Monthly Events
One of the regular events at the German Society of Pennsylvania is the “Konversationsabend,” held in the Ratskeller from 6 to 8 pm on the second Wednesday of the month - February through May and September through December.
A group of about 20 people share an evening of pleasant and stimulating conversation in German. The conversations center on a predetermined theme, usually with a speaker who provides a brief introduction followed by open discussion and refreshments. The themes cover a wide range of interests reflecting the diversity of the group and the special expertise and the preferences of the speakers. Speakers can include members of the German Society, local or international professors, politicians, artists, and more.
The group welcomes newcomers from all backgrounds, those who would simply like to speak German as well as those who wish to practice and improve their language proficiency in the relaxed environment of sympathetic native and non-native speakers.
If you are interested in joining, click here to sign up for our mailing list.
Konversationsabend
Friday Film Fest
The Friday Film Fest invites you to another season of German cinema, offering unique insights into German language, culture, history, and current events through the lenses of some of the German-speaking world’s best directors.
Held in the gemütlichen Ratskeller – the cozy bottom floor of the German Society – each evening starts with dinner, dessert, and a bi-lingual introduction to the film. Commentary is provided, often including background information, analysis, criticism, and the directors’ larger body of work. Films are selected from the early German "golden era" of cinema to contemporary works. Afterwards, participants can take part in an English-language discussion. Most films are shown in German with English subtitles or German with German subtitles, see the schedule below for more details.
This year’s festival offers a wide variety of contemporary films and themes from which to choose. We hope you will come along for another year of thought-provoking art and exploration.
Film Schedule 2025/2026:
Friday, October 10, 6:30pm
September 5 (2024) (English/German with English subtitles)
Friday, November 21, 6:30pm
Riefenstahl (2024) (German with German subtitles)
Friday, January 16, 6:30pm
Munich - The Edge of War (2021) (English/German with English subtitles)
Friday, February 20, 6:30pm
Zwei zu Eins (2024) (German with German Subtitles)
Friday, March 20, 6:30pm
Die Kaiserin (2022/2024) (German with English Subtitles)
Friday, April 17, 6:30pm
Eine Million Minuten (2024) (German with English subtitles)
Friday, May 15, 6:30pm
Film Selection TBA
To read more about this season's films, please take a look at our 2025/26 Film Fest Brochure.
You can also peruse an archive of our film commentaries going back to 2001.
German music and musicians are world renowned, and music is an important part of the Society’s cultural offerings. The Music Program began more than twenty-five years ago, thanks to the financial largess of Dr. F. William Sundermann, a former Board member and amateur musician. Initially, the focus was on presentations by the Wister Quartet, a distinguished group of Philadelphia Orchestra members. Renowned musicians, such as Maestros Sawallisch and Eschenbach, as pianists, often augmented these concerts. The Sunday afternoon programs had a fairly large audience, largely on a subscription basis. More recently, the number of concerts has been expanded to between eight and ten each year, involving a very diverse collection of musicians anchored by the Wister Quartet, ranging from solo recitals to choral groups, presenting music from the classical repertoire to modern compositions. In 2014, the Society even presented an opera composed by a Society member in honor of our 250th Anniversary. These changes have expanded our audience, with single ticket sales significantly supplementing subscriptions. In addition, the new world class Bösendorfer Konzertflügel has proven to be an attraction to accomplished pianists.
“Wister and More!” Concert Series
Mr. William Davenport and Ms. Jennifer Holbrook perform Franz Lehár's "Merry Widow Waltz."
Mr. Daniel Pantano of Concert Operetta Theater performs a selection from Franz Lehár's "The Merry Widow" as part of a concert on October 26, 2014.
Ms. Karina Sweeney performs a piece from Franz Lehár's "Frederica", accompanied by Mr. Jose Melendez on piano.
Bach's "Kaffee Kantate," performed by (l-r) Mr. Brian Ming Chu, Ms. Leslie Johnson, and Mr. Stephen Ng.
Members of the Bach Choir of Bethlehem perform.
Members of the Bach Choir of Bethlehem and the Bach Festival Orchestra perform "Young Meister Bach," a one-act comedic opera, at the German Society on March 2, 2014.
The young Meister Bach gets into a brawl in the town square.
Click here to download a brochure of our current concert season.
Click here to view our archive of past brochures.
Ticket Policy: Tickets cost $20 each. A variety of Concert Subscription Packages are also available. If available, single tickets will be on sale at the door on the day of the concert. Tickets are not refundable, but may be exchanged for other concerts, subject to availability. Unused tickets will also be gratefully accepted for resale to benefit the Society (a tax-deductible contribution). Please contact the office to reserve tickets and learn more about our ticketing policies.
Book Clubs at the German Society
Buchclub
German Books in the Original Language
Monthly on Second Saturdays at 1:30pm
Our long-running Buchclub is for readers who enjoy German literature in its original form. Join fellow native speakers and advanced learners for engaging discussions conducted entirely in German. Explore contemporary and classic works by German-speaking authors—auf Deutsch, of course.
Contemporary German Voices
21st-Century Works by German-Language Authors in English Translation
Bimonthly on Third Tuesdays at 1:00pm
New this season, this group offers a welcoming space for readers interested in German literature—no German language skills required! We'll explore recent works by German-language authors, all in English translation, and discuss them in English. This club provides a perfect way to connect with the richness of German storytelling in an accessible format.
Pre-registration is required for this group. No drop-ins please!
Interested in joining either book club? Email us at info@germansociety.org!
