North American Federation of German Folk Dance Groups

1998 Seminar: Dances of the of the Rheinland-Palatinate Jochen and Ursula Muller of Hagenbach, Germany July 1998

The Indiana German Heritage Society seeks always to promote German culture - and that effort was at its best on one hot July weekend when 18 groups of folkdancers from 10 states and Canada converged upon the Athenaeum, the historic former Deutsche Haus in Indianapolis.

The occasion was the 5th Annual Folklore Weekend of the North American Federation of German Folk Dance groups, hosted by the IGHS with the able assistance of many in the local German community. The weekend was a success largely due to the spirit of cooperation.

The German folkdance instructors, Jochen and Ursula Mueller of Hagenbach, taught dances from the Rhineland Palatine area; they also shared the songs and traditions of that region. The Muellers are members of the 'Verband für Volkstum und Heimat in Rheinland-Pfalz e.V.' ('Association for Folklore and Homeland in Rheinland-Palatine').

The weekend consisted of four folkdance sessions, one party night, and a Friday afternoon of culture activities:

• Hohlsaum Embroidery presented by An Olson: a technique by which threads are pulled to create a pattern secured by embroidery stitches, especially used for aprons, scarves and shawls, table cloths, etc.
• Handschritt (Old German Hand Script) presented by Karin Gottier: nice to use for special headings, place cards, nametags and other attention-getters.
• Lieder-in-the-round presented by Eberhard Reichman
• Sommer/Winter Tag Crafts, i.e. 'Sommertagsstecken' presented by Pete Bullard

Everyone was well fed and the Friday night dancers enjoyed an abundance of snacks, thanks to the Fledermäuschen Tanzgruppe. Music for Saturday night's party was provided by Jay Fox and his Bavarian showtime Band, opening with a grand march. The evening's entertainment included an Ehrentanz from various dance groups, an appearance from the Elwedritsche, and a performance by the Hemdglockner Brigade, plus other impromptu activities.

Partial list of dances taught:

Achter Quadrille
Alt Hambacher
Altpfalzer Schleifer
der Birkweiler
Buchelklobber
Liebe Lene (ich wäß net was mer liewer is)
Maklott
Mineth
Pfalzer Landler
Pfalzer Tanzfolge
Sellerie Salat

written by Ginnvor Bullard
(edited by Elisa Barney Smith)

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