Oley, PA

2003 Preissplattlen team and supporters

(top left to right)- Joanna Reitmeyer, Trachtenmutter; Robert Schoellkpf, Blitz Babilon, Jim Schoellkopf III, all dancers; Ron Rowe, coach; Eric Meck, Fritz Schoellkopf, Ron Rowe, all dancers; Duffy Schoellkopf, President

(front left to right)- Joan Wolfe, coach; Diane Meck, coach; Alissa Rowe, Jenny Schoellkopf, dancers; Ronny Babilon, accordionist; Rosy Rizzo, Nickie Schoellkopf, Amy Schoellkopf, all dancers

(not pictured- EVERYONE ELSE in the group- everyone coached, encouraged, and cheered on our team!)

About Us:

The Auerhahn Schuhplattler Verein is a multigenerational club founded in 1979 by a group of friends and family who shared the common interest of German folk lore- dances, music, and costumes.  One type of folk dance is the Schuhplattler where we get our name, however, we do other dances native to Bavaria, the mountainous southern region of Germany.  The Schuhplattler is a readily recognized dance where the men perform complicated jumps and slap their thighs in time with the music and the ladies twirl, showing off their traditional skirts.  Other folk dances may tell a story, such as a dating couple, or depict a trade, such as a miller or woodcutter.

We wear elaborate formal costumes patterned on those worn in the late 1800s in the Miesbach area of Bavaria (think of a county within a state) or simpler informal costumes, depending on the occasion, and dance to the accompaniment of our talented accordionists.  We dance at public events, such as MusikFest, as well as at celebrations and conventions hosted by similar groups.  This past year we were proud to be one of 16 of groups participating in competition at “Gaufest”.  This biennial convention for Schuhplattlers was held in Philadelphia and attended by and individuals members of the 70+ groups from across the USA and Canada, as well as friends and “colleagues” from Germany.