Vesterheim Announces Free May 19 Performance by Folk Duo

Our newsroom runs on more than coffee and craft beer — it runs on you. Support Decorah News' local reporting today. DECORAH — Vesterheim Norwegian-American Museum will present musicians Kristian Bugge and WB Reid in concert May 19 at 7 p.m. in Hanson Vesterheim Commons. "This transatlantic fiddle and guitar duo will give an unforgettable live experience with amazing music, plus humor and stories from these musicians' many years on the road!" Andrew Ellingsen, Vesterheim director of folk art education, said. The free program will focus on tunes from the Danish fiddle repertoire, along with songs in Danish and English. The concert will feature polkas, jigs, waltzes, reels and hopsas, as well as "Sønderhoning" dance tunes from the Danish island of Fanø. The Vesterheim Museum Store will be open from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. the day of the event. Despite growing up on opposite sides of the Atlantic Ocean, Reid and Bugge had followed each other's music for years through jam sessions and festivals around the Pacific Northwest. The pair first performed together in fall 2025 and later decided to tour together. Bugge specializes in Danish folk music traditions and performs throughout Scandinavia, Europe and North America as both a musician and teacher. He received the Danish Folk Artist of the Year award at the Danish Music Awards Folk Festival in 2012 and 2016. In 2014, he was among the first 12 musicians to receive the honorary title "Danmarks Rigsspillemænd," or National Danish Folk Musicians. Reid is a community musician based in Seattle who performs acoustic roots music for dances, concerts, festivals and other events throughout the United States and Europe. He has taught for 30 years at Lark Camp in California and has also taught at the Festival of American Fiddle Tunes in Port Townsend, Washington. Reid performs on guitar, fiddle, banjo and mandolin and is known as an accompanist for a variety of fiddle styles. The concert also will be livestreamed online. Registration information is available at Vesterheim Programs. Discover what's happening near you! The free DecorahNews.com newsletter brings updates, inspiring stories, and practical tips right to your inbox.