German Fest Photos 2010

I am going to take Photos at German Fest each day, so watch this post as I keep adding photo albums to this space.

Wednesday, July 21

This was the day before German Fest started. A mini-concert was scheduled on Old World 3rd Street with all the German Entertainers.

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Thursday, July 22

This was one wet day. It rained all day, but toward evening it REALLY got bad! First they shut down all the audio equipment. Then when it was reported that the weather was getting worse, they shut down everything. Our ride home from the fest grounds was a bit scary. There was a lot of flooding throughout the Milwaukee area and fear is that it will continue till tomorrow. All the pictures are mostly of the rain. I think the Butzenmaenner actually played for a little while, but the 30th Anniversary showcase never got started. Let's all hope that the weather will soon get better.

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Friday, July 23

The sun was shinning all day. I have several pictures of the Blaskappelle Milwaukee in this bunch of pictures and the German singers showcase.

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Saturday, July 24

I am short on time, but I wanted to get Saturday's pictures posted before I go down to the fest grounds. I will be updating these pictures next week.

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Sunday, July 25, 2010

Last day of German Fest. I have to get up on Monday at 4:30 am to start work at 6 am, but I wanted to get these pictures out for everyone. During the week I will return to the website to add captions. But in the meantime here are the pictures.

Please remember you can just click on the slide show and it will take you directly into the album on Picasa. Then find the photo you want to download -- right click on the photo and download it to your computer. It's all FREE. Love that Picasa.

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German Fest in Milwaukee is almost here

I have not posted much about German Fest this year. I did not feel the need, because they have finally started using their website and posting much more information than they ever have in the past. If you are looking for deals or specials on some of the days, please be sure to go the the German Fest website. However, I did not want disappoint some of my readers and give you a little more info about the info this year. Also, I like to provide links to the artists' webpages, so if you would like more info on some of them it is available. (German Fest website does not provide them). I am not going to list the local acts this year, because it would just take too much space.

30th Anniversary Showcase - When you see this in the program it will include only entertainment from Europe. Such as, Claudia & Alexx, Francy B, Geschwister David, Golden Sixties Band, Max Lechner, Armin Stoeckl, and Regina Thoss

Claudia & Alexx - Those of you who attended the Christmas show in Milwaukee (or in Chicago) will notice that Claudia has a NEW Alexx. I am providing a picture taken by my friend, Maria Olligies, who sent this to me in April. Most of the previous advertising from German Fest did not provide this info, but I am happy to see that they updated their website recently. Also, here is a link to YouTube where Claudia is doing a single, Lass uns Fliegen. Personally I think she does not need to be a Duo. Her voice is very strong and can stand alone, but I guess everyone needs a gimmick. Click Here for Claudia's facebook page.

Francy B - This is a new name to me. I have not seen her on German TV, asked my friend in Germany about her and she is unfamiliar to her also. Not sure what kind of music she does, so it should be interesting.

Geschwister David - Recently the Geschwister David have been on Stefan Mross's Immer Wieder Sonntag's TV show, where they competed with their new song, Ach wär doch immerzu nur Sommer. It should be a treat to see these two talented girls. They usually seem to wear dirndls but I don't know if they yodel.

Golden Sixties Band - Again, this is band I am unfamiliar with. Robert Deglau has been advertising on his Continental Showcase that, of course, they play the oldies. He has played some cuts on his radio show and they sound very good.

Max Lechner - Max Lechner has appeared several times in the Chicago area, courtesy of Armin Homann, who is a DJ there. Max also brings other entertainers with him that he manages, such as Armin Stoeckl. Max was in Milwaukee for the Christmas show in 2008 and is happy to return to Milwaukee. Robert Deglau has invited Max to co-hosting the radio show, Continental Showcase, on Saturday, July 24, from the festival grounds.

Armin Stoeckl - The first time I saw Armin Stoeckl was in 2007 at Lake Villa. He was in a show with Romy, who has been on many German TV shows. Armin has some very nice songs and Robert Deglau has been playing them faithfully every week on his radio show, Continental Showcase. Robert invited Armin Stoeckl to do a Christmas show in Milwaukee in 2008. Max Lechner organized the Christmas tour and also had Birgit Pless in the show. This same show appeared in the Chicago area and there are many people in our area who have seen Armin Stoeckl in the past. Robert has been telling everyone to be sure and catch Armin's rendition of Elvis; he says it is a show stopper.

