MONROE — Despite the ice and threats of snow, the Monroe Sons of Norway Lodge and the Monroe High School AFS Club partnered to welcome about 200 guests to MHS Jan. 12 for a performance by the renowned Stoughton Norwegian Dancers. The talented dancers of about 20 people plus musicians made the trek to Monroe to perform traditional folk dances from Norwegian history. 

Dressed in bunads (brightly colored folk costumes) from the different regions of Norway, these dedicated and enthusiastic young people told a story with each dance — using precision, grace and athleticism to convey tales of courtship and teasing and bullying and playfulness and celebration as well as the beauty and patterns of the dances.  

The show ended with a simulated “wedding” which would have lasted five days. Dancing and competitions would have been a crucial part of the original festivities as the boys would have tried to do more and more extreme gymnastics to impress the girl of their choice.