Singers Mikel Markez and Erramun Martikorena are a generation apart and represent two different styles of music.

Two well-known singers from the Basque Country, Erramun Martikorena and Mikel Markez, both with very different styles of music, are in the U.S., performing together in Rocklin, San Francisco, Bakersfield and Chino, Calif. in the next two weeks. Martikorena, from the French-Basque town of Baigorri, continued his occupation as a shepherd along with a successful singing career that includes eight [...]

The Basque Country duo of Harkaitz Martinez de San Vicente and Mikel Ugarte have focused the spotlight on the unique instrument known as txalaparta here in the U.S.

Above: Luhartz and Rafa Iriondo interview. For the Basque band Luhartz, playing for Basque-American audiences is a way to acknowledge the hard work made by local Basque clubs to promote the culture of their homeland. The group, which specializes in Basque dance music, has performed at Basque festivals in San Francisco, Bakersfield, Boise and Reno since first coming to the [...]

Championship Basque pelota players will be returning to California later this month to play exhibition games in Bakersfield and South San Francisco. The four athletes — Fernando Goñi, AKA Goñi III; Pedro Eulate; Alberto Ongay and Jon Apezetxea — will battle it out on the handball courts during festival events at the Kern County Basque Club and the Basque Cultural [...]

Long-time members of the Bay Area’s Basque community sometimes say that it seems just like yesterday when the San Francisco Basque Club was formed, back in 1960. The club has been celebrating its 50th anniversary in a big way this year, with several significant events. In March, the club celebrated with a Bertzolaritza — bringing together expert bertsolaris, including two [...]

Above: Trailer for Victor Erice’s classic film. When Basque director Victor Erice shot his feature film “Spirit of the Beehive,” little did he realize that his work would become one of the enduring classics of Spanish filmmaking. The 1973 film, highlighted by an unforgettable child performance by Ana Torrent, was hailed by critics as one of the best Spanish films [...]

Pantxoa eta Peio, the Basque folk singing duet who made it big with their songs about love for their Basque culture, finally made their debut

Above: Promotional video for the San Francisco Basque Club’s “Bertso Jaialdia” on March 13. For more information, click here. The Basque competitors gather at festivals or among friends to face off in improvised lyrical duels. Each is given a topic, which can be anything from life on the farm to friendship or family. One by one, the singers belt out [...]

Michel Etcheverry, a popular singer from the Basque Country, is visiting California for performances in South San Francisco and Chino.