Sheepherder's Ball

The Oinkari New Kids 2012-13 had a wonderful debut at the 2012 Sheepherder's Ball at the Basque Center last Saturday (12/22).  Oinkari performed in the middle of the night, sandwiched between the Sheepherder's Dinner and the Lamb Charity Auction.  We had a great time afterwards dancing to Amuma Says No and hanging out with Basque friends.

Click and drag for a 360-degree interactive image below.

Oinkari featured in Downtown Boise video

In October, the Downtown Boise Association invited Oinkari to appear in an ad spot for the Downtown Boise Gift card.  The video features Oinkari dancers (both in costume and in the crowd) and other local Basques. We loved working with Steve Simkins and his crew at NXNW (North by Northwest) Productions in Boise!

Check out NXNW at www.nxnw.net, and DBA at www.downtownboise.org

Video URL: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MOpy74DAMJs

Trailing of the Sheep Festival

The best way to ring in the fall...and Oinkari will be there!

photo by Cydney Conger

www.trailingofthesheep.org

"New Kid" practice #1

Today, Oinkari hosted our first New Kid practice of the year. Amaya Criswell and Ben Monasterio, the 2012-2013 Dance Directors, will offer two more opportunities to join Oinkari on Sunday 9/23 and Sunday 9/30, at noon at the Basque Center. Hope to see new dancers there!

How to join Oinkari as a New Kid in 2012

Ever wanted to join Oinkari Basque Dancers? We accept new dancers each fall, during an open registration period of 3 Sundays in September.

Practice begins promptly at noon in the main hall of the Basque Center (601 Grove St. in downtown Boise).  Please wear comfortable workout clothes and closed-toe, flexible shoes.  We will have leather Basque dance shoes for purchase, which are a required part of the costume.  No previous Basque dance experience is necessary.

9/16: New Kids Join, Practice 12-1pm

9/23: New Kids Join, Practice 12-1pm

9/30: Last day for New Kids to join, Practice from 12-4pm
10/7: Practice from 12-4pm, New Kid Orientation at 4pm

See our public events calendar HERE.

After practice on October 7th, we have a required New Kid Orientation for new dancers and parents,  where we will introduce the Oinkari Board of Directors, give an overview of Oinkari as an organization, answer questions about responsibilities, costuming, traveling, etc.

Qualifications:

• Must be at least 14 years old or in the 9th grade by  9/1/12
• Must be enthusiastic and interested in learning Basque traditional folk dances.
• Must belong to (or join by 1/1/13) Euzkaldunak, Boise's Basque club.  If the dancer is under 18, at least one parent must belong to Euzkaldunak, which is $40/year for a new member.  Members must be of Basque heritage or married to a person of Basque heritage (Euzkaldunak policy.)  For membership information, email secretary@basquecenter.com

Costs: 

Dancing with Oinkari Basque dancers is free.  However, dancers are responsible for the cost of their own traditional dance costume (we have a seamstress that makes all the costumes).  Men's costumes cost about $100 and women's costumes cost about $350.

For more information, email info@oinkari.org , or visit the Oinkari Events Calendar on this site.  See you in September! 

Oinkari Basque Dancers Mission

Through the art of traditional Basque dance, we, the Oinkari Basque Dancers of Boise, Idaho, share our culture with our local and global community while continuing to preserve our unique heritage for future generations

Oinkari San Inazio Pics in New York Times Travel

These photos are from Boise's San Inazio Festival, held every July on the Basque Block.

Oinkari men performing Lesaka Dantza.  Photo by Leah Nash.

Read the original article here (photo credits to Leah Nash)

http://www.nytimes.com/slideshow/2012/08/26/travel/26BASQUE-4.html

Jaclyn Lasuen and Lael Uberuaga waiting to perform.  Photo by Leah Nash.

Oinkari men performing Lesaka.  Photo by Leah Nash.

An Oinkari dancer steps over one of the cement blocks displaying Boise Basque surnames.  Photo by Leah Nash. 

Fun, fundraising, Western Idaho fair time

As per tradition, the Oinkari Basque Dancers participate in food sales at the Western Idaho Fair. The group has been doing this for over 40 years as one of their main fundraising events of the year. Countless hours are put in by the members' efforts, in hope to raise enough money for upcoming events. Chorizo, Solomo, lamb sandwich, croquetas, and the new "chorizo slider" are served in their prime. Other local Basque clubs and organizations generously donate their time as well in the booths, and are greatly appreciated.
If you are coming by the fair this year or in years to come, make sure you stop by and taste our delicious food, and see our smiling faces!