Germania Maennerchor knows how to have a good time. After all, it’s rolled out the Gemülichkeit since 1900. “People came here originally to get a feel for the homeland because they left it. Now, of course, we’re the generations after that,” says President Mike Kuhn.
At its height, the singing and social club dedicated to preserving German traditions packed 400 members into its brick and limestone, Frank Schlotter-designed headquarters at 916 N. Fulton Ave. Since 1913, concerts, dances, and theater performances have been held in the large upstairs hall. Women joined the Maennerchor (German for “men’s choir”) with the addition of the Ladies Auxiliary in 1910 and the Damenchor (women’s choir) in 1915.
Ratskeller Band and Rhein Valley Brass play traditional polka anthems at fish fries, beer tastings, and a Christkindlmarkt. Still, the club is most known for its annual Volksfest. The three-day festival “for the people” debuted in 1934 and draws thousands of lederhosen- and dirndl-bedecked visitors for its German cuisine, brews on tap, and live music. This year’s Volksfest — slated for July 31-Aug. 2 — marks the club’s quasquicentennial with four live German bands plus a performance from local rock band Haywire, a 5K rebranded as The Wurst Race, an expanded kids’ day, and a selection of eight German beers.
“The first Volksfest was scheduled for early August as a harvest celebration and just a few thousand people attended to eat pig’s knuckles, bratwurst, kraut, mashed potatoes, and German potato salad,” Kuhn says. “It was held outdoors, so people listened to German bands and danced to familiar tunes being played by brass bands that reminded people of the old country.”
“I actually met my husband (Jim) at Volksfest,” says Becky Harl, who joined in 1995 and is president of the Ladies Auxiliary. Her husband, Jim, joined in 1991. “It’s a lot of work, but I’m putting my free time toward something good for the community.”
Only nine club members are fluent speakers, though the choirs still perform in German. The Germania Maennerchor Foundation, Inc. invests in that education by awarding scholarships to high school seniors who plan to study German in college.
Harl says her favorite aspects of being a member include “the history of the club. The history of the building. The beautiful murals. … I enjoy my friends here for sure.”
“I just like the camaraderie, the people that you know by name as they all come in,” Kuhn says. “There’s a love of peace and harmony that we try to promote through singing.”
Interested in joining? Membership fees for the Ladies Auxiliary are $25 per year. Membership in the Men’s Auxiliary costs $40 annually.
