S.G.T.V. Alpenblumen Schuhplattlers
The S.G.T.V. Alpenblumen of Providence, RI, have been a vibrant part of New England's German-American community since 1982, bringing the energy and traditions of Germany and Austria to life through authentic Schuhplattler and folk dances!
​​
For over four decades, we have been a staple at Oktoberfests, Maifests, Sommerfests, and many other cultural events - even hosting our own Stiftungsfest (“founder’s festival”) at the German American Cultural Society of Rhode Island (GACSRI) in the spring.
Our History
Our founding members came from long-established Schuhplattler groups in the Mid-Atlantic - the G.T.V. Almrausch of Philadelphia, PA and Edelweiss-Passaic of northern New Jersey. As Almrausch and Edelweiss are flowers of the Alpine regions of Germany and Austria, they named the new group Alpenblumen (“Alpine flowers”) in honor of the group’s Patenverein (“sponsoring clubs”) and cultural connection to the Alps.
​
In 1988, the SGTV Alpenblumen were granted membership into the Gauverband Nordamerika, an organization uniting cultural groups across the USA and Canada that promote the heritage of Bavaria, Germany and Tyrol, Austria. As members, the Alpenblumen participate in Gaufests – four-day international gatherings of the Gauverband filled with dance competitions, cultural demonstrations, traditional music, educational workshops, and socializing.
Our Dances
Whether performing before a large or a small audience, the S.G.T.V. Alpenblumen provide color, energy, and a sense of history. Some of the dances we perform are centuries old - The “Dirndl im Roatn Miader” (spelled in its Bavarian dialect) was first recorded in written form in the tenth century, most likely having been performed and passed down from generation to generation long before then.
​
Some dances portray occupations and trades, such as the Mühlenradl, or Mill Wheel, and the Holzhacker Tanz, or Wood Cutters Dance. Others are flirtation dances, and still some others are known by the particular area where they have their roots - such as Reit im Winkel, a village in Bayern, and the Ammerseer, from the Ammersee, a lake in Oberbayern.
​
Between individual dances at a performance, information about various dances and components of the club’s Tracht (“costume”) are explained. On occasion, the audience will be invited to participate in a dance such as the Woaf, a flirtation dance, or other folk dances such as a Rheinländer or the Zillertaler Hochzeitsmarsch.
Join the Fun!
We hold weekly practices in the GACSRI ballroom and welcome anyone interested in our dances and Tracht to attend any practice - regardless of age and dance experience! You can also catch our regular performances every third Friday of the month in the GACSRI Ratskeller as part of Trachtenabend. Follow our social media or reach out to us for information about upcoming events!
Connect with Us
Want to learn more or have the S.G.T.V. Alpenblumen perform at your event? Email us at SGTVAlpenblumen@gacsri.org. You can also follow us on Facebook or Instagram (@AlpenblumenRI) for photos, videos, and updates about our upcoming events.