CaliforniaGermans

All Things German In California

Attractions & Events

GASA hosts Maifest at Old World HB

by Leave a Comment

Come join a German May tradition: “The Maifest”

GASA and the German American League invite you to celebrate this tradition at Old World in Huntington Beach in SoCal on May 7th from 12pm – 5pm.

This celebration generally sees a variety of customs in Germany, from a Maypole decorated so that it shows the particular crafts and history of a region, to a traditional Maypole Dance, or even having the Maypole (Maibaum) stolen by the neighboring villages in an elaborate, sneaky manner. You can read more about this practice in this article from the Schliersee, a town in Southern Bavaria.

You won’t have to worry about any Maypole thefts here in SoCal, but can just enjoy the authentic German fair. Come listen to live music by the German American Brass Band, watch the traditional crowning of the May Queen and Princess, observe Mayfolk dances and have your children work on crafts, and much more.

Details:

What: Maifest/Kinderfest hosted by GASA (German American School Association) and German American League

When: May 7th from 12pm tp 5pm

Where: Old World Huntington Beach, 7561 Center Ave. , Huntington Beach, CA

Images: ©CaliforniaGermans

Weihnachtsgottesdienst 2021

by Leave a Comment

St. Luke’s Lutheran Church in La Mesa is holding a German Christmas Carol Service on Sunday, 19 December 2021 at 7:00 pm.  


The Service will consist of readings of the Scripture and songs that retell the story of Christmas. After the Service please join the community for light refreshments.

All are invited.

Church’s Address:

St. Luke’s Lutheran Church
5150 Wilson Street
La Mesa, CA 92942
www.st-lukes-la-mesa.org

Please find driving directions to the church via this link: http://www.st-lukes-la-mesa.org/maps.php

————————————————-

Luke’s Lutheran Church in La Mesa hält am 19. Dezember 2021 (Sonntag) um 19.00 Uhr wieder einen deutschsprachigen Weihnachtsgottesdienst.

Wie in vorigen Jahren besteht die Gottesdienstordnung hauptsächlich aus Lesungen und Liedern, die die 
Weihnachtsgeschichte erzählen.  Nach dem Gottesdienst gibt es kleine Erfrischungen.

Sie und Ihre Familie, Freunde, Gemeinde- und Vereinsmitglieder, Studenten/innen, und Schüler/innen, usw. sind herzlich eingeladen.

Die Adresse der Kirche ist:

St. Luke’s Lutheran Church
5150 Wilson Street
La Mesa, CA 92942
www.st-lukes-la-mesa.org

Einen Fahrplan zur Kirche findet man per diesen Link: http://www.st-lukes-la-mesa.org/maps.php

FREE Live Concert Celebrates Transatlantic Partnership & Solid Friendship During this Pandemic – April 30th

by Leave a Comment

Bremerhaven – New York: “Voice Over Piano” plays in the ‘Grand Central Terminal’ 

Live – Online concert from the “Grand Central Terminal” at German Emigration Center Bremerhaven with Sara Dähn and Band on Thursday, April 30th, 2020, at 12 p.m. EST on Facebook and Instagram 

Something that seemed impossible these days suddenly becomes reality: The band Voice Over Piano with lead singer Sara Dähn and pianist and entertainer Thomas Blaeschke presents songs by Frank Sinatra, QUEEN, and their own original material. The concert takes place in ‘New York’s Grand Central Terminal’ at the German Emigration Center in Bremerhaven, which hosts the exact replica of NY Grand Central Terminal at their exhibition space.

The two musicians have been transmitting a concert once a week from various locations in Bremen, a city in Northern Germany, via their “Voice Over Piano” account on Facebook and Instagram reaching thousands of viewers – not only in Germany, where the Band is based in Hamburg and Berlin but also in the USA. 

“Be it rock, pop, funk & soul, chanson or musical, we blend together all of these genres in one performance on our world wide concerts bringing together people from all different backgrounds, colors, ethnicities, and belief, and even more so during the time of the CORONAVIRUS pandemic,” explain Thomas and Sara their mission and vision for these online concerts. 

The German Emigration Center in Bremerhaven

The German Emigration Center is situated on a historic site in the New Harbor, which opened in 1852 and was the departure point for approximately 1.2 million emigrants to the New World by 1890. 

