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TANZGRUPPEN
BERICHTEN
OCTOBER
2008
AKRON
TANZGRUPPEN
 
Forwarded From Akron
Donauschwaben, German
Family Society
Kindergruppe Updates
photos
to follow
The German Family Society's
“Kindergruppe” is a children's folkdance group presently consisting of
approximately 35 girls and boys ranging in ages from 3 to 7 years. The
“Kindergruppe” has weekly dance practices that are held inside the main
clubhouse on Wednesday evenings at 6:30pm, typically lasting for only one hour,
followed by a short social “fun-time”.
In the years past, the” Kindergruppe” has performed at
many of the German Family Society's events such as the “Old European
Festival”, the “Oktoberfest”, and at the German-American Day Celebration
(a more formal dance held inside the ballroom). We also entertained for the
club’s annual “Mother's Day” and “Christmas” programs, where the
children sing and recite poems often in the German language. The
“Kindergruppe” also enjoyed performing at locations other than the GFS, such
as at area nursing homes, numerous church sponsored events, and even for the
“Oktoberfest” at the Geauga Lake Amusement Park.
Having fun is always a priority with our “Kindergruppe”,
but we also hope to teach our youth about their heritage and culture. This is
accomplished not only through traditional song and dance but also with
occasional German language lessons taught during our practices. We do, however,
realize that the “Kindergruppe” members are very young, so we try not to
overwhelm them. Currently we are instructing them in translating items like
colors and numbers, and teaching them how to say “hello”, “good-bye”,
and most importantly “please” and “thank-you” in the German language.
Aside from dance practices, the “Kindergruppe” also sponsors many social
events with parties at Valentine's Day, a traditional egg hunt at Easter with a
special appearance of the “Easter-Bunny”, at Halloween we have a costume
party, and at Christmas there are gifts given by our own St. Nicholas (Santa
Claus).
The “Kindergruppe” accepts new members whose parents and
families appreciate and understand our objectives (a child does not have to be
of direct “German” decent). We realize that by instructing our children
about their culture and traditions, and by socializing in a wholesome
environment at a young age, we hope to instill good “family values” and an
appreciation for our heritage while providing the ground work for a future model
American citizen. For more information, feel free to contact our any of our
group leaders or GFS Board members, or better yet, just visit at one of the
“Kindergruppe” practices.
Jugendgruppe Updates
photos
to follow
The German Family Society’s Youth Group consists of
teenagers and young adults ranging from 13 to 25 years of age that are
interested in promoting their ethnic heritage by learning and performing
traditional folk dances and songs. Meetings are typically held on Sunday
evenings, and include time for socializing amongst friends as well as rehearsing
for future performances presented at our clubhouse and at numerous other events
throughout the United States, Canada and Europe.
Some of our most beloved performances include “A Night
in Vienna” (an annual dance held every January in our ballroom) with an
elegant show of Strauss waltzes and Mozart minuets. We also perform at many
other events such as at our own “Old European Days” festival, the
“Kirchweihfest” (a traditional festival celebrated for over hundreds of
years together with churches in many small towns of Europe inhabited by
Danubeswabians – Folk Germans), and of-course at the famous “Oktoberfests”.
Each Labor Day weekend our youth group also travels to
various cities throughout the U.S.A. and Canada for the National Danubeswabian
“Trachtenfest” and “Tag der Donauschwaben” where youth groups from
across the country have an opportunity to meet, make friends, and take pride in
their German heritage by dancing for the festival. (Check out links to related
German youth groups). Additionally, on every third year, the National
Danubeswabian Organization sponsors a first-class and very elite folk-dance
competition named after Dr. Awender, one of our founding fathers. Proudly,
our own Akron GFS youth were the first dancers in over 25 years of very
difficult competitions to win the coveted first place prize twice in a row,
while also receiving the first “Cristine Burmeister - Most Congenial Group”
award that very same year.
The authentic costumes such as the
“Dirndls” and “Lederhosen” worn during many of our shows come directly
from Europe and are very costly (as is traveling around the country and to
Europe), so we often have fundraisers to help defray some of our expenses.
