Who We Are
The Alsatian Dancers of Texas are a cultural performance group dedicated to preserving and showcasing the folk traditions of Alsace, a region historically located between France and Germany. Castroville, founded in 1844 by Alsatian immigrants, remains a center of Alsatian heritage in the United States. The dancers perform at major heritage festivals, wearing traditional attire and presenting dances passed down
through generations.
The group performs both historic and contemporary Alsatian folk dances, including:
-
Le Chibreli Alsacien (Rutsch Hin, Rutsch Her) – a fertility dance with rhythmic “goat steps.”
-
Les Sept Pas de Munster – a courting dance from the Munster valley.
-
La Varsovienne – a 19th‑century mazurka known in Texas as “Put Your Little Foot.”
-
La Salamandre – a celebratory dance traditionally performed after weddings.
-
Polka des Allumettes and Polka des Conscrits – dances learned from Alsatian groups in France.
-
The Alsatian Dancers of Texas play a central role in preserving the unique Franco‑German heritage of Castroville. Their performances maintain linguistic, musical, and sartorial traditions that date back centuries, offering Texans a living connection to Alsace’s folk culture.
-
This group remains an important part of Texas’s multicultural history, especially within communities founded by European settlers.
What We Wear
The Alsatian Dancers of Texas, based in the Castroville area, wear traditional folk costumes representing the Alsatian heritage of their ancestors who immigrated to Texas in the 1840s.
Their traditional costumes include:
Women's costumes:
-
Large black bow coiffe: The distinctive oversized ribbon headdress, perhaps the most recognizable feature of Alsatian women's dress.
-
Folk dress: A traditional fitted bodice and full skirt, often with colorful patterns.
-
White blouse: Usually worn beneath the bodice.
-
Apron: Often white or patterned, worn over the skirt.
-
Traditional stockings and shoes.
Men's costumes:
-
Dark, flat-brimmed traditional hat.
-
White shirt.
-
Dark vest.
-
String bow tie.
-
Traditional trousers and shoes.
These costumes are an important part of the immigrant story—not simply as dance attire. They help visitors understand how Alsatian cultural identity, language, music, and traditions survived across generations in Texas.
Where We Perform
When We Practice
We perform at various seasonal festivals, private events, and special commemerations
Contact Lisa Schweers at lisaschweers@yahoo.com