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ANSBACH, Germany (Feb. 10, 2017) – “Was ist los in Franken?” details off-post community events and activities occurring throughout Middle, Lower and Upper Franconia.
Mayito Rivera – Ansbach
Mayito Rivera, singer from Cuba, performs at the Ansbach Kammerspiele (Maximilianstr. 29) Feb. 10 at 8 p.m. To learn more, visit Sons of Cuba
Kinderfasching in Schwabach
A Kinder Fasching party takes place at Markgrafensaal Schwabach (Ludwigstr. 16) Feb. 12 at 2 p.m. The event organizers, the “Schwabanesen,” promise fun, dancing and games; admission is 5 euros. To learn more, visit Schwabanesen.
Franconian Jazz Band in Nürnberg
The Franconian Jazzband plays Dixieland, Swing and New Orleans Jazz at the Jazz Studio Nürnberg Feb. 12 at 11 a.m. An early arrival of at least 30 minutes is recommended as seats are not numbered. For more details and ticket information, visit Jazzstudio.
The Jazzstudio Nürnberg has been offering live Jazz music for decades. (Photo: Franconian Jazz Band)
New English Folk – Ansbach
Seth Lakeman brings New English Folk from the British Isles to Ansbach at the Kammerspiele (Maximilianstr. 29) Feb. 16 at 8 p.m. To learn more, visit English Folk
Night Market Nürnberg
The next Nürnberg night market, a flea market that starts at 6 p.m. and lasts well into the night, supported by a Thai food kitchen, takes place at the Parks on Berliner Platz 9 Feb. 17. Admission is 1 euro. Visit Nightmarket to learn more.
Kinderfasching in Fürth
The Stadthalle Fürth (Rosenstraße 50) is site for a Fasching party for kids Feb. 19 from 2 to 5 p.m. The motto this year is “Superheroes,” and songs, dancing and games are planned. To learn more, visit Kinderfasching
Fasching Parade in Wolframs-Eschenbach
A carnival parade takes place in Wolframs-Eschenbach Feb. 19, starting at Steingrubenweg towards the downtown area at 2 p.m. A party follows at a local restaurant. To learn more, visit Faschingsumzug
Tour de Castle – Stein
The Faber-Castell castle in Stein is open for visitors every third Sunday of the month from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Visitors can tour the castle and the museum for an admission fee, and enjoy coffee and cake in the enclosed sun room. The next open house is on Feb. 19; the castle is located on Rednitzstrasse 2a in Stein, on the corner of the B14 road towards Nürnberg. To learn more, visit Stein castle
Second Hand Bazaars for Parents
Parents are cleaning out the closets of their ever-growing offspring and take it to numerous “Kinderbasars” or “Baby-Basars” happening in the area. Look for posters or flyers in your community advertising the bazaars for second hand clothing, toys and equipment; usually they take place on a Saturday afternoon in the local church annex, school or community center.
Fasching, Fastnacht & Karneval
The Fasching season, also known as the “fifth season” in Germany, has a long tradition in Europe; it originates in the preparation for the six-week fasting time during lent, which ends on Easter. Fasching, Fastnacht, or Karneval is a time when Germans loosen up a little, dress up in funny costumes and party. Karneval is especially popular in the Rhine region; cities like Cologne, Mainz or Düsseldorf more or less shut down to party during the high season. The date of the long Fasching weekend varies, depending on the church calendar; while the official start of the season is always on the 11th day of the 11th month at 11:11 a.m., the revelers stay mostly dormant during the Advent and Christmas season until the actual high Fasenacht season in the following spring. In the time between New Year’s and the high Fasching season many towns and villages host balls, parties and parades. Party goers typically dress up as a character, similar to Halloween. German police are cruising the streets more frequently at night to catch those who drink and drive.
For children, many communities host parties called “Kinderfasching,” usually taking place in a community center or gym. These events involve dress-up for the kids, a lot of loud music and dancing, games, face painting and food. They are quite popular with the kids, while the parents go along as chaperones (ear plugs recommended!).
The high season starts with Altweiberfasnacht, or crazy Thursday (Feb. 23), when traditionally in many towns the women take over the city’s courthouse and cut off the tie of any man who dares to wear one. After attending parties all weekend long, people flock to the large cities like Cologne or Mainz to watch the Rosenmontag (“Rose Monday”) parades (Feb. 27), or stay local and enjoy smaller parades, often with folklore background.
Faschingsdienstag (Feb. 28) – Shrove Tuesday – offers one last chance to party hard and then “bury” the carnival at midnight until following year. Aschermittwoch (Ash Wednesday) marks the beginning of Fastenzeit (“fasting time“- lent); the weeks before Easter are often used as a time for reflection and renunciation of certain personal vices (like smoking, alcohol or candy).
