BOISE - People from around the world will soon converge on Boise to celebrate the best of Basque culture. Jaialdi 2015 will feature traditional sports, music, dance, and food - all of which highlight the rich Basque heritage of Idaho's capital city.
Jaialdi, which means "big festival" in Basque, started back in 1987 as a way to promote and sustain Basque culture in the United States and abroad. Held every five years, Jaialdi has become one of the largest Basque festivals in the world.
This year's festival gets under way Tuesday, July 28 and runs through Sunday, August 2.
Below you will find everything you need to know to get ready for Jaialdi, including a complete schedule of events.
Jaialdi 2015
Tuesday, July 28
Kepa Junkera: Live from Bilbao
- Basque Center and online
- 7 p.m.
- Free
- Basque musician Kepa Junkera will live stream his concert from Bilbao to participants at Jaialdi 2015. Come to the Basque Center to watch on the big screen or log in to the event website to view.
Welcome to Boise
- Basque Block
- 5 - 11 p.m.
- Free
- Spend your evening on the Basque Block, enjoying traditional Basque food and drink, while listening to strolling musicians.
Thursday, July 30
Sports Night
- CenturyLink Arena
- 7 p.m.
- $15 (includes ticketing fees)
- Jaialdi 2015 Sports Night will be an evening filled with Basque sports performed by athletes from the Basque Region who are internationally known for their amazing feats of strength. The events include traditional Basque sports, such as weightlifting, wood chopping, weight carrying, anvil lifting, hay pitching, relay races, and various traditional rural sports.
- For a look at the Sports Night athletes, click here.
Street Dance
- Basque Block
- 8:45 p.m.
- Free
- Enjoy dancing with music by Luhartz and The Crazy Wheels.
Basque Block Open
- Basque Block
- noon - midnight
- Free
- Grab some food, get a drink, and enjoy Basque music
Friday, July 31
Basque-ing on the Block
- Basque Block
- noon - midnight
- Free
- Grab some food, get a drink, and enjoy Basque music
2015 NABO Pala Finals - watch LIVE in the Basque Center or on KTVB.COM
- 9:00 a.m. Men's Class B Pala Semi-final -- Boise vs. San Francisco
- 10:00 a.m. Women's Baleen Final -- Boise vs. Bakersfield
- 11:00 a.m. Handball Class B Doubles Final -- Chino vs. SF
- 12:00 p.m. Youth Handball -- Bakersfield teams
- 1:30 p.m. Men's Pala Class B Final -- Chino vs. winner of Boise vs. SF game
- 2:30 p.m. Handball Class A Singles Final -- Chino vs. SF
- 3:30 p.m. Women's Pala Final -- Boise vs. Bakersfield
- 4:30 p.m. Handball Class A Doubles Final -- Chino vs. SF
- 5:30 p.m. Men's Pala Class A Final -- TBD
Festa'ra
- Morrison Center
- 7 p.m.
- Tickets - $35 Note - As of this posting, the event is sold out, but more tickets may become available as the show gets closer. Check here for ticket updates.
- Festa'ra is a celebration of the traditional music and dance of the Basque Country, including performers from Euskadi and famous Oinkari Basque Dancers from Boise
- For more on the performers at Festa'ra and other Jaialdi events, click here.
Saturday, August 1
Basque-ing at Expo Idaho
- Expo Idaho
- 10 a.m. - 6 p.m.
- Ages 10 and older: $6.50 online, $7 at the gate. Free for children younger than 10.
- Dozens of dance groups from around the West will perform on two indoor stages. Basque vendors will be available in the Expo Idaho building with Basque novelties, souvenirs, and clothing for sale. Food, drink, a sports arena, and displays of sheep wagons will also be on hand.
San Inazio Mass
- St. Mark's Cathedral
- 7960 Northview Street
- 7 p.m.
- Free
- The annual San Inazio Mass will be celebrated in Basque and English. The Oñati Dancers will perform a sacred liturgical dance on the altar at St. Mark's, with assistance from the Oinkari Basque Dancers.
Dance
- Expo Idaho
- 9 p.m. - 1 a.m.
- $11.50 online or $12 at the gate
- Join Amuma Says No and The Crazy Wheels in this celebration of music and dancing; open to all ages.
Sunday, August 2
Basque-ing at Expo Idaho
- Expo Idaho
- 11 a.m. - 5 p.m.
- Ages 10 and older: $6.50 online, $7 at the gate. Free for children younger than 10.
- More of the same fun as Saturday's events continue.
Street Dance
- Basque Block
- 8 p.m.
- Free
- Enjoy dancing with music by Luhartz and Amuma Says No
Shuttles
Shuttles will be running between the Basque Center and Expo Idaho all day Saturday and Sunday. On Saturday between 6 and 7 p.m., shuttles will also run from the Basque Block to St. Mark's for the San Inazio Mass. Shuttles will be available following the mass to return people to the Basque Block or Expo Idaho.
Volunteers
If you are interested in helping make Jaialdi 2015 a great success, consider volunteering. Email Jaialdivolunteers2015@gmail.com for more information.
