Bavarian Dance Group seeks dancers for competition

2/14/2011

Toledo's Bavarian Dance Group -- or Holzhacker Buam Schuhplattler Gruppe -- is looking for three men and three women for a Bavarian dancing competition.

Dubbed "Platteln with the Stars," the Dancing with the Stars-type competition will pair six entrants with experienced dancers from the group, and winners will be named "honorary schuhplattler," said Andrew Beevis, group president.

"The absolute worst is we have a good time doing it," Mr. Beevis said. "The absolute best is it's a hit and we do it again next year."

Entrants will receive four 30-minute lessons on doing a Bavarian figurine dance called the steirer, Mr. Beevis said.

The competition using that dance is to be at the group's annual Schuhplattler Dance on April 9 at Oak Shade Hall in Oregon.

The contest's winner will have the opportunity to dance with the group at this summer's German-American Festival. The group is a fixture at the festival, where they are known for doing a dance that involves chopping wood in time to the music, spinning, and flapping their arms.

To enter the "Platteln with the Stars" competition, contact Mr. Beevis at abeevis@bex.net or call Katie Wiercinski at 419-893-2822.

So far, the group has received just two or three inquiries, but it mostly has put out feelers only among other German societies, Mr. Beevis said.

"We want to try to get the general public involved," he said.