Events
Event Archives
April 26, 2008 Come celebrate Spring at this year's Maifest, held on Saturday, April 26, from 11:00 am to 5:00 pm. The German-Texan Heritage Society sponsors this fun day of German culture in the gardens of the German Free School in downtown Austin. Enjoy delicious German food and beer while listening to traditional music performed by the Polkadillos, Shirley Johnson, the Austin Saengerrunde and others. Activities include folk dancing by the Austin Waldorf School German students, a marionette show, flea market, German book sale and special activities for children. The wrapping of the Maypole, performed by students from Bowie High, takes place at 1:00 pm. Please join us and bring your friends and family. Volunteers are encouraged to sign up to help! Location: 507 E. 10th St (near Red River). Admission is free. Contact us at 512-482-0927 or info@germantexans.org. Come back on Sunday, April 27, for a special fundraising dinner for the Waldorf School German Club at 2:00 pm. Enjoy a great German meal, including Rouladen and Spaetzle, and live entertainment for just $20. Help these enthusiastic kids finance their trip to Germany! Visit www.germantexans.org for more details or email Ann Coltman at annbev1@sbcglobal.net. | |
April 24, 2008 This multi-layered film is the story of six people who travel between various social, economic, and cultural spheres, and ultimately, these travels navigate them through their own lives. The film is set in Turkey and Germany. "On the Edge of Heaven" is Germany's 2008 selection for the Academy Awards. Subtitles: Only in German. | |
April 10, 2008 Professor Maurizio Cotta Current discussions within European media outlets stage "Europe" in contradictory terms of both existential crisis and of emancipatory hope. On the one hand, there is an ideological crisis in transatlantic political relations with the USA (and in relation to the Near East) especially since the 2003 US-led invasion of Iraq; a political crisis of legitimacy affecting the European Union (EU) especially since the failure to agree a new constitution; and a perceived cultural crisis of identity generated by discussions concerning migration and multiculturalism, often time referred to in apocalyptic tones as a supposed "clash of civilizations". Making Europe/Making Europeans focuses on Europe and European citizenship as a performance and as a process in the making. We want to present the diverse European realities from a "grassroots" level, based on empirical studies and reflections on the level of face-to-face contacts and everyday activities. In other words to think critically about "the ethnographic" as a mode of enquiry and the "everyday" as an important site of understanding and theory generation. Our overall questions are: | |
April 10, 2008 A Persian translator from Teheran tries to escape Iran due to possible persecution in her country. Afraid of eventually being send home from the German border, she transgresses several extra "borders" and changes her identity in order to manage to stay in Germany. This film portrays the emotional and physical boundaries a young Persian woman has to overcome in the pursuit of her freedom. Subtitles: English. | |
March 28, 2008 Berlin, Divided City 1945-89, Second German Studies Workshop 28-29 March 2008, The University of Texas at Austin, Department of Germanic Studies For more information contact: Dr. Sabine Hake, Dr. Philip Broadbent | |
March 27, 2008 Graduate Student Conference Beyond Berlin -- Local Cultures in Divided Germany. 1945--1989 | |
March 20, 2008 This comedy is about Ibo, a young, creative and chaotic Turkish man from Hamburg who is obsessed with Bruce Lee. In the course of the film, he is busy creating advertisement clips for a kebab restaurant, explaining his Turkish family that he has a German girl friend, and assuring his pregnant girl friend that he truly loves her. | |
March 19, 2008 Hans Boas "Why is Texas German dying?" is part of the lecture series "Kalt Bier - Gut Bratwurst" with Hans Boas. This is part of the larger DAAD (German Academic Exchange Program) Spring 2008 Lecture Series. | |
March 4, 2008 Four cities, eight languages and many robberies on the day of soccer's Champion's League final. Welcome to Europe! This film portrays four individual, light-hearted stories about several people and their misunderstandings in cross-cultural settings. Subtitles: English. | |
