...Maisach – at the Donauschwaben
Maisach is a small town, north of the
Fürstenfeldbruck Air force Base, in Bavaria. I was married and
lived there for a few years – since I worked at the air base for
many years, and the location was convenient. It was quite a
surprise to learn that Maisach had a Youth-band “Jugend
Blaskapelle” with52 members and that they wanted to go to New
York for the Steuben Parade and that they also wanted to perform
in Canada for the Oktoberfest at the Donauschwaben Club in
Scarborough – just for the food –which the club was only too
glad to provide! A collection among the audience however netted
about $700.00 anyway – of which they earned every penny!
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| Blaskapelle Maisach at their
arrival in Toronto at the Danube Swabian Club |
Since the stage was too small for 37 performers they split the
group, put two rows on the stage and two rows on the floor in
front of the stage. Problem solved! The music was quite
‘Bavarian’ and very well received by the audience. They could
have performed on the ‘Theresienwiese’ at Munich’s Oktoberfest.
For the Bavarian youngsters the 11 day “CONTOURS” adventure
started in Frankfurt, where they boarded Singapore Airlines for
an eight hour flight to New York; next Utica; Adirondack
Mountains; Visit to the German Club (Utica Männerchor) and the
first gig. Then trip along Lake Ontario to Toronto (CN Tower;
Parliament) to play at the Danube Swabian Club.
 Next on the agenda were the Niagara Falls (Maid of the Mist) and
trip to Washington (White House; Skylon Tower, Washington Mall,
Smithsonian, etc.) and later to Philadelphia (Freedom Clock) via
New Jersey to Manhattan, (Harbour Trip; Empoire State Building,
9/11 site, etc.) this was the day of the Steuben Parade. It
started at the St. Patrick’s Cathedral on 5th
 Ave.
Service was performed by Archbishop Timothy Dolan. This was
followed by the line-ups for the colorful parade at noon. It
followed Central Park – this oasis of tranquility in fast-paced
New York. After the Parade-Party in Central Park to close this
adventure of a lifetime and flight back to Germany!
 However both “Oktoberfest” days were well visited at the club
and the Edelweiss Trio from Kitchener a very well versed band
that kept the dance floor full. Sunday was visited a little
heavier – since many of the visitors wanted to hear those
youngsters from Maisach play their Oktoberfest type music. They
were not disappointed1 and the Edelweiss Trio will be back for
the Herbstfest again.
As always
Dick Altermann
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