Along with Bremerhaven’s Mayor Torsten Neuhoff and members of the City Council and Bremerhaven Tourism (BIS) it was decided that the world known Emigration Center would be the most perfect location for a unique concert celebrating Transatlantic partnership and solid friendship during this pandemic. “We are thinking very often of our dear friends and colleagues in New York, still the American epicenter of this pandemic, hoping the best for them and are very pleased that Governor Andrew Cuomo, is doing whatever is needed to overcome this terrible situation.”

“Ultimately, it’s about friendship across borders, encouragement to continue and stay healthy and above all to thank the first responders, the nurses, doctors, police officers, firemen and – women, everyone who puts her or his life on the line to help us survive. Thank you and we are proud to sing and play music to all of you,” says Thomas. 

The show can be followed live by everyone on Facebook and Instagram or viewed again on Facebook and YouTube sometime later. 

The broadcast will take place on Thursday, April 30, 2020, from 12 p.m. EST 

Live:
Facebook: “Voice Over Piano” – Instagram: “VoiceOverPiano” 

Media library:
Facebook: “Voice Over Piano” and “Thomas Blaeschke” YouTube: “Thomas Blaeschke / VoiceOverPiano” Instagram: IGTV “VoiceOverPiano” 

Information at http://www.VoiceOverPiano.com 

At Sommerfest Federal Chancellery Berlin

The Voice Over Piano contributors are: 

Sara Dähn – vocals and moderation, Thomas Blaeschke – piano, band leader and moderation, Stephan Werner – electric bass, Mark Wetjen – drums, Frederic Drobnjak -electric guitar

Text and Images: ©VoiceOverPiano

Visiting OUE Skyspace – Too Much For My Nerves?

by Leave a Comment

IMG_7576 (1)

VISITING OUE SKYSPACE – TOO MUCH FOR MY NERVES?

Remember that time I talked about my girlfriends from Germany visiting me?  Yes, I know, it’s been a while, and I don’t want to leave you hanging any longer.  So today I am back and ready to share another fun LA adventure with you that you might want to try yourself one day, if you haven’t already.

You might have heard about OUE Skyspace, which Google describes as an “Open-air observation deck providing 360-degree views of the city & a unique glass slide.”  I was quite intrigued when my friends told me they wanted to check out this sightseeing hotspot. I had seen reports about the slide before on national television, but I had never gotten close in real life. [Read more…] about Visiting OUE Skyspace – Too Much For My Nerves?

Hanging in the Swing of Things – The Secret Swing

by Leave a Comment

IMG_6374

HANGING IN THE SWING OF THINGS – THE SECRET SWING

My dear readers, please excuse my absence from this platform! You could quite say I took some sort of a hiatus the past two months.  I know I brought up this excuse before that life happens – but boy, did my life happen.  But I’ll come back to that in a future post.  For now, I am going to let you in on a secret gem I recently discovered in the Los Angeles area.

[Read more…] about Hanging in the Swing of Things – The Secret Swing

Oktoberfest – All around the world and right around the corner from you.

by Leave a Comment

Oktoberfest LionIt’s officially on! The Oktoberfest has started in Munich this past weekend.

Have you watched or perhaps even been part of the traditional opening ceremony? It’s always a fun event, starting with the Grand Entry Parade with the Oktoberfest landlords and their festive horse carriages loaded with beer barrels to the entertaining procession of the various costume groups, historic riflemen, flag throwers and many other performers … all on their way to the famous Oktoberfest grounds at the Theresienwiese.

Oktoberfest has come a long way since the day when Bavaria celebrated the wedding of Crown Prince Ludwig in October of 1810. Today, you can consider it almost a worldwide event in the sense that you can find and celebrate at some Oktoberfest near you almost anywhere you are on the globe. In the U.S. alone, there are plenty of them you can attend with the largest one in Cincinnati according to Wikipedia. The list is explosively expanding every year.

oktoberfest-Many of the ‘Oktoberfests‘ in California listed in our last year’s post are still happening this year with many new ones popping out all over. In fact, the media is full of suggestions of where to go (Bay Area Events & SoCal Events ), so we didn’t dedicate a separate post to all the listings this year.

