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Jaialdia in San Francisco
This weekend, the San Francisco Basque Cultural Center will host its annual Jaialdia 2019. The festivities begin on Friday, August 23rd at 7pm with dinner with Champion Pilotaris. Saturday’s events begin at 4pm with Pilota games featuring the pilotaris from Iparralde, followed by a BBQ Steak dinner and a dance to the music of Jean Louis Bergara and Beñat Chaubadindeguy. Sunday will begin with mass at 10am celebrated by Aita Iturbe and Aita Jean Pierre Cachenaut, former chaplain to the Basques in the US. Mass will also include the participation of the Elgarrekin Choir, Klika, and Zazpiak Bat Basque Club Dancers. Mass will be followed by an aperitif with entertainment provided by Michel Etcheverry, and a BBQ rack of lamb lunch served at 1pm. The afternoon will conclude with more pilota matches and Mozkor Salda (Garlic Soup) at 6pm. For complete information including how to RSVP (required), and cost of the meals, click here.
Pilota Exhibition in Bakersfield
On Tuesday, August 27th, the Kern County Basque Club will host a pilota exhibition featuring pilotaris from the Basque Country. The games will begin at 5pm at the clubhouse, with dinner to follow, around 7pm at the Wool Growers Restaurant. Dinner will include Chicken Basquaise and Roast Lamb for $40 per person, tip included. Please RSVP directly to the Wool Growers by August 24th. For more information, contact Jean Pierre Dalia.
Bay Area Euskara Classes
If you are in the Bay Area and interested in learning Basque, classes will resume on Thursday August 29th at 7pm at the San Francisco Basque Cultural Center. Classes will run for two hours every Thursday, and are taught by Aizpea Isasi and Aitor Inarra, with beginning and advanced classes being offered. For more information, please see their flier.
John Etchart and the Basque Legacy in Montana
A traveling exhibition entitled, “John Etchart and the Basque Legacy in Montana,” will open on August 28th at the Goodkind Block Partners Building in Helena, Montana. The exhibit curated by Dr. Iker Saitua, who graduated with his Ph.D. in Basque Studies and history at the University Of Nevada, Reno, and who is currently a Basque Government Postdoctoral Fellow in History at the University of California Riverside and the University of the Basque Country, features the ranching career of John Etchart (1882-1943). Etchart was a Basque immigrant who started as a sheepherder in California, and later became one of the most knowledgeable ranchers in Montana. The exhibit will remain open until September 6th when it will move to the City Country Building through September 30, 2019. For more information, click here. The exhibit is sponsored by the Montana History Foundation, Carroll College’s History Department, and the Etchart Family.
This year’s NABO Kantari Eguna, hosted by the Mendiko Euskaldun Cluba on August 10th in Gardnerville, Nevada, was truly a success. On behalf of everyone at NABO, Bihotzetik Esker Mila to everyone who made it possible from the club members, cooks, attendees, singers. Bertsolaris, and dancers, to Aita Antton Egiguren, the Klika, and of course Martin Etchamendy for his wonderful job as MC. Zorionak deneri! Please enjoy this photo gallery from the event, photos courtesy of Lisa Corcostegui.
8/22/2019
