Visiting Clarksdale, their U.S. sister city and the Sunflower River Blues and Gospel Festival, their sister blues festival over the weekend, Norwegian leaders and sponsors of the International Notodden Festival, enjoy a mini-concert by James Super Chikan Johnson and his unique handcrafted guitars on a front porch in the historic district. On his first trip to the America, Torgeur Slatta is encouraged by the master musician to try out one of the colorful instruments. The Notodden and Sunflower Festivals are celebrating their 30th anniversaries this summer. The Norwegian Festival takes place one week before the Sunflower’s celebration August 11-13. The two festivals have exchanged visits and musicians since they were officially related in 1996.

– Panny Mayfield, publicist for the Sunflower River Blues and Gospel Festival