GAI News
Mai 2017
This Month at the Haus
Musik im Mai: Klezmerica
Friday, May 19 at 7pm
Tickets: $25 online or at the door
- includes one beverage!
Concert runs 1 hour 30 min with a
15 min intermission.
Note: The GAI Ballroom does not
have elevator access
Join us for the rare opportunity to
hear the premier Klezmer band in the
USA, Klezmerica, in the GAI Haus.
This up close and personal concert
celebrates Klezmer music and its
history in Europe and in the USA. Klezmer is a lively music tradition which
comes from the Ashkenazi Jews of Eastern Europe, including Germany,
Poland, and Russia. With waves of Jewish European immigrants coming to
the USA from the late 1800’s through the 1950’s, traditional Klezmer blended
with early jazz rhythms to create a new American sound.
Led by Joseph Vass, Klezmerica creates its own brand of Klezmer music,
blending Yiddish folk music with classic Jazz, American Blues, and pop styles.
While nationally recognized, Klezmerica has its local claim to fame with the
popular musical The Soul of Gershwin: The Musical Journey of an American Klezmer,
which has played at the Park Square Theater multiple times, most recently this
past December.
Tickets can be purchased in
advance on the GAI website
or at the door while supplies
last.
Tickets are non-refundable.
Turn the page
for a sneak-peak
of ‘What’s New’
at…
www.gai-mn.org
“The sound is wonderful….It makes
your feet pump. If there was room,
you'd grab somebody and dance!”
-Kay Miller, Star Tribune
Events
May 6: Film Screening: Krabat
May 9: Stammtisch
May 19: Musik im Mai:
Klezmerica
May 21: Volunteer Appreciation
May 26-29: GAI CLOSED
June 10 & 11: Deutsche Tage
Adult Language Classes
G100: Monday, Tuesday,
Wednesday
G200: Monday, Tuesday,
Thursday
G300: Monday, Wednesday,
Thursday
G400: Wednesday, Thursday
G500: Wednesday, Thursday
G600: Tuesday
AMR: Monday, Friday
Oberstufe: Tuesday, Thursday
*Gesprächsrunde:Wednesdays
April 19 - May 10
*Nachrichten & Aktuelles:
Wednesdays, May 31-June 21
Kids' Activities
Kinderstube: Monday-Friday
Kid Steps Dance Classes:
Thursdays
GAI Gruppen
Deutscher Damenklub: 5/15
Deutscher Sprachklub: 5/16
Haus and Grounds: 5/13
Modelleisenbahngruppe:
3rd Saturday
Skatklub: 1st & 3rd Tuesdays
TC Männerchor: 2nd & 4th
Mondays
GAI Minnesänger: Mondays
5/1-6/5 (none 5/29)
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Saturday, June 10 ~ 11am-10pm
Sunday, June 11 ~ 11am-5pm
Deutsche Tage 2017 is just around the corner and the excitement is already in the air at the GAI. This year we
celebrate the ‘musical melting pot’ of Germanic music with our theme Musik Allerlei. Enjoy performances
from returning favorite musical acts such as Alpensterne and the Bavarian Musikmeisters as well as new
performances including local opera singer, Alicia Heckler, a demonstration of Swiss Alpenhorn, and touring all
the way from Germany, the renowned youth orchestra, Kreisjugend-Orchester Ludwigsburg. KreisjugendOrchester (KJO for short) is a group of 80 young musicians between
the ages of 13 and 21 who play wind instruments—similar to our bands
in the USA. There are limited seats in this
prestigious orchestra, and to join KJO, these skilled,
young musicians must pass a competitive audition.
The orchestra plays throughout Germany and
Europe, and has also toured South Africa, Ireland,
South Korea, Chile, and Romania.
Saturday Night = Turkish Night!
Continuing our celebration of diversity through music, Saturday evening will be
Turkish Night! The Turkish people are the largest ethnic minority in Germany, with
Turkish Germans as the second largest Turkish population in the world (just after
Turkey). Everything from Kaffeehaus culture to food to music in Germany has been
influenced by Turkish culture.
Come get a little taste of Turkish-German culture with performances by band
Makam Baklava and the Turkish American Association Folk Dancers as
well as tasty Turkish menu items including Döner Kebab, Baklava, and
Raki. Dr. Orhan Ucer, lead member of Makam Baklava, will also teach a
master class in the Demo Tent on the Baglama (sometimes called a Saz),
which is the traditional stringed instrument of Turkey.
