Culture
Take a Look at German Culture!A feature at this year's Cultural Village is the Deutsche Auswandererhaus, Bremerhaven or the German Emigration Center, Bremerhaven.
The Deutsche Auswandererhaus, Bremerhaven is Europe’s largest theme museum on the topic of emigration and winner of the "European Museum of the Year 2007" award. Authentic emigrant biographies tell the story of the over 7 Million emigrants who left the continent via Bremerhaven from 1830-1974. The exhibition allows a hands-on experience of what our forefathers encountered on their journey to the New World. In Forum Migration, visitors can embark on a personal search for own ancestors in international databanks such as, Ancestry.de, Ancestry.com, Bremer Passenger Lists, Ellis Island Passenger Lists and the Castle Garden Lists.
Fun For Kids!New this year in the Culture area - Hohner harmonica lessons!
Hohner, Inc. USA is providing harmonica kits for children to learn how to play the harmonica. FREE classes will be held on the following days and times (pre-registration required, see below):
Friday, July 23 - 5:00 PM
Saturday, July 24 - 3:00 PM, 5:00 PM
Sunday, July 25 - 2:00 PM, 5:00 PM
Classes are open to children ages 8-14 and there will be a maximum of 10 students in a class. Classes will be led by a local member of the Milwaukee Harmonica Club and other harmonica players. If you have a child or grandchild who is interested in learning how to play, download and complete this form and return to German Fest, 8229 W. Capitol Drive, Milwaukee, WI 53222. Hurry, supplies are limited and are available on a first come, first served basis! Sponsored by Hohner, Inc. USA
If you already are a harmonica player, please come down to the Handwerkers Tent to jam with us!
Kids' Passport Program
The popular children's Passport Program encourages children to watch for identifying signs among the participating German clubs, where they will learn about German contributions of music, food, and fun before receiving a club sticker. Passports will be available at the Information Booths, and once children have the passport complete, they can present them at the Information Booth at the Cultural Tent for a small prize. The stickers will be available during the following hours or until supplies are gone.
Thursday 5-8 PM
Friday 4-7 PM
Saturday 1-7 PM
Sunday 1-6 PM
Children and their families will also have the opportunity to construct a paper quilt. This activity coordinates with the quilt display in the Handwerker area. Coloring sheets featuring German vocabulary words will be available for children to color and tie together with yarn.
2010 Trachtenschau
Each year, the German Fest Trachtenschau presents the ethnic clothing and folk traditions from the German-speaking regions of Europe.
The 2010 Trachtenschau will feature costumes on loan to German Fest (shown for the first time in nearly 30 years) from the German Foreign Ministry, and the "Kaiser Alexander Garde" from Michigan Technical University, Upper Michigan. This group wears historical Prussian military uniforms from the 1800s.
Along with a number of local participants, the Trachtenschau will also include guest groups from Texas and Illinois. The "STV Almrausch" Bavarian Verein in Dallas, Texas will wear Trachten from the Allgäu region of Southern Bavaria and the "Egerländer Tanz Gruppe" from Chicago, Illinois will present Trachten from the Sudetenland.
Authentic mask carver
Bryan T. Berenson trained for five years as a wood and stone sculptor apprentice in Austria. After his apprenticeship, he passed the wood and stone sculptor's exam, certifying him as a wood and stone sculptor. This certification is honored throughout Europe.
Brian is now located in Hartland, WI and is a member of one of German Fest's member clubs; the Muller Fashing Verein. All the performers in the Muller Fashing Verein wear hand-carved wooden masks and each have their own style of costume featuring embroidered pants, lederhosen and colored burlap. Many of the hand carved masks warn by performers were carved by Brian.
Each mask takes an average of 6 hours to carve and paint with more complicated masks taking significantly more time to carve. See examples of Bryan's work at www.btbsculptor.com. Bryan will be carving items including numerous masks at his display in the Cultural Village at German Fest.
Authentic Blacksmith
Local blacksmith Wolfgang Schweizer will demonstrate his craft by actually forging iron on the grounds. In addition to demonstrating the craft, he will display his wares, a representation of the types of objects commonly produced by blacksmiths, such as ornate iron railings, decorations, hinges, racks, hooks, planters, grates and grills.
Genealogy
The Sons & Daughters of the Veterans of the Civil War will assist Fest-goers in researching their family roots and their possible involvement in America's Civil War.
Handwerker Area
Look for an extensive display of antique musical instruments. Wood turners will be making fifes and flutes as part of their display.
