The Donau Dancers are one of the dance groups of the Schwaben Club in Kitchener, Ontario. The group started in 2001  and is largely for dancers aged 35+, similar to the “Trachtengruppe”, which was a very large and active adult group out of the club in the ‘70s through to 1994. The group performs at club functions, community events and festivals all across North America.

As a folk dancing group, our intentions are to preserve and offer a unique glimpse into the rich Donau culture and traditions. The Donau style of folk dancing is fun, slow, fast, unique, exciting and interesting. The Donau folk dancing style encompasses the area from Germany through to Turkey – all along the Donau –

including dances from southern Germany, from Austria, the Czech and Slovak Republic, former Republic of Yugoslavia, Hungary, Romania, and Russia. The core group focus is on “Donau-Schwäbische Tänze” with the intention of keeping those dances alive as we have done to date.

• The women’s costume is a dirndl, consisting of a black skirt worn with a coloured, chequered apron. On the top a white cotton blouse is worn with a black vest over top.  The dirndl is worn with nylons and black shoes with 1 – 2” heels.
• The women’s formal costume is the traditional ”Tracht”. This consists of a flowered, pleated skirt with a black apron tied in the back. On the top a white cotton blouse is worn with a black vest over top.  Under the “Tracht” are two starched white petticoats. White socks and black shows are worn with this costume.

• The men’s costume is a black vest with silver buttons and the club crest.  This is worn with a white dress shirt with the sleeves rolled up above the elbows and black dress pants.  Any leather-soled black dress shoes can be worn, with black socks.  Many men also were pins on their vests.