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www.gai-mn.org
Bier und Sport! 10-year Anniversary of the Lederhosenlauf 5K and
introducing the GAI Fahrradtour
This year marks the 10th Anniversary of the Lederhosenlauf 5k which
we bring to Deutsche Tage through Charities Challenge. To continue
our celebration of Bier und Sport, the GAI is offering our first
Fahrradtour, a 17-mile bike ride beginning and ending at the GAI.
Bicyclists will gather in the Biergarten at 9am and the ride begins
9:30am. The ride is a guided route, on open roads (map available
on the website and when you register.) Those who complete the
Fahrradtour get their first beer (or non-alcoholic beverage) for free.
Plus, all bicyclists enjoy $5 beer 11am-4pm on Saturday as part of
our Bicyclists’ Biergarten to celebrate environmentally friendly
transportation. Show your helmet/bike gear at the bar to get your
discount.
The Fahrradtour is free to participate, but registration is
required in advance. Register for both the Lederhosenlauf and the
Fahrradtour to make your own personal Duathlon!
Want the Sport to continue all
day? Come back and relax in the
Rathskeller while watching the
play-off game between the US
and Mexico. Or make your very
own Fußball - soccer in the US scarf at the Minnesota United
table.
New
Culture Demos!
The ever popular Culture Demo Tent
is back for Deutsche Tage 2017, but with
DOUBLE the number of exhibitions
and different sets of presentations each
day. Every half hour from 12pm-5pm
on Saturday and 12pm-4pm on Sunday,
you can learn about a different part of
Germanic culture. From Sauerkraut
and Pretzel making to the making
and history of Krampus mask, from a
Genealogy mini-lesson to a Steinholding contest, you will learn
something new while having fun at the
Culture Demo Tent!
In the GAI Galerie: The Life of Luther and the Birth of the
Reformation
Celebrate the 500 year anniversary of the Reformation and get an overview of
the life and works of Martin Luther in our new 2nd floor Galerie exhibit during
Deutsche Tage. Curated by the GAI’s own Isabella Touboul, learn about the life of
Luther and how the reformation began through a variety of historic documents
on display. Luther Seminary has generously loaned some of their most treasured
parchments, portraits, bibles, and books of and by Luther, and a double set
reprint of the 1534 bible will be available to peruse thanks to Concordia
University.
Plus! Enjoy hearing some of Luther’s own musical arrangements sung by
the GAI Minnesänger on Sunday, June 11 at Deutsche Tage.
Want to ensure Deutsche Tage can stay vibrant and affordable?
There is so much
Learn more about becoming a Personal Sponsor on page 6!
more to explore at
Deutsche Tage 2017!
Visit www.gai-mn.org/Deutsche-Tage-2017 to
learn more about this year’s theme, entertainment,
activities, vendors, family-fun, food, and more!
www.gai-mn.org
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Language Corner: Adult Summer Classes, Sommerschule for Teens, & mehr!
Last Spring Spezial Class Begins May 31
Sign up for our final session in our Spring Spezial, short topics classes: Nachrichten & Aktuelles
- News & Current Events. During this 4-week class for Advanced Students, we will watch
and listen to German News followed by conversation and class discussion on the current events.
The focus will be on expanding vocabulary and building language skills. This class meets on
Wednesdays, May 31 - June 21.
To register, visit www.gai-mn.org/Spring-Spezial-2017
NEW Summer Language Classes for Adults - Conversation and Literature
This summer the GAI is proud to present double the number of learning opportunities for our adult
German students. Not only will be offering multiple levels and sessions of our Conversation and Review
classes, but for the first time we are offering summer Literature courses for all levels - beginner, intermediate,
and advanced. With our April G100 Summer course full, we are offering another section of G100 beginning
in July for those eager to start their German studies. Brief descriptions of our Summer Language Class
offerings is below, but you can register and learn more at www.gai-mn.org/Summer-2017
Beginner German Class G100 - Our 18-week class for Beginners, using the Schritte Textbooks.
Tuesdays, 6:30pm-9pm 7/18-11/20
Grundstufe Conversation & Review (6 Weeks) - Ideal for students who have completed G100-G300, or
at least one semester of German outside the GAI.
