About

The B.G.T.E.V. D'Holzhacker Buam Bavarian Dance Club was established in 1935 to preserve and uphold Bavarian culture and traditions.

Mission

To maintain the traditions of our forefathers in preserving the customs and culture passed down from generation to generation with special regard to the dance of Bavaria known as the Schuhplattler.

History

On April 16, 1935, a group of German Americans met at Stadt München, a Gasthaus in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. At this meeting, our founders expressed their heartfelt desire to uphold and carry on the customs, music and dance of Bavaria. The Bayerische Gebirgs Trachten Erhaltungs Verein (BGTEV) D’Holzhacker Buam was established and its members continue to maintain these traditions to the present day.

The club soon became involved in many of the ethnic activities held in the Milwaukee area such as the Milwaukee Public School’s annual Harvest Festival and the International Institute’s annual Holiday Folk Fair. We have been active participants in many of their functions since their inception.

Throughout the years, our meetings and Plattler probes (practices) have been held at various locations in and around Milwaukee. The German Fest office in Menomonee Falls is our current gathering place. During the years we participated in festivities at the Bohemian Hall, Milwaukee Turner Hall, the Bonfrei Hall, and the Old Heidelberg in Glendale, Wisconsin. As time went by, our membership grew and so did our ambitions. For many years our annual Stiftungsfest was held at the Jefferson Hall that at one time served as a focal point for many of the German Societies in the Milwaukee area because of its spacious facilities for holding theater plays and large dances. We are also charter members of Carl Schurz Memorial Park.

For anyone interested in potentially becoming a member, please feel free to join us at a Platter probe, which are held on the second and fourth Wednesdays of most months at the German Fest Office, located at W140N5761 Lilly Rd, Menomonee Falls, WI 53051.