www.naBASQUE.org

ZER | WHAT: A joint dance group to perform Nafarroa dances together at several Basque festivals and the N.A.B.O. Convention at Jaialdi 2010. It is an opportunity to learn some dances and meet new friends.

NORENTZAT | FOR WHO: an open invitation to males & females, ages 13 & above (i.e., senior dancers that can make the rehearsals) from California Basque dance groups.

The Basque dance group of Hartza (Basque for bear, based on the California flag symbol, the mythical role of the bear in traditional Basque culture, and the word sounds good in Basque) is new for Jaialdi 2010. Male and female dancers from Basque communities like Bakersfield, Chino, Los Banos & San Francisco formed a hybrid group to perform some dances from Nafarroa. With the NABO Convention & Jaialdi together this year, it seemed like a good time to make this happen. It's a chance for participants to learn some new dances, make some new friends, and entertain others as we keep our traditions alive.

Related links: Clips at Baztan Dances Workshop + story at euskalkazeta.com

Current projected performances:
July 31-Aug 1 (Sat & Sun): Jaialdi
Aug. 7 (Sat): Gardnerville
Aug. 29 (Sun): San Francisco
Sept. 5 (Sun): Chino picnic

Coordinators:
Bakersfield: John Goyenetche
Chino: Jeanette Duhart
Los Banos: Ann Erreca
San Francisco: Valerie Arrechea
Flag of the Baztan region of Nafarroa

Hartza performance: 25 minutes

Follow the links for music & learning video clips

Aunitz urtez (30 seconds). Boys enter into a circle saying "Aunitz Urtez!" Then the go right into

Zortzi Jauzi (3:00) the Baztan version (the 8th is for we Basques who live in the Diaspora!) Exit as the girls enter...

Axuri Beltza (3:00). Girls come out to perform this variation (it is 40 years old now). Remain there in a circle as the boys enter to join them for...
(3:30). Girls transition where they are in the circle into the first part of Iribas, then transitions into ...

Iribas (Kokin version) (7:00)
Music: Kokin Iribas (mp3)
Video: Part I   Part II    Part III    Boys dance to girls
Jota step 1    Jota Step 2 |   Arin arin 1   Arin arin 2    Arin arin 3

>transition to second part

Baztango zortzikoa (1:00). This dance is from the dancers moving through the streets of Arizkun in groups of four, to form the lines for ...

Sagar dantza (2:00). Lines face each other, then we spread out into a circle for ...

Tafallako Jota (3:24) Group all together in an oval.

Group exit: Josetxo music (mp3). The group re-assembles in two lines (girls in one line and boys in left line).

Proposed T-shirt idea: approximately $8 each (to be worn out/not tucked in)

BAKERSFIELD Gure Amentsa performance: 21 minutes
Matelota 5mins
Ustai Txiki Remix 4:26mins
Danza de Arcos 2:29mins
Maypole 2:22mins
Beti Alai 6mins

CHINO Gauden Bat performance: 18 minutes
Kortes: Cortesias / Vals / El Quemao
Mendikute: Trenzado / Sin Fin / [Danza de Arcos]

Besta Berri (Fandango choreography): 5 minutes

Bizkaiko soka dantza: 8 minutes (just for Sunday when there's extra time)

HEGOHAIZE (Bak/Chino guys): 28 minutes (just for Sunday when there's extra time)
> Otsagiko dantzak: Pasacalles, Emperador, Modorro, Panuelo, Jota (20 minutes)
> Lesaka (with Boise guys): Makil kurutze / Ziarka / makil-kurutze / Zubigainekoa / Mutil (8 minutes)

Jaialdi Saturday: Fairgrounds

Jaialdi Sunday: Fairgrounds

10AM Opening ceremonies
>We all march in our own town groups
Following this, we will go directly behind the main buildings, where there is the performers staging area where we can practice; here we can get food and drink as well.

1--2:30: Performance
Gure Amentsa
Gauden Bat
Zazpiak Bat
Hartza
>That's it: the rest of the day is for the festival for you to enjoy. There are 15 groups going this day, including sports.

7PM Mass at St. John's (optional)

9PM Dance at Fairgrounds (optional)
See the Jaialdi website at www.jaialdi.com for the complete schedule.

11--2:30 Performance
Gure Amentsa
Gauden Bat
Zazpiak Bat
Hartza
Hegohaize: Otsagi & Lesaka
Klika?

Fairgrounds closes at 5PM, but the die-hards will likely go back to the Basque Block.

While the bear is now gone from the Basque Country, it remains a mythical figure in traditional Basque culture, because of its power and seeming magic (its winter hibernation) when it would come back to life.

Related links: Clips at Baztan Dances Workshop + story at euskalkazeta.com