May 2001 - Nr. 5
Intimate Gatherings
Plamusica presents
Even
larger get-togethers in a public place can be intimate. Proof of such a
phenomenon was the concert given in the Delta Chelsea Inn in downtown
Toronto with a male choir from Kirchberg, Austria. Plamusica had arranged
for this rare event. Why was this occurrence so special? Willi Platzer had
helped arrange for this Blitz-Tour to take place. The choir, under the
direction of the well-known Austrian composer and musician Lorenz Maierhofer,
was here on a private vacation, and to help pay for some of the expenses the
concert series was arranged alongside with some serious sight seeing.
It
was quite amazing to see this choir perform. It has been heard that people
travel with their own doctor; this group travels with its own priest! In the
evening he sang in his local traditional suit with the choir and the next
morning he performed together with a local catholic pastor the ceremony of
mass.
Another reason for intimacy was the fact that Willi Platzer’s first Canadian landlord in Ottawa came to this concert, not only to listen, but as we understand also to welcome some of his old friends in song from Austria because he is officially still a member of this choir. So this was like a big family reunion with star quality.
Some
performances always hinted good-naturedly at the fact that women were not
allowed and therefore women’s parts had to be sung by men, causing much
hilarious laughter. The varied program, including some serious "Schuhplattlern"
and "Stubenmusi" with traditional storytelling, brought nothing
but joy to the evening’s guest. 
Local
Austrians were very pleased to see and hear one of their musical heroes
conduct a choir from their homeland. I felt like an intruder and left at
halftime; besides, I had a hard time understanding the dialect.
Trachtenfest
April
sees in the Danube Swabian Club not one but many annual events. We attended
the Kinder Trachtenfest, which brought from the very youngest all children
together before they can be called young adults.
This
of course means that moms and dads and grandparents congregate to see what
the littlest ones had learned in their respective group, if anything. Since
some of them are so small that they have to be held up this can be quite
interesting to watch.
How
early will a child show any interest in heritage activities? We were truly
surprised by the eagerness to participate. The ones already a bit older
performed more formal traditional dances than the younger ones, who in an
organized disorder did their "ring around the rosies" in pretty
dirndls.
Miss
Danube, the pretty Christy Hudson was at hand. Newly elected this year to
wear the crown as the community’s princess, the high school student was
all smiles and very comfortable in her new role.
Unfortunately
we had to miss all the fun for Easter, the traditional and much hailed
Easter brunch at the club as well as the Landestrachtenfest where all the
provincial dance and cultural groups get together to remember and celebrate
their heritage. We hope to bring an update on that in the next issue.
Visit with the Easter Bunny
I
have to have visited at least one Easter egg hunt or else I am not happy. We
made it just in time to the German Canadian Club Hansa to see the Easter
Bunny arrive, and believe me, there has never been a prettier one!
These
old rituals of searching for eggs or walking a stretch balancing one on a
spoon remind me of my youth and the wonderful togetherness of family life.
In a time when families split up more often than ever before it his
heart-warming and encouraging to see our families clinging together with the
traditions and rituals peculiar to our culture. I am quite sure that as long
as we can play and sing together like this we will have a future.
In May we celebrate Mother’s Day, and even though it is not one of our inventions we have embraced this charming sentiment fully. Flowers and treats are common among our surprises for mother. I know that our clubs will be full with families celebrating yet another intimate occasion, even if it is among hundreds.
Just in time for spring planting our nurseries are offering what is most beautiful and hard, most practical and pretty for this years garden styling. Marketing these has become an entertaining idea. White rose is offering something special in two of its locations. In London Ontario, 981 Wonderland road, and in Mississauga, 3115 Dundas Street West (West of Winston Churchill) brand-new Retail visions are blooming. On Saturday, May 5 between 9 am and 6 pm all sorts of fun is to be had for the entire family and some fabulous prizes can be won. How about a chance to win a complete garden worth $3000, or a pond, or a fancy patio set, or a lovely gift basket?! The kids will have opportunity to have their faces painted by friendly clowns, there are experts at hand to answer all sorts of questions and of course there is a special sale on and the first 1000 visitors will receive a free African Violate.
Please note that 2 LTU Flights can be won again this issue. All you have to do is count the planes in this issue and fill out the form in this issue and mail, email or fax I it in for your chance to go to Düsseldorf for free!
If you are looking to fly to Vienna then it will interest you that Austrian Air is now flying several times a week to Vienna directly from Toronto! Now that is an intimate affair with charm! Even Michael Schade wants to see you in Vienna! And wouldn’t we love to go….
I hope I see you sooner than that
Happy Mother’s Day!
Sybille Forster-Rentmeister
( German-Canadian, reports, culture, arts, entertainment
)
Comments to: sfr@echoworld.com
