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The Blown Away on the Bayou Harmonica/Blues Summit invites participants to join either full-time or part-time for a variety of classes, seminars, live music, and dancing. This annual event features renowned musicians and instructors from Louisiana and beyond. One of the highlights includes Jerry Devillier, an 85-year-old world-class harmonica player from Acadiana, offering exclusive Cajun-focused instruction.
Blown Away on the Bayou provides blues instruction suitable for all skill levels in harmonica, guitar, mandolin, fiddle, vocal, and accordion. For flexibility, the summit offers options for attendees who may not want to commit to the entire weekend, allowing them to choose specific sessions that interest them.
Detailed information can be found by clicking on the tabs below.
Full-time participation for the Summit is $750. REGISTRATION REQUIRED
This includes (everything in all the tabs):
- Three full days, and two half days of instruction and jamming (See full Schedule).
- Admission to all seminars and dance parties (Click on the Evening Events tab for more info).
- Gospel choir participation and performance (Click Gospel Choir tab for more info)
- All gourmet, home-cooked meals and snacks, by our master Cajun chef (Click on Meals tab)
$50 Discount offered to:
- Louisiana Residents
- SPAH (Society for the Preservation and Advancement of the Harmonica) members
- Western NY Blues Society members
Don’t play, or don’t want to take instrument lessons? No problem! We have a gospel choir, meeting daily in the afternoon.
Participation for the Gospel Choir is $100. ADVANCED REGISTRATION REQUIRED
This includes:
- Rehearsal Wed-Sat at 4:30 PM
- Saturday Night Concert performance
Please plan to attend all rehearsals and the Saturday Night performance. Meals can be purchased individually, $10-15 each day.
Not able to participate in the full summit? No problem! We have three drop-in lessons opportunities each day Thursday-Saturday, one each morning and two in the afternoon.
Participation in each drop-in lesson is $30. ON-SITE REGISTRATION
This includes:
- 75-minute lesson
- Begins at 4:30 pm Thu-Sat
- Lessons offered at all levels of experience and ability
- Harmonica, Guitar, Mandolin, Fiddle, Accordion
Meals can be purchased individually, $10-15 each day.
Don’t play, or don’t want to take instrument lessons? No problem! Every evening we will offer seminars from local master Zydeco, Cajun, Creole, and Blues musicians. They will share how they hear and play the Blues, and how the Blues influenced their musical path.
Attendance each evening is $15. ON-SITE REGISTRATION
This includes:
- Seminars beginning at 7 PM
- Live Music at 8 PM
2024 Evening Events
Thursday Evening
7:00-8pm
Seminar- Gina Forsyth
8pm- on
Jamming with students and faculty
Friday evening
7:00-7:30pm
Gospel Choir performance
7:30-9:00pm
Faculty Concert
9:00-11:00
Blues Dance with Lee Allen Zeno, Gerard St. Julien and Faculty
Jamming
Saturday Evening
7:30-late
Whirlybird Throwdown
Jamming
Meals can be purchased individually, $10-15 each day.
Gourmet, home-cooked meals are provided by our Master Cajun Chef, Jolie Meaux to all who register for the FULL SUMMIT. Meals can be purchased individually, $10-15 each meal.
Wednesday
Cooking Class 3:00-4:30
Dinner: Chicken and Sausage Gumbo with Potato Salad
Thursday
Breakfast Taco Bar
Red Beans & Rice with smoked Sausage and Side
Smothered Pork Rice & Gravy with Sides
Friday
Breakfast Quiche
Jambalaya with Sides
Chicken Sauce Piquant with Sides
Saturday
Breakfast Strata
BBQ Chicken with Sides
Shrimp Madeline Fettuccine with Mixed Green Salad
Sunday
Nutella French Toast
*All breakfast includes fresh fruits, pastries, granola, yogurt, orange juice, and coffee.