However, we’d like to highlight very traditional ones, which have been known to be in California for a long time.

One of them is the Oktoberfest at the Phoenix Club in Anaheim, which has put on an Oktoberfest for more than 55 years! This year they started out their festivities right at the same time as the original Oktoberfest in Munich, on September 21st.

You can celebrate Oktoberfest at the Phoenix Club every weekend until October 28th, and starting on October 7th – you can enjoy a delicious German Sunday brunch just before you dive into the rest of the fun. End your Oktoberfest outing with a hearty meal and a large ‘Mass’ at their beer garden. Check out their website for more information.

Oans, zwoa, g’suffa! Prost!

 

Oktoberfest
Oktoberfest

Images: Pixabay.com

On the Couch with Sigmund Freud – “Freud’s Last Session” at the Odyssey Theatre, Los Angeles

by Leave a Comment

Odyssey Theatre in Los Angles opens the 2018 season with a thought provoking theatre play. “Freud’s Last Session” takes on the ever-present question of God’s existence.

We all have heard of Sigmund Freud and C.S. Lewis. While Freud is world known as the father of psychoanalysis and his book Interpretations of Dreams, everyone is familiar with C.S.Lewis’ series of fantasy novels The Chronicles of Narnia.

But who is the real human being behind each one of the two acclaimed personalities? Do we know Freud or Lewis, even if we claim to understand their philosophical teachings and theories as well as their academic and personal convictions? [Read more…] about On the Couch with Sigmund Freud – “Freud’s Last Session” at the Odyssey Theatre, Los Angeles

‘The Red Dress’ – Politics and Love in Germany Between the Wars

by Leave a Comment

‘The Red Dress’ (Tania Wisbar)- Odyssey Theatre

‘The Red Dress’ – A World Premiere at The Odyssey Theatre In Los Angeles

Last weekend we were treated to a compelling and thought-provoking play at the Odyssey Theatre in LA. ‘The Red Dress’ by Tania Wisbar left us thinking and drawing parallels to the times we live in today.

‘The Red Dress’, a romantic drama set in Berlin, explores the intersection of politics and art during the years between the Treaty of Versailles and the rise of Fascism (1924-1936).

Alexandra Schiele (Laura Liguori) is a famous film actress from a prominent Jewish family who falls in love with a down-on-his-luck World War I vet, Franz Weitrek (J.B. Waterman). Franz is able to parlay his wife’s connections into work as a film director. But when his career takes off making Nazi propaganda films, his wife suddenly becomes a liability. Also in the cast are Rebecca Larsen, Shanti Reinhardt and Dylan Wittrock. Kiff Scholl directs.

The play intelligently taps into personal emotions and tensions caused by the political and social changes during the turbulent years before the rise of Nazism. It touches on the Eugenics Movement as well as some of the horrific actions the National Socialist Party of Hitler was known for. The excellent cast helps with the intensity of some scenes to create suspense throughout the whole play. The scenes spanning quite a few years in history are pulled together by sequences of historical movies and music from the particular eras. [Read more…] about ‘The Red Dress’ – Politics and Love in Germany Between the Wars

O'zapft is! Find Your Oktoberfest in California

by 1 Comment

This Saturday, September 16th, it’s official: It’s Oktoberfest Time!

At 12 noon (CET), Munich’s mayor will tap the first Oktoberfest-beer-barrel and exclaim “O’zapft is” !  And the ‘world’s largest beer festival’ can begin!

But you don’t have to fly to Munich to get into Oktoberfest mood. We have quite a few choices to celebrate Oktoberfest here in California, too. If you live in Northern California or Southern California, you for sure will find some Oktoberfest festivity even close by your neighborhood.

We highlighted a few ‘Oktoberfests’, that we thought might peak your interest.  Check them out below!

Souther California

PHOENIX CLUB – Anaheim SoCal

This slideshow requires JavaScript.

The Phoenix Club in Anaheim features Orange County’s oldest and most authentic Oktoberfest.  OKTOBERFEST 2017 will take place every weekend Sept 22-Oct 29!

Join the party and enjoy authentic delicious German food (including Schweinshaxen and bread dumpling), Great selection of Imported German beer on tap, Polkas and Prosts in our 12,000 sq. ft. Festzelt and an acre of Biergarten. “We will have you Partying like a German!”

