Charity at its best
The Magnolia Ball
It all began in 1951. The then-President of the German American Men’s Club Munich, Chester Wright, invited guests to his home and for the occasion he had fresh magnolias flown in from the US State of Georgia. Thus, the name Magnolia Ball was born.
Soon thereafter, the form and organization of this glamorous Black and White Formal Ball, which was held every year thereafter until the outbreak of the COVID pandemic, was assumed by the Women’s Club. Since then, the Magnolia Ball has come to be recognized as one of the oldest and most traditional events of the Munich Carnival season serving one purpose over all others: Fundraising to further the charitable goals of the Club, the German American Student Exchange Program and the charity organizations in and around Munich.
73. Magnolienball am 07. Februar 2026
The 73rd Magnolia Ball, Munich’s grand charity gala, was once again a tremendous success!
In the fully packed ballroom of the Bayerischer Hof, President Andrea Hellmann and Ball Organizer Ulrike Grimm welcomed their elegantly dressed guests with champagne and opening remarks. Ulrike Grimm celebrated her 10-year anniversary as Chairlady of the Magnolia Ball.
The champagne reception for all guests was generously donated by a ladywho wishes to remain anonymous. Our heartfelt thanks once again!
Andrea Hellmann, President, GAWC
Fotocredit: Alexander Hartinger
Ulrike Grimm, Chairlady Magnolienball/Organisatorin GAWC
Fotocredit: Alexander Hartinger
Georg Eisenreich, Bavarian State Minister of Justice,emphasized in his speech the close ties between Bavaria, Germany, and the United States. At a time when the world has undeniably changed, he expressed his hope for a partnership between Europe and the U.S. on equal footing.
Georg Eisenreich, Bavarian State Minister of Justice,
Fotocredit: Alexander Hartinger
Dr. James Miller, Acting Consul General at the U.S. Consulate General in Munich,summarized what defines the German-American Women’s Club:
“It is a great pleasure to be with you this evening and to honor an organization that has embodied the very best of German-American friendship for nearly eight decades.
Through your exchange initiatives, your charitable engagement, and your continued personal dedication, you demonstrate what ‘people-to-people’ diplomacy truly means.
These connections and exchanges have fostered trust, understanding, and a sense of shared responsibility. They continue to help make our societies safer, stronger, and more prosperous.”
Dr. James Miller, Acting Consul General at the U.S. Consulate General in Munich,
Fotocredit: Alexander Hartinger
The presence of Mrs. Charlotte Knobloch, President of the Jewish Community of Munich and Upper Bavaria,was a great honor for the German-American Women’s Club.
From left to right: Ulrike Grimm, Chairlady Magnolienball/Organisatorin GAWC, Mrs. Charlotte Knobloch, Präsidentin der israelitischen Kultusgemeinde München und Oberbayern, Andrea Hellmann, Präsidentin GAWC
Fotocredit: Alexander Hartinger
Madlen Stephan, Ilona Gross, and Claudia Sautter accepted this year’s donation check on behalf of the charitable organization “Münchner für Münchner” (“Munich Residents for Munich Residents”). Their mission is to make life brighter for those less fortunate—through individual assistance, support for projects, and shared community activities.
From left to right: Andrea Hellmann, President GAWC, Claudia Sautter und Ilona Gross, Gemeinnützige Organisation „Münchner für Münchner“, Ulrike Grimm, Chairlady Magnolienball/Organisatorin GAWC
Fotocredit: Alexander Hartinger
The first highlight of the evening's DebutantesThe first highlight of the evening’s show program was the debutante presentation. Twenty debutante couples performed choreographed formations to the melody of “Das liegt mir im Blut” by C.M. Ziehrer. They were trained by dance master Peter Simon and selected and accompanied by the two Chairladies of the Debutantes Committee, Dr. Sandra Brogl and Dr. Simone Scharl. Twenty debutante couples performed choreographed formations to the melody of “Das liegt mir im Blut” by C.M. Ziehrer. They were trained by dance master Peter Simonand selected and accompanied by the two Chairladies of the Debutantes Committee, Dr. Sandra Brogl and Dr. Simone Scharl..
Debutantes
Fotocredit: Alexander Hartinger
Debutantes
Fotocredit: Alexander Hartinger
Afterwards, almost all the guests took to the dance floor, moving to the lively melodies and rhythms of the band SMiLE, interspersed with two additional show acts—all in high spirits.
A special and rare highlight of the evening was the performance of the Schäffler (the Coopers’ Guild), who danced their traditional round dance in red jackets and green hats. The dance commemorates the overcoming of the plague and the return of courage and joy of life. The Schäfflers perform only once every seven years and will continue touring throughout Bavaria until Shrove Tuesday.
