The Finnish American Folk Festival of Naselle is pleased to welcome, once again, our friends in music and dance . . .

Toby Hanson and the Smilin’ Scandinavians

The Smilin’ Scandinavians began in 1995 when Toby Hanson recruited classmates from the Cornish School of Arts in Seattle to play in a band. Their reputation has grown as they performed throughout the Northwest and further afield.

The Smilin’ Scandinavians play a mix including Scandinavian and Finnish folk music, country western, Dixieland, and Big Band music. They have appeared at many key festivals across Washington. They belong to that underground movement of people who love listening to and dancing the polka — from Czech to Norwegian, Texans to Naselle Finns. They have traveled from Washington State to Branson Missouri; from west Texas to Iron World in Chisholm, Minnesota; from Leavenworth to Puyallup to Odessa, Washington; to Canada and back, playing at the Seattle Center.

Toby has a great sense of humor, deflecting deadly competition and turning it into a fun contest with audiences and fellow band members. Toby and the Smilin’ Scandinavians have appeared at two dances in Naselle . . . and a lively school assembly under the sponsorship of our Finn-Am Jams. Dancers enjoy their easy going style and the variety of music presented.

When the Smilin’ Scandinavians performed at an accordion evening in Seattle’s Town Hall, Toby noticed that “it was especially nice to be included in a concert setting where we were recognized as performing artists, not just a band playing a dance. We’re very serious about what we do and try to always bring a high level of artistry to our performances. It’s very gratifying when people notice that.”

For more information on the band (and Toby’s blog, which included a reference to a wild night returning home from Naselle’s St. Urho’s Day dance) go to www.smilinscaniavians.com.

More music at the festival: finnam.naselle.net/2008/music/.