Norse Hall Association

LET’S DANCE!
Norwegian folk-dancing, Nordic Fusion, Strictly Ballroom – and a whole lot more! Norse Hall has been the go-to-dance-ballroom in Portland since 1928, and was named Best of the City 2007 by Portland Monthly Magazine.

Apart from Grieg Lodge-sponsored dancing events and classes for children & adults, if there’s a community dance activity happening in this city (swing, waltz, tango, zydeco, old time – you name it), it’s probably happening at Norse Hall (our vintage 1940 neon sign “Dance Tonight” says it all).

SPECIAL EVENTS & NORDIC CULTURE CLUBS
Grieg Lodge presents an exciting variety of special events celebrating Norwegian and Scandinavian culture, including classic shows like ‘Grieg By Candlelight’ starring Norwegian concert pianist Knut Erik Jensen, or ‘True Norsk!’ featuring the wacky fun of the famed 30-member accordion band, Lindesness Trekkspilklubb. We also offer ongoing Scandinavian history, literature and film clubs dedicated to exploring the spoken, written and on-screen heritage of the northern lands.

HERITAGE CRAFT & COOKING CLASSES
Learn the crafts that Scandinavians are famous for: Hardanger lacework, Rosemaling decorative painting, knitting, weaving, woodwork, iron-work, knife-making, and more in a fun, hands-on environment.

Or maybe you like to cook. Lefse? Lutefisk? Rullepølse? Rømmegrot? Riskreme? Kransekake? Krumkake? All the culinary traditions of Norway are alive and well at Norse Hall – so don your apron & learn from the masters (aka, “Mor Mor”).

SPORTS AND RECREATION
Our all-ages sports program invites you to get active! Do you like to hike, run, bike, ski, bowl, golf, play tennis – or? The lodge sponsors a variety of groups that meet weekly and monthly for excursions, recreation and exercise. Check out the Hiking Vikings or our unique annual Irish vs. Nordic Track Bowling tournament at Buckman Field (an urban adaptation of Irish Road Bowling). Lodge members have access to a ski lodge in the Washington Cascades for downhill and cross-country skiing. We even have a group training to hike the 400-mile Pilgrimsleden, the 1,000-year old Pilgrim’s Way stretching from Oslo to Trondheim in Norway in summer 2010 as part of our Centennial celebration.

NORWEGIAN LANGUAGE CLASSES & CONVERSATION FOR ADULTS & CHILDREN
Planning a trip to Norway? Or maybe you’d like to know how to sing a family lullaby or correspond with a long-lost cousin on the farm your grandfather came from — or you’d like your children to learn or maintain their language heritage in a fun environment. You decide. We’ll help.

LEIKARRINGEN & YOUTH ACTIVITIES & SUMMER CAMPS
Join the circle that began in 1934. The Grieg Lodge youth Norwegian folk-dancing program is a cherished and long-standing tradition at Norse Hall. Our children have performed at World’s Fairs, countless festivals, Disneyland and even before royalty.

Other youth activities include rock climbing (Portland Rock Gym across the street), laser tag outings, family dinner night, various holiday & themed parties like the Children’s Christmas Party and ‘Boo Norsk’ Halloween for kids, a children’s Norwegian-language play group, community service opportunities and more.

Got kids – and summer? How about a Norwegian heritage camp at the Oregon coast or in the Cascade mountains where your children can learn about Nordic culture, and gain the language, craft and outdoor skills to carry on the Nordic tradition – and have a blast! Sons of Norway camps Nidaros, Normanna, and Trollhaugen are there for you and your family.

NORWEGIAN LIBRARY, GENEALOGY & RESEARCH COLLECTION
One of the Northwest’s largest, digitally cataloged special collections of Norwegian language books is located in the beautifully-restored library of Norse Hall. Your Grieg Lodge membership gives you free access to these resources and research opportunities (computers, too). We also have a large selection of books in English of Norwegian literature, history, cuisine, culture – you name it! Book club anyone? Genealogy classes? Literary lectures? Children’s story time? We’ve got it. To search the catalog online or for a current list of literary activities visit:

SCHOLARSHIPS, GRANTS & COMMUNITY SERVICE
Grieg Lodge members have long supported the educational, creative and cultural efforts of our community through annual college scholarships ( ), grants to local arts groups, and volunteerism. Our national Adopt-a-School program supports local students through tutoring, cultural programming, grants, coaching and more. We are also active in charitable work and fundraising for local, regional and international humanitarian aid organizations (Mercy Corps, Red Cross, Oregon Food Bank, Women’s Shelters and more). That’s a big part of our mission – and the Nordic way.

LEADERSHIP, VOLUNTEERISM & YOU
Whether you volunteer a little or a lot your passions, gifts and commitment will open doors both inside Grieg Lodge and in the community at large. Bring your ideas and your energy, and you’ll find a place to express yourself, help others, and have fun. You can even gain (or mentor) marketable skills in event planning and management, non-profit governance, marketing and publicity, design and advertising, bookkeeping, fundraising, youth guidance, recruiting and outreach, project and facility management, library operations and more. Active Grieg Lodge members gain – and share – real-world leadership experience and skills that count with employers, advance personal growth and enrich the community.

CONNECTING WITH GRIEG LODGE:
If you’re interested in learning more about membership in this nearly century-old, non-profit organization, the first step is to get personal! Call 503-236-3401, or stop by Norse Hall (111 11th & Couch). You’ll get a chance to chat with a member and tour the Hall. Materials about our activities are available along with upcoming events in which you can participate as a guest (also check the events page and calendar page on this website or sign up for our monthly e-news bulletin by emailing grieglodgeinfo@ ).

Membership forms are available at the office. Norwegian heritage is not required to join Grieg Lodge. Our community bonds are based on our mission of service, fraternity and an interest or background in Norwegian or Nordic culture. Grieg Lodge is the place to get in touch with your ‘inner Scandinavian!’

Current annual membership dues are $ for adults with a one-time application fee of $20. Dues for a spouse joining at the same time are $ (plus application fee). Children of members living at home under the age of 23 are entitled to free Heritage & Youth memberships.

Grieg Lodge is the Portland chapter of International Sons of Norway, which was founded in 1895 and has 63,000 members worldwide.