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On Tour

Boise's Oinkari Basque Dancers and Amuma Says No in Basque Country

Staff

eitb.com

Boise's Oinkari Basque Dancers -who recently celebrated their 50th anniversary- are accompanied by the triki-pop band Amuma Says No, also from Boise (Idaho).

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The famous Basque dance group from Boise Oinkari Basque Dancers is on a ten-day tour through the Basque Country with the aim of showing the Basque Country to the young dancers and maintaining connections with native Basque dance groups. It will also be a chance to showcase what they have to offer in their unique place as American-Basques traveling back to the homeland.

For this occasion, the veteran group -who recently celebrated their 50th anniversary- wanted to be accompanied by the triki-pop band Amuma Says No, also from Boise (Idaho).

The agenda for these ten days is the following:

Sunday, July 3rd - Galdakao, Euskadi, 9pm Amuma Says No
Monday, July 4th - Mungia, Euskadi, 8pm Amuma Says No and Oinkariak together with Andra Mari Dantza Taldea
Tuesday, July 5th - Pamplona/Iruna, Nafarroa Oinkariak and Amuma Says No
Wednesday, July 6th - Gernika, Euskadi Oinkariak
Thursday, July 7th - San Fermines in Lesaka
Friday, July 8th - Vitoria-Gasteiz, Euskadi, 8pm, Oinkariak and Amuma
Saturday, July 9th - Hendaia, Iparraldea, northern Basque Country, 6pm, Oinkariak and Amuma
Sunday, July 10th - Anorga, Euskadi, 7pm Oinkariak and Amuma


Oinkari Basque Dancers

Over 50 years ago, a proud young group of Basque Americans dreamed of creating a troupe to preserve and perform the unique dances of their ancient heritage. They journeyed to the Basque Country in the summer of 1960 in pursuit of this dream. The young people met a group of dancers from the town of Donostia. The American visitors accompanied the dancing group to rehearsals and festivals that summer and the two groups became fast friends. In the enthusiasm and dedication of this dance troupe, the American Basques saw a perfect model for their own group in the United States. The friendship between the groups, born of a common heritage and love of the Basque tradition of dance, lead to the naming of the Basque American "dream" group after their Basque Country friends. They named the new group "Oinkari" (meaning one who does with his feet, or dancer in Euskera, the Basque language).


The Boise Oinkari soon began rehearsals upon thier return to the states. Under the direction of Albert Erquiaga and Diana Urresti and with the expert musical accompaniment of Jim Jausoro and Domingo Ansotegui, the Oinkari''s made their debut at the annual gathering of area Basques, the Sheepherder''s Ball, at Christmas time in 1960. The dream at last came true. The hard work continues; the dream has blossomed and the Oinkari Dancers have become a source of pride to the Basque community as well as to the State of Idaho. In the best tradition of folk customs, the dances have been taught to hundreds of young Basques throughout the years. Dancers and instructors from the Basque country have visited Boise and enriched the group''s traditional repertoire. Some members have also had opportunities to travel to the Basque Country and learn additional dances.

Oinkari Dancers are not professional performers, but their innate respect for their culture heritage makes the Oinkari performances a whirl of flying feet, snapping fingers, ancient music, and shouts of exhortation a thrilling combination of precision and enthusiasm.

The group is accompanied by our wonderful musicians: Anne Marie Mansisidor and Jake Murgoitio (accordion), Miren Aizpitarte (accordion and alboka), Dan Ansotegui (accordion, txistu, pandero) and Cathy Clarkson (txistu).

All the Oinkari''s are of Basque descent and many of them speak or are learning to speak Euskera, the Basque language.


Amuma Says No


''Amuma Says No'' represents the heart and soul of Basque music in America today. The band brings together the best of traditional trikitixa -a duo of accordion and tambourine- with a modern rhythm section and songs sung in Euskara. Based in Boise, home of the largest community of Basques outside their home provinces along the French and Spanish Pyrenees, Amuma Says No’s sound is energetic, exciting, contemporary and uniquely… Basque.

Jill Aldape, Dan Ansotegui, Sean Uranga Aucutt and Spencer Basterrechea Martin, the founders, are second and third generation Amerikanuak. They grew up dancing with the Oinkari Basque Dancers and listening to Basque artists like Jimmy Jausoro and Domingo Ansotegui. Joined by Rod Wray and Micah Deffries, ''Amuma Says No'' carries on this timeless traditional repertory by presenting it with a touch of twenty-first century rock, pop and jazz.

Accompanying the group of dancers and the band we find a group of followers from Boise, and among them we find the "Amuma," Lydia Jausoro, a 91 year old American native from Lekeitio. We will have chance to see her dance in Euskadi, proud of its Basque culture, dancing to the sound of her favorite band and moving her hips while her granddaughter Jill performs on the stage.


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