Ice Music Fest Norway--got ice? make music!

What is the IceMusic Festival

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The IceMusic Festival is a unique, artistic and musical project which is arranged every new year at the first full moon. This festival is an ovation to the nature, and to one of the most important recourses in the world - water. Frozen water.
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The IceMusic Festival, Geilo – aesthetics, music and nature together. The festival focuses on creativity. Conserts outside and inside an igloo. All the instruments are made of ice from the local area.

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The IceMusic Festival is a unique, artistic and musical project which is arranged every new year at the first full moon. This festival is an ovation to the nature, and to one of the most important recourses in the world - water. Frozen water.

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The festival is arranged at Kikuttoppen in Geilo. All premises are made by the nature, and Hallingskarvet with its 1930 meter is fantastic scenery.The weather is central. The quality of the ice depends on the winter conditions. The sounds vary as the temperature differs. Every consert (concert) is a unique experience. The festival is in the mercy of the nature. The moon decides the time and the weather decides the music.
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The IceMusic Festival gathers different artistic expressions which all have a connection to ice. Jewels, photographs, architecture, dance, art, photo, design, sculptures and music. Different expressions are melting together.

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The IceMusic Festival is supposed to be a scene for highly recommended artists to experiment and develop. A scene to obtain inspiration. The artist, the organizer and the audience may take a risk, and have to relay on the nature. We are all together. Expect the unexpected. The moment is now!
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Welcome to Geilo – remember warm clothes.....

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How to get to Geilo?

The Bergen Railway is the most beautiful train journey in the world, reports the well-known travel guide Lonely Planet according to the press agency, NPK, and the national newspaper, Aftenposten

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Food & beverage

The IceMusic Festival will serve a selection of traditional dishes prepared and served in new ways! During this years festival you can try exciting dishes in the igloo, and tasty courses in Kikutkroa.

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Welcome to Geilo - 100 years of tradtion!

Geilo has a central location in South Norway, 800 metres above sea level, half way between Oslo and Bergen.

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Tickets to the conserts (concerts)

The tickets are available from the 1st of November 2008

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News: To all our guests who buy the IceFestivalPass, we offer you a free rental of a ”kick-sled”. It will take you easily and elegant trough the center of Geilo. (see pic below--cute huh?)
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At the top of the world!

Here you can see pictures and get more information about the area around IceMusic Festival.
http://www.geilofjellandsby.no/

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Geilo Skiheiser - a skiing eldorado!

Have a look at Geilo! Several web cameras.
http://www.skigeilo.no/

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The new label!

This company will only release recordings performed on instruments made from ice. http://www.all-ice.no/
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Festival program is ready.

We are proud to present the 2009 Ice Music Festival. This years program is filled with spectacular artists from Europe and Norway and we can promise you a unforgetable show.

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For artists/info see "Program 2009" 9-11 January
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Bill Covitz
Bill Covitz is coming all the way from USA to help us building the arena for the Ice Music Festival. He has a very central position building the instruments used during the festival. Together with Eric Mutel, he will also hold a workshop.
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Bill Covitz has been our guest all our festivals, and we are happy to annonce that he is coming back again in 2009. Since his first year he has made several unique ice-instruments; ice-marimba, ice-guitar, ice-horn and other special installations. Bill will help Eric Mutel building the festival-area at Kikut, and we are sure it will be spectacular!For more information - http://www.icematters.com/
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All Blurbs borrowed above are from their Link: http://www.icefestival.no/

Go here, read more, check out the previous years photos & come on over next year to visit me to go yourself right?! Just say--Yah! Who says there's nothing to do in the winter, in the dark, in Norway?! hmmm...they don't know Norway vewy well do they?! (think tweety bird with a Norwegian accent & you'll get that last line?! Hah!)

Note: Found above link & teaser photo on: http://www.norwaypost.no/
Another paper, thank goodness, I find in English?! Yeah! If nothing else check out all the links all over it--love this pic I found there too, need to found out just how to See Norway in a day! "Yah!"And so, I now have a back-up for when the Aftenposten News in English goes down sometime this month I've read & have not heard otherwise...

