In conjunction with the 2008 NABO Convention|Chino Basque Club 40th anniversary, there will be a tribute to all players (past & present|living & deceased) of the "Klika in America" that embraces Bakersfield, Chino, San Francisco & now Rocklin. All together we'll celebrate this unique Basque tradition.  

Conference Call:  This Wednesday, May 14th at 7pm pacific time
Step 1. Phone in to : (218) 486-3829
Step 2. Enter the following access code when prompted: 923-813-399

Inspired by the tribute to the Wyoming Basque Sheepherders at the NABO Convention in Rock Springs in 2005, this year's NABO Convention hosted by the Chino Basque Club (schedule soon to be released) will include a special tribute to all those who have taken part in the Klika tradition. While each community has recognized its own, we have never come together as a larger Basque-American community to acknowledge the contribution of these performers.  It's time.

The objectives are the tribute are threefold:

1. To honor the Basque-American Klika performers both living and deceased, for their contribution in making the Klika tradition come alive here in America.

2. To look toward to the future of KLIKA IN AMERICA. This is a call to both young and old - to join/participate!  Sustaining this unique tradition will require more young people to pick up the drums and bugles and march along.

3. To have a good time with the music.

What is requested is that all play the same tunes for the Saturday night tribute and Sunday morning mass.  They include: Waltz (Saturday night) Oxan (march into mass) Andropo (salute at the altar) Magnificat I (consecration of the bread) Magnificat II (consecration of the wine) Magnificat (for the Benediction) Atera (exit from mass)

Previous and current players will be honored, and it will be an opportunity for their story to be told.  Not many know the origins of this Basque tradition. It is a very localized tradition in just a handful of towns in Baxenafarroa and Lapurdi--and now four towns here in America! So this segment will be introduced by a video show to briefly lay out the story of the klika for the audience. It will endeavor to capture the stories of how San Francisco, Chino and Bakersfield Klikas (and now Rocklin, CA) brought this military music tradition to life in America.

Bakersfield: Kern County Basque Club Klika

The task at hand is the collection of all names of past & present Klika participants for inclusion in the festival booklet.  Then in addition, for those able to actually attend that evening, certificates will be presented acknowledging their contribution. Then of course, the music will follow when all assembled would play a tune or two (the next day is the major performance for the Klika with Sunday Basque Mass).  Photographic memories (digitial copies) will also be on display. 

Chino: Chino Klika

For each member we hope to compile the following:
Name:
Birthplace:
Age:
Primary klika affiliation:        __Bakersfield __Chino __SF __Rocklin
Secondary klika affiliation:   __Bakersfield __Chino __SF __Rocklin
Instrument(s) usually played in performances:
__ Bugle __French horn __ Bass horn __Drum __Bass drum __Cymbals
OR __ Makilaria

Where did you learn: __ French Army  __ European homeland  __Here in U.S.
Year first participated in a klika:
etc.

Upcoming organizational meetings & rehearsals: Feb. 16 (Sat) in San Francisco: 10am May 24 (Sat) in Bakersfield: TBA Aug 30 (Sat) in Chino: Tribute Aug 31 (Sun) in Chino:  Performances all together and each klika on their own if they'd like Klika foundings: 1964-San Francisco 1967-Chino 1975-Bakersfield 2007-Rocklin

After an initial organizational/brainstorming meeting, the tentative plan is now to arrange two meetings/rehearsals for all those interested in participating. The first will be in San Francisco (Feb. 16 TBA), followed by another in Bakersfield (May 24 TBA) then on to Chino for the Convention (Aug. 30-31 TBA)

The origins of the Klika tradition are a mystery to most folks, including most Basques. It's a very localized tradition to just a handful of towns in Baxenafarroa & Lapurdi. To read on overview of Klika history written by Pierre Igoa click on:  culture/klika

Help us get the word out to those klikalariak your life, and have them get in touch with the local organizers to provide information. It will make for a special tribute, as we gather during the Convention festival to celebrate our Basque folk traditions.  CHECK BACK SOON FOR MORE UPDATES!

San Francisco: San Francisco Klika
Click on SF Klika to see them in action (Feb. 2008)