euskalkultura.eus

Still on tour in the west, and after participating last weekend at the SFBCC Jaialdia in San Francisco, and singing last Tuesday at the JT Basque Restaurant in Gardnerville, NV, they are now getting ready for the Chino Basque picnic that always coincides with Labor Day weekend. After Chino they will travel to Bakersfield, CA where they will perform at the Wool Growers Basque Restaurant before returning to the Basque Country. 

Chino, CA.   The group from Lower Navarre, Menditarrak, which often sings a cappella or accompanied either by guitar or accordion, is currently on tour through California and Nevada.  Their traditional songs were brought to the west thanks to it seven members: Daniel Sorhondo, Roger Ourthiague, Dominique Gascue, and brothers Frantxoa and Jeannot Juanicotena, all from Banka; and Panpi Luro on the accordion and Guy Saldubhere, vocals and guitar both from Aldude.

The group began its tour last weekend in San Francisco entertaining at the San Francisco Basque Cultural Center Jaialdia.  Of course they were very well received since what they do is to entertain and invite others to sing along, with traditional songs that many in San Francisco also knew well, and who joined in happily. 

The majority of the tour took place in California, although last Tuesday they traveled to Gardnerville, NV invited by the Lekumberry family to perform at their Basque restaurant the JT.  The place was filled to capacity and the excellence of the food and atmosphere made for an evening that many will not forget, popular, engaging and participatory.  “We felt like we had traveled to Euskal Herria during the peak times of Basque emigration here, when you join a small group of Basques that don’t need anything to start singing, with great voices, as always,” according to an emotional member of the audience, as many others that evening. 

From Nevada, they returned to California where they will perform at the Chino Basque Picnic, guests of the local Basque club.  The performances will take place on Saturday afternoon and evening at the dinner served preceding the picnic.  On Sunday they will sing at mass celebrated by Aita Altuna from Azpeitia, to later perform throughout the day.  On Monday the party will move to the Centro Basco with brunch where they will also entertain.

Their last stop, before returning home to Euska Herria, will be on Thursday in Bakersfield, California, at the Wool Growers Restaurant, owned by Mayie Maitia from Baigorri.  Anyone wishing to attend is encouraged to make reservations as soon as possible since as they are expecting many people to attend.