Making and selling traditional homemade German sausage is by far our most
successful fundraiser, and is another way that our young people have fun
together while experiencing another piece of their culture and heritage.
The Youth Group typically makes sausage twice a year. (Link to Sausage
Information) Aside from rehearsing for performances, the GFS Youth Group also
sponsors other social events such as camping trips, holiday parties, and field
trips in order to promote friendships and family values. These have always been
great ways to meet new people and make friends that last a lifetime! If you are
interested in joining the Youth Group, feel free to contact our club leaders at
any one of our events or by sending an inquiry through this website:
http://www.germanfamilysociety.com/
Kulturgruppe
Updates
photos
to follow
The Junior Youth Group is a
dance and cultural group for children between 8 to 13 years of age. The
group’s primary objective is to educate our children on, and promote an
appreciation for, the cultural heritage of our Germanic and Danubeswabian
(folk-German) ancestors. Formerly known as the Middle Group, it was initially
founded in the 1980’s by the prompting of Mrs. Maria Rickert (our Ladies
Auxiliary Honorary President), and under the energetic and knowledgeable
leadership of Mrs. Barbara Tonhaeuser, the original Middle Group Dancers grew to
become one of the most entertaining and successful young performing groups at
the GFS.
Today, our primary activity is still dancing! However, we
also occasionally sing traditional ethnic folk songs and provide German lessons
that are taught by professional instructors. At the weekly meetings our
members learn about their heritage and culture, and practice lively German and
Austrian folkdances based on waltz and polka music, while also getting a healthy
dose of exercise, building self-confidence and developing a sense of rhythm and
balance. Of-course, this is all done while having fun and making many new
friends. The Jr. Youth Group primarily dances at GFS club functions throughout
the year, including the annual “Old European Days Festival (typically held on
the last weekend in June), the “Oktoberfest (held on the weekend after Labor
Day), and at the German-American Day commemoration dance. We also perform at
other GFS events such as at the Mother’s Day and “Weihnacht” (Christmas)
programs. We have also been invited to entertain at nursing homes, and at
various other festivals including local area “Oktoberfests”. The Jr.
Youth Group also plans several parties and outings each year just for fun which
have included trips to Fun N Stuff, Geauga Lake Amusement Park and bowling at
Kent lanes.
The Jr. Youth Group typically meets on Sunday evenings from 5 to 6pm at the
German Family Society, and anyone with an interest in joining is welcome to
visit during that time, or for more information you can contact the present
group leaders, Carolyn Langenfeld and Carri Sensius.
CARPATHIA
TANZGRUPPEN
Forwarded From Carpathia Donauschwaben
Kindergruppe Updates
The
Kindergruppe are busy preparing for their busy fall schedule. The kids will be
performing at Deutscher Tag at the Austrian Park on August 10th. A couple of
weeks later, the group will be in Cleveland for the Landestrachtenfest.
Following the Landestrachtenfest, the group will be performing a special dance
at Mexican Abend. At the end of September, the kids will be dancing at the
Rochester Mills Brewery Oktoberfest.
Chris
Pesta
Kulturgruppe Updates
Hello
from Carpathia’s newest Untergruppe, the Kulturgruppe
We
are currently 27 members strong, and are always looking for new people to help
the group grow.
We hope to see all of you at these up coming events, and if
you’re passionate about both your culture and dancing, feel free to join us at
our practices at the Carpathia Club on Sundays, or email us at: donaudancers@sbcglobal.net
for more
information.
Reprinted
with Permission
Carpathia
Club
38000
Utica Road
Sterling
Heights, Michigan
CHICAGO AID SOCIETY TANZGRUPPEN
Forwarded From Chicago Aid Society Donauschwaben
Kindergruppe Updates
The Kindergruppe (Children's Group) of
the American Aid Society was formed in 1968. Our children range from
preschool to 8th grade. Knowledge of German is not required.
Children do learn some German vocabulary through our activities. The
Kindergruppe performs German folk dances at various events throughout the year.