March 5, 2008 Thomas Meinecke "Transatlantic Lecture with Q and A" is part of the lecture series "Kalt Bier - Gut Bratwurst" with author, musician, film maker Thomas Meinecke. This is part of the larger DAAD (German Academic Exchange Program) Spring 2008 Lecture Series. | |
March 3, 2008 Thomas Meinecke "An Evening With Thomas Meinecke - Film, Music, Talk" is part of the lecture series "Kalt Bier - Gut Bratwurst". This is part of the larger DAAD (German Academic Exchange Program) Spring 2008 Lecture Series. | |
March 3, 2008 Dieter Kastovsky Sexist German -- non-sexist English or non-sexist German -- sexist English? Some historical observations on a pragmatic question | |
February 28, 2008 This is a story of a German first class chef, an Italian chef, and an orphan, who needs a new home. The recent US production "No Reservations" is based on Sandra Nettelbeck's "Bella Martha." Come see the 'original'! Subtitles: English. | |
February 27, 2008 Walter Kamphoefner Lecture by Professor Walter Kamphoefner of Texas A and M University entitled: "German Texans: Model Minority or Reluctant Americanizers?" Part of the DAAD (German Academic Exchange Commission) lecture series for the Spring semester of 2008. | |
February 23, 2008 The University of Texas at Austin Department of Germanic Studies will again be hosting the State German Contest. High school students earn the right to compete at the State Contest during local competitions. Then teams from schools statewide arrive at that University of Texas at Austin to allow their members a chance to earn awards at the State level. | |
February 14, 2008 This tragicomedy introduces the topic of guest workers arriving in Germany (first in 1955). Due to economic difficulties, an Italian Family moves to Germany in the 1960s and starts to make a living in Western Germany. The film thematizes the complicated family relations (father-son, brother-brother) that evolve as the story unfolds. Subtitles: only German! | |
February 9, 2008 What: 2008 Scandinavian Film Fest! Films and schedule: | |
January 31, 2008 Based on the autobiographical novel by Stefanie Zweig, this film portrays the story of a Jewish-German family who emigrates to Kenya during WWII. This film is set in Berlin and Kenya. Subtitles: English. | |
January 24, 2008 This World War I film shows the encounter of Scottish, French and German soldiers at the trenches during Christmas Eve 1914. Based on 'true' stories at the front, this film gives insights about the lesser-known facts of the war. "Joyeux Noel" is a French-Scottish-German co-production. Subtitles: English. | |
January 19, 2008 A performance presented by Cantor David Reinwald with Charles Barnett, Piano. 7:30 PM - Wine and Chocolates; 8:00 PM - Havdallah and Performance. Contact Congregation Beth Israel for more information at 454-6806 or email phanna@bethisrael.org. www.bethisrael.org | |
December 8, 2007 Norwegian Juletrefest, 4--7 pm. Gethsemane Lutheran Church Joint Celebration between SON and NST clubs, Multipurpose Room, 200 West Anderson Lane | |
December 2, 2007 The Austin Saengerrunde Damenchor will present a free concert of German Christmas music on Sunday, December 2 at 2:30 p.m. The concert location is the Austin Saengerrunde Hall at 1607 San Jacinto, next to the Scholz Garten Restaurant. The songs will be performed by the Damenchor (women's' choir), Maennerchor (men's' choir) and Gemischtechor (mixed choirs). Following the concert, there will be a sing along of German Christmas carols. Refreshments will be served. The public is cordially invited. For more information on this event, call Gerri West at (512) 249-0263 or (512) 659-7822. | |
December 2, 2007 From SWEA, the Swedish Women's Education Association. For more information contact: kihlberg@mail.utexas.edu Location: Gethsemane Lutheran Church, 200 West Anderson Lane Program: 1:00pm -- Bazaar begins 3:00pm -- Lucia Procession 4:00pm -- Dancing around the Christmas Tree with live music 5:00pm -- Bazaar ends | |
December 1, 2007 A traditional German Christmas Outdoor Market with Hand Crafted Gifts, Clothing, Crafts, Jewelry, Florals, Arrangements, Decorations, Gingerbread Houses, Pottery, Baskets, Ornaments, Quilts, Quillows and More... Beethoven Maennerchor 422 Pereida St. San Antonio, TX 78210 (210) 222-1521 | |
