A Swedish musician who has won her country's high accolade as a fiddler will perform June 29 at Brainerd's Performance in the Park series.
Cajsa Ekstav, whose music is rooted in 19th century Swedish traditional folk songs, will appear on stage at 7 p.m. in Gregory Park.
She plays the fiddle, as well as nyckelharpa (a string instrument), and was named "Riksspelman," or "fiddler of the nation," in 1990 by her country's music lovers.
It's the highest award that can be bestowed on a Swedish fiddler.
A touring musician, Ekstav is a popular attraction in her homeland -- she has played for Sweden's royal couple -- but has performed at venues throughout Europe and elsewhere.
Her Brainerd concert marks the musician's return to the area, where she performed in 1992 with her trio, Vendelkrakorna.
Now in her fourth trip to the United States, Ekstav will perform in Minneapolis, as well as in Brainerd, then will head for a concert date in West Virginia.
Born in an area of Sweden noted for its folk music tradition, Ekstav said she carries on the music of the region's foremost musicians, including legendary nyckelharpa player Eric Sahlstrom.
This tradition, she said, is rooted in the music of the 1800s, and has survived all the trends and influences of more modern music.
Ekstav's home province is considered a center of nyckelharpa activity and construction.
The Performance in the Park series will continue today with Fyder and Everhart and July 13 with storyteller-musician Charlie Roth.
