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Our Repertoire

Our repertoire has grown continuously since the inception of the Schwuhplattler ten years ago.

There are seven core Schuhplattler dances that nearly all our active members can perform, and we make a point of practicing these at every session: the Haushamer, the Inzeller, the Ammerseer, the Reit im Winkler, the Schnacklwalzer, the Ruhpoldinger and the Kreuzpolka.

When we first began accepting invitations to perform for audiences, we quickly ascertained that it's nearly impossible to present all seven Plattler dances in quick succession: not only does it become extremely tiring for the dancers after the first two or three dances, but the 'half-hour episode' style of performance doesn't really bring across the same authentic Bavarian feeling of Gemuetlichkeit as when the men 'spontaneously' get up several times over the course of an evening to perform one or two Schuhplattler dances. That's why we soon integrated other elements like musical numbers and folk dances (such as the 'Topporzer Kreuzpolka', the 'Rattentanz' (rat dance) and the 'froehlicher Kreis') into our act. We've also found that the members of the audience quite often really enjoy shaking a leg of their own right along with us, not only with waltzes and polkas but even with other folk dances as well.

We're always expanding our range of Schuhplattler dances, primarily thanks to members and guests who show us the steps to their own local favorites.Recent additions have included the 'Sulzberger', the 'Ambosspolka', the 'Birkastoana Gloeckerl' and the 'Neibairischer('s Deandl mit n rotn Miada)', among others.

But the visual highlights that audiences love most are those numbers that call for the use of props: the 'Bankltanz' features four Schwuhplattler who not only perform a quick march Plattler on stage, but also leap over wooden benches as part of the dance.

The 'Tiroler Steckentanz' (Tyrolean Pole Dance) is our rejuvenation of a very old geometric figure dance that central Austrian mountain men of yore once did with each other. Following the Plattler sequence (we decided on the Haushamer), the piece ends with a 'Landler' waltz that the men danced with each other cheek to cheek even back then (must have been a mighty powerful male bonding experience!)

The 'Muehlradl' (millwheel), a figure dance formerly performed by the millers' guild, is another regular part of our performances that's also very popular with audiences. The figures, which suggest the workings of a grist mill in motion, are underscored by the rhythmic clatter of the dancers' feet on the floor.

March 2003 saw the inception of a biweekly singalong of typical old Bavarian folk songs and drinking songs. Since then, an additional subgroup has also begun holding practice sessions of its own for Bavarian folk dances.

We feel especially fortunate to include several talented musicians on our roster, and their numbers have grown considerably, with five of them playing accordeon, three on the clarinet, and now even a violinist as well. In addition to our entire dance repertoire, their golden tones become especially mellifluous when they play their own traditional instrumental numbers.

 

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