BCC Anniversary Festival

Celebrating 42 Years

Dates: Saturday, February 17 - Sunday, February 18

Location

599 Railroad Ave, South San Francisco, CA

Join Us

Pilota Games, Presentation, and Film - Free Entry

Meals:

Adults - $40 I Under 12 - $15

RSVP

RSVPS are now closed. All are welcome to our free events: Pilota games, presentations, Aperitifa, and Saturday night dance. We look forward to seeing you!

For reservation questions, changes, or cancellations email rsvp@sfbasqueculturalcenter.org.

Schedule of Events

SATURDAY I 1PM-2AM

1PM

TXIPLI, TXAPLA, PUM AMERIKATIK

FILM SPONSORED BY THE BASQUE EDUCATIONAL ORG

2PM

BASQUES IN WWII

PRESENTED BY DR. PEDRO J. OIARZABAL

3PM

JOKO GARBI

4PM

PALETA GOMA

5PM

ESKU PILOTA

6PM

APERITIFA

7PM

BBQ STEAK DINNER

9PM

DANTZALDIA BY AMERIKANUAK

SUNDAY I 10AM-8PM

10AM

MASS, PERFORMANCES, AWARDS

12PM

APERITIFA

1PM

BBQ LAMB LUNCH

4PM

JOKO GARBI

5PM

PALETA GOMA

6PM

ESKU PILOTA

7PM

MOXKOR SALDA

Our Weekend Features

Paleta Goma played professionally by female players is new within the last decade. We’re proud to bring players for the third time in the Basque Cultural Center’s history. The Paleta Goma players from EEFP are listed below.

Left to Right: Players Maider Mendizabal, Amazia Irazustabarrena, Maider Huici, and Coach Naia Ouro

Esku Pilota is the classic handball game where players hit the ball with their bare hands. The following male Esku Pilota players from EEFP will play on both Saturday and Sunday afternoons.

Left to Right: Players Beñat Azketa, Iban Matxinandiarena, Ander Murua, Beñat Garmendia, and Coach Lur Ziarrusta

Joko Garbi

Iparraldeko Joko Garbi

Joko Garbi is the original Jai Alai. Players use a special glove that extends into a long, curved basket and play with a rubber ball with speeds reaching up to 187 MPH making it the fastest game in the world. We'll feature players from the Basque Country this weekend.

Players: Eneko Sarratia, Pantxo Lissar, Iban Riouspeyrous, Ximun Etcheverry, Thomas Galharrague

Coach: Éric Migueltorena

Music

Amerikanuak

AMERIKANUAK is a band comprised of a group of friends who are all connected by their common Basque heritage. The music they play is traditional Basque, French, and Spanish tunes from the 40's 50's and 60's mixed with American pop songs interspersed with a few newer tunes. Come see them play live Saturday night at the Dantzaldia and Sunday afternoon. 

A WWII Memorial for the

Basque American Greatest Generation

Dr. Pedro J. Oiarzabal

“Do you know that over 1,600 veterans of Basque origin served in the U.S. Armed Forces during WWII? Shouldn't they be publicly remembered and honored for their contributions and sacrifices?”

Dr. Oiarzabal’s presentation will focus on the 'Fighting Basques: Memory of World War II' research project, its results to date, and the ongoing efforts to build the first nationwide memorial to permanently honor and thank all veterans of Basque descent who served and sacrificed their lives for our freedoms.

Txipli, Txapla, pum Amerikatik Film

Basque Educational Organization

An audiovisual project that goes from video performance to experimental documentary. A project on Basque culture, which talks about the concept of the non-existence of borders as far as culture is concerned. A project carried out by Amaia Hormaetxea and Endika Basaguren in the cities of San Francisco, Los Angeles, Chino, Las Vegas and New York. This project that has been possible thanks to the Provincial Council of Bizkaia and the Basque Educational Organization.  A project that tells us about a traditional feeling of the Basque, from communities like Chino or San Francisco to a more contemporary vision of what it means to be and love the Basque, embodied in the figure of the New York poet Elisabeth Macklin. A reflection on the fact that "in this increasingly globalized world, Basque culture is alive and active, crossing borders." Txipli txapla pum Amerikatik will continue this coming summer in other communities on the US east coast working on the use of Basque in that country.

This film features members from our community: Xabi Berrueta, Francois Bidaurreta, Esther Bidaurreta, Anne-Marie Chiramberro (Hella Basque), Ana Iriartborde, Gratien Goyhenetche, Tony Huarte, Anna Marie Etcheverry, Aline Elicagaray, Idoya Urruty, and more.

Sponsored by the Basque Educational Organization.

Folkloric Performances

Zazpiak Bat Dancers & Klika, Gazteak Dancers, and Elgarrekin Choir

Come watch our local Basque dance group, klika (marching band), and choir perform during and following mass on Sunday morning.

Bizi Emankorra Ceremony Honoring

BCC Lifetime Contribution 

The Basque Cultural Center will honor Roland Cherbero for his lifetime contribution to the success of the center. He has been dedicated years to our Catering Board and most recently serving as President. He has also spearheaded our Barbecue team for all of our festivals for decades. Thanks to him, our festival menu is immeasurable. Milesker eta Zorionak!

Ceremony Honoring

François Camou & Jean-Michel Duhalde

The Basque Cultural Center owes much to the decades-long dedication of our General Manager François Camou and Chef Jean-Michel Duhalde.. It's beyond words to express the impact their hard work has had on the Basque Cultural Center, the restaurant and banquet services, and, above all, our valued members. Milesker anitz for their long lasting commitment!

Jean-Michel Duhalde

François Camou

Euskadiko Euskal Pilota Federakuntza (EEPF), and Munduko Pilota Batzarra, Joko Garbi Players

Annually, these Pilota federations graciously send their premier players to San Francisco, enriching our events with the our beloved games of Pilota. We extend gratitude for their support, as their participation truly breathes life into our events. Eskarmile!

Hotel Information

Sonesta ES Suites - San Francisco Airport San Bruno

1350 Huntington Avenue, San Bruno, CA 94066

Phone: (650) 588-0770

1-Bedroom Suite - $159.00 + taxes (includes breakfast)

2-Bedroom Suite - $189.00 + taxes (includes breakfast)

2-Bedroom Trio Suite - $219.00 + taxes (includes breakfast)

Rates subject to 15% hotel tax and $.58 tourism fee. Daily parking fee per vehicle of $10 a day.

Contact the hotel via telephone at (650) 588-0770 and mention the Basque Cultural Center for the special rate. Rooms are limited.

Services and Amenities

Daily Self-Serve Breakfast Buffet

Shuttle Service to and from SFO Airport (with advance

notice to the front desk)

WiFi and local calls

Guest Laundry Facilities (washer and dryer on premises)

Guest Facilities

24-Hour on-site convenience store

Outdoor heated pool and Whirlpool

Fitness Room and Outdoor Sports Court

Guest laundry room (Extra Charge)

Business Center

BBQ Pavilion (2 gas grills and outdoor seating area)

Sonesta ES Suites - San Francisco Airport San Bruno

1350 Huntington Avenue 

San Bruno, California 94066

Telelphone: +1 (650) 588-0770

Click for Sonesta ES Suites Website

Want to attend virtually?

The Sunday Mass will be livestreamed for those who can’t make it in person. Click the link below to watch live on Sunday, February 18 at 10:00 AM.