Wednesdays 12pm-2pm, runs 7/12-8/16 or Thursdays 6:30pm-8:30pm, runs 7/13-8/17
Mittelstufe Conversation & Review (6 Weeks)- Ideal for students who have completed G400-G600, or at
least four semesters of outside German.
Tuesdays, 12pm-2pm, runs 7/11-8/15 or Wednesdays, 6:30pm-8:30pm, runs 7/12-8/16
Oberstufe Conversation & Review (6 Weeks)- Ideal for students who have completed semesters of AMR,
B2, or C1, or have spent several years studying German and/or living in a German-speaking country.
Thursdays, 12pm-2pm, runs 7/13-8/17 or Tuesdays, 6:30pm-8:30pm, runs 7/11-8/15
Grundstufe Literature (4 Weeks)- For students who have completed G100-G300, or at least one semester
of German outside the GAI. Deutsche Märchen & Geschichten; Read & discuss the original Grimm Fairy Tales,
stories by Wilhelm Busch and more.
Tuesdays, 6:30pm-8:30pm, runs 7/18-8/8
Mittelstufe Literature (4 Weeks)- For students who have completed G400-G600, or at least four
semesters of German. Wolfgang Herrndorf - Tschick; A well written, darkly funny coming of age story.
Thursdays, 6:30pm-8:30pm, runs 7/20-8/10
Oberstufe Literature (4 Weeks)- For students who have completed AMR, B2, or C1, or have spent several
years studying German and/or living in a German speaking country. Sascha Arango - Die Wahrheit und andere
Lügen. A crime thriller with a clever plot that always surprises.
Wednesdays, 6:30pm-8:30pm, runs 7/19-8/9
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www.gai-mn.org
Sommerschule for Teens
One-week Intensives, June 19-23 or August 21-25
Monday-Friday, 9am-12pm
Is your teen a budding Germanophile? Are they looking to bring
their German language skills up to the next level? For the first time
the GAI will be offering Sommerschule for Teens. This intensive
week-long program is for students who have completed German III
(or equivalent) and who want to sharpen and improve their German
skills over the summer. The course will focus on grammar, vocabulary and speaking skills - topics will
include 'Sport & Spass' (Sports & Fun); 'Feiern & Ferien' (Celebrations & Vacations); 'Familie &
Geschwister' (Family & Siblings) and more. Two one-week intensives are being offered, one in June at
the end of the current school year and one in August before the next school year begins.
Registration is open online, along with information on materials. Contact Language Services with
questions at 651.222.2979 or [email protected]
German Language Summer Camps
Spots are disappearing quickly for GAI German Language Sumer
Camps, with Week 6 and 9 already full! From June 19 through August
18, our weekly day-camps provide fun, interactive German language
education for children grades 1-3. Two camps will also be offered for
incoming Kindergarteners in the middle of August. A list of the dates
and themes can be viewed below, with detailed descriptions. Before and
after care options are also available for all camps, and you can view
information and pricing online. Space is limited for each camp session; register today to ensure your spot by
visiting www.gai-mn.org/camp2017 or by calling Language Services at 651.222.2979.
Camps for 1-3 Graders:
June 19 - June 23: Kleine Künstler (Little Artists) - Malen & Basteln (Arts & Crafts)
June 26 - June 30: Reise um die Erde (Journey around the World) - Reisen & Erdkunde (Travel & Geography)
July 5 - July 7 (3-days only): Das Leben aufgenommen (Life in pictures) - Fotografie & Zeichnen (Photography &
Drawing)
July 10 - July 14: Die heisse Spur - Junge Detektive (Young Detectives) - Geheimnisse & Schreiben (Mysteries &
Writing)
July 17 - July 21: Das macht Sinn! (That makes Sense!) - Biologie & Erleben (Biology & Experience)
July 24 - July 28: Kinder in der Küche (Kids in the Kitchen) - Backen & Kochen (Baking & Cooking)
- THIS CAMP IS FULL
July 31 - Aug 4: St. Paul Wanderverein (St. Paul Hikingclub) - Umwelt & Ökologie (Local Environment & Ecology)
Aug 7-Aug 11:Reise nach Europa (Trip to Europe) - Deutschsprachige Länder & Leute (German-speaking
Countries & People)
Aug 14 - Aug 18: Sonne, Mond & Sterne (Sun, Moon & Stars) - Astronomie, Geschichten & Basteln (Astronomy,
Stories & Crafts) - THIS CAMP IS FULL
Plus -Two Camps for Kindergarteners!
