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The United German Hungarian Cultural & Schuhplattler Dance Group
Schuhplattler Group Ehrentanz, Gaufest, Toledo, OH, 2009. Welcome !The United German Hungarian Cultural group performs ethnic folk dances from Germany, Austria, Hungary and the Heimat, including dances of the Danube Schwabians, or Donauschwaben. Both adults and children of all ages participate in these dances. The group performs at most Club events. The Group also performs at many other festivals, banquets, "Oktoberfests", and similar events throughout the year. In addition to traditional Austrian, Hungarian, and eastern European dances such as waltzes, czardas, polkas and other folk dances, the group is accomplished in The Schuhplattler, a traditional dance from the Bayern (Bavaria) region of Germany. Although most of the United German Hungarian Club's traditions are based on the roots of our founders, our Cultural group has always been interested in the dance forms of various areas of Germany and Austria. The Schuhplattler was first performed in the late 1960's. The great interest in the dance style eventually led to the official formation of the Schuhplattler group in 1976. Through our friendship with the Auerhahn Schuhplattler Verein of Oley, PA, Alpenveilchen of Silver Springs, MD., and the Germania Almrausch of Poughkeepsie, NY, we attended our first Gaufest in Denver in 1985. In April, 1988, we applied for membership into the Gauverband Nordamerika, Inc. This group strives to keep the Bavarian, Tirolean, and Austrian culture alive in their new homeland. Founded in 1966, this organization now has over 75 member Vereine (clubs) throughout the USA and Canada. The United German Hungarian Schuhplattler Group has hosted the Gauverband's 15th (1992) and 18th (1998) delegates meetings. In May 2003, the Club hosted the 19th Gaufest in Philadelphia. This is Gauverband's national convention, and was attended by approximately 2000 to 2500 Trachtler. It is held every 2 year in a different locale. Tracht (Dress)Tracht comes from the word "Tragen" meaning "to wear." Thus, Tracht means that which one wears. It means the garments that we wear to represent and preserve a particular time period in history and a particular community standing.
Looking at our Swabian History, the major feast of the year was called "Kirchweih," the church consecration days, and was held on a Sunday in autumn. This festival was celebrated in a similar manner throughout the Banat Region of the old Austro-Hungarian Empire. The young men wore special hats which had been created by the young women of the village, and all took part in a procession led by a selected young couple. The day included a special mass, a festival dinner, and dancing in the street. In the early days of the club, our girls usually wore modern type evening dresses and the boys wore suits. The boys always wore the decorated hats and all wore a piece of “Rosemary” on their breast. Later it was decided that the girls would wear the Banater Swabian Tracht that was worn on special holidays. It was not until the late 1960s that our boys began wearing the black, silver buttoned vest.
In addition to our traditional Banater Tracht, we also have our Schuhplattler Tracht. At one time, the Tracht, was an individuals choice of colors, fabrics, metals, etc. As the regional Tracht began to fade in the late 1800s in rural Bayern, Vereine (Clubs) formed for the specific purpose of preserving the Tracht and other parts of the heritage (song, dance, dialect). The Vereine have made the Tracht more uniform, i.e., all the m embers wear the same color ties, skirts. The Schuhplattler tracht worn by the Group is a Miesbacher-style tracht. Miesbach is a region in Bayern. This style is one of the most widely used in the Gauverband Nordamerika. The tracht was first officially worn at 18. Gaufest in July 2001. It was designed by several Group members with assistance from skilled artisans in Germany. Most of the elements were made by hand in Germany. The color scheme is a hunter green and pink. Men wear a hunter green vest with black piping, black Lederhosen, and grey socks to complement the style of the women. The black piping and stripes in the men's tracht signifies a link with the Club's past and the original tracht first worn by the Group. Dance Group News
Congratulations to the United German Hungarian Schuhplattler Group! The United German Hungarian Schuhplattler Group placed 5th out of 16 groups in the Gruppenpreisplattler at the 22nd Gaufest held in Toledo, Ohio, August 13-16. In the Einzelpreisplattler competition, Alex Blank and his partner Alissa Row from the Auerhahn Schuhplattler placed 10th out of 46 groups. Competing for the first time in the Einzelpreisplattler, Michael Fricker and his partner Nichole Deely placed 37th out of 46 groups. In addition, our club won the Meist Preis for the guest club having the most people at the Gaufest. Congratulations to All !!! Every 2 years, the various Gauverband Vereine gather for a four-day convention to celebrate the culture and traditions of Bavaria, Germany, and America. One event is the Preis Plattling competition, usually held on a Saturday morning. Dance groups from all over the United States and Canada eagerly look forward to this event, and practice for months beforehand. The competition itself is a special time for all members, both dancers and supporters. Each team picks one of three dances in a lottery held the evening before the competition. The order of competition also is determined by lottery the night before. In the morning, the dancers dress, have their pictures taken, and proceed in order to the competition room. No talking is allowed in the room once the dance team enters the floor. The dancers are judged on appearance, uniformity of tracht, timing and style. The United German Hungarian Schuhplattler's have attended every Gaufest since 1985. The Group's hard work has been rewarded with several medals.
Kindergruppe
Arranging a PerformanceArranging a performance is easy! We can provide from two to six or more couples to perform at your Oktoberfests, dance festivals, banquets, restaurant, club or organization. Please call: John Reiter, 215-343-4037 or email at jreiter5@verizon.net. Come Out and DancePractices are generally held on Tuesday evenings starting at 7:30-8:00
at the UGH Club. All are welcome. No prior knowledge of dancing is required;
just a desire to have fun, exercise, dance, meet friends, and participate in a
traditional family activity. For more information, contact
John Reiter, Vorplattler 215-343-4037 or email at
jreiter@verizon.net. |
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Dancing at Oktoberfest at the American German Club of the Palm Beaches, Florida. October 2001. | |
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Kindergruppe performing at United German Hungarian Club. September 2001 | |
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Traditional Tracht worn by members of the Kindergruppe. Kirchweihfest September 2001. | |
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Dancing with the Strauss, a symbol of good luck for the coming year. | |
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Schuhplattler Group perform their award dance. 18 Gaufest. The Nevelle NY. July 2001. | |
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Schuhplattler Group perform their award dance. 18 Gaufest. The Nevelle NY. July 2001. | |
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Schuhplattler group Gaufest Team pose with the Wanderpreis, awarded for 1st Place. 17 Gaufest. St. Paul, MN. 1999. | |
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Girls just wanna have fun. Kirchweih September 1999. | |
