Schuhplattler Verein Heidengold
President: Eric von Recklinghausen
To promote, advance, preserve, and perpetuate German and Tyrolean folk dancing, customs, costumes, and culture
The Schuhplattler Verein Heidengold was founded in 1979 by German immigrants and friends to preserve German heritage and culture through dance and cultural events.
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PURPOSE
The purpose of our Verein, as stated in the by-laws, is “to promote, advance, preserve, and perpetuate German and Tyrolean folk dancing, customs, costumes, culture, and to establish mutual harmony and fellowship in the community.”
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THE NAME HEIDENGOLD
The literal translation of the name Schuhplattler verein Heidengold is “Shoe-Slap Dancing Society of the Golden Alpine Meadows.”
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DANCING
As the name indicates, we’re a dancing Verein. Our dances are mainly of the Schuhplattler (shoe slapping) style, but we also do many figure dances which require less physical exertion. Heidengold’s membership includes dancers of all ages and at all levels of skill as well as non-dancers. Since its founding, which we currently still have an original founding member actively involved. The Heidengold has drawn its membership from the entire Upstate New York area.
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AFFILIATIONS
Heidengold is an active member of the Federation of German-American Societies of Rochester, New York. We work and perform at the Federation’s annual Rochester German Fest in August, as well as attend many functions of the other local societies. The Schuhplattler Verein Heidengold is a member of Gauverband Nordamerika a not for profit 501c3 organization. Its membership encompasses seventy plus Schuhplattler and Trachten Vereine throughout the United States and Canada. This organization also promotes and preserves the customs, dance, music and son, and Tracht or Traditional German Clothing. Biennially a Gaufest is hosted by a member Verein. Educational workshops and competitive dancing for both our youth and adults takes place on this weekend. Of course renewing old friendships and making new friendships is also something to look forward to as well.
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ACTIVITIES
The Schuhplattler Verein Heidengold has been very active in the local community, We have danced at the Rochester Museum and Science Center’s Folk Festival, Spencerport Kiwanis Club International Folk Festival, Hochstein School of Music, Memorial Art Gallery, Lilac Festival festivities, numerous area Oktoberfest’s, local nursing homes (bringing smiles to some nice people), working on Public Television Channel 21’s (WXXI’s) membership drives, hawking newspapers for Gannett Rochester’s “Old Newsboys Day,” performing with the Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra, German Day, The Main Event, and Heritage Day at the Genesee Country Museum, and many other community functions. The Verein hosts one dance a year, with Schuhplattlers from out-of-town Vereine attending and participating. We often find ourselves traveling to Buffalo, Syracuse, and Ontario, Canada to attend and participate in our Sister Vereine Festivals. We hold two events a year for our members, their families and guests. In the summer, we have an annual picnic and a Christmas Party to celebrate the holiday season. In addition we also enjoy many activities socially as a group. We have gone camping, to dinner theaters, and many other functions, too numerous to mention.
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INTERESTED IN LEARNING MORE? INTERESTED IN JOINING?
The Schuhplattler Verein Heidengold is always looking for new members of all ages, whether single or a couple. No prior dance experience is required. You are sincerely invited to come watch one of our practices and try a dance if you wish!