The Basque Center was built in 1949 and is a gathering place for Basque people in the area. We help maintain our heritage by supporting Basque dancing, events and gatherings. The Center acts as the primary home for our two dancing groups, Boiseko Gazteak, which teaches children from 4 to 13 years of age and the Oinkari Basque Dancers, a performance troupe for ages 14 and older. The Center is also home for a Basque music group, Txantxangorriak, that plays traditional music at many of the Basque festivals (Basque group that teaches button accordian, pandareta, and txalaparta). Annually we hold tournaments for two traditional Basque card games, Mus and Briska.
The Basque Center hosts several events throughout the year such as San Inazio in July, a typical Basque street festival. Every November we have a Mortzilla Dinner, making and eating traditional Basque blood sausage. In December we hold a Sheepherder’s Ball Dinner and Dance to help raise money for our Basque Charities account which allows us to help individuals and families in need throughout the year. Gatherings also include monthly membership dinners that run from August through May.
In the afternoon it’s not unusual to find some of the older Basques meeting there to drink coffee, converse, and maybe play some Mus. There is a public bar with cheap drinks and the best bartenders in town. The Basque Center also has a dance hall and commercial kitchen that is available to rent all year long.