Do Si Do: A Culture of Gathering

Written by Sarah Vogl and originally published in the Ely, MN Arts & Craft Journal, Issue One.

On a summer evening just outside of Ely, the sound of fiddles and the rhythm of stomping feet rise from a crowded barn. Children chase farm puppies, elders trade smiles as they twirl, and strangers link hands like longtime friends. Events like this - Ely Folk School’s barn dance at Ethel’s Acres - may be rooted in old-fashioned tradition, but they remain as alive and vital as ever. 

Why? For many, it comes down to connection. “To dance with people, you have to look them in the eye, you have to hold hands,” said Lucy Soderstrom. “There is power in this genuine and physical engagement with people of all ages and all levels of friendship. Whether it’s a stranger, an acquaintance, or a best friend, moving together builds trust.”

That sense of trust and belonging is part of a wider hunger. “We know that loneliness is one of the medical and mental health challenges of our times,” observed Lacey Squier. “People are realizing there’s no replacement for in-person social connections.”

Traditions like dancing or learning old-fashioned skills are more than nostalgic gestures - they are ways of keeping knowledge alive across generations. To learn a dance from someone older or to teach a younger dancer a step connects you across time. Place, too, place a major defining role. In Ely, gatherings happen against the backdrop of towering pines during long winters, brilliant autumn seasons, and fleeting summers. 

“Our surroundings keep us in tune with the rhythms of nature and the cycles of life,” Lacey said. Lucy added that programming at the Ely Folk School intentionally follows the seasons - from cozy winter markets to spring bonfires before fishing opening - always grounded in the life rhythms of the North woods.

The result is a culture of gathering that bridges differences and brings neighbors together. “Community events bridge gaps simply by introducing people to each other,” said Lacey. “After you’ve met someone, you start seeing them all over town.”

Lucy agreed: “It’s no longer true that the only place where you can meet people is in the bar.”

These are the moments when all these threads - connection, tradition, and place - come together to create something truly magical. Lucy, recalled the recent summer barn dance at Ethel’s Acres:

“The dust rising from everyone stomping their feet and whooping around. Stumbling out of the crowded barn and into the fresh summer night. Looking around and seeing children, elders, strangers, and friends all moving together. That’s Ely.”

At the heart of it all is something simple yet enduring: a commitment to show up for one another. As Lacey put it, “Being in community is both fun and strategically wise for the health and vitality of our region." Or as Lucy summed it up: “People want to show up for each other. That’s what keeps us strong.”