All Things German In California
(Ein Gedicht von Friedrich Güll, 1812-1879)
Drunten an der Gartenmauer
hab’ ich sehn das Häslein lauern.
eins, zwei, drei: legt’s ein Ei,
lang wird’s nimmer dauern.
Kinder, lasst uns niederducken!
Seht ihr’s ängstlich um sich gucken?
Ei, da hüpft’s und dort schlüpft’s
durch die Mauerlucken.
Und nun sucht in allen Ecken,
wo die schönsten Eier stecken,
rot und blau, und grün und grau
und mit Marmorflecken.
(Friedrich Güll)
Image: Pixabay.com
.
Vorhang Auf! It’s time for another production by the German Theatre Group of San Diego: “So Ein Theater – Oh, What Drama!” plays April 13 & 14 only!
Be prepared for an evening of German Cabaret about the quirks of daily life! Funny and thought-provoking skits and musical numbers about work, kids & family and getting older.
Tickets: General Admission $14 – Student (with ID) $10 – At the door (limited availability) $16 – Get your Ticket here!
The German Theatre Group of San Diego started out with “Ein Abend
Founded in October 2016 by Astrid Ronke, the group is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization and part of the German American Societies of San Diego.
Image: Pixabay
Ready to brighten up your day with some classical music by German composers? February and March, the LA Phil have special German programming in place for you!
Check out the upcoming concerts below and note that violinist Anne-Sophie Mutter will be in town on March 6th!
Anne-Sophie Mutter • Lambert Orkis – MAR 6 –
[Read more…] about German Composers Fill the Air – L.A. Phil Concerts in Los Angeles
REFLECTING ON CHRISTMAS IN GERMANY
Happy New Year, dear readers! I hope you had wonderful holidays and enjoyed good food and company! I just got back a few days ago from my vacation in Germany. While it was amazing to see many friends and family after more than three years, I am so happy to be surrounded by sunshine again.
Let me tell you, from the 16 days I was in my homeland, at least 14 of them were covered by grey clouds. At least my mood was full of sunshine as I was excited to relax and also spend some great quality time with people that are very close to me. And even though I keep saying that I don’t see myself living in Germany again, it is always hard leaving family and friends behind when it’s time to go back home. [Read more…] about Reflecting on Christmas in Germany
EXPLORING GERMAN CHRISTMAS MARKETS
Christmas time is here. Happiness and cheer. My dear readers, there is no doubt and no denying that It’s the most wonderful time of the year. Every radio station is blasting at least one Christmas song per hour, houses are loaded with Christmas decorations, and the candy isles in the supermarkets offer various delicious Christmas treats for our indulgence.
I am a big fan of this season and everything that comes with it, especially the Christmas markets. And this year, I finally have the opportunity again to travel to Germany during this wonderful time to indulge in lots of mulled wine and crepes with Kinderschokolade (yum). Needless to say, during this time my healthy eating and fitness are not my main priority, but I do believe in balance and that treating yourself here and there is a necessity.
It’s been a hot minute since I stepped foot onto a German Christmas market, around four years, to be exact (oh my!). Trust me, if you have ever been, you can relate about how big of a deal that might be. For this year’s trip, I have already mapped out three opportunities to stop by for the occasional mulled wine or sweet treat. [Read more…] about Exploring German Christmas Markets
Do You Remember Til Schweiger’s Film Honig im Kopf? It was the most successful comedy-drama film in Germany in 2014, albeit discussing a difficult topic: Alzheimer’s.
This week on Friday, November 30th, 2018, Head Full Of Honey, Til Schweiger’s English language remake opens in select theaters in Los Angeles and New York.
“Head Full of Honey” stars multiple Academy-Award® nominee Nick Nolte as Amadeus, a recent widower whose strong personality, charm and sense of humor can no longer mask the life-altering onset of Alzheimer’s. He and his granddaughter Tilda (Sophia Lane Nolte) develop a special bond. Tilda’s patience and affection for her grandfather become his strongest link to life. Tilda tries to help her grandfather, Amadeus (Nick Nolte) navigate his increasing forgetfulness, and ends up going on a remarkable adventure with him.
