Schuhplattler

The Schuhplattlers,or shoe clappers, are, without a doubt, the best-known folk dancers in the Greater Cincinnati area. Their jumping, slapping, and spinning high energy Bavarian folk dances are amazing to watch and extremely entertaining.

The group was first created when a Schuhplattlers group from Pittsburgh performed at the Germania Oktoberfest in 1971 and 1972. The older members of the Youth Group were interested the moment they saw them perform and saw this as a chance to continue their love of dancing after leaving the Youth Group. As a result, in the fall of 1973, interested club members undertook a trip to Pittsburgh and learned some of their dances. Ever since, the group has grown tremendously, both in size and in popularity.

The dancers wear traditional Bavarian costumes, imported directly from Germany. The girls wear a flowing dress that is perfect for spinning called a Dirndl while the boys wear a custom-made Lederhosen (leather pants), a belt, a hat with Gamsbart (ornamental hat feather), wool socks, and, in some cases, a hunting knife in the side pockets.

The group is often invited to perform at local events throughout the Cincinnati area including Bockfest, Kolping’s Schützenfest, Germania’s Oktoberfest, the Downtown Zincinnati Oktoberfest, and, of course, the Donauschwaben Oktoberfest.

The group is for adults with ages ranging anywhere from 18 to 50 and while the members usually move up from the youth group and already have some knowledge on waltzing, new members are always welcome. The group meets weekly at the Cincinnati Donauschwaben Club Haus on Monday nights from 7:15-8:30.

If you have questions or would like to talk with someone about joining this group, please contact Lori Decher at lpd@fuse.net.