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Magnolia Ball

The magnolia is the symbol of the Magnolia Ball, a charity event arranged every year by the Deutsch-Amerikanischer Frauenclub München – German-American Women’s Club e.V. The magnolia originated in China; where from ancient times the emperor had exclusive rights to it and presented it as a special form of recognition to outstanding individuals. It is in this sense that our ball is a sign of special recognition to its guests of honor, friends and supporters as well as its members.

It all started in 1951, when Chester Wright, the president of the German-American Men's Club of Munich at that time, had fresh magnolias flown in from Georgia, USA. That settled the name of the event.

Soon after, the Women’s Club assumed the responsibility for arrangement, organization and carrying out of the glamorous black and white ball. Since then, it has been held every year without interruption. This festive occasion has become one of the oldest and most renowned “flower balls” of the Munich Mardi Gras season. Its main purpose is to raise funds for charitable activities of the club: the German-American Student Exchange Program and support of various Munich charitable organizations.

Gala Charity Event on February 14, 2012

We have not had real magnolias to embellish our traditional Magnolia Ball since our first ball 61 years ago...

The gala event was held in the ballroom of the Hotel Bayerischer Hof München under the honorary patronage of the Minister President of Bavaria Horst Seehofer, the Consul General of the United States Conrad R. Tribble and the Lord Mayor of Munich Christian Ude.

„Carnival for Charity“ was the theme of the evening. Brazilian rhythms presented by the dance and music group Aquarelas do Brasil and American songs appealed to all age groups. US Consul General Conrad Tribble showed himself to be a professional entertainer when he surprised the guests at the ball by singing American songs together with Linda Jo Rizzo. At midnight Staatsminister a.D. Dr. Thomas Goppel, MdL, took over the stage direction and elegantly directed the ball guests through the traditional “Münchner Française” culminating a successful charity event. Hot rhythms, dancing, entertainment, music by the show band „Firebirds“ and a convivial atmosphere made everyone forget the freezing temperatures outside during this evening

Thanks to generous donors, again this year there was a big raffle with exciting prizes, which interested all the less enthusiastic dancers too. Elly Seidl donated pralines as sweet presents for the ladies.

All revenue and the total proceeds from the raffle go entirely to our charitable projects. The club donated 10.000 Euro to the “Ronald McDonald Kinderhaus München” located at the Deutsches Herzzentrum, and 10.000 Euro to the German-American Federation to finance the German-American student exchange program.

The next Magnolia Ball will take place on January 30, 2013 in the ballroom of the Hotel Bayerischer Hof in Munich.

Organisation:
Lia Miller • Email: miller@gawc-munich.de