Traditional bands play every day!  Our Schuhplattler perform Saturdays and Sundays. The special events on the first weekend include the Official Keg Tapping Ceremony and the Opening Parade.

SHOOTING GALLERY: Our Phoenix Schützen (traditional air rifle club) will have their rifle range open to the public on Saturdays (6:00 PM) and Sundays (1:00 PM) Oct. 1 – Oct 29.

PONY RIDES: Our Neighbors at the Del Rio Stables and Equestrian Center will host $5.00 Pony Rides for the kids all Sundays in October.·         

Choo-Choo: Sundays are family days, free choo-choo rides noon to 4pm, free balloon artist one noon to 4pm

ADMISSION:  $10  -Adults on Friday, Saturday and Sunday, Phoenix Club members with card $5 –  under 18 enter FREE!

WHEN: Sept. 22 – Oct 29, 2017

WHERE: 1340 S. Sanderson Avenue, Anaheim, CA 92806

Special Music Entertainment: Various bands will perform. The local band The Express Band, Alt Rosenheim Schuhplattler and Goassischalzer from Bavaria, Germany; Musikapelle Rottenbuch from Bavaria, Germany and Odenwäder Dirndljaeger from Bavaria, Germany

Oktoberfest at JEANETTE’s EDELWEISS in Newbury Park

This slideshow requires JavaScript.

Jeanette’s Edelweiss is starting Oktoberfest the original way. Like in Munich also here Oktoberfest is rung in by the official tapping of the first beer keg. Instead of the mayor of Munich it will be the Consul General of Germany, Joerg Neumann, who will perform the traditional ceremony on Saturday, September 16 at 4pm.

Oktoberfest Season at Jeanette’s Edelweiss will be from 9/16/17 – 10/29/17 and Jeanette’s Edelweiss Polka Band will play polka and authentic German Oktoberfest tunes. Live Oktoberfest Tunes and International Music with Festmeister Hans & Accordion Diva Gigi will be part of it as well. Prepare yourself for lot’s of dancing, fun & Oktoberfest games and the following seasonal events:

Every FRI & SAT – 5 pm: Munich style Oktoberfest Party with Fun, Games and Live Music by the Jeanette’s Edelweiss Polka Band featuring Festmeister Hans.

Every Sunday 4 pm: Family Fun Oktoberfest. Kids Oktoberfest with Gigi & Festmeister Hans. Games & Fun for the family.

Every Thursday 5 pm: Oktoberfest Party!

Besides Oktoberfest entertainment be ready for a real German culinary feast. Jeanette’s Edelweiss features authentic German cuisines by renowned German Chef Rocco Suckert from Cologne, Germany. Everything from German brats, Schnitzel, Sauberbraten, Ham Hocks, Rouladen and of course Pretzels and Gingerbread hearts can be yours! And you’ll have the choice of 12 imported German beers on draft.

WHEN: Sept.16 – Oct. 29, 2017

WHERE: 2160A Newbury Road, Newbury Park

Admission: FREE  – But Advanced Reservations are Recommended!  Reserve your table: info@JeanettesEdelweiss.com (or 805-498-7300).

EL CAJON Oktoberfest – San Diego County’s oldest and most traditional Oktoberfest

This slideshow requires JavaScript.

The German American Societies of San Diego invite to their yearly traditional Oktoberfest! Two weekends full of authentic foods and original entertainment.

Come and enjoy authentic German food, such as bratwurst, ox-on-the-spit, potato salad, potato pancakes, sauerkraut, red cabbage, pretzels, and a variety of German pastries. There will be  a great selection of German beers and liquors, and soft drinks and water, to enjoy with your friends and family!

Listen to the original group “The Guggenbach-Buam”, who came all the way out from Baden-Württemberg, Germany. These talented, entertaining musicians dress in traditional clothing, and play a variety of German music, just as you would hear in the beer gardens in Bavaria. Enjoy songs such as the chicken dance, polkas and waltzes, and all the famous beer-drinking tunes. 

Watch traditional folk dancing performances, compete in our numerous games and contests, check out vendor and craft booths, and treat your kids to their own Kids’ Zone! Bring your family and friends to El Cajon and experience a real German Oktoberfest!

