Past Events

Note: This page was added to the website in the spring of 2026. Events prior to that are not available.

Folk Arts Open Houses, May 2026

The two Folk Arts open houses held at Club Heidelberg in May 2026 welcomed visitors to experience German culture through music, dancing, food, and hospitality as part of the Niagara Folk Arts Festival. The first event took place on May 12 and featured music by “The Golden Keys,” while the May 17 afternoon open house featured “Twin City Alpine Echo.” Both events included lively performances by the Alpenrösl Schuhplattlers and the Folk Dance Group, along with authentic German food and refreshments served in the club’s festive atmosphere. The Heidelberg-Rheingold Singers also performed a selection of German folk songs at the May 17 open house.

Ambassadors

Ambassadors representing many clubs participating in Folk Arts were introduced

Alpenrösl Folk Dance Group

Guten Appetit!

Members of the Alpenrösl Schuhplattlers enjoying a meal

Golden Keys' Conga Line

Heidelberg-Rheingold Singers

Cake too!

Members of the Heidelberg-Rheingold Singers served cake and coffee, as a fundraiser for the choir

GTEV Alpenroesl's Trachtenfest April 18, 2026

Trachtenfest is the annual fundraiser for GTEV Alpenroesl, the dance group at Club Heidelberg. The name “Trachtenfest” comes from the word “Tracht,” which refers to the traditional clothing worn in rural Bavaria and Austria during the late 1800s. People who wear Tracht and preserve the music, dances, and customs of that time are known as “Trachtler.”

This photo shows the flags of Austria, Germany, the United States, and Canada after leading a procession of more than 70 visiting Trachtler, along with the members of GTEV Alpenroesl, into the hall.

This video shows a dance called the “Gauplattler,” performed near the end of the evening. Many German and Austrian dance groups in North America belong to an umbrella organization called Gauverband Nordamerika. Member groups all learn the Gauplattler in the same standardized way so they can perform the dance together at festivals and special events.

The band “The Golden Keys” provided excellent entertainment throughout the evening. This video was recorded and shared on Facebook by Heidi Gregoric, a member of the band.

Crowning our Folk Arts Ambassador at the Anniversary Dinner Dance, March 21, 2026

Placing the tiara

Thomas Ruddy, 2025 Ambassador, crowns Brooklyn Balanowski, 2026 Ambassador, while Mark Bromhall, Cultural Director for Club Heidelberg, looks on.

Celebrating 70 years' membership

Long term members were honoured at the Anniversary Dinner Dance. Lucy Mai and George Jonz, both members of Club Heidelberg for 70 years, join our Ambassador in this photo.

Brooklyn Balanowski

Club Heidelberg's 2026 Folk Arts Ambassador

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