Our beautiful Gedächtnismesse is coming right up!  This annual mass, dedicated to the memory of those members who have passed away, is a day of remembrance for both GTEV Edelweiss and Austrian Society members. The mass is at 2 pm and all are welcome to attend.  The music by members of Edelweiss is always outstanding. And worshiping together with Father Reckker doing the homily is a special experience.

After the mass, we have a luncheon -- anyone with a reservation is welcome to attend.  Please let Annette know you are coming by calling or texting her at 248-840-1953 by November 6 so we can plan the right amount of food and beverage.  Lunch meat, rolls, bread, beer, wine, and soft drinks are provided for $10/person ($5 children 12 and under). Pay the day of the luncheon.  Those attending are asked to bring a side dish or dessert to share.  The resulting buffet provides a most delicious and filling lunch.  It's also a time to enjoy the company of your fellow members and even listen to some wonderful music.  If you've celebrated with us before, you know how beautiful the day is. If you haven't been before, we hope we'll see you there.

Gedächtnismess - St. Clement of Rome Parish, 343 S. Main Street, Romeo, Michigan - begins at 2 pm - Open to the public

Luncheon - at St. Clement - $10/person ($5 children 12 and under) - need reservation by Nov. 6 at 248-840-1953.  Bring a side dish or dessert to share.

We're excited about having a 40-piece brass band directly from Bavaria at our "Beer, Brats and Brass" event on Saturday, Sept. 30. The award-winning brass band Musikkapelle Rottenbuch will be visiting with us here in the area for a couple of days. The highlight, though, comes on Saturday night when they play their terrific music. Tickets are still available. The advance ticket price is $20/person; after Sept. 15 the ticket goes up to $25/each.  (Children 12 and under pay $10 in advance/$15 after 9/15.)  Find out how to order tickets from the flyer.  For any friends coming from out of town, this link has information about hotels in it.

Come hear Musikkapelle Rottenbuch, drink some beer, eat some brats. Edelweiss's own Siasswasser Tanzlmusi band and our Schuhplattler dancers will be performing as well. It's sure to be a night of fun and Gemütlichkeit!  Take a listen to them at this link:  Musikkapelle Rottenbuch on youtube

Just a few more days until we get together to eat great food, have some refreshing drinks, hear terrific music, and see each other after a few weeks apart!  Looking forward to seeing everyone.  More info under the "Events" column -- or click here.   PS: There's a map in the July Wegweiser to help you get there. 

Reminder to those on the Rottenbuch committee -- we'll have a meeting at 1 pm in the park.

Every two years, Gauverband Nordamerika holds a Gaufest.  Edelweiss is one of about 70 Trachten and Schuhplattler groups in the US & Canada who belong to the umbrella organization called Gauverband Nordamerika (Gau-NA). This year's 4-day Gaufest--a convention of tradition and dancing--is being hosted by our sister club Edelweiss Buffalo in Buffalo, NY, the weekend before the 4th of July.  About 1600 people will be attending, all in beautiful ethnic costume; 26 Edelweiss Detroit members will be among them. The weekend includes musical and dancing performances, interesting workshops, a banquet, and five different dance events with various bands.  On Saturday afternoon before the big banquet, a beautiful mass is held, complete with beautiful live music and song by members of Gau-NA.  Our own Edelweiss musicians are among those musicians and singers. Rick Michels, as Gau-Musikwart, is one of the major organizers of the musical portion of the mass, and he does a great job. 

On Friday morning, a competition for individual dance couples is held. This year 91 couples will be competing in 4 different age groups. We wish our competitors--Paul Schwalbe, Renee Edelhauser, Kevin Walker, Heather Hacker, Andrea Edelhauser, Roger Kraft, and Annette Edelhauser "Hals- und Beinbruch!"  They've been practicing hard and we're proud of their abilities.  On Saturday, about 15 different clubs will participate in a competition of group dancing (4-6 couples each). We're sad that we were not able to enter that competition this year, but it's great to watch the other groups dance, and we'll be there to watch and learn. 

Other Edelweiss Detroit involvement in the weekend includes playing with the Gauverband Blaskapelle, a brass band made up of members from throughout Gau-NA, and participating in the Heimatabend and Boarischer Tanz with musical performances. Our Siasswasser Tanzlmusi will be playing for that dance on Friday night.  What a treat--the floor is always filled with people who love learning, dancing, and teaching traditional folk dances, something we at Edelweiss are pretty passionate about.

As we count down the days to our trek to Buffalo, our excitement grows.  The four days will fly by, and then we'll come home sleep deprived, happy that we got to see so many of our friends from all over (including many who travel here from Bavaria!), and renewed in our dedication to "Sitt und Tracht der Alten."  Auf Geht's!

At the January meeting, the members elected the 2017 officers. While most incumbents were reelected, a couple decided not to run. Ticket Obmann Renee Edelhauser and Bar Obmann Jim Green did a fine job for the last few of years, and we appreciate their work. Sharon Walker is our new Ticket Obmann and Dennis Hoshield will be taking over as Bar Obmann. Thanks to all for stepping up to fill the offices that keep our club running!  Here's a picture to enjoy! (Do you like the ladies' new aprons? They made their debut at the February meeting!)  Read the names and offices of all the committee members by clicking on Home/Officers.