Meet Monika Jansen | Secretary

We had the good fortune of connecting with Monika Jansen and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Monika, can you talk to us a bit about the social impact of your business?
Our organization is a little different: We are an all-volunteer non-profit Bavarian Schuhplattler dance group. (Yes – that’s a mouthful!) Our purpose is to uphold and share the unique traditions, customs, and Tracht (traditional authentic outfits) of the alpine Bavarian region.

Sharing this unique heritage at local Oktoberfests is just part of what we do. We practice weekly in Denver and participate in regional, national and international Schuhplattler festivals and events. And above all else, we enjoy Gemuetlichkeit (rough translation: friendship and fun).

There are around 85 other groups in the US and Canada who do the same, so we are in excellent company!

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
Some Schuhplattler groups in the US are very old – 100 years or more! We are very young my comparison, as we only started dancing together in June 2021 (we officially became an organization in January 2022).

Our members have spent a lot of time with other groups and served in leadership roles with the national organization that governs the 85 groups in North America. Some of us have been members of other groups in other parts of the country.

These experiences greatly informed who we wanted to be: Inclusive and fun while remaining respectful of the traditions we celebrate. We believe that everyone is welcome, everyone has a place in our Verein (group), and everyone is appreciated.

Also, anyone can join us! You don’t need to be German, speak German, or even be of German descent to become a Schuhplattler. You simply must be interested in and committed to learning, dancing, and having fun.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
When friends from other dance groups visit, we always try to hit a few of our favorite spots. We are very musical and love to dance, so a concert at Red Rocks is a must – even if we’ve never heard of the band! Another favorite entertainment spot is Pindustry in Greenwood Village. Rooftop bar with unobstructed views of the Rockies? Check. Fantastic local bands on the weekend? Check. Bowling, pinball, and arcade games? Check, check, and check.

We are big fans of beer (shocker), and you can’t beat the selection at Wynkoop Brewing Company. Their beer is hands-down our favorite in the city, and the historic building is beautiful and very haunted (though we have yet to see a ghost).

Speaking of history, we love to introduce our friends to the incomparable Molly Brown. The Molly Brown House Museum does a fantastic job showcasing her life and accomplishments, which go well beyond surviving the sinking of the Titanic.

For a unique shopping experience, we always head to Talulah Jones, which is owned by one of our members. The store’s eclectic offerings include everything from hand-made German Christmas ornaments to cozy sweaters to children’s games and books. It’s hard to leave empty-handed.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
What we do is very unusual. Most of us grew up doing this Schuhplattler thing, so collectively, we have our parents to thank. Some of them are dancing up in the big blue sky, and some are still dancing alongside us. Some brought these customs over to the US from Germany, and some got involved here in the US. In either case, they all get a shoutout!

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thatonegermandancegroup/

Image Credits
Stephen Hargreaves (his are marked); Miguel Jansen; Edelweiss Passaic