This workshop focused on variations of the Jota and Porrusalda has preserved in and around the valley of Arratia in Bizkaia, featuring visiting instructors from the dance group Andra Mari from Galdakao, Bizkaia. 


For various reasons including the transformation of social dance in the Basque Country in recent times, these traditional variations of the Jotas and Porrusalda were nearly lost.  Once far more extended throughout the Basque Country and characteristic of many a Basque festival, the scope of these versions--originally called Lehengoa ("the first one") and Bigarrena ("the second one") continued to shrink until twenty five years ago when they almost disappeared as the dancers of a previous generation passed away. 

Fortunately, some folks got to work to preserve these dances.  One of the groups that has committed to keep these dances alive is "Andra Mari" from Galdakao, Bizkaia.  people got to work trying to preserve these dances, and they learned from various teachers and dancers including Bartolo Lasa, Patxi Bilbao, Satur Arandia, Raimunda Bizkarguenaga, etc.).  Furthermore, members of this group have been more than willing to offer to others the chance to learn.  We were lucky to have a couple group members here for this series of workshops.

Audio downloads: JOTA:  Arratia Jota                 Arratia Jota slower              Jota (regular)              Jota (Dultzaina) PORRUSALDA (Porrue):  Porrue 1                   Arratia Arin-arin slower                                                 Porru (regular)       Porru (Dultzaina)

Alboka (instrument used to play these tunes)
Video clips:		JOTA LEARNING CLIPS: Start step variations:  1A   1B Turn variations:   One   Two   Three   Four    Five    Six    Seven Complete practice sets: Jota1   Jota2    Jota3   Drill steps PORRUSALDA LEARNING CLIPS: Step variations:  Porru1a     Porru1b     Porru1c Step variations:  Porru2a    Porru2b     Porru2c Complete practice sets: Porru1  Porru2   Porru3   Porru4 ANDRA MARI VIDEO CLIPS: Maisu Zaharrak: www.youtube.com Kepa & Soiartze: www.youtube.com Mikelue: www.youtube.com Foursome: www.youtube.com Basic version:  www.youtube.com 50th anniversary video: www.youtube.com Presentation of video: http://www.eitb.com/bideoak/telebista/arratsaldero/osoa/556148/arratsaldero-andra-mari-eusko-dantza-taldea/

Female dance instructor Iraitz Barandiaran Irazabal here dancing with Kepa Artetxe (who was instrumental in researching and keeping these dances alive).

		I. LEHENGOA:  Jota Step 1. "Punta pioa"  This is danced more in place. Step 2. "Hara honakoa"  This has more movement from side to side Step 3. "Baltseoa" or "kantaue."  The waltz in traditional Bizkaian style is danced with the man holding his right arm out.  The kantaue was a substitute step for the waltz, because there were places where local authorities frowned on young people dancing that close together in public.
		II. BIGARRENA:  Porrusalda Here again there is variation, and some of the Jota steps can be used here.  The Baltseoa or waltz can be done but not the kantaue because it is a different rhythm. Here too there's a differentiation between the steps in place, those that go from side to side.

Mikelue instructing at the Chino workshop

Warming up in Boise

The Jota's defining features are: 1. To move the body only below the waist. 2. To maintain the head still. 3. "Trukea" which means to keep the heel on the ground but moving it.  In fact, this is considered to be the most important feature of the Jota.

Thanks to the hosting clubs in:
SALT LAKE CITY, UT	CHINO, CA	Homedale & Boise, ID
With hosts in Utah at the Wasatch Mountains

Homedale workshop

Workshop instructors:  Iraitz Barandiaran Irazabal & Mikel Goitia Garay