They also sing German songs and perform skits and poems in German at our
Mother's day and Christmas programs. We are very proud of our kids - they
do a great job.
The Kindergruppe usually meets twice a
month on Friday nights at 7:30 at our clubhouse in Chicago. If you are
interested in joining, please contact Angela Balcerak (630)329-2877, Linda Byrom
(773)774-6478, or Erika Cwan (773)774-3952.
Our Kindergruppe is currently selling
cookbooks, titled "Was Gibt's zum Essen?" with a mixture of German and
American recipes. Cookbooks sell for $12 each. For more information,
please contact Christine Slabinger at 847-692- 2416.
Jugendgruppe Updates
Our Youth group was established in 1953
to carry on our great tradition and customs. The Jugendgruppe ranges in
age from High school to their early twenties. They do a variety of skits,
sing traditional German folk songs and perform various ethnic folkdances.
They perform throughout the Chicago land area and travel to many other city's
within the United States. They have also performed in other countries as
well.
Every three years they compete in the national folkdance
competition for prestige and honor. They are a great, talented and
enthusiastic group that makes us very proud of our German heritage.
The Jugendgruppe gathers every Friday at our Chicago location
to socialize and practice for upcoming events. Come join Ron, Renee and
the gang. Interested parties are always welcome at The American Aid Society.
CHICAGO DONAUSCHWABEN TANZGRUPPEN
Forwarded From Chicago Donauschwaben
Kindergruppe
Updates
Our children’s folk dance group is for children 3 to 13 years of age who are
interested in folkdance, songs and German culture. The group meets twice a month
on Friday evenings from 7 to 8:30 pm. The group performs at fundraising events
and also at various community events in the area. We also offer fun social
events for the entire family, such as bowling, swimming and roller skating
parties.
The children are also involved in community service, by visiting area nursing
homes and supporting the Des Plaines Self Help Closet and Food Pantry. An annual
toy collection is organized for the needs of the community.
CINCINNATI DONAUSCHWABEN
TANZGRUPPEN
Forwarded From Cincinnati Donauschwaben
Kindergruppe Updates
The children are between 7 and 13 years old. They meet Mondays at the
Donauschwaben Haus to practice dances, as well as poems and songs. The
Children's Group is an important part of our club, not only because of its
beautiful performances, but also because it supplies the Youth Group with
members and, in so doing, insures the future of our club.
Kleine Kindergruppe Updates
The Little Children's Group was brought into being in 1996 in order to teach our
smaller children the customs and way of life of our forefathers. Linda Igel and
Erin Sucher took over the leadership of this new group. In 1998, Mrs. Barbara
Waldeck came on board as a leader of the group. At this time, the Little
Children's Group consists of 35 members. The members of this group are between 4
and 7 years old and meet every Monday in the clubhouse to practice German folk
dances and songs. Wherever our children perform, the crowd is always
enthusiastic and the praise for their performances has no end.
Jugendgruppe Updates
At this time, our youth group consists of more than 30 members. The goal of the
Youth Group is to maintain the customs and way of life of the old country
through songs, folk dances, and performances of plays. The biggest events of the
year for the youth are the Kirchweih and the Strauss Ball. In the future, it
will be the job of the club to preserve and promote the youth, for the youth is
the cornerstone of the club's future existence.
CLEVELAND DONAUSCHWABEN
TANZGRUPPEN
Forwarded From Cleveland Donauschwaben
Kindergruppe Updates
Our goal is to make this a fun experience for your
children, to learn the Donauschwaben folk dances and little about our German
Heritage. We would like to teach the children folk dances, songs, and poems that
our parents, grandparents, and great-grandparents danced, sang and recited when
they were little.
History of the
Kindergruppe:
The children’s dance group, the Kindergruppe, was started in 1971, by a
committee that saw that there was an interest among younger children to dance.
The Kindergruppe originally was formed for children between the ages of 7 —
12. Interest has not diminished and today the kids are interested at an even
younger age. They perform many times throughout the year.
