Think German food, beer, lots of games, and even choir practice.
That’s what’s happening at Newington’s Hartford Saengerbund, a pre-Civil War German-American social club that’s still going strong after 166 years.
The non-profit club has more than 300 members who gather most Friday nights for the aforementioned shindig.
The Hartford Saengerbund Grill Room is a relaxing place to enjoy food, drink and hospitality. Saengerbund translates as “singing society” and the club’s motto above the bar translates as “faithful to German song.”
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 men’s and women’s choir rehearses weekly from September to June and presents spring and winter concerts, as well as other performances.
The club also organizes events open to the public with the main objective of sharing food and culture and generating income to keep the club running.
Christkindlmarkt (Christmas Market) is the club’s largest event and will take place over the Thanksgiving holiday weekend. Jennifer Frazon Patrick with Saint Nicholas in the traditional European costume.
The next event is Sommerfest, which will take place from 2 to 8 pm on June 22. Admission is $5 and everyone is welcome. There will also be German-themed entertainment with music by Scha Musi and performances by dancers from Alpenland Tanzer.
There are five events in total each year open to the public and the largest event takes place every two years, the German Christmas Market or Christkindlmarkt. That event includes food, booths and live music. The event draws up to 2,000 people to the two-day event.
Seasonal events also draw a lot of people from the greater Hartford area and beyond.
The events are run entirely by volunteers. You do not need to have German ancestry to join as a member.
“You just need to have an interest in German culture and music,” says Mark Jahne, member and public relations officer of the organization.
Jahne has been a member of the club for 15 years. She said membership is split evenly between men and women in Newington.
The choir performs twice a year and participates in regional competitions held annually in Meriden. It is estimated that between five and ten more German social clubs are located 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 steakhouse, as well as German beer.
Brooke LaValley/Hartford Courant
Beer from a mug during the German Bierfest in Newington in this 2010 file photo at the Hartford Saengerbund.
Many of the members play Skat, a German card game. It is a challenging game and comparable to chess in terms of strategy. Many of Newington’s players compete in regional tournaments. Other activities include cooking, baking, sword dancing and ice curling. Curling is played on a pond in Vernon. Unlike the Olympic version, there is no sweep in German curling. Sword dance is a traditional dance with men, women and swords.
Hartford Saengerbund President Christina Wilson said she is proud of the club’s history.
“If you think about all the generations that have come through here, it’s amazing,” Wilson said. “Some German clubs have closed because not so many immigrants are arriving. I am 100 percent German, but you don’t have to be German to be a member. You just have to enjoy German culture. We make all the food except the sausages.”
“We make schnitzel and our own desserts, and the recipes have been passed down from generation to generation,” he added. “We have dishes made with influences from different parts of Germany.”
Wilson’s parents emigrated from Germany to the United States just before she was born. She has family in Germany and has visited the country many times. Her two children have studied in Germany. The Wilsons live in West Hartford.
Wilson added that families play board games on Friday nights and a German version of the UN.
Wilson also said that anyone can join the choir and that singers do not have to speak German to sing.
Wilson said membership has increased at the club, which is in contrast to many other clubs that have seen declining numbers.
Visit hartfordsaengerbund.org to learn more about the club and see what’s on the menu for a particular Friday.
“Our club has a great camaraderie,” Wilson said. “If you come on a Friday, you can sit at a table with a friend or your spouse. If I see someone new sitting alone, I introduce myself. We are very inclusive. In some clubs no one talks to you and you feel insecure. “We’re just a friendly group.”
She described the club as more of a gathering place.
“People can come see us on Friday night, but it’s easier to come during a holiday event,” Wilson said. “To join people, you have to fill out an application and pay a fee.”
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