Fiskepinner for dinner?

Here following...are the simple instructions & contents of the label of just one item I've tried to cook for dinner while here in Norway--see how well you can identify any ingredients or how to cook it...


I thought the 185 C part meant I could "bake" it in the oven, like I've often done with my frozen selection back home (Yes, I know I'm not in Kansas anymore Dorothy--but I thought I could at least guess...)


It seems though (after a few dictionary/translation inquiries later) I was to fry them in oil--so I waited a really/Really long time past the 3 to 5 minutes & then some (after awhile I gave up & cranked the ole C oven up to like 450 degrees - if I converted correctly there too - for our entree to finally look eatable enough for dinner...)


Then there were the mashed potatoes in a package to cook next--
but don't ask...& I'm not telling...


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Fiskemannen Fiskepinner har lyst, fint fiskekjott og spro panering - en vinner blant barn. Forstekt i vegetablisk olje. Lott a tilberede og rask a servere.

Tilberedning: Fiskpinner tiliberedes 1 dypfryst tilstand.

I stekepanne: Varm opp olje eller smor og legg fiskepinnene i pannen. Stek ved middels sterk varme i ca 5-6 minutter til de har faat en gyldenbrun farge. Snu flere ganger.

I frityrgryte: Friter fiskepinnene ca 3-5 minutter ved 185 C. Vaer forsiktig med den varme oljen.


Serveringforslag: Fiskepinner kan serveres sammen med kokte poteter, pommes frites, pasta eller ris. Med gronnsaker og smeltet smor ved siden av far du en enkel og god middag.


Fiskepinner Ingredienser: hvitfiskfarse (65%) (Alaska Pollock, Hake, Hoki), kavring (35%) (hvetemel, vann, maisstivelse), salt, stabilisator (E410), gjaer, pepper, paprikaekstrakt og gurkemeie. Forstekt i solsikkeolje, Fanget i Sor-og Vest-Atlanteren.


Naeringsinnhold per 100 g:


Energi...720 kj (172 kcal) Protein...12 g Karbohydrat...14 g Fett... 7,5

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Photo below (compliments of Wikipedia) of an actual "Fiskepinner" -
did not take any photos of my dinner baking (not frying) attempt?!
Live & learn...

Just when I found the news in English--it's gone?!

Before the bad news, something cute--
Well, the mushrooms on the left are cute...
(not so much the one on the right?!)


Note: above Cartoon copied (I hope they don't mind?! Yikes!) from their webpage, not the "In English" one mind you - don't know what this all says in Norwegian, I just like the little mushroom drawings & if I can translate it (lots later) will let you know...when I click on one of the little mushrooms though it goes off to an ad page--so I'm thinking they're trying to sell newspapers somewhere along the line?! hmmm...

And now the bad news...for some of us...

Aftenposten to shut down English news service


...faced with a need to dramatically cut costs, has decided to shut down its 9 yr old English-language news service, "News in English."

Aftenposten announced last month that it needs to cut...costs over the next two years.

Advertising sales have declined in recent months, and Aftenposten editors determined that prospects for the commercial viability...were unfavourable.

An exact shut-down date for "News in English" remained unclear...but was expected at the end of October.

The editorial staff of Aftenposten's "News in English" wishes to thank their thousands of loyal readers around the world for their continued interest in news from Norway over the years.

Aftenposten English Web Desk...





Read the whole sad day in Norway (for us English speakers that is?!) article here at this link:
www.aftenposten.no/english/local/article2712652.ece

Or you can just go to www.aftenposten.no & check out the newspaper in Norwegian--be my guest, have a go--see what you can figure out for fun, it's a challenge?!