Regina Thoss - I do not know this entertainer either, but I like her website. It is easy to move around in and she looks like she has been around a long time. I saw a picture of her with the late Ted Hierl† (whom she identifies as Fred Hierl) in 1993 when she was in New Jersey. So this is not the first time she has been to the US.

Biba und Die Butzenmaenner - This is a group from Germany, but is not part of the showcase listed above. They were at German Fest about 2 years ago. They play a little more American style music and is there for the younger crowd. If you are over 50, don't expect to sing along with the songs they play. The picture to the left was taken when they were at German Fest last time. Elmar drove them around last time and found them polite and appreciative. Although the old like I had for these guys has been changed, when they arrived, I asked for the new web address. So just click on the link above & you will go straight to their website.

New Website for Maria Olliges

Those of you that are past listeners of the Stimmung Stunde remember that Maria Olliges was our Talent Coordinator in Germany who arranged all those fabulous interviews with German singing stars. For the past few years she has organized several music concerts and now she has her own webpage, Schlagertreff.

Although they all take place in Germany, you may be interested in the photos she has posted of the stars such as Vincent & Fernando, Marc Pircher and Armin Stoeckl, who was here in Milwaukee in 2008 for a Christmas tour.

Also, if you plan to go to Germany next year in September, check out where her next concert will be playing. You will not be disappointed.

We received the following e-mail from Armin Stockl. Armin was here in Milwaukee (and Chicago) in November 2008 along with Birgit Pless and Max Lechner. They did a fabulous Christmas show and if you are wondering what he is up to, here is an update. In March, he is planning to release a new CD and will be touring with his own Band. Robert Deglau of Continental Showcase has been playing Armin's music and was responsible for bringing this talented young man to Milwaukee. If you are planning to go to Germany, checkout Armin Stockl's website to see his tour dates.

Viel Gefühl und jede Menge Sehnsucht -
das neue Album von ARMIN STÖCKL

"Ich möchte bei dir sein" - so wird sie heißen - die NEUE von Armin Stöckl. Und damit möchte Armin ganz nah seinem Publikum sein mit einer einzigartigen unverwechselbaren und echten Stimme und einer Ausstrahlung mit viel Persönlichkeit, Authentizität und Lebensfreude. Der Schlagerromantiker ist etwas reifer geworden, hat aber nichts von seinem jugendlichen Eifer und Charme verloren. Im Gegenteil! Neben ergreifenden Balladen und Texten mit Sinn und Gefühl, wie "Haus am See", "Überall denk ich an dich" oder "My love can change", lassen sich auch absolut tanzbare Diskoschlager mit den Namen "Du hast Klasse" oder auch die hitverdächtige Albumtitelnummer "Ich möchte bei dir sein" finden. Doch jeder der 14 Titel birgt eine kleine Überraschung in sich...

Und so soll es auch bleiben! Zumindest bis 23.Mai 2009. Ein Termin, den sich alle Fans von Armin Stöckl dick im Kalender anstreichen sollten. Im Kursaal von Bad Griesbach, im berühmten Bäderdreieck, wird Armin Stöckl mit seiner CD "Ich möchte bei dir sein" Premiere feiern. Da ist es sicher ein gutes Omen, dass gerade ZDF-Hitparadenmoderator UWE HÜBNER durch den stimmungsvollen Abend führen wird! Außerdem werden viele musikalische Freunde von Armin Stöckl mit zum Gelingen des musikalischen Feuerwerks beitragen. Live wird Armin mit eigener Band begleitet werden!

"Ich möchte bei dir sein" wird übrigens die neue Single des charismatischen Sängers werden, die Mitte März erscheint. Quasi ein kleiner Vorgeschmack mit großem Hitpotenzial!
Das neue Album versprüht eine herrliche Leichtigkeit und wurde mit sehr viel Fingerspitzengefühl vom neuen Produzententeam produziert. Die Texte, die Musik und der Gesang ergeben ein besonders harmonisches Klangbild.

http://www.armin-stoeckl.de/-> nur noch ein paar Tage bis sich die Homepage im neuen Design präsentiert.....!