Admission:   $10 Friday and Saturdays; $5 Sundays.

WHEN:  Sept. 29, 30 and October 1 & October 6, 7 and 8, 2017

WHERE: German American Societies, 1017 S. Mollison Avenue, El Cajon, 92020

NORTHERN CALIFORNIA

.

Oktoberfest at ESTHER’s GERMAN BAKERY in Palo Alto

This slideshow requires JavaScript.

Esther’s German Bakery is celebrating  its 10th annual Oktoberfest !

Oktoberfest – Kick off is around noon on Saturday, September 30th.

Outside on the front patio you’ll see the food tent serving the Oktoberfest menu and plenty of tables for trying the seasonal Oktoberfest beers.  If you like more shade, check out our ‘Biergarten’  in the back.

For entertainment Esther’s German Bakery will have a favorite local German band playing festival songs from 3:00 – 8:00pm. Traditional German beer games are on the plan all night long. Come and meet some neighbors and celebrate Oktoberfest the traditional way!

On Sunday, in case you missed Saturday’s main event, the bakery will be hosting their Hangover Brunch. Both the front patio and back biergarten will be open. It’ll be back to the daily menu then, but you’ll still have plenty of seasonal beer choices and tasty German treats, and German music will of course welcome you inside. Make it an Oktoberfest weekend!!!

WHEN: Oktoberfest Day is on Saturday Sept.30 with the ‘Hangover Brunch’ following Oct. 1, 2017

WHERE: 987 N San Antonio Rd, Los Altos, CA 94022

Entrance: Free

SCHUG WINERY – SONOMA – The Oktoberfest serving wine!

This slideshow requires JavaScript.

Beer is not your thing, but you love wine? Try the Oktoberfest (Wine-Fest) at Schug Winery in Sonoma. Owned by a German family, Schug Winery is proud to invite to an Oktoberfest of their own kind. The winery was founded by Walter Schug, who came to CA in the 60’s to make wine European style.

Overlooking the Sonoma Valley you’ll be sipping Federweißer and enjoy plenty of traditional Oktoberfest entertainment. Get ready for Polka and accordion music, raffles for adults and children, a photo booth, Bean Bag Toss and more, while indulging on German specialties like Zwiebelkuchen, German cucumber salad, potato salad, German apple strudel, sausages, and of course fresh pretzels.

Children will love the Arts & Crafts tables and will go home with a free pumpkin! Special: Polkageist West is lined up for our live music.

WHEN: Sept 30 from 11am- 3:30pm

WHERE: 602 Bonneau Road in Sonoma, CA 95476.

Entrance: $50 (kids 12 and under free!)   – Ticket link : http://www.schugwinery.com/

OAKLAND NATURE FRIENDS – Oktoberfest 2017

This slideshow requires JavaScript.

Die Naturfreunde Oakland invite to their yearly Oktoberfest in Oakland on October 1st, 2017!

It’s their biggest festival of the year!  So, get ready for fun Oktoberfest entertainment while taking in stunning views of the Bay area. Authentic German food, beer, wine and non-alcoholic beverages will be available for purchase throughout the day.

Entertainment:

MUSIC & DANCING: The Bajuk Trio with the Schuhplattler Dancers performing a variety of German and Austrian folk dances. Music starts at 1pm. Let your dance out!

OTHER ACTIVITIES: horseshoes | board games | candy roulette | playground | or just lounge in our alpine-style sun chairs soaking up the wunderbaren views of the SF Bay!

ADMISSION: $15 per adult (free for kids under 14). (Discount code “earlybird” available for a limited time.)

BUY TICKETS online or show up early to ensure entry!

PLEASE BRING CASH: Cash is the preferred method of payment. We do not accept debit cards or checks at the Oakland Nature Friends Club on the day of the event. There is no ATM on the premises.

PARKING: Parking in the ONF lot is free but fills up quickly so arrive early. However, there is plenty of additional parking on Joaquin Miller Drive. We provide a free shuttle bus service (1PM to 5PM every 15 minutes) that will drive guests from the intersection of Butters and Joaquin Miller (near the fire station) to the festival grounds and back again. 

