The German American Social Club of Cape Coral offers a variety of activities to its members, but its Friday Night Dinner Dances with live music are particularly popular. This event is open to the public, with a cover charge of $5 for non-members. The club frequently hosts local and visiting bands, providing a wide range of music from traditional German songs to contemporary hits. Guests have the opportunity to enjoy classic German cuisine and refreshments, dance with friends and family, and socialize with members of the club. The Friday Night Dinner Dances are a great way to experience the vibrant culture of the German American community in Cape Coral and make new friends.
Hafenkapelle (Fest Band)
President: Dave Harlow Kapellmeister: Gary Marvel
Hafenkapelle is a costumed fest band sponsored by GASC. In addition to traditional German festival music, we play American big band favorites and other popular dance music. Many members of Hafenkapelle are also members of GASC, but this is not a requirement.
We are available to play Oktoberfest and other German fest events in Cape Coral, Fort Myers, and other locations in Southwest Florida. Hafenkapelle performs in the big tent and the Bavarian garden for the German-American Social Clubs’ Oktoberfest, the third and fourth weekends of each October, and other club events.
Our web page provides additional information about joining the band, our schedule, and more. Click the link below to see the web page.
www.hafenkapelle.com
Edelweiss Chorus
Chairperson: Barbara Wilken Choral Director: Helen Gierke
The Edelweiss Chorus currently has close to 20 members. A mixed chorus, singing 4 part harmony. Our singers are a very dedicated group with a profound love for music, especially the German tradition of beautiful folk songs, ballads, chorales, and hymns. We meet every Monday at 7 p.m. for rehearsal from September to May.
Dr. Helen Gierke is serious-minded to lead her group to events that the public will admire. They present several concerts and programs during the year, mainly a spring concert in March and a Christmas concert in December. They also participate in the annual Heritage Day, the German American Day at our Club in October, the church service on the 2nd Sunday of Oktoberfest each year, the Memorial Service in November for our departed members, and the Christmas Eve church service at Christ Lutheran Church. The highlight of the chorus was, a few years ago, the opportunity to sing with the Naples Philharmonic Orchestra under the direction of Erich Kunzel.
We are always open to new choir members. If you decide to join our group, contact one of us.
Schützenverein
President: Stefan Harzmann Vice President: Les Adams
We are the target shooting club within the German-American Social Club of Cape Coral. We are continuing the very popular German tradition here in Southwest Florida. The guns that we are using are high-precision air rifles manufactured in Germany. We have a yearly King and Queen shootout (Königsschießen) and compete with the Lantana Schützenvereins from the Palm Beach Area for the traveling trophy. Our Schützenball, when we crown the Season’s King and Queen, is held in March as part of a Friday night.
All members must be GASC members in good standing.
G.A.L.S. (German-American Ladies’ Society)
Chairperson: Karin Krüger
We come together every Wednesday to create craft items to sell at our Octoberfest, Gardenfest, annual card party and various other functions. If you are interested in knitting, crocheting, beading, or needle point this is the place to be. We will instruct you if you do not know how to do any of these things. We have a lot of lovely ladies who will do anything you ask for. We start at 9:00 on every Wednesday except the second Wednesday of each month when we start at 9:00. Come and join us.
Kulturgesellschaft
Chairperson: Susie Zimmer
Kultur Abend is a cultural program in the German language. It includes songs, poetry, and cultural visits to various German cities. It celebrates our German heritage. If you speak German or are of German descent, we would love to have you attend our Kultur Abend.
Der Kulturabend bietet ein Programm in deutscher Sprache mit deutscher Musik, deutschen Gedichten sowie Vorträgen über Land, Leben und Städte. Er dient der Pflege unserer deutschen Sprache und Kultur. Wenn Sie Interesse haben und die Sprache beherrschen, sind Sie herzlich eingeladen. Wir freuen uns, Sie beim nächsten Abend begrüßen zu können!
Kultur Abend is always on the third Tuesday of January, February, March, April, May, November, and December.
SPORTVEREIN | SOCCER FAN CLUBS • SKAT
The Sportverein is promoting German sporting events, including, but not limited to soccer and other sports, that will advance and perpetuate an interest in German sporting culture.
FC Bayern Fanclub Southwest Florida – officially registered and recognized FC Bayern München Fan Club of Southwest Florida in Cape Coral.
Die Mannschaft Southwest Florida – officially registered and recognized by the DFB, the Deutscher Fußball-Bund (German Football Association).
SKAT – Friends of the “Skat”, the traditional and popular three-player card game, considered a German national sport.
KinderKlub
The KinderKlub is a group where members and their kids come together to celebrate our German heritage and events. We encourage children and parents to socialize and to participate in club events through crafts, music, food, and dancing. The Kinder Klub participates in the Christkindl market, Edison Junior Parade, have an Osterfest-Easter Egg Hunt, and of course Oktoberfest. We are excited to share the German culture with our kids, and pass on the traditions to the next generation.
First Congregational Church of Cape Coral
We are located at 312 Santa Barbara Boulevard, Cape Coral FL 33991. We are “The Small Church with a Big Heart”. Deutschsprachiger Gottesdienst jeden 4. Sonntag im Monat um 14 Uhr. Danach gemütliches Beisammensein mit Kaffee und Kuchen.
For more Info please go to: http://www.firstchurchcape.org