The mountain regions of Bavaria and Tyrol hold deep and time-honored traditions. These traditions include regional dialects, costumes, dances, and music. The members of Golden Gate Bavarian Club, as a not-for-profit association, preserve these values and pass them on to future generations by performing German dances in San Francisco, Oakland and the greater bay area in California.
The Schuhplattler is considered a copy of the behavior of the Spielhahn, also known as the Auerhahn. During mating time this bird, the “Don Juan” of all birds, dances proudly in circles, flapping his wings while making musical sounds, very much like our waltzes. The Schuhplattler as it developed is the imitation of this flirtation dance.
There’s nothing like Bavarian dancing as an excellent way to exercise! We do very difficult dances, like the Schuhplattler dance and intricate figure dances, called a Ländler, though some more easier dances, like the Stern Polka and occupational dances, like the Mühlradl (Miller’s wheel).
Wilkommen!
Treu dem guten alten Brauch! – True to the good old traditions!
Reasons to choose us
About B.H.T.V. Golden Gate
The Bayerischer Heimat und Trachtenverein “Golden Gate” was founded in August 2005 to focus on preserving and promoting Bavarian culture in the San Francisco Bay Area. The club was to focus on broad aspects of the culture, including dancing Austrian folk dances and the Schuhplattler, and singing traditional folk songs.
B.H.T.V. “Golden Gate” wears Tracht from the Miesbach region of Bavaria. Our clothing is made in Germany by skilled tailors who specialize in this area. While the clothing items themselves are correct and authentic for this region, we have selected the colors blue and gold to represent our ties to California.
Since our inception, we have performed for audiences around the Bay Area including corporate events, private parties, and local German restaurants including Schroeder’s (in San Francisco) and Speisekammer (in Alameda). We continue to preserve and promote Bavarian culture in the San Francisco Bay Area through handcrafts, cooking, singing, dancing, supporting our favorite München fußball teams, wearing our tracht, and enjoying each other’s company in Gemütlichkeit.
B.H.T.V. Golden Gate Gallery
Some of our events
Check out some pictures from some of our events below! Return to the gallery often as we grow our collection, add videos, music and showcase featured exhibits.
Keep in touch
Send us a message
If you are interested in participating, performing, or even just coming to an event to learn more about traditional Bavarian culture, drop us a line. Better yet, if you are interested in a performance, contact us as well!