Weihnachts Show presented by Robert Deglau

Saturday night was the Weihnachts Show presented by Robert Deglau of Continental Showcase. A big thank you to Robert for inviting Elmar & I backstage before the show so we could meet the performers personnally. We already knew Armin Stoeckl from 1-1/2 years ago in Lake Villa German Music Festival held the last weekend of June each year that is hosted by Armin Homann, but it was nice to talk to Max Lechner and Birgit Pless. Max told us about the last time he was in Chicago and had a serious heart attack that hospitalized him. Therefore this will be his farwell performance on this tour and then go into retirement, concentrating on managing Armin Stoeckl's career.

The show was a 2 part program. The first part featured popular schlager and heimat lieder performed by all three entertainers. First was Max Lechner and he sang several songs composed by Robert Jung. Max charmed the audience with many old favorites and many were singing along with him. Next, Birgit Pless sang both new and old favorites, more the schlager type of song. Then Armin Stoeckl came on stage and surprised everyone with his beautiful deep tones. Recently, Armin won the Deutsche Rock & Pop award and performed his popular Lady Manana along with popular songs. Then the very talented band played some music while the performance made a costume change.

The second half of the show was the Christmas program. Again, Max Lechner started off the show and soon had the whole audience singing along with him. When Birgit Pless appeared in her cute little Santa outfit you saw all the men stretch their necks to get a better view. She sang her popular Christmas song entitled Weihnachtsrose. When Armin Stoeckl came on stage she made sure that he looked a little more festive. She had a pair of Santa boxer shorts for him that actually matched her outfit very well and topped him off with a Santa hat.

At the end of the show the 3 performers lead the audience in a medley of favorite old Christmas songs and even got Armin Homan and Robert Deglau to join them on stage. And of course, the last song was Silent Night (Stille Nacht).

After the show the 2 man band played music for the dancing pleasure of the audience. As always the German performers made themselves very available for pictures, audigraphs, and just chating with the fans. It was a very nice evening and a nice way to start off the Christmas season. We hope that Robert Deglau will be able to continue to bring German entertainers to Milwaukee.

Below you will find a slide show of pictures taken both during the show and afterwards. If you want to download any of these pictures, just go to the Slideshow website and download them for free.

Christmas Show presented by Robert Deglau of Continental Showcase

Date & Time
November 29, 2008 - Time: Doors open at: 6 pm -
Show starts: 7:00 pm

Ticket Info

Ticket Cost: $18.oo
Call: Peter Saeman 262-252-3431



Description
Get in the mood for the holidays by attending this Christmas Show featuring artists from Germany and Austria. They will perform many of your favorite old German Christmas songs and bring some great new songs from the Heimat as well. Hey Milwaukee let's come out and support this event. If we want to continue to get German artists to bring their beautiful music to our city we need to show support of these shows and our German language Radio shows. It promises to be a great evening and we will get ready for the holidays ahead.

Armin Stockl has been featured at the Lake Villa German Music Festival many times. This year he was the surprise guest at the Schlagertreff that took place at the Hotel Hagen in Haren Germany. My friend, Maria Olligies, organized this event in Germany which also featured Vincent & Fernando, who will be appearing on the Herbert Roth prize results show on December 21 on MDR 20:15 for all you Shift TV watchers. Armin Stoeckl recently received the 2008 Deutscher Rock & Pop Preis and his popularity in Germany continues to grow. You are truly in for a treat.

Max Lechner is known for his beautiful music and interpretation of old favorites written by Robert Jung, such as, La Pastarella, Rot sind die Rosen, Wir sind alle Kinder Gottes and many more. You will be sure to enjoy these great old Heimat Lieder.

Birgit Pless is from Austria and started her career at a very young age. She is well known as a schlager singer, but has recorded a Christmas CD entitled Weihnachtsrose. Perhaps she will perform her new hit Spiegelbilder.

For more info, go to the Continental Showcase's website.

Location

Elk's Lodge #46

5555 W. Good Hope Rd., Milwaukee, WI 54223-4705