History

The Alpen Schuhplattler were officially founded in 1964, when a group of dancers was formed to represent the German culture at the Pittsburgh Folk Festival. After mastering a few dances, the group also appeared at several affairs in and about the city of Pittsburgh and also established a Kindergruppe. The Teutonia Männerchor was adopted as the Vereinsheim and practice began on a weekly basis. In 1966, they attended their first Fahnenweihe in Montreal, Canada, for Schuhplatttlergruppe Alpenland and joined the Gauverband Nordamerika.

The group elected the first slate of officers in 1971, applied for Articles of Incorporation and became chartered in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania in 1974, with the official name, “Alpen Schuhplattler und Trachtenverein.” In the following years, they attended many celebrations and Gaufeste throughout the United States. With great pride and much work, on May 29, 1982, celebrated their Fahnenweihe at Epiphany Church with twenty-six groups in attendance. The flag is presently displayed in the Sängerhalle of the Teutonia Männerchor.

The twenty-fifth anniversary was a two-day celebration in April of 1989, with a beautiful evening at the Sharon Hotel in Pittsburgh on Saturday and its first Bauernmesse Sunday morning. Also in 1989 they became instrumental in assisting the establishment of the Wanderfest, as we know it today. Since 1989 to the present time, they practice every Tuesday and perform at many events.

They continue to uphold the traditions that mean so much to them and stress the importance of having a very active Kindergruppe, which is so necessary for the perpetuity of its existence. The present roster of dancers consists of several and even third generation members, a fact which makes them very proud, because it certainly confirms the commitments made by our founding members.