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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.

Charity Gala on Januar 30, 2013

Pink and white magnolia flowers decorated the ballroom of the Hotels Bayerischer Hof. We celebrated the 62^nd Magnolia Ball under the honorary patronage of the Bavarian Prime Minister Horst Seehofer, the Ambassador of the U.S.A. in Germany Philip D. Murphy, Consul General of the U.S.A in Munich William E. Moeller and the Lord Mayor of Munich Christian Ude. The Charity Gala was had the theme: „Dancing for Charity“.

The Munich Dance Studio Ritmo combined hot rhythms and costumes with a modern, spirited floor show presented by its Latin dance formation, which set a bubbly champagne mood. Linda Jo Rizzo won accolades for her rendition of American golden oldies. Around midnight Staatsminister a.D. Dr. Thomas Goppel, MdL took over as dance master and in a fresh and cheerful spirit he directed the ball guests through the “Münchner Française”. The show band Firebirds played dance music throughout the evening. Thanks to many generous donors, the raffle included many enticing prizes. During the silent auction, bids could be made for sensational stays at exclusive hotels around the world. Varta Consumer donated the presents for the ladies. All proceeds including those from the raffle and the silent auction go to the various charitable organizations we support. The Club supports the HospizDienst Da-Sein with a donation of €10,000. Another €10,000 will help to finance the German-American Student Exchange Program of the Federation of German-American Clubs.

http://www.muenchen-tv.de/sendungen/szene_muenchen/31012013-4047.html

The next Magnolia Ball will take place on February 21, 2014.

Organization:

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