Note: I've resigned myself to trying to read the really local newspaper I get in my mailbox, from Tasta I think (that's the area I live in btw) - no luck on English in there either, must learn more Norwegian...found out I can read the pictures & figure out most of the sale ads for the grocery stores, so am doing good after what--a month, maybe?! Give me a break?! Thanks...

What I 'could' be doing for Oct & Nov...

STAVANGER RESOURCES
WHAT'S HAPPENING

Oct & Nov local events posted to date...


OCTOBER local events:



3rd Oct 20:00 - Fri night socials at The Irishman, 2nd floor
2nd Oct - BATS stage productions/pantomimes
(usually puts on amateur theater in January every year) Note: they're loads of fun, you get to participate usually at panto's & yell back at the actors on the stage?! In PLC they put on Cinderfella--you can guess...also I think I've heard from at least one Brit that there's some role reversal going on as well--this one for sure, he wore the gown & she the pantalones?!
?? Yoga/Pilates with Zigi Houston (Note: it's a name, nothing to do with Texas & by the way, there are lots of Yoga/Pilates classes going on in Stavanger)
14th Oct, 9:30 AM - Health care system Norway morning seminar
16th Oct 18 - 21:00 & 22nd Oct 18 - 21:00 & 28th Oct 18 - 21:00
Driving on Slippery surfaces roadtrack seminar
(course is held outside of town) Note: but am wondering more about driving on snowy sufaces or ones at an incline that you have to shift by holding onto the emergency brake at the same time?! now there's a scary feeling...
19th Oct, meet 11:00 - Utstein Monastery & Lighthouse
Note: missed it, but was interested - see more about it on earlier posting
21st Oct - Greenhouse Randaberg, locally grown herbs morning seminar
25th Oct - Ceilidh@Bethe Lokkeveien 59 6 - 9:00 PM
(music by the Jurassic Ceilidh band, calling by Christine Kemp)
Note: I've read this is basically a square dance & you pronounce it
as a "Cay lee" - so much for my Scottish Celtic roots?!
28th Oct 9:30 - Tine, largest dairy producer, morning seminar
Note: I've just recently found out the word for cream "flote" & there's one for "kaffe" so I was all set?! Then there's the word for milk & butter & so on & on this viscious language circle goes...
31st Oct 20:00 - Halloween party
Note: will be curious who comes to the door, do the dress up really out on the streets at the clubs & will I hear Trick-or-Treat or something else at the door...


31st Oct/1st Nov - First Friday & Saturday in November -
PWC Arts & Crafts Show
(It's a HUGE deal--see their webpage: http://www.pwc-stavanger.no/ )

Note: what was I thinking, have signed up to bake a cake (hear, thankfully, I can buy one) & help serve at the coffee/cake booth--one must have a break from shopping right?! I think so...
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NOVEMBER local events:


1st Nov - Bonfire night (British Int'l School) at Vaulen Beach (Brit celebration of - Guy Fawkes Night? - commemoration of the downfall of the famous Gunpowder Plot, an attempt to blow-up the Houses of Parlaiment & they've burned Guy Fawkes stand-in's every since I've been told by at least one Brit...
or it's an excuse to have a bonfire and shoot off some fireworks to boot at the beach--YeeHah!)
4th Nov 19:00, Evening Seminar - Education in Stavanger & Sandnes (3 speakers - maybe I could go back for more classes, why not, just if they're in English or not is my question? hmmm...)
7th Nov 20:00 - Fri night social, The Irishman, 2nd floor
Note: I think the Google group & the Yahoo group get together here too - as in the Living in Stavanger & the Expats in Stavanger...I'm not a pub person, but did think I could meet up with at least one person in the group eh?! Hah!
20th Nov 19:00 - evening, invitation to winter sports Norway
(ski trails, traditional winter sports)
Note: there's places called 'hytte' or houses/ cabins/cottages in the mountains of Norway to rent or own--now that's what I want to find out about...me, by the fireside, looking out the window is more like it?!
25th Nov 9:30 - Visit to the library, presentation by Mgr of Stavanger Library
(Note: found bookshop basement full of English books, this month on sale, so may not 'have' to go visit the library--but who knows in the winter months...)


