The Abnormal Bankersmith Fishing Tackle Choir will be one of Maggie Montgomery’s (center, with guitar) special “surprised” guests at the Das Ist Alles fest, being revived this Sunday at Bankersmith, Texas. The public is invited but not supposed to tell anybody else about it. Photo by Phil Houseal
Details:
Das Ist Alles will be held on Sunday, Sept 5, 2010, from 1 pm until “whatever.” Bankersmith is located about 9 miles out the Old San Antonio Highway. For information, call Maggie Montgomery at magnoliatb@yahoo.com.
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Das Ist Alles: A fest for the rest of us
by Phil Houseal
Sept 1, 2010
Fredericksburg has another traditional German festival most folks don’t know about. It’s called Das Ist Alles and happens this Sunday at Bankersmith, Texas.
“It’s another reason for the Germans to party,” said Maggie Montgomery, the impresario of Bankersmith and queen of all she surveys from her shady back porch. “It’s where we are all honorary Germans. We want to be just like them, and drink nearly as much beer as they did.”
It has traditionally been held on Labor Day, but Maggie decided revelers would appreciate moving the event to Sunday to give them a breather on Monday and let them “get over their hangovers.”
I use the word “traditionally” loosely. The etymology of Das Ist Alles is murky. Unlike the better-known Oktoberfest, which traces its roots back two centuries to the marriage of Prince Ludwig and Princess Therese in Bavaria, Das Ist Alles has been celebrated for 30 years or so. No one remembers when or why it started. It’s been held at Crabapple School, Pat’s Hall, Grapetown, and for several years not at all.
But Maggie decided it was time to restart it, so she is formally inviting the world to beat a path to Bankersmith.
Das Ist Alles is sort of the anti-festival.
“It’s gonna be very light hearted, with tons of ‘BS’ to go around,” she explained in her inimitable style. Music is a big part of the festival, but there will be no stage, no sound system - just picking circles. “We’ll be sitting in the shade, picking and lying.”
Maggie even promises that some special guests are expected.
“Yeah, we’re gonna have ‘surprised’ guest artists...” Pause. “They’ll be surprised if they show up.”
There is one big name guaranteed to perform. And it’s a really big, long name: the Abnormal Bankersmith Fishing Tackle Choir. That’s a motley crew of rounders and scofflaws who get together to sing, pick, and tell stories - “lots of famous people; lots of infamous people.”
In the midst of all the malarkey and mayhem, a strand of beauty and truth sparkles. “We want it to be completely laid back and fun,” Maggie said in a moment of seriousness. “We are going to honor the old timers who’ve gone before us. Of course the younguns are welcome so we’ll have someone to fetch our drinks.”
Bankersmith is located about 9 miles out Grapetown Road (the Old San Antonio Highway). There are no amenities, so come prepared.
“It’s free, and BYOE - bring your own everything. I usually say bring snacks and my favorite beverage. Also bottled water, something to sit on, ice and chests... don’t forget your chests.”
As far as promoting the event, Maggie subscribes to the “Hondo Crouch” philosophy.
“Most of our advertising consists of telling people not to tell anybody,” she said, chuckling. “Hondo used to say, ‘Can you keep a secret?’ I said no, and he said he’d tell me anyway. Then he said Willie and Jerry Jeff are coming to Luckenbach to play dominos on Sunday... but you can’t tell anybody. By the next day, you couldn’t talk to anybody within 50 miles who didn’t know about it.”
So consider yourself “not told.” And if you decide to attend, heed these words from Miss Maggie: “Come early; leave late. And leave your attitude at the gate.”