The Schäffler
Fotocredit: Alexander Hartinger
The Schäffler
Fotocredit: Alexander Hartinger
Guests also continued to purchase raffle tickets throughout the evening. For the tombola, the two Chairladies, Hildegard Mayr and Susanne Fox , had gathered 350 prizes—most of them highly valuable.
Ina Anders, GAWC, Tombola
Fotocredit: Alexander Hartinger
Hildegard Mayr, Chairlady Tombola GAWC, Johanna May, GAWC
Fotocredit: Alexander Hartinger
Susanne Fox, Chairlady Tombola GAWC
At the Silent Auction, exclusive (long-distance) trips and luxury hotel stays were successfully bid on. Chairlady Susanne Ahrens extended her thanks to all generous donors. The Magnolia Ball is the only society ball in Munich to feature a silent auction.
Susanne Ahrens, Chairlady Silver Tea
Fotocredit: Alexander Hartinger
The Silent Auction
Fotocredit: Alexander Hartinger
The Silent Auction
Fotocredit: Alexander Hartinger
Last but not least, the Munich Carnival Society Narhalla Narhalla added to the cheerful and relaxed atmosphere with a varied performance of songs and dance. This included the spirited presentation of the Narhalla Orders to all active Chairladies.
Narhalla
Fotocredit: Alexander Hartinger
Narhalla
Fotocredit: Alexander Hartinger
Narhalla
Fotocredit: Alexander Hartinger
At this successful Magnolia Ball—with attendance as strong as ever—guests once again celebrated in a spirit of friendship and harmony, honored and lived the German-American friendship, and enjoyed a welcome moment of lightness.
Ein schöner Ballabend
Fotocredit: Alexander Hartinger
Thank you to all guests, Thank you to all our faithful supporters and Thank you to all our helping hands, that made this wonderful 73rd Magnoliaball possible !
Organization: Ulrike Grimm. GAWC Chairlady, Magnolia Ball
magnolienball@gawc-munich.de
Ball organizer Ulrike Grimm once again led the colorful program of the ball night with her usual poise and energy. Mona Meiller captivated the audience with two songs from her new album.
The 72nd Magnolia Ball - February 22, 2025
All tickets sold out for this year’s Magnolia Ball at the Hotel Bayerischer Hof, stated the delighted Irmengard Behrendt, Chairlady of Ticket Sales.
From left to right: Sabine Manson (GAWC) and Irmengard Behrendt, GAWC Chairlady of Ticket Sales
Fotocredits: Alexander Hartinger
A highlight of the evening was the entrance and dance performances of this year’s 20 debutante couples, who had rehearsed intensively for weeks and eagerly awaited their performance (coordinated by Chairlady Ursula Trümper).
From left to right: Peter Simon, Dance School Ritmo, Debutants of the 2025 ball, Uschi Trümper, GAWC Chairlady Debutants, Bettina Siebel (GAWC)
Fotocredit: Sigi Müller
Club President Andrea Hellmann and Ulrike Grimm, Chairlady of the Magnolia Ball, welcomed their numerous guests with a champagne reception. The festively decorated and set ballroom exuded a celebratory atmosphere and party spirit.
From left to right: Ulrike Grimm, GAWC Chairlady Magnolia Ball and Andrea Hellmann, GAWC President
Fotocredits: Sigi Müller
Band SM!LE
Fotocredits: Sigi Müller
Munich's Carnival Society Narhalla
Fotocredits: Sigi Müller
Bavarian Minister of Justice Georg Eisenreich, U.S. Consul General in Munich Dr. James Miller, and Munich City Councilor Gabriele Neff highlighted the significance of the charity event in their speeches.
Andrea Hellmann, GAWC President
Fotocredits: Sigi Müller
Georg Eisenreich, Bavarian Minister of Justice
Fotocredits: Sigi Müller
Dr. James Miller, US Consul General Munich
Fotocredits: Sigi Müller
Gabriele Neff, Munich City Councilor
Fotocredits: Sigi Müller
Thanks to the lively, groovy rhythms of the band SM!LE, the dance floor was packed all evening. The performance by Munich’s carnival society Narhalla, featuring its royal couple, was a must, as was the popular Munich Française, which got nearly all the ball guests dancing again at midnight.
Consul General Dr. James Miller, who has been in office since September 2024, stated: This is my first Magnolia Ball and it is a great honor and pleasure to take part in this wonderful event! The German-American Women’s Club has been bringing people together for decades, building bridges, and supporting charitable projects with great dedication.
And that is precisely the focus of this benefit gala: charity and German-American friendship!
