Viking Fest Comes To Owl’s Head Park This Saturday

By on May 14, 2013  Events, Featured story
May 142013
 
Viking Ship courtesy of David Tan

Bay Ridge Vikings (Image courtesy of David Tan).

Peggy_Olson_WikiWhat two things do marauding Vikings and Madmen character Peggy Olson have in common? A Scandinavian background and Bay Ridge of course!

And with the recent success of the History Channel program Vikings, Scandinavian history has come into the foreground of American pop culture. What better time to learn about the notorious raiding Northmen than now?

In this world of global trade, it may prove important to learn from the fierce Danes, Norwegians, and Swedes who not only preyed on coastal European communities from the 700s to 1200s – but also navigated unknown waters to form new trade routes that would eventually spread goods and ideas throughout the world, and even traveled to North America hundreds of years before a certain Genoese explorer named Colombo.

This Saturday, May 18, at Owl’s Head Park, you’ll get a chance to learn more about both the fury and the logic of the Northmen with a replica Viking ship complete with a crew of re-enactors, historic arms and armor, exhibits by the Society for Creative Anachronism, and a multi-ethnic dance recital, in addition to the rides, games and food you’d expect at any outdoor festival.

Music will include pipers, step dancers, and Byzantium-styled compositions, as well as a guest band from Norway.

The event is sponsored by the Scandinavian East Coast Museum, which exists to tell the often overlooked story of New York’s Scandinavian immigrant community.

Co-sponors include Councilman Vincent Gentile, the Norwegian Consulate of New York,  the Brooklyn Arts Council, the 17th of May Committee, and the Bay Ridge Baptist Church.

See below for the full performance schedule: Continue reading »

Eater Scores Some Scandinavian Soul Food At The Danish Athletic Club

By on January 2, 2013  Food & Drink
Jan 022013
 

In honor of all you local history buffs who know why 8th Avenue is nicknamed Lapskaus Blvd, here’s a place where it may still be possible to enjoy a bowl of the avenue’s eponymous stew:

The ever-informative Eater staff writer Brooks of Sheffield recently paid a visit to the Danish Athletic Club [741 65th Street], one of Bay Ridge’s – and New York City’s – last remaining strongholds of Scandinavian comfort cooking.

Sheffield, who also publishes the blog Lost City, apparently liked what he saw, and ate, at the schmaltzy 65th Street supper club.

From Eater:

Those who venture inside the low-slung, nondescript building on 65th Street will find some of the best (only?) Scandinavian comfort food in New York. Fish pudding, meat cakes (called Kjottkaker), pot roast, sweet and sour cabbage, perfectly boiled potatoes, cream of cauliflower soup, rice pudding. And lingonberries with everything. A bountiful, and very filling, meal can be had for under $20. In fact, it’s impossible to spend more than $20, unless you order two dinners.

The restaurant, which shares the street with the Swedish Football Club, and is mere blocks away from the Norwegian Sporting Gjøa Club, maintains an edge by virtue of being the only one of these dwindling social clubs to run a working restaurant on the premises.

Sheffield writes that during his dinner one guest “insisting on a bit of formality,” asked for the check. “It’s what it is for everybody,” host and Norway native Reidun Thompson answered from her chair. “$17.40.” “What do you need a check for?” the guest’s friend asked in disbelief. “It’s not like we’re at Hinsch’s.”

Yelp reviewer Mary B. advises calling ahead, as the club often holds private events. The phone number is (718) 748-7844.

If you’re looking for a warm, friendly place with affordable comfort food where everyone knows your name, as well as the total on your bill, then you’ll probably wanna check it out.