Louisiana Girl in a Norwegian World: Kongsberg Jazzfestival

The Kongsberg Jazzfestival took place July 2nd-5th, and it was a busy fun-filled 4 days. I did volunteer during some of the days with the bargruppa (Bar group). We were set up in the middle of the Kirketorget, which is where the large concerts occurred at night and where they had a smaller stage set up for performances during the day. The day shift was perfect for me, as Kevin and I ended up getting to go to three of the four big concerts at night. This was amazing. I was able to practice a little Norwegian, but to be honest I was mostly getting the drinks and pouring the beers...and had a wonderful time. I got to meet people and there were a lot of perks to volunteering! It was worth it :) I was able to go to concerts for free and scored some tickets for my Husband. We were set up under a "Tentipi" hah. It was basically a giant tent but totally looked like a giant teepee. Throughout most of Downtown Kongsberg their were many vendors selling items/food and places to sit and enjoy outdoor concerts. There was also a special place set up where various artists played music for 50 hours straight--in honor of it being the 50 year anniversary of Jazzfest in Kongsberg. It was by far the busiest I have ever seen Kongsberg. Our apartment is in the downtown area so we were in the midst of all of it. We had good weather, but it did rain a couple times (but never during any of the big events.) Mostly in the 70's and a little cooler at night.

Before it all started! -Kirketorget

Where we were set up

Bar Area

Smaller Stage set up near the "teepee"

Working station

Kevin came to visit me and snapped some pics :)

The building that was built near the bridge for the "50 hours of Music"

The Inside set up and Artist playing :)

Just a sneak peak of own street- The Kino (theater) is in the background

Wednesday Night I was exhausted from working and Kevin had a long day at work, so we stayed in that night. It was actually smarter than we thought to stay in that night, because it was honestly non-stop the rest of the weekend. On Thursday, we planned to walk around the Festival once Kevin got home and just catch some of the free concerts going on around downtown. However, Kevin ended up getting a text from his boss that they had extra tickets for the Main Concert that night. It was Sivert Høyem and Kent. Sivert had a really great voice and we really enjoyed him. He is a famous Norwegian singer, and he kind of reminded me of the band Daughtry. Kent is a very famous Swedish rock band, they have been around for many years. They were very entertaining, however I never knew what they were saying---not only was it not English or Norwegian...but Swedish. We spent most of the night with people from Kevin's work, and I got to meet his boss here in Norway. We ended up going out to a place called Privat's after, which is a popular bar here in Kongsberg. Let's just say it was a long night. :)

Near the front for Sivert Hoyem

Sivert Hoyem

Sivert Høyem Video

Kent

Kent performance video

This is a small video of the outside part of Privat's Bar

Friday- I worked again on Friday, and was actually able to get off an hour early. This allowed me to meet Kevin for dinner with his work. We were pressed for time, due to having tickets to the concert that night. They were hosting a dinner for some of the visiting customers at the Kongsberg office that week. It was just for his department and customers. The dinner was at a nice place called Skrågata. Kevin and I had been wanting to go there, because it looked so cute on the outside and we had heard good things about it. I was so happy I was able to make it. I ran home, changed, and got over there as soon as I could-about a 5 min brisk walk away (Another reason we love the location of our apartment). It was so nice to meet some of the people that Kevin has been talking about from work. We were able to enjoy a wonderful meal as well (we rarely eat out so we were happy). We both agreed it was the best meal we have had in Kongsberg thus far. It also helped that the wine was continuously poured into our glasses up until the moment we had to leave for the concert. We both enjoyed Reindeer Carpaccio with Rocket Salad for our appetizer and a Fillet of Norwegian beef with pepper sauce, potatoes, and veggies. That night the concert was Bernhoft and Jamie Cullum. Kevin and I were beyond excited for this concert. We had looked up both of these artists months before and fell in love with them. We had been listening to them on Spotify a lot. Bernhoft is a Norwegian artist (sings in English) that is his own full band. He is amazing. He will record himself during the performance--so there are voice and music overs the entire time to create the songs. It is so cool to watch. He is really really talented. I suggest that everyone check him out. Bernhoft's music I feel is similar to a Gavin DeGraw sound (so of course I love). Jamie Cullum was another artist, who is from England. We loooooved him too. His voice kind of has a Michael Buble sound to him and he also knows how to rock it out. It was highly entertaining. Both are worth checking out.

Skragata mat og vinhus

Reindeer Carpaccio with Rocket Salad

Norwegian Beef fillet served in pepper sauce with potatoes and vegetable

Bernhoft :)

Bernhoft videos below:

One of our Favorite Songs-"C'mon Talk"

"Stay With Me"----Love this song

Jamie Cullum :)

Jamie Cullum Videos Below--he did do a few covers of some other peoples songs. He played the piano amazing, along with some other instruments.

Singing a little JT

Saturday-- This was a beautiful day--we enjoyed the day walking around the festival and catching some free concerts. They actually did had a band called the "Swinging New Orleans Dixieband"--so we enjoyed "When the Saints go Marching In" and some good instruments. Then we got in line early to prepare for Stevie Wonder. We were just beyond excited. We ended up getting pretty close to the front of the line, and we were able to get in the front for the concert. Mind you I think there were over 10,000 tickets sold. This may seem "cliche," but it was one of the best concerts I've ever been to. He was so talented, humble, funny, and beyond wonderful. He had me awe-struck most of the time. The guy standing next to me, actually admitted to crying during it. He was so gracious and I just fell more in love with him. The cool thing about the concerts we went to is that it seemed that those attending the concert (I'm assuming a majority are Norwegians) left just enough space between you and themselves and whoever else was around them. There was tons of people but it never felt "crowded" like when you go to concerts where it is all standing and you feel you can't breath--like you are just packed like sardines in a designated space. Here, you could always find your way to the front, and you always had breathing room. Even when we were at the front for the Stevie Wonder Concert--we had plenty of room. His opening act was a Norwegian named Knut Anders Sørum, who I actually met earlier in the week when I showed him where the bathroom was while I was working. ha. I had no idea. He sang in Norwegian, and did an awesome version of the John Legend song "Stay With Me". It was all around a great day! We hung out with friends afterwards, and had a good time :) We would see Stevie Wonder again if we ever have another chance in this lifetime.