From left to right: Georg Eisenreich, Bavarian Minister of Justice Mrs. Eisenreich, Ulrike Grimm, GAWC Chairlady Magnolienball/Organisatorin, Dr. James Miller, US Consul General Munich, Andrea Hellmann, GAWC President
Fotocredits: Sigi Müller
This year’s donation check from the German-American Women’s Club Munich e.V., totaling 10,000 Euros , was presented by singer Mona Meiller as a patron to IMMA e.V. (www.imma.de).
From left to right: Andrea Hellmann, GAWC President, Sabine Wieninger, IMMA e.V., Mona Meiller, Singer, Gundula Brunner, IMMA e.v.
Fotocredits: Sigi Müller
On the same evening, additional donations were collected through the traditional grand raffle (organized by Chairlady Hildegard Mayr) and the impressive silent auction featuring wonderful offerings (organized by Chairlady Susanne Ahrens). These proceeds will be entirely passed on to the charitable projects of the GAWC, including student exchange programs.
Ulrike Grimm, GAWC Chairlady Magnolia Ball
Fotocredits: Sigi Müller
Mona Meiller, Singer and Songwriter
Fotocredits: Sigi Müller
From left to right: Dr. Monika Deuerlein (GAWC), Ina Anders (GAWC), Hildegard Mayr, GAWC Chairlady Tombola, Gabriele Neff, Munich City Councilor
Fotocredits: Alexander Hartinger
Susanne Ahrens, GAWC Chairlady Silent Auction
Fotocredits: Alexander Hartinger
This was the 72nd Magnolia Ball in 2025!
Fotocredits: Sigi Müller
The 71th Magnolia Ball - February 3, 2024
Ulrike Grimm, GAWC Chairlady Magnolienball/Organisatorin
Fotocredit: Tommy Lösch
Susanne Ahrens, GAWC Chairlady Silent Auction, Ulrike Kellner, GAWC President, Andrea Hellmann, GAWC Vice President, Ulrike Grimm, GAWC Chairlady Magnolia Ball/Organizer
Fotocredit: Tommy Lösch
Dedicated to "Dancing for Charity" since 1951 when the ball was first held, the club aims to provide an enjoyable evening while doing good. The proceeds from this year's event, totaling €10,000, were presented to Natalie Schmid for a new project by her nonprofit organization, Munich for Munich. Ulrike Kellner explained during the check presentation that the funds would support dementia patients in Neuperlach with new therapy options that couldn't have been financed through regular support.
Natalie Schmid, Founder „Münchner für Münchner e.V.“, Ulrike Kellner, GAWC President
Fotocredit: Tommy Lösch
Timothy E. Liston, US Consul General Munich
Fotocredit: Tommy Lösch
For the first time as a guest at the Magnolia Ball, Deputy Mayor of the city of Munich, Dominik Krause, delivered greetings from Mayor Dieter Reiter. He also emphasized the importance of cultural exchange: "As the capital city of Munich, as a free state, and as citizens, what we can do is to strengthen interpersonal exchanges between nations. This interaction, whether through student exchanges or events like this, not only brings enjoyment but also serves as the basis for mutual understanding and the foundation for international diplomacy. Therefore, I extend my heartfelt thanks to the German-American Women's Club for their important work over many decades, especially in times like these."
Müller, Uschi Dämmrich von Lüttitz, Moderator, Dominik Krause, Second Mayor of Munich, Ulrike Kellner, GAWC President, Tinothy E. Liston, US Consul General, Ulrike Grimm, GAWC Chairlady/Organizer Magnolia Ball
Fotocredit: Tommy Lösch
Following the official speeches, 40 debutantes and their escorts opened the ball with a traditional waltz. Clad in white ball gowns, gloves, tiaras, and dark suits or uniforms, they exuded grace and elegance. Ursula Trümper, the Chairlady, expressed delight at the increasing interest from young audiences who aspire to participate in the Magnolia Ball, akin to the Viennese Opera Ball.
Peter Simon, Dance school Ritmo, Debutants of the 2024 ball, Uschi Trümper, GAWC Chairlady, Bettina Siebel
Fotocredit: Tommy Lösch
Prince Frederik I (himself a debutant at the Magnolia Ball in 2018) and Princess Katharina I, along with their flag regiment, presented the lively new guard show of the Munich Narhalla in 2024 before the ball guests reclaimed the dance floor, accompanied by the live band SM!LE.
US Consul General Liston, Ulrike Grimm, Narhalla prinde and princess, Renate Schmucker, Irmengard Behrendt, Susanne Ahrens, Ines Söhngen, Ulrike Kellner, Andrea Lehner, Uschi Trümper
Fotocredit: Tommy Lösch
"Dancing for Charity" remained a focal point throughout the ball night, with generous contributions to the raffle and silent auction. The tradition of supporting social causes will continue at the 73rd Silvertree event on November 5, 2024, where another charitable organization in Munich will benefit from the German-American Women's Club's donation.
