Last year, Barneleikarringen performed at the 17th of May Parade in front of the judges on Market Street. Click on the image for photos of past events.
Celebrating their 25th anniversary of teaching children’s Nordic dance in Ballard, the Barneleikarringen of Seattle will be hosting a gathering for both new and old dance members in honor of the many years they’ve invested in the effort to get as many children as possible to learn basic nordic folk dancing.
Starting in 1984 memberS of Leikarringen, Eva Martinsen Farstad Malczewski started the children’s dance group with her children Erik and Krisit picking up many other children of Leikarringen members who got invovled with the program along the way.
A year and a half later, Obert and Marietta Ronnestad, who had been assisting Malczewski at the time, took over the program with the help of others and to this day they continue instructing children.
“We got started with the Leikarringen and were interested in the children side since we had children at the time,” said Obert Ronnestad. “We continued with the children’s group and felt that it was a worth while effort to get as many children as possible to learn basic dancing.”
The Ronnestad’s added on community dance where parents and children could get involved in dance, Obert said.
The Ronnestad’s were named Honorary Marshal's for the 17th of May parade in 1999 for their devotion to teaching children Norwegian folk dances. Their passion to teach the traditional dances to children today still emanates through the program.
As their 25th anniversary nears, the Ronnestad’s hope both original and current members will be able to attend the anniversary with their families.
“The festivities will be at the Leif Erikson Lodge and we’re trying to get the old Barneleikarringen members to come,” Obert said. “But of course some of them now have their own kids. Our objective was to have a party and to have everyone get together that use to be involved.”
The celebration will take place on Tuesday, April 14 from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. at the Leif Erickson Lodge.
Barneleikarringen welcome young people to learn folk dances from each of the five noric countries on Tuesdays from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. at the Leif Erikson Lodge.
For more information contact Obert and Marietta Ronnestad at 425-392-5806.