December 1, 2007 The German-Texan Heritage Society will host its annual German Christmas Market on Saturday December 1st, from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm, at the historic German Free School building at 507 E. 10th Street in downtown Austin. Featured items include hand-crafted wooden nutcrackers and pyramids from the Erzgebirge region of Germany, hand-painted Tole-work signs and bowls made by a German-Texan artist here in Austin, imported hand-blown glass ornaments and fine embroidered linens. Admission to this fun-filled cultural event is free. All sales made on December 1st are tax-free. The Christmas Market will also be open for business on November 27, 28 and 29, and on December 4, 5 and 6, from 12:00 pm to 4:00 pm. There will be no live entertainment on these days, and all sales will be subject to sales tax. For more information, call 512-482-0927, email info@germantexans.org, or visit www.germantexans.org. | |
November 29, 2007 This will take place in Round Rock. From more information on attending contact: office@sacctx.com | |
November 29, 2007 Jan and Peter are the best friends behind the radical and mysterious group The Edukators, united by their passion to change the world. When the rich go on vacation, The Edukators break into their homes, leaving the message "Your fat days are over." When Peter's girlfriend Jule moves in, she joins them in their subversive activities. But when a rich businessman catches them in the act, they rashly decide to kidnap him. Faced with the values of the generation in power, they will see what revolutionaries they are, if their friendship can survive, and discover if they truly work in the interest of the greater good, or just in their own self-interest. Passions rage and loyalties shatter in director Hans Weingartner's exciting and fresh film which poses the question: Can we escape the norms of our society? | |
November 28, 2007 Andrei Markovits Global Politics of Sport: a Discussion of Soccer, Football, and Their Fans Professor Andrei Markovits of the Department of German an Department of Political Science at the University of Michigan will lead. This event will be held at EPS 4.104 | |
November 28, 2007 Professor Andrei Markovits The Center for European Studies and the Department of Germanic Studies are co-hosting Professor Andrei Markovits of the University of Michigan Department of German and Department of Political Science. The talk being given in on Professor Markovits' book UNCOUTH NATION: WHY EUROPE DISLIKES AMERICA at Batts Hall 5.108 | |
November 20, 2007 Peter Hess Department of Germanic Studies Lecture Series - Dr. Peter Hess Setting Sail: The Crisis of Space and Emerging National Identities in Sixteenth-Century Germany | |
November 15, 2007 We tells the story of the summer of ten young people in their twenties, looking for the right job, the right major or the right lover. Florian moves to Berlin to meet his old friend Pit, who introduces him to bunch of new people, including tall blond Petronella, who is unhappy in her relationship to a young film maker. Overwhelmed by the surplus of freedom and opportunity, Florian and the others will have to come to terms with the all struggles life has to offer: dealing with failed loves, a lack of perspectives, defective cigarette machines and unpaid phone bills... Gypkens has succeeded in making a convincing portrait of young Berliners in Prenzlauer Berg, looking to escape from all boundaries of society, morality and everyday reality… in the search for true love. | |
November 11, 2007 Screening of W. F. Murnau's silent classic Faust (1926), with live music by the Willem Breuker Kollektief. November 11, 4 PM, at the Salvage Vanguard Theater, 2803 Manor Road. | |
November 1, 2007 Daniel, a young physics teacher wouldn't see happiness if it hit him in the face! But his drab existence as a teacher is about to change... he falls in love with the woman of his dreams - exotic Melek who spends a night at is place. Daniel spontaneously decides to follow her to Istanbul. He sets out on a long cross-Europe trip together with his crazy friend July. She secretly hopes that Daniel will fall in love with her... On this wild and hilarious odyssey through South-Eastern Europe, Daniel and July both search for their dreams. Beaten up, seduced, robbed, for the first time on drugs and busted by East European border guards, Daniel learns that love is not only a dream. And at the end, he realizes that escaping your dream world can sometimes make you happy… | |
