event, highlighting the exciting attributes of this year’s Swedish theme. Tickets are available for sale online at www.ecotourismgala.org, order via phone: +1 202 347 9203×422 or email: events@ecotourism.org.
About Andrea Hoag:
Andrea is one of North America’s foremost performers of traditional Swedish music, and is a highly respected fiddler in several American, English, and Celtic styles. A noteworthy composer, improviser and vocalist, Andrea is a musical matchmaker who treats her sources with both reverence and playfulness.
About Scandia DC:
Scandia D.C. is a local dance/music group dedicated to the enjoyment of Norwegian and Swedish couple turning dances, offering various opportunities to learn and experience Scandinavian couple dance performances, such as hambo, schottish, snoa (polka), mazurka, pols, reinlender, and Scandinavian waltz.