Among the notable cast are also Oscar nominee Matt Dillon (Amadeus’ son Nick), Emily Mortimer (Nick’s wife, Sarah) as well as Jacqueline Bisset and Greta Scacchi, and others.
Written and directed by acclaimed German actor and filmmaker Til Schweiger and based on his earlier successful German film release, this poignant generational drama marks Schweiger’s English-language directorial debut.
QUESTION: “Head Full of Honey” centers on Amadeus, played by Nick Nolte, who is struggling with the onset of Alzheimer’s and all the frustration and confusion that comes along with it. But his experience is part of a larger story. What are some of the themes and ideas the movie touches on? [Read more…] about Interview with Til Schweiger – Film ‘Head Full Of Honey’ Opens November 30th in L.A.
Tag der Deutschen Einheit
A relatively young country is celebrating its coming of age
When I was in elementary school, there was no certainty when or if the two Germanys would ever reunite. Every time I visited the United States then, I was met with great interest by many trying to figure out which Germany I was from. … “Are you from West Germany?”, ” Have you ever been to the East?”, and so on …
Nowadays it’s almost unthinkable that Germany, as it looks and feels today, has not always been like that. It had to go through a lot of growing pains!
From its birth as a united country in 1871, to forcefully being separated after WW II, to miraculously being reunited in 1989.
Germany’s reawakening
Germany has gone through quite some changes during my lifetime. I would have never anticipated seeing the German people cheering on the streets with cars happily sporting the German flag. Young people proudly singing the German national anthem and having the colors of the German flag painted onto their faces.
This was 2006. And we happened to be visiting Germany while the country was hosting the Soccer World Cup. We witnessed first hand this newly found self-confidence of a ‘new’ Germany. It still gives me the shivers!
It’s good to see Germans being proud of their country again. May the past, however, not wane as a reminder of the darker times that Germany lived through but encourage the German people to stand up for the ideals of humanity, social justice, freedom and equality, and keep its doors open to a world that is moving closer and closer together.
My best wishes to a beautiful young country! I am glad you have been finding your way.
Much luck for the future.
Now let’s celebrate!
.
Credits: © Arne Müseler / www.arne-mueseler.de / CC-BY-SA-3.0
THE CAPTAIN, a new German biopic, is based on the true story of the Executioner of Emsland in the final days of WWII . It opens in Los Angeles on August 10th at the Nuart Theatre with a Q&A session with director Robert Schwentke to follow.
About The Movie:
Watch The Movie for FREE !
Claim one pair of tickets from us that invites you and a friend to see the movie at the Nuart Theatre starting August 13th. (More information is printed on the ticket)
Send an email to californiagermans(AT)gmail.com with “Let me watch The Captain for Free” in the subject line. We will select one winner at random from the first 10 people who email us.
MY TOP FIVE THINGS ABOUT SUMMER IN GERMANY
With 100 degrees Fahrenheit in Huntington Beach this past Friday, Southern California let its residents know that summer has arrived in all of its glory. While I do have to admit that everything over 80 degrees is getting a little tough to handle, I am an avid fan of this season. I mean, the great summer weather was one of the main reasons why I chose to reside in this beautiful place on earth.
When I was living in Germany, summers were unpredictable. It could rain any day; One day it could be 65 degrees Fahrenheit (bring out those winter coats), followed by a day of excessive heat with 95 degrees and humidity; I could be laying by the lake sunbathing and then having to lock myself up in my apartment the next day to escape a huge thunderstorm. [Read more…] about My Top Five Things About Summer in Germany
WATCHING THE FIFA WORLD CUP IN THE U.S. VERSUS GERMANY
After four years of drought, the time has finally come again: The FIFA World Cup is back. Even though Germany didn’t showcase its best performance in the first game against Mexico, I do have high hopes for the team.
While I was living in Germany, I never was a really big soccer fan, nor did I have a favorite team I rooted for. But when it was time for the European and World Cup, I did a whole 180 and turned into a soccer maniac– including dressing up with accessories and attending public viewings.
One might think that I am a major bandwagon, and I have no problem to admit that. But before you judge me, I would love to explain my reasoning behind my transformation: I just love the energy that is going on during a World Cup. It feels like the whole country becomes a union where everyone is welcomed and we celebrate together as a team.
[Read more…] about Watching the FIFA World Cup in the U.S. Versus Germany