October 21, 2007 Octoberfest will be held Sunday, October 21st, 2007 Admission to the Grounds - $5.00 Anhalt Hall Germania Farmers Verein 2390 Anhalt Road Spring Branch, TX 78070 | |
October 18, 2007 "I Am Guilty" is all about feeling. To be more precise, it´s about the inability to feel. Armin is a handsome but disaffected college graduate unable to deal with the pressures of the ultra-competitive job market in this dark coming of age comedy. After witnessing a tragic car accident and phoning in a false confession to the local newspaper, Armin finds his darkest impulses slowly taking control as he scrawls obscene graffiti on the bathroom wall, fantasizes about violent crimes, and has forced-sex with a vicious, leather-clad motorcycle gang. The trouble is, Armin can't distinguish where his fantasy world ends and where his reality begins anymore… Can he find out of this world? | |
October 11, 2007 That's right - every Thursday night from 8:00 to 8:30, EKWD will bring you the best of German music, conversation, and news, not to mention a radio theater production of Durrenmatt's "Die Physiker" waiting in the wings. So stay tuned, we invite all German speakers to lend us their ears at KVRX 91.7 FM. Anyone interested in becoming involved with the show - please contact Louise at louise42ster@gmail.com | |
October 11, 2007 Nils Magne Knutsen, Harald Gaski, Silje Solheim Karlsen; Nils Gaup Norgesseminar (Norway seminar) will be held at the University of Texas at Austin October 11-13, 2007. The main theme will be the northern regions of the country. Among those who will make presentations are Nils Magne Knutsen who will speak about the myth of the northerly and about Knut Hamsun and Northern Norway. Harald Gaski will give a lecture about the poetry of Sami multimedia artist Nils-Aslak Valkeapää. Silje Solheim Karlsen will talk about Nordic lyric poetry. These three are from the University of Tromsø north of the arctic circle. A highlight will be the appearance of Nils Gaup who will present a public screening of his new film about the Kautokeino rebellion of 1852. A previous Gaup film, Pathfinder, was nominated for an Academy Award in 1988. Attending the seminar will be many from the U.S. and Canada who teach Norwegian culture, history and language. | |
October 5, 2007 Fredericksburg, Texas, celebrates its German heritage through Oktoberfest. Oompah at its best. German music, food and drink, arts and crafts, children's area and family fun OKTOBERFEST is a colorful, festive celebration of Fredericksburg, Texas' German heritage. OKTOBERFEST has become an annual tradition around the world. OKTOBERFEST is a community event of family entertainment featuring two stages and two tents with continuous oompah music, art and crafts, Children's fun area ~ Kinder Park, a German Bier Tent, and Oktoberfest Vineyard area, plus delicious food and drink ... all weekend long! | |
October 5, 2007 Come to the Beethoven Halle and Garten to celebrate the ultimate German festival! Music, food, and dancing will put you in the spirit! Past performers include the Beethoven Concert Band, Raffin Organ Grinders, Bohemian Dutchmen, the Markman Polkateers, the Cadence Cloggers and more! German foods, including Bratwurst, Knockwurst, Potato Pancakes, etc, will be available for purchase. And to fill your stein, we offer many German wines and beers, their American counterparts, and a variety of soft drinks. Beethoven Maennerchor 422 Pereida St. San Antonio, TX 78210 (210) 222-1521 | |
October 4, 2007 Lukas, a fairly normal young guy, is bored to death by his small-town life and goes to visit his sister in Cologne. First, by way of welcoming him, they smoke pot and enjoy life. When he starts experimenting with harder substances, Lukas is introduced to a whole new life, far away from what he imaged, life in a big town will be. He finds himself surrounded by voices, whispering, talking, even under the shower. They don't expect him to behave in a "normal" way. They accept him as he is and wants to be. Finally, the situation escalates. Lukas seeks escape, dives into the sea and starts to swim. Will he escape the white sound? | |
September 21, 2007 German Men's chorus performing traditional songs in a traditional setting in the Beethoven Maennerchor Halle Biergarten Beethoven Maennerchor 422 Pereida St. San Antonio, TX 78210 (210) 222-1521 | |
