This Saturday: NYC Melodifestivalen Finale Party returns to Times Square!

It's that time of year again!

We started this journey five weeks ago, we lost some good songs along the way, but last night, Saturday, the lineup for the Sweden’s 2019 Melodifestivalen, the most watched national selection in the world, was finally completed, and 12 very happy artists are on their way to the Friends Arena in Stockholm.

One of them will have the honor of representing Sweden in Tel Aviv this coming May. And just to remind you, the last time Israel hosted the show, back in 1999, it was Sweden who won the contest!

As always, Swedes in New York is hosting the biggest MelFest party in North America at Tonic bar in Time Squares. The party takes place this coming Saturday, March 9th, doors open already at noon, so you can get there on time, grab a bite and a drink before the show even starts.  No cover at the door, and the show starts exactly at 2pm Eastern.

You can read more and register on the Facebook event page

Tonic Times Sq
727 7th Ave (between 48th and 49th St)
New York
UPSTAIRS (2nd floor)
Saturday, March 9th @ 2:00pm

So who’s your favorite?
Here’s a recap with the running order (courtesy of MYESC).

Uploaded by ESC Sebbe on 2019-03-02.

Conchita Wurst just reminded us how brave she is and how much we ❤️ Her!

Earlier today, Conchita Wurst, who won the 2014 Eurovision Song Contest,  took to Instagram and went public with her HIV status.

Conchita, the alter ego of Austrian artist Tom Neuwirt, shared with her followers that she has been HIV+ for many years, and decided to come out with this news following a threat by one of her ex boyfriends to out her.

In a very emotional statement the 2014 ESC winners writes: “Today is the day I am free from the Sword of Damocles for the rest of my life: I have been HIV positive for many years. This is actually irrelevant to the public, but an ex-boyfriend threatens to go public with this information, and I will not give anyone the right to frighten me and influence my life in the future. Since I received the diagnosis, I am in medical treatment, and for many years without interruption under the detection limit [undetectable], so not able to pass on the virus.” 

Conchita continues to say: “ Coming out is better than being outed by someone else. I hope to have the courage to fight stigmatization of people who have become infected by HIV, either through their own behaviour or through no fault of their own.

‘To my fans: the information about my HIV status may be news to you – my status is not! I’m well and I’m stronger, more motivated and liberated than ever. Thank you for your support!’‘ 

Conchita’s statement is a good reminder of how much we love her, and how brave she is. HIV, despite becoming a controlled and manageable chronic disease, is still stigmatized in our society. Find out how you can help break the stigma by clicking HERE and don’t forget to FOLLOW Conchita on IG and LIKE her post.

heute ist der tag gekommen, mich für den rest meines lebens von einem damoklesschwert zu befreien: ich bin seit vielen jahren hiv-positiv. das ist für die öffentlichkeit eigentlich irrelevant, aber ein ex-freund droht mir, mit dieser privaten information an die öffentlichkeit zu gehen, und ich gebe auch in zukunft niemandem das recht, mir angst zu machen und mein leben derart zu beeinflussen. seit ich die diagnose erhalten habe, bin ich in medizinischer behandlung, und seit vielen jahren unterbrechungsfrei unter der nachweisgrenze, damit also nicht in der lage, den virus weiter zu geben. ich wollte aus mehreren gründen bisher nicht damit an die öffentlichkeit gehen, nur zwei davon will ich hier nennen: der wichtigste war mir meine familie, die seit dem ersten tag bescheid weiss und mich bedingungslos unterstützt hat. ihnen hätte ich die aufmerksamkeit für den hiv-status ihres sohnes, enkels und bruders gerne erspart. genauso wissen meine freunde seit geraumer zeit bescheid und gehen in einer unbefangenheit damit um, die ich jeder und jedem betroffenen wünschen würde. zweitens ist es eine information, die meiner meinung nach hauptsächlich für diejenigen menschen von relevanz ist, mit denen sexueller kontakt infrage kommt. coming out ist besser als von dritten geoutet zu werden. ich hoffe, mut zu machen und einen weiteren schritt zu setzen gegen die stigmatisierung von menschen, die sich durch ihr eigenes verhalten oder aber unverschuldet mit hiv infiziert haben. an meine fans: die information über meinen hiv-status mag neu für euch sein – mein status ist es nicht! es geht mir gesundheitlich gut, und ich bin stärker, motivierter und befreiter denn je. danke für eure unterstützung!

A post shared by conchita (@conchitawurst) on Apr 15, 2018 at 12:01pm PDT

Times Square's Tonic hosts annual Melodifesitvalen party!

In what has become a NYC Eurovision tradition, Time Square's Tonic Bar hosted its annual Melodifestivalen viewing party!

More than 150 eager Eurovision fans, Swedes in NYC, and friends of, gathered on Saturday, 10 March, to watch together over some food, drinks and good company the final of the Swedish selection to Eurovision, aka, Melodifestivalen.

For many, Melodifestivalen is a mini Eurovision or the official kick off event for Eurovision season. 

After a close and nail biting votes for some, bookies favorite, Benjamin Ingrosso, ended up winning with Dance You Off. 

credit: Julio Moscoso