The Bavarian Schuhplattlers of Edmonton were formed in 1971 by three couples who wanted to preserve the culture and traditions of their Heimat in Bavaria. Their early performances were mainly in the Edmonton Hofbräuhaus. The costumes worn by these members were actually hand-sewn by the Mädels; later, the group imported their Tracht from the Chiemgau area of Bavaria. The dances remained true to their original form, although flavoured by the imagination and sense of humour of the individual members. The group has grown considerably over the past quarter-century, and currently boasts a membership of twenty men and women. They continue to encourage new membership among those who feel young and hearty enough to commit themselves to regular and vigorous Thursday night practices. As mentioned above, costume, originates from the Chiemgau area (50 km SE of Munich) around 1900. The ladies in the group wear a white blouse with puffed sleeves, under a sleeveless dress made with laced bodice and a full Dirndl skirt. The dresses, in a variety of colours, are actually imported from Germany, as are the Lederhosen that the men wear. These dresses are always worn with an apron, white knee socks and black pumps. The ladies also wear an actual Edelweiss blossom, encased in glass and hung as a pendant from a black velvet band. Should you have the pleasure of witnessing the Bayrisch Guck dance, you will see that the girls wear lace-trimmed bloomers under their Dirndls! The men are typically dressed in black leather trousers, trimmed with light-green embroidery, white shirts with red ties, and dark-green velour hats. In most cases, the hats are adorned with a Gamsbart, the beard of a Gemse, or chamois; despite its name, it is harvested from the manes of Bavarian mountain goats. The costume is completed by either traditional Wadenstrümpfe (calf socks) or full-length Kniestrümpfe, as well as leather Haferlschuhe. When they travel, the Bavarian Schuhplattlers take not only their costumes, but a wide assortment of props - their scythes, axes, saws, hammers, chisels, lanterns, a Maibaum (maypole) for their special "May Day" dance, and in many cases a massive log or two for the Holzhackertanz (Wood Choppers Dance). As well, the audience delights to see and hear the girls playing a variety of traditional folk songs on precisely tuned cowbells. Edelweiss and the Kufsteinlied are two songs of the many they have in their repetoire.