See Link for more info: www.stavanger-resources.no/stavanger-events.htm
Also See Link: www.stavanger-chamber.no
for "What's On" in Oct & Nov...
info & referrals of the same events on both links

Utstein Monastery

The Utstein Monastery

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is the only well-preserved medieval monastery in all of Norway, dating back to1265

located on the island of Mostersøy

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landscape around the monastery is protected by law making it a very popular destination to have a relaxed walking tour of the island (I just missed the one by Stavanger-Chamber.no)

Link for more pics & info about the Monastery:

www.utstein-kloster.no/index.cfm

Note: pics above borrowed from the webpage...

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And even though the webpage is in Norwegian you can still check out the 360 degree photo album (see the panorama views on the island, etc...) - you can access them by clicking on the "Trykk her"

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It will read as follows on the webpage, it's in the center of the page above the photo of the monastery...

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Se 360º-foto av kirken, refektoriet, biblioteket, klostergården, hagen, vinkjelleren, munkekjelleren, Garmann-stuene eller den fantastiske utsikten fra Kneberfjellet vest for klosteret. Trykk her

The red wonder--back in 1898

Interesting Stories that have been shared with us.


Translations by Sigmund Ronneberg
Norsk text by Harald Tønnesen, translated by Sigmund Rønneberg



In 1996 we celebrate the 100 year jubilee of the first car to arrive in Norway, a Benz Phantom that was used in the area of Gjøvik in the summer of 1896.


The second car to arrive in Norway, came in 1898. "This one also from the Benz factory in Germany. It was the first car in Stavanger, and the first car that rolled on the streets of the capitol.


In the "Stavanger Avis" (Stavanger's newspaper) of Oct. 6, 1898 you could read the following:


"One can now happen to see a motor vehicle in Stavanger. Factory owner Mr. T. Rønneberg has ordered one that is on its way from Germany to Stavanger. It runs on benzene, and can be managed and steered easier than any horse team...


This afternoon the wagon was taken on its first trip. It was excellent. The three of us jumped in and went for a ride in it, several times up and down Jernbaneveien (Railroad street), taking the turns with no effort whatsoever. It felt a little heavy going up the hill from Jernbaneveien to Ladegårdsveien (Ladegård road), but it made it easily passed the theater. With a little practice it should be easier to turn around than any horse. On a flat road, it takes off for real."


In the newspaper "Morgenbladet" of Nov. 15th, the following was written: "We have now, on several occasions, mentioned the motor vehicle imported by Mr. Rønneberg of Stavanger which is now seen in our city.""We met Rønneberg down at Festningsplassen (the plaza of the fort), and were immediately invited for a ride. The wagon achieved a frightening speed. One is tempted to believe there is witchcraft involved in steering and speed regulation, but it all proved to be quite simple."


The Stavanger writer, Theodor Dahl, also writes about "the red car" in his book "The town and its people". They went south to Jæren to visit and had a great new thing to show - a motorboat.



The red wonder stayed in Stavanger a couple of years, but then the engine was taken out and fitted in a boat, and the body was sold to a farmer.


See Link to read more about the Pioneers - all excerpts & the b/w photo above were borrowed from this link... although from that last line it looks like we won't be seeing any red wonder at any local museum here, they were very practical back in the day & probably still are I'm guessing...I love the line about the "frightening speed"--Ooo, faster than a horse full out right?!

www.ronneberg.org/Stories/pioneers.html

Snow?

Around 10 centimeters of snow fell at Ustaoset
Photo: Inger-Brit Vindegg

Where have I moved to?! I live in Southern Norway now--And I read it's the First Snow? Already? It's not even Halloween yet?! Good Grief?! Well, I knew those clouds looked liked snow yesterday--and here in Stavanger we just get rain (or so far?!)

