About Us

We are a family oriented organization. Our group consists of dancing and social members that range in age from toddlers to grandparents, all with the goal to uphold the traditions of the German and Austrian peoples. Our Kinder Gruppe (Children's Group) is comprised of school age children, ages 5-14. They perform a variety of dances from simple figure dances to the complicated Schuhplattler. In our Erwachsene Gruppe (Adult Group), we have members who have been dancing since their childhood as well as those who are just beginning.

We take much pride in our “Tracht” or traditional regional costumes. We wear what is called a “Gebirgstracht” or “Mountain costume”, which has it’s origins in the Alpine regions in the State of Bavaria and the Tyrol in Austria. Considerable time has been spent researching our Tracht for authenticity. The women's costumes are hand sewn to replicate our research, while the majority of the men's costume, such as the Lederhosen (leather pants), are ordered directly from Germany.

We perform dances such as the Ländler and the Schuhplattler. The Ländler is a figure dance with intricate figures and waltzing. The Schuhplattler (or shoe slapping dance) is a more complicated dance, with specific leg and shoe slaps required. Typically, in the Schuhplattler, the women turn for much of the dance while the men perform the slapping of the thighs and feet. Most of the dances are representative of a region or town and are usually named as such. The dances that we perform are traditional Bavarian and Austrian folk dances, most of which have been passed along from generation to generation. We also perform audience participation dances.

Current Officers of S.G. Edelweiss St. Paul:

1. Vorstand - President

Mark La Course

2. Vorstand -Vice President

Rob Audino

1. Vorplattler - Lead Male Dancer

Matt La Course

Kassier - Treasurer

Anthony Nett

Beisitzerin - Member at Large

Anna Sauter

1. Vortaenzerin - Lead Female Dancer

Stephanie De Sam Lazaro

S.G. Edelweiss is a community organization that serves to promote the traditional music, dance, heritage and culture of Bavaria and Austria for the state of Minnesota.

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