September 20, 2007 The Tunnel chronicles one of the most daring escapes to freedom. This Cold War thriller draws on the true story of the digging of a 430-foot tunnel running under the Berlin Wall right after it was built. Two men who escape with the help of secret agents turn into "tunnel rats" to rescue their beloved trapped in East Berlin. The main characters are a famous German swimmer and a canny German engineer. Juicy characters abound, including some compromised East Berliners and unlikely heroes on the West side. Also incorporated into this story is an American TV news crew shooting the digging of the tunnel. Even 6 years after its production, The Tunnel still grabs the viewer in irresistible suspense--and sustains the tension for 167 minutes | |
September 18, 2007 When Elisabeth tires of her drunken husband Rolf, she packs her bags and takes the kids and goes to live with her brother Göran at a hippie commune called Together. This comedy-drama is the second film by Lukas Moodysson, director of Show Me Love. Swedish with English subtitles.. | |
September 15, 2007 STAATG will conduct its annual meeting on 9/15/07 with the usual sponsorship of the Department of Department of Germanic Studies. This is not a public event. Please contact Professor Kit Belgum for more details. | |
September 14, 2007 Michael Verhoeven A talk by Michael Verhoeven, the director of The White Rose, The Nasty Girl, Mother's Courage and other films. | |
September 13, 2007 Dr. Michael Verhoeven Can we silence the ghosts of history? The Wehrmacht-Exhibition, which was shown in eleven major cities in Germany between 1999 and 2004 and was visited by more than 500,000 people, challenged ordinary Germans to rethink what their fathers and grandfathers did during the war. Whereas most had been led to believe that the cold-blooded murder of civilians had been a crime of a minority of officers, for the first time Germans saw photos and footage of ordinary soldiers executing civilians and POWs. The nation was shaken, and large protests were organized by those who believed the evidence was manufactured. In "The Unknown Soldier," director Michael Verhoeven interviews historians and experts, including those who allege or deny the crimes, and filmed in the killing fields of Ukraine and White Russia. | |
September 12, 2007 The first in a trio of films (by Verhoeven and two other filmmakers) dedicated to the memory of the Munich student resistance group of the same name. Verhoeven portrays the larger environment of the early 1940s in the Third Reich which provoked the students to rebel: the male students' experiences at the Russian front, the Nazi's Stalingrad military debacle, and a student riot at Munich university. He shows the underground production and the distribution of flyers which finally leads to the arrest of the Scholl siblings. | |
September 6, 2007 Elsa Tabori is one of the thousands of Jews who were deported in 1944 from Budapest and Eastern Europe. Final destination: Auschwitz. At the border, however, something happens, which will change Elsa's fate for ever. She continues her journey, yet this time …in first class and will try to escape. A thrilling escape in German history, the first one in our series this fall! With this film, we want to introduce to you one of the greatest German film makers of our time Michael Verhoeven, visiting Austin soon (September 13) | |
August 27, 2007 We will offer six levels of Adult German language classes in the fall. Classes are 90 - 120 minutes long and meet once a week for 12 weeks. The next semester will begin on August 27, 2007. Tuition is $65 for GTHS members and $75 for non-members. Registration will open on July 9th. Structural Classes: German I - Wednesdays - 7:00 to 9:00pm; German II - Thursdays - 7:00 to 8:30pm; Accelerated German - Mondays - 7:00 to 9:00pm. Conversational Classes: Beginning Conversational German - Tuesdays - 6:45 to 8:15pm; Intermediate Conversational German - Wednesdays - 7:00 to 8:30pm; Advanced Conversational German - Thursdays - 7:00 to 8:30pm. | |
August 25, 2007 The next semester of Samstagsschule begins August 25th and runs for 12 weeks. Classes are Saturday mornings from 9:30 to 11:30am. Returning students can register now. New student registration opens July 9th. Tuition: $150 for GTHS members and $165 for non-members. Contact the GTHS office for more information, or visit our website for more details and a registration form. | |
