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.

The 71st Magnolia Ball, February 3rd 2024

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.

From left to right Natalie Schmid, Founder "Münchner für Münchner e.V.", Ulrike Kellner, GAWC President

Fotocredit: Tommy Lösch

At the German-American Women's Club charity event for the last time, US Consul General Timothy E. Liston delivered what seemed like a farewell speech (as his term in Munich ends in the summer of 2024 after three years). He emphasized the importance of the bond between Germany and the USA, particularly in efforts regarding transatlantic student exchanges, which he believes build bridges for the future. 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."  Erstmals als Gast auf dem Magnolienball überbrachte der Zweite Bürgermeister der Stadt München Dominik Krause, die Grußworte von Oberbürgermeister Dieter Reiter. Auch er betonte die Wichtigkeit des kulturellen Austauschs: „Was wir als Landeshauptstadt München, als Freistaat, wir als Bürgerinnen und Bürger tun können, ist den zwischenmenschlichen Austausch zwischen den Nationen zu stärken. Dieses Miteinander, egal ob Schüler- oder Studierendenaustausch oder Abende wie dieser, macht nicht nur Spaß, auch darum geht es aber natürlich an Abenden wie diesen, er ist auch Grundlage für gegenseitiges Verständnis und der Nährboden für die internationale Diplomatie. Daher vielen Dank auch dafür an den Deutsch-Amerikanischen Frauenclub, für die wichtige Arbeit seit vielen Jahrzehnten, gerade in Zeiten wie diesen.“

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.

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.

"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.

The 70th Magnolia Ball — A Ball Like No Other

Hotel Bayerischer Hof — February 4, 2023

After the two quiet years of the pandemic, Chairlady Ulrike Grimm was finally able to issue invitations to the 70th anniversary of this benefit event to be held February 4, 2023 in the Hotel Bayerischer Hof.

Those guests who had attended for years were finally able to greet one another with big Hellos! and guests who attended for the first time were awed by the Champagne reception held in the elegant ballroom of the Hotel Bayerischer Hof. Also able to attend the Magnolia Ball for the first time, US Consul General Timothy Liston was joined by the Bavarian State Minister for Justice Dr. Georg Eisenreich and Munich City Council Member Gabriele Neff in offering impressive words of welcome. Club President Traudl Schmid was delighted to present a donation check for 10,000 Euros to the Münchner Waisenhaus (Munich orphanage) which was enthusiastically accepted on its behalf by Katrin Breu and Christopher Pforr.

Then followed the impressive entrance of the 40 debutants, accompanied by the Fledermaus Quadrille and the waltz “Wiener Blut” by Johann Strauss, opening the anniversary Ball evening, the moment for which organizer Ulrike Grimm had had to wait two years. Many of the young women and men appeared to have a touch of stage fright. It is no wonder— they needed to ‘float’ down the elegant stairway, not tripping on the long ball gowns, and then remember the steps to the dances…all of which required a great deal of concentration. But everything went as planned. Uschi Trümper, Chairlady for the Debutants, and Choreographer Peter Simon, Tanzstudio Ritmo (Dance Studio Ritmo) could be very proud of ‘their’ young people. Again this year, the Salon Stefan Pauli (how could those tiaras stay so securely in the young ladies’ hair?) and the Salon Horst Kirchberger (which assured perfect make-up) contributed to the outstanding presentation of the young couples.

The new band SM!LE offered a colorful repertoire of ballroom and contemporary party music enticing the guests to the dance floor again and again. The lively appearance of the Münchner Narhalla provided for an enjoyable ‘recovery break’ during which, in addition to Traudl Schmid and Uli Grimm, additional Ladies were recognized with the Narhalla medal: Irmi Behrendt, Chairlady for Ticket Sales (over 400 ball tickets were sold), Ines Söhngren, Chairlady for the Tombola (the raffle tickets for a chance to win one of the 300 prizes were sold in lightning speed), and Susi Ahrens, Chairlady for the Silent Auction (16 wonderful prizes were successfully auctioned).

The Weißwurst Midnight Snack came at just the right time to provide energy for the last dance, the Münchner Française. This year there was no hesitation among the Ball guests. In no time, the chairs were empty: Both young and old had smiling faces, united in promenading, turning and hopping, simply pure enjoyment…

THANK YOU to all the guests, THANK YOU to all our cherished repeat and new sponsors and THANK YOU to all the helping hands who made this wonderful 70th Magnolia Ball possible.

Organization: Ulrike Grimm. GAWC Chairlady, Magnolia Ball
ulrike.grimm@gawc-munich.de