I will be participating in a new festival exploring Scandinavian immigration to Alaska from the 1890s to early 1910s. During this time Norwegian and Swedish immigrants came for the Gold Rush, settled into the southeastern region, and began fishing and logging companies. Just as winter settles on the island of Kodiak, Alaska, the light of music, art, dance and film will brighten the dark days as the community celebrates the Kodiak Scandinavian Culture and Film Fest, Nov. 6-12, 2017. The Kodiak Scandinavian Culture and Film Fest is sponsored by the Island Viking Lodge of Sons of Norway with help from the Kodiak Arts Council, the Kodiak Public Library, the Kodiak Island Borough School District and other agencies and organizations.