August 17, 2007 German Men's chorus performing traditional songs in a traditional setting in the Beethoven Maennerchor Halle Biergarten Beethoven Maennerchor 422 Pereida St. San Antonio, TX 78210 (210) 222-1521 | |
July 20, 2007 German Men's chorus performing traditional songs in a traditional setting in the Beethoven Beethoven Maennerchor 422 Pereida St. San Antonio, TX 78210 (210) 222-1521 | |
July 19, 2007 Come join us for the Summer Scandinavian Hour! This event is sponsored by: American-Scandinavian Foundation (ASF - Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway, Sweden) Austin Danish Club Danish Club of Austin Friends of Finland Swedish-American Chamber of Commerce (SACC) Swedish Womens Education Association (SWEA) Here are the details: What: Scandinavian Happy Hour Where: Cuba Libre ( www.cubalibreaustin.com ); 409 Colorado (Downtown Austin); Ph - 512-472- 2822 When: July 19th (Thursday) - 5:30 pm to 8 pm Who: All invited: Scandinavians, Scandinavian-Americans, people interested in Scandinavia We hope to see you there! (Scandinavian Group leaders: e-mail nik@triand.com if your group would like to co-sponsor or would like more information on this) | |
July 8, 2007 Please join us on Sunday July 8th from 4 -- 7 pm for a Volunteer Appreciation Party! We are very grateful for all the wonderful assistance our volunteers have offered over the past twelve months, so we'd like to get you all together, feed you and thank you once again. All of our excellent events and programs are made possible by the help of our dedicated volunteers. So if you've helped out at an event, or around the house, or in the library or with Samstagsschule or anything else - THANK YOU! Folks interested in becoming volunteers are also very welcome to attend the party. There's much more work to be done and any extra hands would be welcomed wholeheartedly. Call the GTHS office for more details at 512-482-0927 | |
June 23, 2007 From Merril Austin: Please rsvp to: anne@hadkins.com if you are planning to join us: The Hovedstad Chapter, Norwegian Society of Texas, is sponsoring a Sankthansaften event on Sunday, June 23rd. This year's event will be a roundtrip ride on the Hill Country Flyer, boarding at 9:30 A.M. and departing at 10 A.M. from Cedar Park and arriving at Burnet about noon. A special festival, The Texas Hill Country Railfair and Festival 2007, will be going on in Burnet, so there will be lots to do, including train rides from Burnet to Bertram, historical displays, free railroad motorcar rides, vendors, etc. The train returns from Burnet at 3 P.M., arriving in Cedar Park about 5:30 P.M. he following websites contain additional information about the Hill Country Flyer and the special event going on in Burnet: http://www.austinsteamtrain.org/ ; http://www.austinsteamtrain.org/railfair07.html Tickets are priced as follows: adult: $24.30; senior: $21.60; children from 3-13: $15.30 (babies and children under 3 years can sit in laps and are free). Reservations were made in coach (rather than lounge), as the prices are about half those of lounge. There is no heat or AC in coach, but the windows do open. The train is running on diesel because the steam engine is broken and won't be fixed until some time next year. If you would like to participate in this event, please contact Yvonne Connell soon, as the reservations will be filled rapidly, and NST will need commitments and a headcount. For more information contact Yvonne Connell: 512-261-9783; yconnell@austin.rr.com | |
June 21, 2007 From Bertil Fredstrom: Come out and join us to celebrate Mid-summer. The Social hour is at 5:00, barbecue dinner at 6:30, and program at 7:30. Advance tickets are $10 for adults and $6 for age 10 and under. Program will feature Chris Rybak, well known accordionist and professional entertainer. There will be a silent auction, door prizes, and children's maypole dance. Call Leland Lundgren (278-0691), Eric Carlson (281-2174), or Marilyn Samuelson (281-4116) for details. RSVP to SACC Texas, PO Box 10657, Austin, Texas, 78766 by sending check, name and number of persons. | |
June 15, 2007 German Men's chorus performing traditional songs in a traditional setting in the Beethoven Maennerchor Halle Biergarten For more information contact: Beethoven Maennerchor 422 Pereida St. San Antonio, TX 78210 (210) 222-1521 |
Events prior to fall 2007
Spring 2007