Several unwitting volunteers from the Deutscher Club were lured to the stage by the Friends of Hula dancers Thursday evening at the club’s Hawaiian Luau at Laurel Manor Rec Center. Once there, several males were convinced to don coconut shell or flower bras and gyrate to Polynesian drum music, while some female club volunteers did a remarkable job of graceful hula dancing. This frenetic activity was all orchestrated by club vice president, Richard Kammeier, and DJ Ron the Man, also known as Villager Ron Gustaitis, who played his ukelele and put the participants at ease. “This is a great group to entertain,” Ron said, “because they don’t just sit back — they dance and sing along — they’re not afraid to get up here and have fun.”
Thursday night was one in a series of cross-cultural events planned by Deutscher Club president, Kirk Freundt, which delighted members with its comedy. After a roast pork dinner catered by the Oakwood Grill, club members danced and sang along to a variety of music in both English and German. From time to time, Ron led the group in Ein Prozit toasting, which added to the spirit of the evening. Village of Virginia Trace residents, Sandy and Tom Kramer, enjoyed the festivities, and have often brought friends from their neighborhood to the club. “This show is hilarious,” Sandy said.
Eva and Peter Grell love to dance, and especially loved this Hawaiian Luau night. Wearing flowered leis on her head, neck and ankles, Eva was in her glory dancing with her husband, Peter. “I’m having such a great time,” Eva grinned.
Yulia Wilson appealed to club members to consider hosting exchange students from Germany and other European countries for 3-4 weeks during the month of August. The non-profit Educational Homestay Program, based in Cambridge, MA, asks residents to provide lodging and meals for a student who will be studying advanced English classes and experiencing the American lifestyle each day. For more information about this program, call (352) 561-4128 or (609) 424-6723.
Before the Deutscher Club furloughs for July and August, they will present A Night of Broadway on Thursday, June 19, 6:30-9:30PM at Laurel Manor. The Villages singing duo, Chris Bolus and Carolyn Hoffman, who both perform with Bill Doherty’s Central Florida Lyric Opera group, will sing popular songs from Andrew Lloyd Weber, Andrea Bocelli and others. Firehouse Subs will cater a sandwich menu that evening, and the Deutscher Club will resume its usual “third Thursday” monthly meetings beginning on September 18.
