The Alpentänzer Schuhplattler - Sacramento (Alpentänzer) were founded in the mid-1970's by Richard Baltz, a folk dance teacher at American River College in Sacramento. In 1978, due to poor health, Mr. Baltz relinquished his position as director to Gary Schultz who has subsequently directed the activities of the group to the present time. 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 but now the group consists of a eight piece band including accordions, saxaphone, trumpet, violin, glockenspiel, 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.

Presently, the Alpentänzer have 39 active participants (including 20 dancers in the 15 to 21 years age group). There are another dozen individuals who participate in group activities but are not performing members. The group annually performs at about ten events in Northern California, the Bay Area and the Reno/Tahoe area. Because the majority of the dances performed originated in the Tirol and Salzburg, the Alpentänzer are identified as primarily an Austrian folk dance group.   The picture below was taken in August, 2008.