Local Newspaper Article:


First snow of the season

It's still only autumn, but temperatures fell in the mountains of southern Norway during the night and a low pressure system moved in. That left vast areas white.

Snow dusted the high mountains around Hemsedal as well.
(Note: See this photo described on the Newspaper page, see link below...)

Thousands of Norwegians are in the mountains this week, with many schools closed for the annual autumn holiday. Most plan traditional hikes or hunting in the autumn foliage, but they woke up to winter-like conditions on Wednesday.

Around 10 centimeters fell at Ustaoset, near the Hardanger Plateau just west of Geilo. Surprised motorists had some challenges on the suddenly slippery highway between Geilo and Bergen.

Snowplows were pressed into early action to clear state highway 40 over Dagalifjellet.
Some snow also fell in the high mountains surrounding Hemsedal.

"We have had a few nights with frost and ice-scraping in the morning," said Hilde Hagen of the Hemsedal ski resort. She said temperatures were at the freezing point Wednesday morning, and that it was snowing in the valley.

Hemsedal is due to open for the winter skiing season on November 14, but if conditions allow, it will open earlier.

Strandafjellet and Gaustablikk also got some snow this week, with more due in the days to come.
Aftenposten English Web Desk Nina Berglund

Webpage link: www.aftenposten.no/english/local/article2686581.ece

Note: Borrowed article & photo from the Aftenposten, local newspaper, in English on-line

Golden Shears

Golden Shears World Championship 2008

in Norwegian: VM i Saueklypping

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29 countries (1 competitor from the USA even?)

held first time in non-English country

outside of Stavanger about 45 min's in Bjerkreim Wed - Sun

plus Concerts Fri & Sat

Fri bands - Åsmund Åmli band & Irsk Stuvning

Sat bands - Postgirobygget & support band Tomm and Tigerene

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About Bjerkreimsmarken

Bjerkreimsmarken is a company that is run by 15 different organisations, from sportsteams through to farmer's associations. It's objective is to organise a country fair each year that promotes the importance of agriculture. This country fair is called Bjerkreimsmarken and will be held in conjunction with the Golden Shears World Championship 2008.

Bjerkreimsmarken has been an annual event in the community of Bjerkreim, Norway, since 1986. It always takes place the first weekend of October when the sheep have been brought down from their "summer holidays" up in the mountains.

It has become an important event for everyone involved; both socially, culturally and economically.

The population of Bjerkreim is 2500 and during the weekend when the country fair takes place, more than 350 voluntaires are involved in various duties, from serving traditional food to ticketing and parking.

Each year, around 110 commercial exhibitors take part in the event.

Tractors, art, cars, workwear, toys - you name it, it is all for sale during the fair.

Activities during the event includes sheepshearing, woodcraft, go-carting, concerts, food and wine festival and much, much more.

It normally runs from Friday through till Sunday but because Bjerkreimsmarken is hosting the World Championship 2008 the Fair will be extended with one day and go from Thursday through till Sunday.

See Webpage: www.vm2008.no/newsread/news.asp?N=5109

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Note: Click on the UK flag up in the righthand corner for English

(unless you want to practice your Norwegian)

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And another Note - did also borrow the above text & photos from the above webpage...Do they know how to advertise or what?!

(I thought the Stiletto Heels Race poster was something else, now here's their Sheep Shearing poster?! Impressive--hmmm...)

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As well, today, an added feature on the webpage--mention of the World Champion Bar (& there's a World Champion Restaurant elsewhere,) but the bar is where?--in the Circus Tent?! Hah! Makes you want to be a sheep shearer eh?! Yeah right?! but I would watch, as long as no sheep were harmed in the process...

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Too bad I'm not driving yet, what with it being 45 min's out of town & I don't even know town yet or my neighborhood either - will have to just live out this event vicariously I think thru the internet or the TV news or the local newspaper that we can get in English too on the internet at least?! Check out: www.Aftenposten.no/English/ (I like that--in English! Yeah!)