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Last Updated: Oct 16th, 2008 - 13:33:17 |
Built on tradition and pride the Edelweiss Club hosted its annual maypole dance performed by the Volkstanzgruppe and the Schuhplattler dance groups. Edelweiss--a club dedicated to German Heritage--is Denver's best-kept secret.
For 49 years, the club's purpose has been to instill heritage and tradition in the younger generation by encouraging the use of the language, dance, music, food and clothing of Germany. Edelweiss hosts dances, a Mardi Gras and competitions to further the knowledge of Old Country customs.
At its Commerce City location since 1972, the 480-member club will celebrate 50 years of heritage in September. The club is not only for adults, but for entire families. There is a room dedicated to children, and they are able to eat and dance with the adults.
"We promote heritage and keep tradition. We are a custom-preservation society," said Edith Gormer, a member and former president of the Edelweiss Club.
Individuals are hit with the strong aromas from the open bar, including German and American dishes as well as non-alcoholic and alcoholic beverages.
When asked what the drink of the night was, Ron Gehauf, the dance instructor for the groups, replied, "Beer. This is a German club."
Introduced by the joking Vice President Leo Mayer and Elisabeth Burbach, the two groups organized themselves around the maypole. Burbach opened with, "Ron is a very good teacher at telling us where to go." Her double entendre was followed by laughter.
The maypole dance is a traditional folk dance originating in Europe and performed annually by the Volkstanzgruppe and Schuhplattler dance groups. The dance is performed around a pole decorated with garland and ribbons to welcome spring.
Members and dancers were dressed in lederhosen and dirndls, which are traditional German costumes. The women wore modest, knee-length dresses with aprons, and the men wore vests and trousers. Audience members wore anything from casual to formal wear.
This year the dance groups performed the dance together, since the Volkstanzgruppe did not have enough members.
The couples danced with green and white ribbons around the pole, intertwining them until a green-and-white-checkered pattern appeared on the pole. "Dancing with the colored ribbons symbolizes couples working together," Gehauf said.
As the two groups danced, they began to create a net, showing everyone is joined under a common net. Not only was this a feeling among the dancers, but it was felt by visitors, who are unconditionally welcomed and treated cordially.
Each group comprises approximately 30 children and adults, ranging from 2 to 75 years old.
Members of the Volkstanzgruppe are made up of older members. As the members of the club are getting older, the number of dancers and audience participants is dwindling. Gehauf says the introduction of newer German dances should bring in a younger crowd.
Guests are welcomed every Saturday night from 8 p.m. to midnight at 6495 Monaco St. in Commerce City. Club members and the public can enjoy live music from various bands, food, drinks and performances from the dance groups; the audience is allowed to dance during the intermissions. The admission fee for members is $3 and non-members $6.
If a night of culture, fun, food and dancing is needed, Edelweiss is the place to fulfill a heritage fix: everyone is welcome.
"It's ironic how you are here during Cinco de Mayo weekend," Gehauf said in jest.
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