May 2000 - Nr. 5
Dick reports...
Manöverball
in Kitchener
This time for the young, and very young carnival
enthusiasts. It is always with a sense of awe and wonder that I watch these
young performers – on and off the stage. Their dedication to the cause is
admirable, since they are very young. That is why they are grouped into
"Kinder" and "Juniors", starting at about 6 years of
age.
Considering
the fact that it is a competition and that the stress levels are high, they
always manage to come through with flying colours. And speaking of colours,
their costumes – especially for the show dances - are nothing short of
miraculous and colourful.
Of
course so are the uniforms. But that is a Para-military thing and the
uniforms all look, well, uniform.
Since it is a competition there have to be judges, of
course. What do the judges look for? The way the group starts; do they look
pleasant, happy to be there? They judge the skill of the performance and how
they perform in relationship to the music. Are they in step, how do they
move, do they kick high enough, is there enough of variety in the individual
group’s performance? They also judge the choreography - which reflects on
the dance teacher, of course – the pointing of toes and a snappy
performance, especially in the guard dances.
Let’s not loose sight of the fact that this all started as
a sort of military exercise a long time ago. That means precision,
precision, precision – and discipline as well.
But watching these youngsters you can sense that they have a
ball. The fact that there are so many of them with the same aspirations, the
same hope of winning and the same sense of belonging, all congregated in one
place, is priceless and an experience not easily forgotten. It is an
experience – almost spiritual – that they can also carry over into their
adult life – not that they are thinking about that yet, but the seeds are
planted here and now, seeds that might make it a little easier to cope later
in life.
And the winners are:
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Originality: Kinder – Narragonia, Brantford. Juniors – Blau-Weiss Sarnia.
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Show Dance: Kinder – Narragonia, Brantford. Juniors – (shared) Blau-Weiss Sarnia and Narragonia Brantford, followed by Blau-Weiss Sarnia and Narrenzunft, Kitchener in the Kinder category, and Loreley, Oshawa, second and Narrenzunft Kitchener in third place.
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The Tanzmariechen (Funky) Solo: Kinder – Narrenzunft, followed by Sarnia and the Treuer Husar, Mississauga.
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In the Junior category: Narragonia, Narrenzunft & Sarnia.
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Guard Dance: Kinder – Narragonia, followed by Narrenzunft and Sarnia. Juniors – Narragonia, Narrenzunft, Sarnia.
Congratulations
to the girls and to the teachers. Keep up the good work!
So,
now carnival is really over and we have to suffer through the summer again.
I close with a sad Alaaf & Helau.
Well, life is not a bed of roses and even those have thorns.
"Night in Vienna"
On
a more positive note: The "Night in Vienna" at the Germania Club
in Hamilton. The night’s sensation: Ute Perl functioned as an accomplished
M.C. The highlights: Viennese Dances by the Mohawk Ballroom Dancers. They
tried to interest a few couples to join them to learn how the Vienna Waltz
was originality danced but did not find many participants. I guess no one
wanted to make a fool of themselves. However it was still great.
Another
highlight – or what would have been if her tape had worked – was young
Ashley Shaw form the Conservatory of Musical studies in Stoney Creek. She
entertained with selections from the "Sound of Music". She had to
sing ‘a capella’ – not a good idea, but valiantly done nevertheless.
Richard
Crossman, Bariton, and Lori Schindel-Martin, accompanied by Anne Barnschaw,
a very accomplished pianist, entertained with selections of Viennese
operettas. It was very well done and very well received by the audience.
(No, it was not Pavarotti – Pavarotti is a tenor.)
And then there were the "Golden Keys", from
Kitchener who played almost continuously, except for a short break while the
other entertainment was going on. I am always amazed at their fantastic
repertoire – and high-flying Heidi and her trumpet, of course.
It is probably needless to mention that the hall was sold out, despite the fact that it was the Easter-weekend and people really enjoyed themselves.
Another item of interest: Gerd Brachlow – one-time president of the Germania Club – is now president of the Austrian Club in Burlington. That is the second time they choose a "Berliner" to head their organization. IA in Austria. (Diesmal nicht in Oberbayern!...remember?) Unbelievable. He will most likely do a great job there. Congratulations, Gerd.
As usual George, the restaurateur from Nicky’s restaurant in the club, had served a buffet, in the small hall upstairs and the cheesecake that was served as a desert didn’t last very long – it was that good.
I also noticed that the guests were not only Hamiltonians but had come from all over. The Sattlers from Don Mills, the Sertls from Rexdale, the Brachlows from Brantford, this is just an example
Surprise, Surprise…
…and a great one it was for Herman Mallinger when he joined the "Septenarians" on the 26th of May. The hosts –The Harmonie Brass Show Band – told him that band practice would have to take place in the mezzanine of the Donauschwaben Club, since the choir is practicing in the great hall, downstairs.
He
dutifully transported all his equipment upstairs and was really surprised
when the band started up with "Happy Birthday to you", as soon as
he came through the door. There was a small group of his peers and friends
present to congratulate him on his 70th birthday. Herman has been
a member of the band for the last 16 years. He had his own little band for a
while but then decided to join the old "Fanfarenkorps" of the
G.K.G. Harmonie – now the Harmonie Brass Show Band – to play music in a
big band and in a big way.
Some
of you may remember Herman as the owner of the "Vienna House of
Music" on the corner where Dundas Street and Roncesvalles come together
in Toronto’s west end. But that was quite a while ago. Now he is mainly
busy "mixing" the fabulous sounds of this fantastic band. Happy
Birthday, Herman and many returns!
Be
the way, if you want to enjoy the incomparable sound of this great group,
join us at the Hansa Haus – on the 11th of June – for the
"Frühschoppen", from 11:00 a.m. on.
As always,
Dick Altermann
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