Aug 7 - Aug 11 & Aug 14 - Aug 18: Kids Safari - Kindergarten Camp
www.gai-mn.org
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News from the GAI Board of Directors
Become a Deutsche Tage
Sponsor!
New Terms for GAI Board Members
Last April, the GAI Board of Directors approved a
measure to change Board terms to parallel the
calendar year rather than the fiscal year which ends
June 30 for the GAI. This change was implemented
to allow new Board Members to gain six months of
experience serving on the Board, before participating
in fiscal year end activities such as establishing the
budget and setting organizational goals for the new
year. The new terms will go into effect this year, and
the terms of those Board members that were to
expire in June will be extended through December
2017.
Ballot Mailing to GAI Members
Request for Change of By-Laws: Transition to an
Appointed Board
All current members of the GAI will receive a ballot
in late May or early June, asking them to vote on a
change to the GAI by-laws, as requested by the Board
of Directors. This change would shift the process of
filling board vacancies from one of a popular election
by the general membership to strictly Board
appointments. Why the change? This would move the
GAI to a process that aligns with nearly all 501C(3)
non-profits; allowing for the Board to recruit, vet, and
appoint candidates needed for specific professional
skill sets to advance the organization. Currently we
have both elected and appointed Board positions.
This new practice will move us toward that model,
and also result in cost savings.
You love Deutsche Tage and we
do too! Become a Personal
Sponsor today and ensure that
we are able to keep Deutsche Tage
free and open for everyone to enjoy. Your
Sponsorship does this by covering the event
production costs and directly impacts Deutsche Tage's
success as our largest event of the year.
Personal Sponsorship perks this year include:

The magic "I ♥ DT" sponsor button that grants
you priority service at the bar all Deutsche Tage
weekend AND $1 off beer at the GAI's 2017
Summer Biergarten events.

Free admission to a Historical Bus Tour of St.
Paul on Friday, October 6th with Dave
Bredemus.

And more!
NEW! This year in addition to the Individual and
Couple Sponsor levels, we are offering a new $500
option: Reserve your very own Biergarten table*
for a 2-hour time slot of your choice either Saturday
or Sunday. You and your guests also receive a round
of drinks on the Haus served at your table. You'll
have the best seats in the Biergarten! (*Limit: 5)
Have questions? Contact Erin Howlett to learn
more about your sponsorship perks and options at
[email protected] or at 651.222.7027.
‘Sweet Land, the Musical’ at the History Theatre
With Afterthoughts Q & A hosted by the GAI on May 7,
following the 2pm Matinee
Discounted Tickets for GAI Members
Based on the film and classic short story, Sweet Land, the Musical runs at the History
Theatre through the end of May, with a special GAI led Q & A session post-show for
the May 7 matinee. As part of our partnership, GAI Members can receive $30 tickets
($15 for students) to the May 7 performance of Sweet Land when you use the special
promo code GAI717.
Called “A poignant, lyrical celebration of land, love, and the American immigrant
experience,” the story centers on Inge Altenberg who journeys to America in 1920 to
marry a bachelor farmer, sight unseen. However, in the wake of WWI, Inge’s German
heritage turns her new neighbors against the match. The determined young immigrant
and her stoic farmer must fight for their lives, facing their own misgivings and the
With Ann Michels as Inge
Photography by Rick Spaulding
harshness of an unforgiving land.
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www.gai-mn.org
GAI Minnesänger Choir Rehearsals Begin
Again!
Volunteer Appreciation
Sunday, May 21, 12pm-2pm
12pm - Bar Opens
12:30pm - Lunch Begins
We love our volunteers!
They keep our Haus in top
shape, our events lively, and our community strong.
As a ‘Thank you’ for all the hard work our
volunteers do, we are hosting a special Volunteer
Appreciation lunch on Sunday, May 21. Enjoy
bratwurst, beer, and some ice cream dessert as we
celebrate all of the time and talent you have given to
make the GAI a place of great Gemütlichkeit this year.
Anyone who has volunteered 10 hours or more
since last spring should look for an invite in your
inbox at the beginning of May.
Contact Elisabeth Miller at [email protected] or 651-206-2642 with questions or to get
involved in future volunteer opportunities.
Also, check your inbox for sign-up information
for Deutsche Tage 2017, coming soon!
