Aalto is lord of Scandinavian dance

Published 8:00 pm Wednesday, September 6, 2006

POULSBO — Fred Aalto has stepped to the tunes of polkas, waltzes and jigs for most of his life, but he didn’t dance his way into the Poulsbo Sons of Norway lodge until five years ago.

“I’ve been dancing all of my life, but I’ve been teaching at the Sons for about five years,” Aalto said.

Even though he is of Finnish descent, Aalto said he has a love for all types of dance from Scandinavian countries.

“I’ve been in many Scandinavian dance groups. I used to teach dance in the (Washington) D.C. area,” he said.

Everyone is from somewhere, Aalto said, and Scandinavian dance helps reconnect people to their heritage and their past.

“I encourage anyone from any background to come join us. Anyone interested can learn,” he said.

The choreography isn’t as complicated as it may appear, and even the most novice dancers can quickly pick up a step or two, he said.

“I encourage people to come try a different slice of culture,” Aalto said.

Former Sons adult dance instructor Stan Overby had nothing but praise for the job Aalto has done teaching in past years.

“He’s just outstanding. He’s been doing this all of his life,” Overby said, adding that Aalto brings a variety of experiences and a world of knowledge into play as an instructor, he said.

“He’s of Finnish descent, and he speaks Finnish and Norwegian, and he’s lived in Norway and Sweden,” Overby said of Aalto’s journey to the Sons lodge.

Aalto is reminiscent of Overby’s own dancing mentor, Gordon Tracy, who taught him how to dance in Seattle, Overby said. “He’s a real pro.”

Unlike other forms of dance, students don’t need partners to learn Scandinavian dance, he said.

Plus for a $2 donation, anyone interested in trying a single lesson can drop in and give it a try, he added.

“If you can walk, you can dance,” Overby said. “It’s just that simple.”

Sons cultural director Grace Overby said Aalto’s cultural knowledge is just as important as his dancing prowress.

“He has such a wonderful knowledge of culture and is such an excellent teacher,” Grace Overby said of Aalto. “We’re lucky to have him.”

Dance lessons at the Poulsbo Sons of Norway lodge begin Sept. 11. For more information, contact the lodge at (360) 779-5209.