Think German food, beer, lots of games and even choir practice.
That’s what goes on at Newington’s Hartford Saengerbund, a German American social club that predates the Civil War and is still going strong after 166 years.
The non-profit club has more than 300 members that gather most Friday nights for the afore mentioned revelry.
The Newington location, at 719 North Mountain Road, is the oldest German American club in New England and is believed to be the third-longest continuously singing Saengerbund in the country.
The chorus of men and women rehearses weekly from September through June and present spring and winter concerts, as well as other performances.
The club also holds events open to the public with the primary intent of sharing the food and culture, and generating revenue to keep the club up and running.
The next event is Sommerfest, which will be held from 2 to 8 p.m. June 22. Admission is $5, and everyone is welcome. There will also be German-themed entertainment with Scha Musi providing music as well as Alpenland Tanzer dancers giving a performance.
There are five total events each year open to the public and the biggest event is held biennially, the German Christmas Market, or Christkindlmarkt. That event includes food, booths and live music. The event attracts as many as 2,000 people to the two-day event.
The seasonal events are also big draws for the people from the Greater Hartford area and beyond.
Events are run entirely by volunteers. German ancestry isn’t necessary to join as a member.
“You just need to have an interest in German culture and music,” said member Mark Jahne, who is also the organization’s public relations conduit.
Jahne has been a member of the club for 15 years. He said the membership is split evenly between men and women in Newington.
The chorus performs twice a year and does regional competitions which are held yearly in Meriden. There are estimated 5-10 other German social clubs in the state. Newington and Meriden are two of the most active, according to Jahne.
History and schnitzel
Hartford Saengerbund was founded in 1858 in the tradition of German singing societies. The club was originally located in Hartford and moved to its current location in 1966.
Traditional German meals are served in the grill room, as is German beer.
Many of the members play Skat – a German card game. It’s a challenging game and is comparable to chess as far as its strategy. Many of the Newington players compete in regional tournaments. Other activities are cooking, baking, sword dancing and ice curling. Curling is played on a pond in Vernon. Unlike the Olympic version, there is no sweeping in German curling. Sword dancing is a traditional dancing with men, women and swords.
Hartford Saengerbund President Christina Wilson said she is proud of the club’s history.
“If you think about all of the generations that have gone through here – it’s amazing,” Wilson said. “Some German clubs have closed because there aren’t as many immigrants coming in. I’m 100 percent German but you don’t have to be German to be a member. You just have to enjoy German culture. All the food is made by us except the sausages.”
“We make schnitzel and our own deserts, and the recipes have gone through the generations,” she added. “We have meals made with influence from different parts of Germany.”
Wilson’s parents immigrated from German to the United States just before she was born. She has family in Germany and has visited the country many times. Both of her children have studied in Germany. The Wilson’s live in West Hartford.
Wilson added that families play board games on Friday nights and a German version of UNO.
Wilson also said anyone is welcome to join the choir and singers don’t have to speak German to sing.
Wilson said the membership has increased at the club, which is counter to many other clubs that have had diminished numbers.
Visit hartfordsaengerbund.org for more information about the club and to see what is on the menu for a particular Friday.
“Our club has great camaraderie,” Wilson said. “If you come on a Friday, you can sit at a table with a friend or spouse. If I see someone new sitting by themselves, I introduce myself. We are very inclusive. Some clubs no one talks to you, and you feel uncertain. We are just a friendly group.”
She described the club as more of a hangout.
“People are welcome to come check us out on a Friday night but its easiest to come during a fest event,” Wilson said. “To join people, have to fill out an application and pay a fee.”
