Basque Cultural Center - Community

08/27/2026

🥧Ready to use Amatxi’s secret recipe?

The annual Gâteau Basque Contest is back at Udako Besta this Sunday - and this is your moment to shine! One of the most iconic and beloved treats in Basque culinary tradition, Gâteau Basque recipes are often passed down through generations.

Traditional or non-traditional, cream filled or jam filled, gluten free or classic - all entries are welcome. The only requirement? That unmistakable Gâteau Basque magic. ✨

📋 Details:
🕘 Check in entries at the Gernika Banquet Room stage between 9-10AM, Sunday August 30th
👨‍⚖️ Judged on baking quality, taste, texture, cohesiveness of flavors, and that authentic Gâteau Basque feel
🏆 Winner announced at noon and invited to join next year’s judging panel!

📩 Questions? Contact Valerie Arrechea at [email protected] or 415-859-1154

🎟 See link in bio (instagram) for full festival details or visit: bit.ly/udakobesta2026

08/27/2026

🃏 Calling all Mus players - Udako Besta is THIS WEEKEND!

One of the most beloved traditions in Basque culture comes to the table this Saturday, August 29th - our Annual Udako Besta Mus Tournament!

This year’s tournament features the exciting Seiak six-way format - a thrilling twist for seasoned players and newcomers alike!

📋 Details:
🕖 Registration opens at 7:15 AM | Tournament kicks off at 8AM sharp
👥 Teams of 3
💰 $100 participation fee (lunch not included)
🍽️ Lunch available for $35
🏆 Prizes for 1st and 2nd place!

📞 RSVP: 415-859-1154

And don’t forget - the tournament is just the beginning of an incredible day at Udako Besta! 🎶🍖🤾‍♂️💃🏻

🎟️ See link in Bio for full festival details or visit: bit.ly/udakobesta2026

08/22/2026

🌊 Breaking news: The Basques may have been from the sea all along 😀🔱

The Why Files, home of the internet’s most entertainingly unhinged theories, just dedicated an entire episode to a wild theory about the Basques’ ancient origins: “The Basque Bloodline | Descendants of Atlantis.”

That’s right. Long before sheepherding and jai alai, the Basques allegedly survived a sunken civilization. 🔱 The evidence? Unique Rh-negative blood, a language no linguist can explain, and an ancient Basque legend of a lost island called Atlaintika. Coincidence? The Why Files thinks not. 😄🧜‍♀️🧜‍♂️

We’re not saying the Basques are from Atlantis… but allegedly not NOT saying it either. 😉

📺 Judge for yourself: YouTube Link: https://youtu.be/x6dkcwrFoy0?is=SO14MDtJPaj2AryO

08/21/2026

🍖 Our legendary Basque festival meals are waiting for you! ⏰ But hurry, RSVPs are due August 22nd!

🥩 Saturday, August 29 - BBQ Steak Dinner
🍖 Sunday, August 30 - BBQ Rack of Lamb Lunch

Both served with savory sides, cheese, dessert, coffee and LOTS of wine! 🍷

🎟️ Reserve your spot now! See Link in Bio (Instagram) or visit bit.ly/udakobesta2026

Ongi Etorri!

08/21/2026

🎶 Bankako Menditarrak is coming to Udako Besta and we couldn’t be more excited!

Formed in 2010 in the mountain village of Banka in the Aldudes Valley, Behe Nafarroa, Bankako Menditarrak (meaning “the mountain people of Banka”) are a group of lifelong friends, farmers and shepherds who share a deep love of traditional Basque song. Accompanied by the incomparable Jean Louis Bergara on accordion (Jean Louis Bergara ) their warm, authentic harmonies and connection to the land make every performance feel like a true Basque homecoming.

Currently on their 2026 USA Tour and performing across Colorado, Wyoming, Utah, Nevada and California, they make their San Francisco Bay Area debut at our Udako Besta, August 29-30, with a special free concert following our legendary Basque BBQ lunch! 🍖🍷

Speaking of which, don’t forget to RSVP for our incredible festival meals featuring:
🥩 Succulent Basque BBQ Steak Dinner (Saturday)
🍖 Amazing Rack of Lamb Lunch (Sunday)
Both served with savory sides, cheese, dessert, coffee and LOTS of wine! 🍷

🎟️ See LINK IN BIO (Instagram) to reserve your meal tickets now or visit bit.ly/udakobesta2026
⏰RSVP BY AUG 22!

08/21/2026

📬 This week’s North American Basque Organizations Astero is out with some exciting news for our Bay Area community!

🎵 BEO Cultural Day, September 26th, Presidio Theatre SF - A one-night-only West Coast exclusive featuring world-class Basque musicians direct from the Basque Country sponsored by the Basque Educational Organization. Get your tickets now at www.basqueeducational.org!

🎶 Menditarrak USA Tour, with a special concert at Udako Besta, August 30!
The beloved vocal group from Nafarroa is touring North America, and we are thrilled to have them follow our legendary BBQ Rack of Lamb Lunch with a free concert at the SFBCC! 🍖🎶

🎟️ Udako Besta tickets & details:
bit.ly/udakobesta2026

This week we are sharing news from:
• Basque Educational Organization
• Colorado Euskal Etxea
• Gooding Basque Association
• Menditarrak Tour
• Seattle Euskal Etxea

https://gem.godaddy.com/s/5d2c1f1

08/19/2026

✨ Introducing our newly renovated Gernika Banquet Room!

After a beautiful transformation, our Gernika Banquet Room is officially open … and our Udako Besta, August 29–30, will be its grand debut as a Basque festival venue! 🎉

Kick off the festivities with an aperitifa at our gorgeous new banquet room bar, then come celebrate with Live Music & Dantzaldia and our legendary Basque BBQ meals! 🥩🍖🍷

⏰ Reservations are due soon!
🎟️ See LINK IN BIO (Instagram) for Tickets & full details or visit: bit.ly/udakobesta2026

We can’t wait to welcome you! Ongi Etorri!

08/18/2026

🎥🤾‍♂️”Pays Basque, l’âme en pelote” (roughly: “The Basque Country, Soul in a Ball”), a fascinating documentary by ARTE Évasion about the soul of Basque Pilota. From bare-hand Esku Pilota to Cesta Punta, the film captures how Pilota remains a living expression of Basque identity on both sides of the Pyrenees… a must-watch! 📺

Currently on YouTube in French, English captions are available by selecting “Auto-translate” in YouTube settings.

If you enjoy watching Pilota, come watch it live at Udako Besta, August 29–30! We’ll have thrilling matches with Paleta Goma, Esku Pilota, and Jai Alai, one of the world’s fastest ball sports, all free to watch! See our event link for more details: bit.ly/udakobesta2026

(Credit: ARTE Évasion / François Reinhardt) | Link below available until September 21, 2026.

https://youtu.be/kkKuwEjJ_lI?is=RmDQPdD4UKxP1WOR

Disponible jusqu'au 21/09/2026.À mains nues, à cestapunta, à chi...