Dick reports...

“Sommerfest” at the Donauschwaben

Well, there were still a couple of days left before ‘summer’ actually started, but the festive mood was there.

After a delicious meal – including the club’s famous cabbage rolls – the guests had settled down for the entertainment, while listening to the EURO CONNECTION band for familiar tunes.

Peter Neudorf and the Euro Connection
Dancing to the Euro Connection

Some couples even hit the dance floor. Peter Neudorf, the leader of the band, mentioned that the gigs at German functions are getting harder to get and they have to make up the slack at functions at the Legions and other festive occasions in the community. So, if you have any events that you can use a neat band for, give them a call – their ad is in this issue of the paper.

The audience

It all started with a performance of the Youth Group – to the delight of the audience. These kids are getting better all the time. Thanks to Lorie Szauter’s untiring efforts to keep them under control.

The Danube Swabian Youth Group

Next on the agenda were the “Heimatgruppe” with some very complex and intricately choreographed routines. In one of the performances they slammed empty beer pitchers on a table that was set up on the dance floor. Every so often – when least expected – the male dancers banged the pitchers on the table – shocking the audience with that noise. The applause was deafening!

The Heimatgruppe

It was an appreciative audience, but it is getting smaller all the time. Although all the tables were occupied, there were also a lot of empty seats still available. In between the performances, the dance floor was always occupied and with many youngsters underfoot it was a lively evening. If events happen as planned these youngsters will eventually keep the club alive – thanks to the foresight of the original Donauschwaben and the many boards of previous and present directors!

During the beginning of July various FIFA Women’s Soccer games will be show in the various venues. Check with the clubs for dates and times. The next large event at the Donauschwaben will be the visit of the Burgenländer Choir and dance group Poljanci, on the 20^th of August and Oktoberfest on the second weekend in September. We will keep you posted!

As always

Dick Altermann

Dick reports about community, historical, cultural, ethnic events within the distribution area of Echo Germanica from a German-Canadian perspective.