At 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 13, the Luther College Center Stage Series presents Jaerv + The OK Factor. Jaerv is a world-renowned Swedish quintet, beloved for its vigorous and heartfelt folk music rooted in pop and jazz. With a combination of vivid storytelling, outstanding vocals and intricate dances, Jaerv creates a “captivating, personal, and innovative” performance experience. Jaerv is appearing at Luther College as part of a U.S. tour in collaboration with Minneapolis-based duo, The OK Factor, whose genre-bending performance style and composition are second to none.
“I’m excited about all of the shows in this season’s Center Stage Series, but I have a personal connection to these musicians which makes this extra special,” says Kristen Underwood, director of campus programming. “Jaerv was one of the last concerts I attended before everything shut down in 2020. Their magnetic stage presence and musicianship was unforgettable. And I’ve known Olivia and Karla of The OK Factor since they were students at Luther. I’ve been following their careers ever since and am so proud to bring them back for a home-town performance.”
Jaerv is based in Sweden but is widely known in the folk music world. They have released three full-length albums with tracks landing them recognition and awards from the Royal Academy of Music, the Swedish Arts Council and the American Swedish Foundation. Their music includes collaborations with Japanese Koto-master, Hiroe Morikawa, who was the composer for the 2022 Japanese drama, Mayonaka.
The OK Factor features Olivia Diercks and Karla Colahan – cellist and violinist. The duo finds great joy in defying expectations and delivering an experience outside of what audiences anticipate from a cello and violin combo. Their original compositions and arrangements feel both comfortingly familiar and uniquely fresh. They were awarded the honor of Artist Fellowship for Scandinavian Folk Arts through the American Scandinavian Foundation for their collaborative work with Jaerv.
The Swedish folk and original music performed by Jaerv + The OK Factor is a unique way for audience members to explore and immerse themselves in Scandinavian culture and heritage. This opportunity was enabled by sponsorship from Luther College’s Center for Nordic Studies.
Arrive early to enjoy the Sip and Shop in the Luther College Book Shop from 6-7:15 p.m. Present a ticket for Jaerv + The OK Factor and enjoy a complimentary glass of wine while you browse.
The highly creative and talented chefs on the Norse Culinary Team invite you to partake in the Center Stage Dinner Series before the show. The dinners feature a multi-course menu to complement each performance. A separate ticket is required. All meals begin at 5:30 p.m. in the Peace Dining Room on the second floor of Dahl Centennial Union.
Both dinner and show tickets are on sale through Luther’s Ticket Office and online at tickets.luther.edu, by emailing tickets@luther.edu, or by calling (563) 387-1357.
About Luther College
Luther College is home to about 1,800 undergraduates who explore big questions and take action to benefit people, communities, and society. Our academic programs, experiential approach to learning, and welcoming community inspire students to learn actively, live purposefully, and lead courageously for a lifetime of impact. Learn more at luther.edu.
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