MORE OKTOBERFEST:

Placerville Oktoberfest – Sacramento –

Come Dance Zee Polka at the 7th Annual Placerville Oktoberfest on Historic Main Street Placerville

Placerville, CA, September 8, 2017—Come dance zee polka at the 7th Annual Placerville Oktoberfest on historic Main Street in Placerville on Saturday, September 16th from 3-8pm—presented by the Placerville Downtown Association.

WHEN: September 16th, 2017

Entrance : FREE

Oktoberfest at GACC – German American Chamber of Commerce in San Francisco 

For the fifth time the German American Chamber of Commerce will bring Germany’s most famous fest to the Bay Area.

Enjoy a night of delicious German food andOktoberfest beer, provided by Ludwig’s German Table.   Blow Musik! will set the right tone with their traditional Bavarian polkas and our headliner Bayern Maiden will rock the house once more!

WHEN: September 28th, 2017, 5pm-10pm
WHERE: Fort Mason, San Francisco

Admission: Buy your ticket online 

 Oktoberfest at Los Lagos Golf Course
.
LLGC in partnership with Gordon Biersch is bringing Munich’s famed festival to the San Jose community for all to enjoy!!  Live German music, dancing, traditional food, and beer!
Band: The Deutscher Musikverein  (SFgermanband.org)
WHEN:Saturday, October 14, 2017, 05:00pm – 09:00pm
WHERE: Los Lagos Golf Course, 2995 Tuers Road, San Jose, CA 95121
ADMISSION: $20.00 includes food, 2 beer samplers, and music! Tickets online at www.playloslagos.com under Event Registration.
Enegren Brewing Oktoberfest in Moorpark
.
Enegren Brewing Co. features authentic German Food with BIGGER BETTER PRETZELS and German music all day long with the German band Hazelnuss-Das Music .  Make sure to get there early for the official barrel tapping of our Oktoberfest Märzen Lager and to get your limited edition steins!
WHEN: Saturday October 7th: 11am – 10pm
WHERE: 444 Zachary St, #120, Moorpark, CA 93021
ADMISSION: Free

Oktoberfest in Downtown Los Angeles

Oktoberfest DTLA is not your traditional Oktoberfest. You’ll find local breweries and California beers, but you can also still grab an authentic German Beer from Paulaner, the #1 Oktoberfest beer in the world! Food varies from traditional bratwursts and pretzels to Thai-Mexican fusion.  Lot’s of music entertainment: Music ranges from awesome local bands like The Tom Nolan Band and rockabilly groups to beat boxers, with Hazelnuss Das Music band closing both nights to get everyone dancing to some awesome Oktoberfest tunes.

WHEN: October 21 & 22, 2017 (12pm -18pm)

WHERE: Pershing Square, 532 South Olive Street, Los Angeles, CA 90013

ADMISSION: General admission is Free, and all ages are welcome. Tasting packages will be available for sale, but you’re free to come and just enjoy the music as well.

Oktoberfest at Old World Huntington Beach

WHEN: Sept. 10 – Oct. 29, 2017

WHERE: 7561 Center Ave., Huntington Beach

Admission: $7-$25 tickets online or at the door

Oktoberfest at Alpine Village Torrance

WHEN: Sept 8 – Oct 28, 2017

WHERE: 833 W Torrance Blvd, Torrance, CA 90502

Admission: $10- $60 tickets online or at the door

Images: Copyright ©All Images are property of the respective organization, Phoenix Club, Jeanette’s Edelweiss, German American Societies of San Diego, Esther’s German Bakery, Schug Winery, Oakland Nature Friends.

.

Last Days of Summer. Catch'em While You Can!

by Leave a Comment

First day of September…and summer is over. Well, not officially. While the real change of season is still a few weeks away, I am sure you can sense a slight change in the air already, too.

Come Labor Day, and summer is clearly turning into just a warm memory. Schools are back in session, most of us are back at work and beaches are blissfully empty.

Pretty soon it’s Oktoberfest time rather than beach time. Yes, Oktoberfest season starts in California already as early as September 8th!

Before saying good-bye to summer 2017, treasure these last few nights of warmth and sunshine.

Should you spend time at Universal Studios this Labor Day weekend, don’t leave the theme park before you have seen the magical light show at the Wizarding World of Harry Potter. It is really mesmerizing!

Image & Video Credits: ©CaliforniaGermans

.