The Kindergruppe is a self-supporting
group. That means we have fund-raisers throughout the year. Some of the
fundraisers include our Mother’s Day Luncheon and Program, Sommer Oktoberfest
activities, and our Santa Brunch. We also perform at all the Donauschwaben
functions. Other performances throughout the year may be at various locations
(nursing homes, IX Center, church festivals). We also keep things fun for the
kids, with parties and travels and fun summer things.
Contact Information:
Phone: Anneliese Julian 216-476-9723 after 5pm
Jugendgruppe Updates
In 1997, the role of leadership passed to
Elisabeth Filippi with Anneliese Julian. Margot Maurer took on the
responsibilities of dance instructor and moved into the leadership role in 1998.
Under the direction of Anneliese and Margot, the group traveled to Los Angeles
for the first time in 1999, to take second place in the Jakob Awender Wander
Kulturpreis competition. In 2002, the group traveled to Milwaukee for the same
competition, and won first place in the Jakob Awender Wander Kulturpreis for the
third time. The Jugendgruppe will hold this title until the summer of 2005.
Furthermore, the Jugendgruppe will travel to Germany, Austria, and Hungary in
the summer of 2004 to perform a program featuring the music, songs, poems of our
heritage.
Leiterin
/ Group Leader
Margot Maurer
Kulturgruppe Updates
To promote and carry on the heritage and
traditions of our Danube Swabian forefathers through dancing, music, plays,
literature and other various cultural events.
Founded in 1981
LOS ANGELES TANZGRUPPEN
Forwarded From LA Donauschwaben
Kindergruppe Updates
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Age
Range:
Boys
and girls ages 4 through 9 |
Group Leaders:
Annette
Goldbach & Tina Gabriel |
Jugendgruppe Updates
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The
dancers of the "Youth" dance group are between the ages of 14 and 25.
Group Background
Group
Leaders - Elisabeth Burmeister and Ray Friedrich.
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ST. LOUIS
TANZGRUPPEN
Forwarded From German Cultural Society St.
Louis
Kindergruppe
Updates
Mittlere
Tanzgruppe Updates
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Intermediate
Dance Group of the German Cultural Society
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Our group consists of boys and girls ages 10 through 14
interested in folk-dancing. It is
a relaxed, yet serious atmosphere as you learn dances from the different regions
of Europe. We would love to have you come down and see how much fun it really is
to dance, and become part of our group. The
group is led by Ruth Vanderpluym.
Jugendgruppe Updates
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Youth
Group of the German Cultural Society
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This group is for anyone interested in folk-dancing. It is a relaxed, yet
serious atmosphere as you learn dances from the different regions of Europe. We
would love to have you come down and see how much fun it really is to dance, and
become part of our group.
Dance
Instructor: John Unterreiner
Coordinators: Terry & Rosemarie Ficken - 314-487-3969
Practice:
Thursdays at 7:00 p.m.
PHILADELPHIA
TANZGRUPPEN
Forwarded From Philadelphia Donauschwaben
Kindergruppe
Updates
Children from toddlers to 12 years of age are taught traditional folk dances,
songs, and poems. The children then get a chance to perform at various club
events, including Mother's Day Dinner, to an audience of proud parents and
grandparents. Each year during the Christmas season, the children have a festive
party, with a show that includes both traditional German and American music,
poems and skits. For more information, please call Connie Sommers at (215)
671-9778.
Jugendgruppe Updates
In the Jugend (Youth) group, traditional songs and dances are taught to members,
who are primarily second and third generation descendants. The Jugend, from 13
years of age to 25, participate in many cultural activities in the Philadelphia
area, including the Steuben Day German American Parade and the Sommerfest at
Penn's Landing. They have also danced at festivals in the Pocono Mountains and
at the Taj Mahal in Atlantic City. For
more information, please call Fred Gauss at (215) 722-4253.
KITCHENER
TANZGRUPPEN
Forwarded From Kitchener Donauschwaben
Kulturgruppe
Updates
Our Repertoire
The Schwaben Dancers currently have a repertoire of about 20 dances, with new
ones constantly being learned. We are famous for our aerial maneuvers,
which are featured in several of our dances, and for the fast pace and quick
beat to which most of our dances are set.
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