November 2002 - Nr. 11
Dick reports...
More Oktoberfest…
The big item in the Oktoberfest series in the area was the annual "Steel City Oktoberfest" in Hamilton; the second one this year in the Germania Club and slightly less visited than the first one in the same club a few weeks earlier. This is the event that used to be staged at the Convention Centre in the past but either lack of interest by the Hamiltonians or simply attrition made it fiscally impossible to continue Oktoberfest at that venue. The only reason it was still staged there for a while was the contract the club had with the centre. Some of you may remember what a huge hall this is and even if you got 500 people to attend it still looked empty.
However,
the old traditions still flourished at the Germania Club premises; the
tapping of the keg, the Miss Oktoberfest election – this year won by
Julie
Andronico – the raffle held by the dance guard and the wonderful food –
including pork hocks – in the hall upstairs.
The
"Nu-Tones" did a very credible job of keeping the visitors on the dance
floor with their varied repertoire of favourites.
For
the tapping of the keg – usually done by the mayor of the city – a new mayor
was temporarily elected by Albert Kergl, "Mr. Oktoberfest", with the
presentation of the key to the city and a chain of office hung around his
neck. The "Mayor"?: Ullrich Müller from the KG Treue Husaren, Mississauga,
the only group who had come in force to support the Germania Club’s event.
Also,
as prescribed by tradition, the barrel was wheeled into the hall with Monika
Turner sitting on top and when it was successfully tapped, visitors were
invited to bring their "Masskrugs" for a free fill. This invitation was
eagerly accepted, of course, and it only took a few minutes to empty the
large barrel of its "hopsy" content.
At
the conclusion of the "official" part of the program the junior dance guard
performed a well-rehearsed dance that was strictly choreographed for
Oktoberfest
and will not be seen as a show dance at any of the carnival functions. Great
Job, girls!
Oktoberfest at Lein’s Delicatessen
Another
successful event, complete with free Bratwurst & Sauerkraut, served under
the tent outside of the store! The weather was unusually beautiful for this
time of the year and with tables and chairs in front of the store, the
hundreds of visitors tended to linger a while, meet and talk to friends and
acquaintances, while they consumed their Bratwurst with Sauerkraut on a bun.
Pretzels helped to convey the "Oktoberfest" theme.
The
mood was festive, commensurate with the fact that Annie Buschmann-Hintz
celebrated her birthday that day as well. Yes, she is over 39! But she is
always too busy to even grow old – especially since she had adopted the "Lein
Family" many years ago. Many happy returns, Annie!
Most of the visitors also used the occasion to do extensive shopping - since many in-store "specials" were available and service was smooth, brisk and efficient. Extra help had been pressed into service for the occasion. That helped quite a lot to shorten individual shopping time.
Helmut Gschösser, from AM 530 Radio presented music to fit the occasion, all through the afternoon.
Mexican Night at the Hansa Haus
The
"Volkstanzgruppe Almrausch" Dancers had their bi-annual "Mexican Night"
again. They alternate between Hawaii and Mexico each year. This year it was
Mexico again.
Featured
were the Acapulco Loco Mexican Band, Mexican Folklore Dancers and of course
Mexican Food - beside the usual fare. Those who liked "spicy" were treated
to a very tasty Chilli, Chicken Burritos with Mexican Rice, Nachos and more.
Last
year’s event was cancelled since it was scheduled too close to the World
Trade Centre disaster in New York. They audience seemed to be eager to make
up for it this year though; it was a full house!
The
band had a rich repertoire of favourite tunes that included a lot of
Mexican-style music as well. It must have been what the guests had expected,
since the dance floor was always full and the mood elevated. Well, it could
have been the hot chilli!
Traubenfest at the Danube Swabians
This
is the second year that the club’s Youth Group hosted the resurrected "Weinlese
& Traubenfest" (Grape Harvest Festival) at the Danube Swabian Club, as a
fund-raiser for the group.
On
latticework scaffolding, erected in the centre of the dance floor a great
number of edible surprises were suspended in little brown bags. The audience
was encouraged to steal some of those bags of nourishing goodies (fruits or
vegetables) while they were dancing.
When
the eager grape-police caught them they were arrested, taken to court and
had to pay a fine.
The
"Grape Police" were all sharp-eyed members of the youth group and many of
the visitors were caught and taken before the presiding "Judge", where they
were fined a small
sum
and rewarded with a small glass of Schnapps – probably since it was a "First
Offence". The take for the youth group was well over $1000.00! Not bad!
Yolanda and Danny Bach
at the Danube Swabians
"Heimatabend"
was the theme for this evening and was hosted by the group "Danny Bach on
tour". The concert started with their tour director, Wolfgang Ribbert,
singing "Heimat Deine Sterne", followed by more songs from the old country.
Next
on stage - and off-stage, at audience level - was Yolanda whose fabulous
voice thrilled the audience. She hails from Zurich, Switzerland and it was
plain to see that Switzerland’s loss was our gain. At least on this evening.
Danny Bach, a musical talent from southern Germany - also at audience level, then entertained with a great number of favourites that was greatly appreciated by the guests, who went along with the artist, clapping and "schunkeling" when cued. Some of the songs like "Capri Fischer" and "La Paloma" were about as old as most of the audience and generously received by them all.
The
other three members of the group "Musik ohne Grenzen", Reiner, Erwin and
Konny, provided excellent back-up music for the artists with two keyboards
and an electric guitar.
Unfortunately,
this evening being Halloween, the show did not have the larger audience it
deserved. The main hall was only comfortably full, not crowded as usual.
However, that did not detract from the enjoyment of the performances.
The next big event to look forward to will be the visit by Fiete Münzner, the "Kapitän der guten Laune" again and the traditional "Kirchweihfest", this month. Also on the schedule is the annual Christmas Fair from the 15th to the 17th of this month. See you there!
Of course November is the month when "Carnival" starts again! Read all about it, next month.
As always
Dick Altermann
Comments to: dick@echoworld.com
