American-Austrian Cultural Society Events

December 6:
Afternoon with St.Nikolaus & Krampus
the event was well attended, great spirit, Christmas music performed by Christian Meyers from Trinity Church, Upperville, accompanied by students Shauna Kreidler and Drew Colby from Shenandoah Conservatory, VA; everybody enjoyed our new venue this year:
The Church of The Annunciation, 3810 Massachusetts Ave,NW, Washington, DC
view photos by Gerda Merwald

November 15:
Viennese Ball at the Cosmos Club, Music of Con Brio (organized by National Society of Arts and Letters)

September 28:
The Traditional Heurigen was held at the residence of Mr.& Mrs.Donal Donovan, gourmet food was provided by Old Europe, Restaurant and Catering

June 29:
European Soccer Championship 2008 - The final match was broadcast live from Vienna and shown at the Austrian Embassy; soccer fans enjoyed a buffet - great sausages, and drinks - lots of beer

June 12:
Humor in der Deutschen Sprache - Alfred Obernberger and Ulli Wiesner read from works by Wilhelm Busch, Joachim Ringelnatz, Christian Morgenstern, Erich Kaestner, Josef Weinheber, Friedrich Thorberg and more.

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A SPECIAL MEMBERSHIP MEETING took place on January 30, 2008 The purpose of this meeting was to obtain official approval of the membership to finalize the transformation of The American-Austrian Society into the American-Austrian Cultural Society. The status of the new American - Austrian Cultural Society (A-ACS) and the anticipated next steps can be summarized as follows: During the past two years, the Bylaws and Executive Committees have regularly reported on developments and progress in their efforts to examine, and solidify the legal standing of the Society. Its membership approved each step. It is important to reiterate here that the creation of the A-ACS does not represent a simple name change or tactical maneuver to ultimately achieve a more favorable IRS tax status. Over the past 53 years, and especially the more recent past, the old American-Austrian Society has outgrown its original, largely social purpose. The Articles of Incorporation and specifically the Bylaws of the new A-ACS* clearly outline the new cultural mission, the charitable commitment, and the significantly expanded geographic horizons of this new entity. At their most recent Board meeting, the original three directors of the new corporation, Messrs. Schott, Obernberger, and Evans, (in the past also ably supported by Richard and Margo Franzen,) have amended their bylaws to include a conflict of interest clause (required by the IRS), and have adopted a resolution appointing Ambassador Montgomery, Ms. Wiesner, Ms. Merwald, Mrs. Rhomberg, and Mr. Mussienko additional Directors in the new corporation on an interim basis. In the Special Meeting, the membership of the old organization needed to vote on the transfer of all assets of The American-Austrian Society (A-AS) to the American-Austrian Cultural Society (A-ACS), followed by a vote to dissolve the former. After favorable votes on those two motions, all members were welcomed into the new Society. The first regular voting, with staggered appointments under the new bylaws, occurred at the regular ANNUAL MEETING on May 14, 2008. Once the organizational steps as outlined have been achieved, the Directors of American-Austrian Cultural Society will have a solid foundation for completing and submitting the presently developing application to the IRS for granting this new organization 501(c)(3) status under the IRS tax code, in order to effectively pursue its mission. *By-Laws of the new A-ACS are available upon email request to americanaustriansociety@gmail.com or by download at By-Laws of A-ACS _____________________________________________________________________

Events in 2007

December 2, 2007, 3-5 pm
Afternoon with St Nikolaus and Krampus was held at the Embassy of Austria under the patronage of H.E. The Ambassador of Austria, Dr. Eva Nowotny. There were also music and refreshments at this annual charity event for the benefit of children in SOS Villages in Austria and the United States.

March 5, 2007
Concert with Tibor Kovac & Lambert Orkis at the Embassy of Austria. Sponsored by the American-Austrian Society. View report and photos by Gerda Merwald. The concert with Tibor Kovac, violin (member of the Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra), and Lambert Orkis, piano (Grammy Award Winning Artist) had this Program: Mozart, Sonata for Piano and Violin in B Flat Major, KV 454, and Sonata for Piano and Violin in E Flat Major, KV 481, Ludwig van Beethoven, Sonata for Piano and Violin in D Major, Op. 12, No.1, Sergey Prokofiev, Sonata for Violin and Piano in D Major, Op. 94a.

Saturday, April 22, 2007
Kaffeehaus Jause at the Embassy of Austria. View report and photos by Gerda Merwald
The Society's Annual Traditional Wiener Kaffeehaus Jause was held at the exquisitely restored HISTORIC CLARK HOUSE, 6332 Barcroft Mews Drive, Falls Church, VA. We recreated the look, the musical sounds, the taste and smell, and the atmosphere of an afternoon in a Viennese Coffee House. Master Chef Wilhelm "Willi" Jonach provided us with "the real Viennese Apple Strudel." Other traditional coffee house pastries were provided by the Watergate Pastry [Proprietor Anton Obernberger] , Helmut Sachers Coffee, courtesy of Austria's Finest Naturally. (Tea was also served). Violonist Pamela Ferguson brought us the sounds of Vienna.

Wednesday, May 23, 2007
Annual Meeting, held at the Embassy of Austria. Our newly elected officers are listed on the web page and in the newsletter.

Sunday, October 7th, 2007
The American-Austrian Society's Heurigen (in Vienna, Austria, we call it "ausg'steckt is") at Heinrich & Anna Hoffman's House (Alibi Catering), Catlett, VA. We had delightful music and plenty of delicious food and wine and other drinks.
See the report and photos by Gerda Merwald.

Photo reports and past events.

Last update: January 2009
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