September 2001 - Nr. 9
It was our day!
German Day at the EX!
It was great, but then that was expected and it took place at the band shell
this year. About 1,200 people showed up, less in the afternoon, more for the
evening part of the program. Some of the spectators I spoke with attended
the first part of the program, then went to visit parts of the CNE and came
back again later.
The performers from Germany, the "Alpenwind Band"
and the "Schalmeien Band", from Hüfingen in the Black Forest,
were very well received. The Schalmeien band – dressed in medieval
uniforms reminiscent of the 3 Musketeers, provided the body of the parade
that was led by the MC, our Sybille and various flags at 12:30, to get the
event under way. (See also our front page) Performances were continuous.
There was always something going on to keep the crowd entertained.
You are probably wondering what "Schalmeien" are.
Well, originally it was an old woodwind instrument that later evolved into
the Oboe (according to Knaurs Lexikon). Now this instrument has been
reconfigured to an assembly of several metal horns (four, six or more
bunched together) that each play only one note. It is a little difficult to
play since each musician’s score shows only the notes that apply to him.
But when they all play together it is a great and unusual brass sound. Our
thanks go out to Teresa Mayer from Rochester, New York, who brought them and
the Alpenwind Band to us on their first visit to North America.
After the
Schalmeien Band finished their gig the Alpenwind took over for the balance
of the afternoon. The Schalmeien group went to Niagara Falls to see – you
guessed it - the "Falls", what else does one do when visiting this
part of Canada.
A number of interesting static displays were set up at the
entrance to the band shell area including Reha Enterprises’ VW Bug – all
in yellow and decorated with the "herbacin" product info. Even the
wheels had hubcaps shaped like a camomile flower. It was very striking and
very effective, judging by the number of customers that crowded around the
booth. (And not only for the samples that were freely given away!)
Other
displays included the German National Tourist Office, Austrian Airlines, The
Historical Society, Euro Sound, The Christmas Store, German Tour and Event
Co., to remind us of the upcoming Toronto Christmas Market, First Choice
Limousine, Embassy Suites Hotel, Deerhurst Resort, Moll Berczy House and
Regina’s Dirndlstube, on the other side of the lawn, beside the Food
Service that was catered by Lein’s Delicatessen. Lein’s also fed all the
performers and the guests.
Other sponsors were Sauter’s Inn, Olympic Athlete, Minto Place, Via Rail Canada and Austrian Airlines.
A wonderful fashion show was organized by Regina’s
Dirndlstube, which featured traditional wear for all occasions – based on
original "Trachten" (costumes) of Germany and Austria.
This was
definitely one of the highlights of the afternoon – especially for the
ladies present. It and the dance numbers were organized and choreographed by
Regina’s daughter Barbara.
Sybille also introduced Tobias Oriwol, our Olympic hopeful
in backstroke swimming.
The evening part of the event started with the Harmonie
Brass Show Band and the German and Canadian national anthems and another set
of their special sound.
Then came the entrance of the (5) "Mass Choirs".
That took a while since well over 150 singers had to position themselves on
the band shell stage. But it was worth the wait; lots of great voices and
lots of great songs. The wind liked it so much, he carried some of it away.
Carnival – or Mardi Gras – was not forgotten. The K.G.
Treuer Husar, Mississauga’s dance guard performed a "Guard
Dance", a "Funkenmariechen" (Funky) solo and a show dance.
Thanks, guys!
Next on the agenda was the Danube Swabian Club. Their dance
groups performed folk dances including the famous "Flying Polka",
followed by the all-grown-up "Forget-Me-Nots" and the Szauter
family in full fabulous force.
More Harmonie Brass sounds afterwards, including a
performance on three "Alphorns" that were each about twice as long
as the players. Some people in the audience had never seen them except in
the "Ricola" commercials on TV, I was told.
The next item was a draw for the prizes sponsored by Austrian Airlines, Sauter’s Inn, Minto Place, Embassy Suites, VIA Rail and the Deerhurst Resort.
The evening concluded with a hot "Marlene
Dietrich" performance by Sybille – that looked and sounded like the
real thing from where I was sitting. Then Gabi Schick, who organized this
fantastically well-run event, bid everyone Goodbye with a few well-chosen
words and thanks to everyone who participated or attended. It is perhaps
redundant to mention that both, Gabi and Sybille received large bouquets of
flowers at the end of this successful event.
Dick Altermann
