Le Chibreli originated as a fertility dance in which women circled around a horned animal such as a goat. It evolved with pairs of women jumping, or hopping, their feet apart in pointed so-called "goat steps”. These tapping rhythms were danced to the beat of a musical reel or refrain. In Alsace, the reel music was replaced by a waltz, and the dance was enlivened by acrobatics at the close. Texans familiar with this style of dance know it as the "Herr Schmidt". We know it as “Rutsch Hin Rutsch Her”. 

Munster, Haut-Rhin is located in the North-Eastern valley of Alsatian Vosges Mountains, upon which Mont Sainte Odile still stands today. You may have heard of Munster Cheese? Well, this is the very same village from which it was born among the Vosgian abbeys and monasteries. This dance has roots from this area as a courting dance- La Munstein 

Our first dance instructor told us about this dance from the 19th century that is a type of Mazurka. La Varsovienne roughly translates as “the girl from Warsaw.” You will recognise this song as “Put Your Little Foot,” a traditional dance hall favorite in Texas.- La Varsovienne.

The story is that in a certain Alsatian village a very strict priest would not let the young folks dance before a wedding, but as soon as the knot was tied, they would gather in the plaza in front of the church and do this dance. It features a weaving step, something like a lizard, so we call it La Salamandre. 

During the summer of 2017, members of the Alsatian Dancers of Texas traveled to Alsace to learn new dances from a group in Kuttolsheim, a small village west of Strasbourg. This is one of the pieces we brought back.- Polka des Allumettes.

France has universal military service, and each year the new class of young people who have reached military age are called up at  the same time. Naturally, their last few days at home are one big farewell party and celebration of this rite of passage to adult responsibility. One of the popular dances for this celebration is the Draftee’s Polka- Polka des Conscrits. 

Apparently this dance originated in Bohemia as a couples dance, and then found its way into Europe as a folk dance. It was introduced to America by French immigrants, and some of you may recognise it, and may even have danced to the Schottische at a local country dance hall. Here is our version of the Schottische. 

Most dances don’t have much of a plot, but our next dance is an exception. It is known as a courting dance, and I think you may be able to follow the ups and downs of a romantic relationship in this dance. This dance was considered risque in the 19th century. The title is “Gemuetlichkeit” which translates as coziness. 

Placeholder video: This video is still being edited.

Our lead-in music originated in a cafe near Strasbourg, but it is so typical of the spirit of Alsace that it has become an unofficial national anthem. When the good times roll and the keg starts to float, you’ll hear Alsatians singing about the fellow named Hans who lives in a mosquito swamp- der Hans im Schnokaloch. 

Video coming soon.

Also known as the “Violets Waltz”, La Ronde de Violettes is a variation of the "Roses waltz" combined with the “Ring Waltz” (or “Ringeldanz”). The woman is passed from partner to partner, and it is said, “She can't dance herself to just any waltz tune.”- La Ronde de Violettes.