Edelweiss Dance Group

Traditional German, Bavarian and Austrian style dancers and cow-bell players available to perform at any occasion!

German, Austrian and Swiss migrants founded the German-speaking Rhein-Donau Club in 1959. In 1960 the Edelweiss Dance Group was formed to foster the Austrian and Bavarian folk dance tradition here in Western Australia. The bell group “Echo der Berge” was formed in 1980 to play traditional songs on tuned cowbells. Our costumes are traditional and fully imported. Most of our dances are flirtatious and tell a story. The slapping of the thighs and shoe soles by the boys, called “Schuhplattler” is to warm up and to create sounds to music, which is played by an accordion player. Since 1978 the Edelweiss Dance Group participates every two years at the National Folkdance Festival (Volkstanzfest) throughout Australia. Volkstanzfest 2021 will be hosted at the Rhein-Donau Club.

​The dance group is open to children and adults to share traditional German and Austrian dance styles. Includes the ‘Echo der Berge’ alpine cow bell players. They are available for performances and theming for your events.