Ongoing Events
Stammtisch
Tuesday, May 9 at 11:45am
$10 per person
RSVP by Friday, May 5
Join us once a month at the ‘regular’s table’ for
Stammtisch— a luncheon of German food and
programming auf Deutsch. At Stammtisch you can
practice your German in a welcoming environment,
while enjoying cultural programming organized by
Tom Felling and a home-cooked meal prepared by
Helga Parnell and her team of volunteers.
Kaffeestube European Breakfast Café
Saturdays, through May 20
8:30am -11am
$12 adults, $7 children
Head over to the GAI Saturday mornings and enjoy
our European-style breakfast buffet with your
friends and family. Frühstück includes German rolls,
cheeses, cold cuts, eggs, spreads, and more!
Members and non-members welcome.
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With Deutsche Tage just two short months away
its time to for the GAI’s German-language
seasonal pop-up choir, Minnesänger, to begin
rehearsals once again. Rehearsals take place in
the GAI Ballroom and are scheduled every
Monday, 7pm-9pm, May 1 through June 5 (No
rehearsal on May 29, Memorial Day)
Minnesänger will then perform at Deutsche Tage
Sunday, June 11, at 1:30pm.
If you have questions or want to learn more
about the choir, contact choir director John
Hoffacker at [email protected]
Volunteer Opportunities
Volunteer Crews: Events
Everyone enjoys events at the GAI, and it takes a
great team to make that happen. Over the next few
months we will form several volunteer teams (to
match your skills and interests better), and the first
one is a Set-up Crew. Crew duties include moving
equipment, chairs, tables, and some decorating as
required. We also seek a motivated individual who’d
like to step forward as the team leader. Set-up is
normally done the day before or the day of an event.
If you are interested in joining the Set-up Crew
or if you are interested in volunteering for
Deutsche Tage 2017, contact Elisabeth Miller
at [email protected] or 651.206.2642.
Haus & Grounds
Saturday, May 13, 9am-12pm
It’s the Haus & Grounds Spring Clean-Up! Come at
9am on May 13 to help the crew clean up the gardens
and the lawn ready for all our fantastic summer
events. Stay for lunch and beer at noon, and chat
with friends old or new. This is a great opportunity
to bring first-time Haus & Grounds volunteers and
enjoy the outdoors!
To sign up as a volunteer for Haus & Grounds,
contact Jim Gruetzman at 651.783.2996 or at
[email protected]
www.gai-mn.org
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NONPROFIT ORG
U.S. POSTAGE
PAID
PERMIT NO. 1388
TWIN CITIES, MN
301 Summit Avenue
Saint Paul, MN 55102
www.gai-mn.org
GAI Office
Staff offices located on 2nd floor of the Haus.
Phone: 651.222.7027 | Fax: 651.222.6295
[email protected]
Language Services
Phone: 651.222.2979 | [email protected]
Kinderstube
Director’s phone: 651.353.5147 | [email protected]
www.kinderstubepreschool.org
Twin Cities German Immersion School
Phone: 651.492.7106 | www.tcgis.org
The Germanic-American Institute is the authorizer of
the Twin Cities German Immersion School, a public
charter school.
May Newsletter Deadline: April 1
June Newsletter Deadline: May 1
Find us on Facebook!
www.facebook.com/GAIMN
GAI Closed May 26-29
The GAI will be closed
Friday, May 26 through
Monday, May 29 in
observance of Memorial Day.
Language Classes and
weekend activities are not
scheduled during this time.
Thank you for your support
and enjoy your holiday
weekend!
FREE Film Screening: Krabat
Saturday, May 6 at 10am
Screening is in German with English Subtitles
Estimated equivalent to PG-13 rating for fantasy
violence, dark themes, brief, partial nudity
Enjoy a spring movie outing with the whole family!
On May 6 during Kaffeestube we will be screening the
popular German fantasy-adventure film, Krabat.
Adapted from the novel by German author Otfried
Preußler, Krabat depicts the journey of a young man
taken in as an apprentice to an old Mill Keeper, who teaches the boys who
work for him sorcery at night. The plot thickens when it is found the master
is extending his life and renewing his youth through deadly magic, which
Krabat, his friends, and his love must avoid. It is an action-packed tale of
magic, good and evil, and the power of love.
While popular with children and adults in Germany, this film is a little more
mature by American standards. Please contact Language Services if you
have any questions about content.
This free film screening is made possible by the Goethe
Institut. Thank you for your support!
www.gai-mn.org
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