The Bavarian Verein Alpengrün, Rochester's original Schuhplattler group, was founded in 1932 by immigrants from Germany with the purpose of carrying on the customs and costumes associated with traditional folk dancing of Bavaria.

The Bavarian Verein Alpengrün is comprised of children and adult Schuhplattlers, figure dancers, and non-ancers who have a love of the German music, dance, and "good times" (Gemütlichkeit). Everyone is welcome to join in our activities! We entertain at nursing homes and local fund-raisers, and attend out-of-town dance organized by other dance clubs. We gladly give presentations and school demonstrations on all aspects of Bavarian dancing and traditions.

The Kolping Society of America has over 2,200 members in 13 branches.   They belong to the International Kolping Society with over 3,000 groups in 25 countries.   They participate in a unique, family-like community.   Their goals have been expanded to meet the needs of people in today's world.   They help their members to show their Christianity in marriage and family, profession, Church, society, and state.

The Evangelischer St. Lukaskreis is a fellowship of leadership as well as an informal administrative council serving the German speaking members of the Rochester Lutheran Community connected to Reformation Lutheran Church and the former St. Luke Lutheran Church on 270 Cumberland Ave.

One of the ways in which Rochester is unique is the German service given on Sundays at Lutheran Church of the Reformation at 9:00 AM (from the first Sunday in September to the last Sunday in June).   Come worship with us!

The German-American Sports Club was founded in 1913.   Our soccer teams proudly look back on many years of dedicated efforts in promoting the game of soccer.   Our St. Paul facility offers us the capability of having a place for meetings, soccer games, and social gatherings all at the same location.

Presently the club is fielding four soccer teams in the Rochester and District Soccer League.   In addition to soccer, we also have a men's golf league.   Members meet regularly every Wednesday night for meetings, card games, billiards, or a friendly conversation.

The Germania Singers chorus is comprised of men and women inspired to perpetuate their love for German and American choral singing.   These singers are dedicated primarily to the preservation of the German folk song, which is the basis of the German cultural heritage of which we are so justifiably proud.   Interspersed with the German, we add the most beautiful American music, which creates a well rounded treasure of choral music beloved by singers and listeners alike.

MUSIC KNOWS NO BOUNDARIES!
Come for a visit--you'll probably join for ever!

Our society, the Greater Beneficial Union (GBU) was founded as an ethnic German fraternal organization on April 13, 1892 by German immigrants who had settled in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.

Locally, GBU Rochester District 790 was chartered on March 12, 1941.   We currently have approximately 70 members in our District and meet on a monthly basis.   Our social activities include picnics, museum visits, bingo, card playing parties, and dinners.   Community involvement is very important to our Rochester members.

German Language is an important facet of the Greater Beneficial Union.   Each year GBU sponsors two youth and two adult members to attend the Concordia Language Villages intensive German language and culture seminars.   Concordia gives a unique "hands-on" experience to many aspects of German cultural life including German traditions, language and foods.  Available to all GBU members is an interactive computer software program that entertainingly teaches the German language.

GBU provides a wide variety of life insurance plans, retirement savings, annuities and fraternal benefits to our members.

The purpose of the Rochester Saenger Chor is to expand the understanding and appreciation of German music and tradition throughout our community.   We accomplish this through public performances, such as singing in nursing homes, adult homes, and benefit concerts, such as the "Harmony" concert for multiple sclerosis.   We also host two 20/20 Club Parties each year.   If you enjoy singing, the chorus has broken its singing season into three seasons, and you don't have to commit for all three seasons.   You could come for one, two, or all three! If you'd like to stop by to see what we do, you're always welcome!

The Rochester Schwaben Verein, Inc., was organized on October 17, 1875.   The original purpose of the Verein was to create an association of good fellowship, bringing together all the Schwaben people in the Rochester area to cultivate customs and language of their native land.   By 1888, they formally became recognized as an aid and welfare organization because of the concern with the welfare of its members in those early years.

After more than a century since the organization of the Verein, today we still carry on the tradition of the Verein with more than 100 members.   We have the affiliation of the Frauen Club, organized in 1936, which supports all endeavors of the Verein.

The Rochester Touristen Verein (RTV) was formally established in 1929.   The early RTV members enjoyed companionship, conversation, and common interests at various local restaurants, where they met to share their thoughts and ideas.

In 1941, the RTV club members purchased a unique piece of property, on Pond Road in Lima, New York.   On the second Sunday of June each year, the RTV club hosts a large celebration of nature's reawakening, called the "Baumblüten Fest" (Blossom Festival).   The RTV hosts several other speical events throughout the year that the public is invited to: A winter carnival is usually held in February; in July the RTV enjoys a golf tournament and picnic; and in October, a Wine Festival is celebrated to commemorate the year's harvest.   Additionally, the RTV has numerous picnics, nature hikes, and other celebrations with its members.

The Schuhplattlerverein "Heidengold" (SVH) was founded in 1979 by German immigrants and friends to preserve German heritage and culture through dance andother cultural events.  SVH's purpose, as stated in the by-laws, is "to promote, advance, preserve, and perpetuate German and Tyrolean folk dancing, customs, costumes, and culture, and to establish mutual harmony and fellowship in the community."

As the name indicates, we're a dancing club.   Our dances are mainly of the Schuhplattler (shoe slapping) style, but we also do many figure dances which require less physical exertion.   Heidengold's membership includes dancers of all ages and at all levels of skill as well as non-dancers.   In addition to these, we also enjoy many activities socially as a group.   We have gone camping, to dinner theaters, and many other functions, too numerous to mention.   The Schuhplattler Verein Heidengold is always looking for new members of all ages, whether single or a couple.   No prior dance experience is required.   You are sincerely invited to come watch one of our practices and try a dance if you wish!

The purpose of the Steuben Society is to bring together members of the German-American community, to promote an awareness of the needs and contributions of German- -Americans, and to foster the German language and culture.   Founded in 1919, the Steuben Society honors Revolutionary War hero Major General Friederick Wilhelm von Steuben.   The George Ellwanger Unit #53, Rochester, New York's unit of this national organization, is named after the famous German horticulturlaist from Würtemburg who did so much to establish Rochester's reputation as the "Flower City".   Among other activities, the George Ellwanger Unit administers funds awarding annual scholarships to students who excel in German language studies in high school.

We warmly welcome all who are interested in the German-American experience to join our society!

A member of the Verband der Donauschwaben, USA, the Verein der Donaudeutschen (VDD) was founded in 1957 by new arriving immigrants mainly from the southeastern part of Europe.   The Verein provided the new arrivals with an opportunity to meet socially to promote German heritage, culture, and language.   We are proud of our family membership and encourage the participation of the younger generation in our activities.   The Verein der Donaudeutschen entertains two annual dances as well as two picnics in the Vereinspark Clarkson; all are open to the public.