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Oregon Those clever elves from Schwabenland have performed another of
their magical feats. For weeks the spring weather was dreary. There were
cold, rainy days with dark clouds hovering overhead. Then, on April 29th,
when the Schwaben Verein presented its BookBier Heimat Special at Oak Shade
Hall in Oregon, Ohio, the morning began in bright sunlight and the
temperature climbed to a balmy 80 degrees.
President Herman Schmalzried and his many helperelves, with the assistance
of promoters Gisela Lewis and Wolfgang Lippert, brought four great acts from
Austria and Germany to Oak Shade Hall.
Doors opened at noon with guests arriving from surrounding districts and
some even from outofstate areas. From 12:30 to 3:00 p.m. A traditional
Schwäbisch dinner was served. In the kitchen the welldisciplined cooking
crew was ready to serve the roast pork, spätzle, and sauerkraut. Kuchen and
coffee topped off the meal. A cash bar, always under the excellent
management of Howard Schnable, offered German and domestic beers. Wine was
also available for those who prefer it with their dinner. Guests continued
to stream in until Oak Shade Hall was filled to capacity.
The focal point of the hall, however, was the stage, where a large banner
featured Hansi Kiesler und Musik vom Wilden Kaiser." To the left of the
stage was a huge screen on which were previewed German artists with a
background of picturesque alpine scenes. A special feature was the
projection of guests at their tables onto the screen.
At
3:30, President Schmalzried welcomed all guests to the BookBier Heimat
Special and turned the program over to Master of Ceremonies, Hermann Eiter,
who announced that the entire program was to be filmed for later showing on
television. Eiter than introduced the star of the show, Hansi Kiesler.
Kiesler presented the members of the band and together they gave a
handclapping rendition of Schon das Du da bist." The second number featured
Musik vom Wilden Kaiser." Following Wiedersehen die guten Freunde," Hermann
Eiter returned to the stage and told a humorous story about squirrels. It
must be noted that most of the performers spoke either with an Austrian or
Bavarian dialect. Eiter's ribald tale of the squirrels was well understood;
however, it was sometimes difficult to understand the wording of songs,
unless, of course, one was familiar with the dialects.
Lydia Huber, the feminine vocalist of the group, has had many years of
experience on the music stage. Her professionalism was apparent in the
delivery of her singing and in her conversations with the audience. She
taught the audience the spirited way to say, Grüss Gott." She then sang and
yodeled Wenn ich auf hohen Bergen stehe." Her next song was dedicated to the
men in the audience. It was a gentle lecture for them to practice what her
next song expressed: "Sag danke schon mit roten Rosen." She ended her
performance in the first part of the show with a melody from Tyrol, "Die
Perle Tirol."
Hermann Eiter returned to the stage to tell another of his jokes. This one,
from the Tyrol, was a risque tale suitable to the cabaretstyle of this show.
Blumi and the Alpenhippies were featured next on the program. Blumi hails
from the same region in Austria as does Arnold Schwarzenegger and the
Lippizaner horses. His humor whether singing or talking held the audience in
laughter. He is a natural comic. Josef, the keyboard and accordion player of
the band, was called "John" for the American tour. The loss of several
fingers did not curtail this man's artistry on the accordion. One of his
numbers was played while he and his instrument were fully covered with a
black sheet. For a humorous effect, Blumi gave him sunglasses and glowing
horns while he was playing. The entire band played Hey, Nachbarin," which
had the audience engaged in joyous "schaukeln." Blumi, in a playful mood,
introduced Gerhardt from the band, who recited a short, naughty poem. The
audience loved it! Blumi then sang a song about a traveling frying pan
repairman, Der Pfannenflicker." The audience roared with laughter when he
swiveled his hips and played" the frying pan.
Hermann Eiter told another of his humorous stories, followed by Kiesler's
singing of ,Dann wirst du wieder, wieder weinen," Was wäre ich ohne Dir,"
and Komm in meine Arme." This ended the first part of the fourhour show.
After an intermission, Hansi opened the second part of the program with
three songs: Tanz mit mir Laurene," Sommer in Athene," and Mädchen aus
Mexico," for which the band appeared in Mexican hats and shirts.
Blumi again took to the stage with a humorous number, Der Herr mit meiner
Henne," followed by Leut' steht auf die Nacht fängt an," and Ist das ein Sau
in Mir." His last number was Du bist mein Herzens Superstar." Blumi received
great applause as he left the stage.
Lydia Huber returned to sing In der Heimat des Herzens." Her next number was
made famous by the great Victor Torriani: Fliege mit mir in die Heimat."
Eiter and Kiesler told a few more stories. Kiesler finished his part of the
program with Ein ganzes Lebenslang soll es bleiben," and Wir sehen uns
wieder."
For the finale all the members of the group, with enthusiastic support from
the audience, sang, Sierra Madre del Sol."
On
a Sunday afternoon, those clever elves from Schwabenland took all, who
attended their program, back on a sentimental trip to the Heimat.
Roy F. Lessing |
