Gruppen
The GAI is home to groups for German-interested people of many different interests and ages. Some have been meeting for several years and others for just a few months. If you are interested in joining or starting a new group at the GAI, contact the main office at 651-222-7027. For current information on group activities, see the GAI newsletter or view the related links for the groups.
Children & Families
Kinderstammtisch
The Children’s Group meets from September – May usually from 2:00 - 4:00 pm on the third (sometimes fourth) Saturday of the month. Sometimes the meetings are at the GAI and other times they are off-site. All activities are conducted "auf Deutsch". The focus is on songs, games, board games and puzzles. German videos may also be shown. For more information, contact Rene Meyer-Grimberg at 651-298-9711.
Spiel und Krabbelgruppe
This is a playgroup for German-speaking parents and grandparents and their children/grandchildren. Meetings are usually Wednesday mornings. For more information, contact Alexandra Weeding at spielgruppe@gai-mn.org.
For current updates, go to GAI-Jr.
Young Adults
Kreuz und Quer
This group, founded in 1995, is geared to young adult German-speaking Americans and visiting German speakers. It is a social and conversation group that meets four times a month, on the 7th, 14th, 21st, and 28th, around the Twin Cities. KQ is one of the fastest growing of the GAI's interest groups. The mood is lively and everyone helps one another out with the language. The group often plans spontaneous get-togethers so that there is something to do nearly every week. For more information, visit the Kreuz und Quer site.
Kinoabend
This movie night is held monthly in the Ratskeller at the GAI. People gather for a social hour and then to watch a German-language film. Many movies are subtitled. To find out more about the Kinoabend schedule and films, see the Kreuz und Quer site.
Skat Club
This club plays the traditional German card game Skat, thus the name Skat Club. They meet twice a month (the first and third Tuesday at 7 pm). Most players are advanced, but newcomers are always welcome and time will be taken to introduce anyone to this very social game. This is also a great opportunity to improve German-language skills with friendly people of various backgrounds. Contact the GAI Office for more information.
Conversation Groups
Der Deutsche Damenklub
This group serves as a support group for German-speaking women who have lived through World War II and/or dealt with post-war experiences in Europe. It meets the third Monday of the month at noon for a pot-luck lunch and conversation. Contact Helga Parnell at 651-457-1590 for more information.
Der Deutsche Sprachklub
This German Language Club meets the third Tuesday of the month from September to May at 7:30 pm at the GAI. Founded in 1979, Sprachklub offers GAI members an opportunity to speak German in an informal, congenial setting – regardless of level of proficiency. A variety of topics are presented and fluency ranges from a working knowledge of German to native speakers. For more information contact Pauline Mueller at 651-457-5547.
German Stammtisch
On the second Tuesday of each month, German speakers meet for lunch and topical discussion between 11:45 am and 1:15 pm. Check the newsletter for topics and special guests. Reservations are requested: call 651-222-7027.
Choir/Dance
Volksfest Singers
The Volksfest Singers are an active, fun-loving, ageless group within the Germanic-American Institute. They further the understanding of their Germanic heritage and culture by singing the time-tested and varied folk songs of the mother countries. Performances are given throughout the year on a request basis in hospitals, churches, senior citizen homes, GAI activities, etc. Rehearsals are normally held on the second and fourth Tuesdays of the month. All fun and song- loving GAI members are welcome to join this active group. For more information, contact Dorothy Gitter-Uhler 651-457-2338 or the office at 651-222-7027.
Twin Cities German Männerchor
The Männerchor is a male chorus who sings four-part harmony mostly in German. New members are welcome! They meet Mondays at 7:30 at the GAI. For more information, call Roger Arent at 952-938-2534.
Schuhplattler – Traditional Dance
There are two folk dancing clubs affiliated with the GAI: the Minnesota Schuhplattlers and Schuhplattler Gruppe Edelweiss.
The Minnesota Schuhplattler is a diverse group of people who share an enthusiasm for folk dancing and who especially enjoy preserving the traditional dances and costumes of Germany and Austria. The organization currently meets on Thursdays at the GAI to practice. The Minnesota Schuhplattler perform throughout Minnesota, including at such events as the Festival of Nations, Deutscher Tag, Sommerfest and numerous Oktoberfests and other ethnic festivals. For more information contact Andrew Fleishhacker 651-646-5895.
For more information on the Schuplattler Gruppe Edelweiss, see their website at www.sgedelweiss.org.
Other Groups
Haus and Grounds
This group does exactly what its name says, takes care of the house and grounds of the GAI. Volunteers under the leadership of a core crew meet monthly to perform minor maintenance and repairs that are needed on the Institute campus. This includes anything from painting to weeding the GAI flower gardens. If you would like to help maintain the GAI facility, have a green thumb and/or are a real handy person, we need you! Contact the main office 651-222-7027 for more information or to volunteer.
Lesekreis
If you are interested in joining a reading group which reads and discusses novels of moderate difficulty in German, Lesekreis is for you! The group meets the last Monday of each month at 1:30 pm in the library at GAI. Please contact Nancy McGuiness at 651-739-4984, for more information.