The Alpentänzer Schuhplattler - Sacramento (Alpentänzer) were founded in the early-1970's by Richard Baltz, an international  folk dance teacher at American River Community College in Sacramento.  In 1978, due to declining health, Mr. Baltz relinquished his position as director to Gary Schultz who has subsequently directed the activities of the group up until 2011.   The new co-directors are Annie McClure Schmelz and Markus Geissler. Over the years, numerous Austrian and Bavarian dance instructors have come to Sacramento to conduct dance workshops on folk dances of the Alpine regions.

In 1984, live music was added to the group with the formation of the Alpen Tanz Kapelle. Initially, the Kapelle consisted of two wonderful accordion players (Marge Hansen and Carole Stedman).  Today the group consists of an six piece band including accordions, saxaphone, clarinet, bass and tuba. The Kapelle accompanies the dance group at all the exhibitions.

In 1992, the members selected a club Tracht (authentic folk costume) from Salzburg, Austria - the Salzburg Marktburger Tracht. The club also has its own club Tracht and also the Miesbacher Tracht.  One of these Tracht costumes is worn at each of the exhibitions where the group performs.

                                 

In 1994, the Alpentänzer were admitted to membership in the Gauverband Nordamerika. (see www.gauverband.com) This Gau, a grouping of 80 Bavarian and Austrian folk dance groups from the United States and Canada, is dedicated to the preservation of the Bavarian and Austrian cultures, dancing, music and Tracht.

The Alpentänzer are also members of the American Federation of German Folk Dance Groups. 

Presently, the Alpentänzer have 50 active participants. There are another dozen individuals who participate in group activities but are not performing members. The group annually performs at about a dozen events in the Sacrmento Metropolitan area, the Bay Area and the Reno/Tahoe area. Because the majority of the dances performed originated in the Tirol, the Steirmark and Salzburg, the Alpentänzer are identified as primarily an Austrian folk dance group.   The picture below was taken in April 2010.