The Greater Community

As summer came to an end, a bevy of activities swept over the city. Communities met in the streets and everywhere else they could congregate, mix and mingle. (See our front page, depicting Roncesvalles Avenue, Toronto)

Surely we all remember Caravan, the ethnic folk fest, which for years offered ethnic communities an opportunity to share their culture with the rest of the population. They took place in the various clubs owned and operated by the individual communities. In its 15^th year I started to participate in the “Berlin Pavilion” in the German Club Harmonie on Sherbourne Street; and for the first time the club won some major awards under the artistic direction of Fekko von Ompteda, and I had an opportunity to portrait Claire Waldorf and Marlene Dietrich. That year we celebrated the Berlin of the 20ies and the following year I produced/directed Berlin Salutes Hamburg and Hamburg salutes the World with Shanties in a live show that was put on many times a day. That show also won awards. Shortly thereafter we lost the club for lack of continued financing. Companies which had bought bonds for the club pulled them out when they matured and the individual members, who did not want to pull them out were not strong enough to hold on to the very big building. One by one we saw changes also in other clubs and disappearing organizations.

In our heyday we revelled in those past opportunities to celebrate our heritage as guaranteed by our Charter of Rights and Freedoms. We got government grants to organize ourselves and in the German community that is how the Canadian German Congress got founded, first nationally and then provincially. I was one of the founding members of Ontario and sat on the board for a long time.

All those entities are now in the decline and are being replaced by other forms of cultural expression. Different needs have arisen and we as a people of Canada have become more cosmopolitan, are not so much living in our ghetto mentality anymore. We have taken a huge leap forward and are embracing the world around us as it is and we know we are a part of it. We are still holding on to some of our clubs, and a great thing that is, but we are integrated into a homogenous whole, or at least our children and grandchildren are. For our intimate cultural activities that is a sad occurrence, because the very young have other interests and more demands are made on them to volley for places to study, play sports, get a job and so on. All that does not leave much time for old fashioned play in the style parents and grandparents envision their culture will live on.

Oktoberfest in the Hansa Club

While a big crowd was celebrating Oktoberfest in September at the club I was in hospital for a major tune-up. I had so looked forward to a reunion with Ramona and the gang from our glory days in the Harmonie Club.

Ramona and the girls

Ramona and the girls were part of the Mardi Gras Society that called itself the Senate. They also danced in the Shanty Show I produced. I recall that Mr. Peterson was Ontario’s Prime Minister of Ontario and I got to roll up his pants so he would look more German dancing the Uhmpapa in the big Hall. He was such a good sport!

Costumes and hats

But while I could not be there Echo Germanica was represented by our roving photographer Rolf Rentmeister. I looked at 138 photos and can plainly see that the atmosphere was extraordinary! A full house and many in Trachten look or Bavarian Hat, smiling faces everywhere and couples dancing were apparent all the time. The best part was that there were a lot of younger people not just the older original crowd. Whole families turned up, sometimes 3 generations on one table!

Harmonie Brass Show Band
Ein Prosit...

The kitchen had prepared all sorts of traditional dishes and for us Northern Germans there was of course Herrings-Salad and the bar was well stocked for the Ein Prosit rituals.

The Almrausch Dancers

Ahhhh, I really wish I could have been there to see all the dance groups proudly presenting their stuff: The Almrausch Dancers in their pretty burgundy Trachten, the Weiss-Blau Bayern juniors, and seniors. There was some heavy lifting going on too!

The Weiss-Blau Bayern Schuhplattler
Ringing the cow bells
Chopping the wood
...and cleaning it up

And then the Schuhplattler did their wood chopping dance with much vigour. The clean up was a special performance by Boe Hladysh and Robert Gutwein. They must have rehearsed it, it looked so good, I was told. The audience was happy to participate in everything.

Audience participation...
...leads into a polonaise

A favourite was the Polonaise when practically everyone got up and the Tombola also found many lovers.

And through it all the Harmonie Brass played and set the mood like only they can. They also brought their impressive Alphorn.

Dancing to the Harmonie Brass Showband

I am told that the evening was an amazing success and hopefully we can keep the club filled with similar venues. This evening clearly demonstrated that no matter what age German Clubs can be enjoyed by all.

Until next time

Sybille Forster-Rentmeister