Schwaben Dancers

Who'sWho

The Schwaben Dancers is run by an elected committee. The current committee is:

President: Andrea Speckner
Vice President: Vanessa Adam
Secretary: Jennifer Tschirhart
Treasurer: Paul Groh
Costume Director:
Instructor/Choreographer: Peter Speckner

The Schwaben Dancers are an energetic, German folk dance group who love to entertain.

We perform numerous times throughout the year, in many different locations and events. In the past few years our dance group has traveled to Germany, Los Angeles, Milwaukee, Detroit, and Toronto. We have also performed at Casino Rama and on the main stage of the Vancouver Olympics Torch Relay 2010.

We are especially busy during the annual Kitchener-Waterloo Oktoberfest, where we perform many times during the 9-day festival.

The Costume

Women's Costume

The Ladies' Dirndl is the standard costume for performances. It consists of a blue main piece with flower trim accenting the lines of the outfit. Under the dirndl, the ladies wear a white cotton blouse and pettipants (bloomers). A yellow satin apron is worn over the dirndl and tied in the front, on the left side. The dirndl is worn with white trachten socks and black character shoes with 1 - 2" heels. Some women decorate the top portion of the dirndl with a few festive pins.

The Ladies' Tracht is worn for more formal occasions and performances. This consists of a burgundy skirt worn with a black lace apron tied in the back. Under the skirt, there are two starched white petticoats to add additional fullness. On top, a black velvet vest with a white cotton blouse is worn. White trachten socks and black character shoes are worn with this costume.

Men’s Costume

The Men's Tracht consists of a black vest with silver buttons and a club crest. This is worn with a white dress shirt (with the sleeves rolled up above the elbows for performances) and black dress pants. Any leather-soled, black dress shoes can be worn, with white socks. Many men also decorate their vests with pins.

Our Repertoire

Slow Circle Dances

Schwedentanz, Schwäbische Tanzfolge, Rheinländer, Bi-Centennial, Gebundene Liebe

Our core German dances - these are very traditional in look and style. Filled with complex patterns, flowing waltzes, and a few surprises, these dances can be done by any number of couples and are very artistic in their presentation.

Gebundene Liebe (“Bound in Love”)

A “showier” slow dance, this dance contains the traditional steps and patterns of German folk dancing, while adding a few more challenging touches like swinging lifts, and guys hanging off of the ladies. Adding red ropes allows for the greater degree of difficulty, while maintaining a romantic feel.

Fast Circle Dances

Flinke Schwoba, Tetski, Zillertaller, Jugendfreude

Large polka steps, the “Wechselschritt”, and a faster pace are characteristics shared by these dances. Usually traditional in look and sound, they are more energetic than the slower circle dances, but can still be done by any number of couples.

Flinke Schwoba (“Swift Swabians”)

Flinke is a dance that can be done by any number of couples, including only one, since the pairs remain separate and don't interact during the dance. A short but very fast paced dance, this one was introduced by the choreographer as "the longest minute and a half of your life”.

Traditional Dances

Bis Bald, Schwäbische Stimmung, Schwabenfest (Kookoo), Schorookscharer

These dances were brought back from Hungary and taught to us, from an international convention for Donau-Schwaben Youth. The goal was to teach traditional dances that would be common to all groups around the world, thereby giving us a common thread to relate by, as well as teaching us about the history of our dancing culture.

Story / Show Dances

Oma

This is a "story" dance, which tells the tale of a group of men and a group of women kept apart by a chaperoning Oma (grandmother). The “Oma” character - a balloon-busted matron with questionable fashion sense - was first performed by the original choreographer. By now nearly everyone, male and female from the dance group, has taken a turn at the role!

Stecketanz (“Stick Dance”)

This dance is performed by only the male dancers and involves large, wooden staves. This dangerous dance involves tossing and dueling with the sticks, acting

Wilde Hummel (“Savage Bumblebee”)

Wilde is a dance performed by only four couples at a time. Involving a men-only spin and a section where the women are hoisted up in the air, this is certainly one of our showier and more challenging dances.

Kreutz König (“King of Clubs”)

Kreutz is one of our most difficult and best-looking dances. It is performed by only two couples and involves the infamous "Kreutz fly". On a hot day or at the end of a long performance, this dance can present quite a danger to the dancers!

Non-Traditional Dances

Anton Polka

Anton is a fast dance performed to a German techno song. Amongst the fast moving foot work, the dance involves a bit of acting too; the guys are attempting to impress the girls with their dancing prowess to hopefully win one over. This is a humorous, high-energy dance, guaranteed to electrify the crowd.

Rammertanz (“Pile-Driver Dance”)

Our most recognized and requested dance, “Rammer” as it’s come to be known, is performed to a German heavy metal song. It involves a fast pace, combined with lots of energetic polka steps and stomping. With high kicks by the ladies and a whole-group fly at the end, it always gets everyone’s adrenaline pumping.

Rammertanz Performances on YouTube

At the Schwaben Club: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=62hk4TMi-zY

At Landestrachtenfest in Detroit: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sUSz0T7vQOg&feature=related

If you are interested in joining or wanting to book the dance group for a performance, please contact our dance group president, Andrea Speckner – aspeckner@gmail.com; or you can call the Schwaben Club at 519-742-7979. Dance practices take place Sunday evenings, from 4:00-6:00pm @ the Schwaben Club. All are welcome!