Annbjørg Lien and Bruce Molsky of Waltz With MeVasenKicking off the Nordic Roots Festival this year will be favorites and good friends of The Cedar, Väsen, and a new project conceived by Annbjørg Lien, Waltz With Me.

Waltz With Me is an unusual string quartet project, informed by ancient traditions, but novel. Norwegian leader/composer Annbjørg Lien is a virtuoso of the Hardanger fiddle. Mats Edén (of Groupa) plays fiddle. Cellist and fiddler Tristan Clarridge also plays with Crooked Still, and Darol Anger's Republic of Strings. Bruce Molsky is a master of North American ‘ole-timey’ fiddle music.. and many other things besides. Here, he plays American and Scandinavian fiddles and guitar. Bruce also sings.

Väsen is a unique acoustic ensemble that transcends barriers and delight listeners with their music based in the rural Swedish tradition, delivered impeccably with a contemporary flavor. The group features three great Swedish musicians: Olov Johansson on the nyckelharpa (a keyed fiddle unique to Sweden), Mikael Marin on viola and Roger Tallroth on guitar. The trio's music has a telepathic intensity. More than one rock critic has proclaimed them "the best band in the world". Traditional music with a modern attitude. Tremendous individual musicians taking ensemble playing to new heights. Acoustic instruments with power and emotion. This is Väsen.

Individual concert tickets will go on sale noon Fri August 8, available from Cedar Ticketline (612-338-2674 ext 2), Cedar outlets, and online at Ticketweb.

Tickets are $22 advance or $25 day of show.

Festival Passes:
Nordic Roots Festival Passes (holders gain entry and preferred seating for all Festival concerts) are now on sale from the Cedar Ticketline (612-338-2674 ext 2) and Ticketweb at the price of $99.

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