|
|
How
and When did the Basque dancing get organized?
See what Jeannette Arrayet
has to say
 In
the early 1950's Jean and Rose Erasserret gathered a group of
Basque together to dance the old country custom dances. Rose
was determined to pass along the Basque tradition of singing,
dancing and music through their children. Anyone who liked ti
dance would practice in the old carpet shop behind their home.
Their daughter Elizabeth provided the accordion music. Some
first dancers were Jeannette, Yvonne, Nane and Jean Erassarret.
Marianne Laxague, Delores and Theresa Iribarren, J.P. ... Erreca,
Ben Casenave, J.B. Sarcabal and Francois Pedeflous, Marcel Uharriet
and Rose Ann Erassarret.
In 1958, their daughter and son-in-law, Jeannette and Jeannot
Arrayet, headed the group and were joined by the Maitias, Amestoys,
Ansolabeheres, Etcheverrys, Uhalts, Recas and anyone who wanted
to dance. The Ansolabehere's driveway on Olive Drive was one
of the practice sites. When Elizabeth moved to France, Jeannette
provided the accordion music and again regrouped and joined
by Jose and Marie Maritorena, Rose Ann and Jean Pierre Arrayet,
Jenny Arduain, Pauline Ansolabehere, Pete Arrayet, Amede Irey,
Jose Maya, Leon Irissary, T. Mosier, Marlene and Jeannette Etchechury,
J. Etcheverry, Grace Eyherabide, Jeanine Polley, J. Baroncini,
Josephine Bernal, Albert Etchamendy, Battita Reca, Albert Falxa,
and the Salla's.
In the 70's the Basque Club helped with the expenses and the
group grew and practiced at the old Pyrenees Bakery Building.
This group practiced hard and performed in Colorado for a private
celebration in Monterey for the National Wool Growers Convention,
Los Banos and for many other clubs in Kern County. When the
Basque Club purchased their new clubhouse, the dancers at last
had a permanent practice home. In 1979, Jenny Arduain and Jeannette
Arrayet started the first children's dance groups as they are
today. Through the years instructors for the children's group
have been, Elizabeth Curutchague, Jenny Ansolabehere, Kathy
lturriria, Elise Etchamendy, Rose Marie Etchamendy, Josette
Daramy, Julia lturriria, Michele lturriria, Louis lturriria
and Kristi Onaindia.
Want to take a look at dancing pictures
from years past?
1975
| 1976
| 1977
| 1978
| 1979 little
- young
- adult
|
1980 - little
- young
- adult
| 1981 | 1982 | 1983 | 1984 | 1985 | 1986 | 1987 | 1988 | 1989
| |
|
|
2002,
Pierre Igoa