Blowzabella has crafted a unique, exhilarating sound infused with drones, characterized by a fantastic sense of melody, rhythmic expertise, and pure feeling. They compose their own music, influenced by English and European traditional dance music. All band members contribute compositions; many of their tunes have become standards in the modern English/European folk repertoire and are played by people all over the world. Bands across Europe experimenting with folk music often cite Blowzabella as a significant source of inspiration.

As a result, the band quickly conceived the idea of sharing their expertise and approach with the public. With success, as every year, the band organizes various Blowzabella weekends in the UK and Europe. These festivals are creative hubs of masterclasses, initiations such as dances, and concerts. The goal of this festival is to allow everyone to participate, from beginners to advanced musicians to those who have never danced before. All in an informal and warm atmosphere! All Blowzabella members are experienced in teaching, and they also invite various guest instructors.

For this first edition in Dranouter, the instructors are: Blowzabella (UK) + Benoit Micaud (F/Hurdy-gurdy) + La Confrérie des Muchards de Saint-Druon (Musocha/bagpipes).

Of course, there will also be a concert as well as a ball, with plenty of jamming opportunities.

The exact program and schedule you can find here! 

This workshop weekend was originally planned for November 2023. Tickets already purchased for the 2023 edition remain valid.

TICKETS + TIMING

Here you can find an overview of the entire weekend.

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 4, 2024

8:30 PM: Blowzabella Opening Concert (+ after jam)

Pre-sale (VVK) 16 euros - At the Door (ADD) 18 euros - Membership Card 2 euros discount - Under 18: 9 euros

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 5, 2024

10:00 AM - 5:30 PM: Workshops

FOLK DANCE - All ages and levels are welcome. Even experienced dancers have plenty to learn. BLOWZABELLA / JO FREYA & DAVE SHEPHERD will teach some of the wonderful English and European traditional dances that have made Blowzabella popular over the past 30 years. The aim of the workshop is to help people get the most out of a Blowzabella dance/ball. The whole band plays acoustically - so it's an 'unplugged' Blowzabella ball.

Session: 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM

Pre-sale (VVK) 10 euros - At the Door (ADD) 12 euros

FOLK BIG BAND - beginners/intermediate/all ages/all skills/all instruments - PAUL JAMES.

Starting with simple, catchy folk dance tunes, this workshop focuses on working together as a team to create a mighty big band sound that is more than the sum of its parts. Suitable for all ages, all levels, any instrument. No prior knowledge of folk music is necessary. The aim is to create imaginative arrangements - using harmonies and riffs, textures and dynamics - that are interesting and fun to play, dance to, and listen to. The Folk Big Band performs during the evening dance/ball. This workshop is divided into two sessions on Saturday and one on Sunday. Price and ticket are valid for all three workshops! Sessions: 2:00 PM - 3:30 PM + 4:00 PM - 5:30 PM + Sunday session 29/10: 11:30 AM - 1:00 PM

Pre-sale (VVK) 18 euros - At the Door (ADD) 24 euros

BAGPIPES - intermediate/advanced. J-ON SWAYNE.

Introduction to English bagpipe repertoire, both traditional and recently composed. Emphasis is mainly on ear work, but music will be provided at the end. Work can be done on techniques and decorations relevant to that repertoire. If time allows and the right instruments are available, the workshop can enjoy playing polyphony with two, three, or more lines, a form in which Jon has a lot of experience. Suitable for conically bored mouth- or bellows-blown bagpipes in G (for example, border, Flemish, and French bagpipes). There are a total of 3 bagpipe sessions during this weekend. Two by Jon and one on Saturday by Les Muchards. The latter focuses on the MUSOCHÁ, the Belgian Picard bagpipe, which was played until 1920 in the Pays des Collines, the region of Ronse, Anvaing, Ellezelles, mostly by shepherds. This workshop is divided into two sessions on Saturday and one on Sunday. Price and ticket are valid for all three workshops!

Sessions: 2:00 PM - 3:30 PM + 4:00 PM - 5:30 PM (musocha) + Sunday session 29/10: 11:30 AM - 1:00 PM

Pre-sale (VVK) 18 euros - At the Door (ADD) 24 euros

DIATONIC ACCORDION (G/D) - intermediate/advanced - ANDY CUTTING. 

To get the most out of this workshop, you should be able to learn a simple folk dance melody by ear and maintain it at the correct tempo with others. This workshop is divided into two sessions on Saturday and one on Sunday. Price and ticket are valid for all three workshops!

Sessions: 2:00 PM - 3:30 PM + 4:00 PM - 5:30 PM + Sunday session 29/10: 10:30 AM - 12:30 PM

Pre-sale (VVK) 18 euros - At the Door (ADD) 24 euros

VIOLIN - intermediate/advanced - DAVE SHEPHERD.

Primarily English traditional melodies and tips on rhythm and style. To get the most out of this workshop, you should be able to learn a simple folk dance melody by ear and play it at the correct tempo with others. This workshop is divided into two sessions on Saturday and one on Sunday. Price and ticket are valid for all three workshops!

Sessions: 2:00 PM - 3:30 PM + 4:00 PM - 5:30 PM + Sunday session 29/10: 10:30 AM - 12:30 PM

Pre-sale (VVK) 18 euros - At the Door (ADD) 24 euros

HURDY-GURDY - Intermediate/Advanced - BENOIT MICHAUD:

During this workshop, we will focus on various details, covering technical aspects of the hurdy-gurdy: the rhythmic equivalences of the "coup de poignet" (right hand), the dissociation between the right hand and left hand, melodic embellishments, and instrument settings (cotton, string support, keyboard). Benoit Michaud began playing the hurdy-gurdy at the age of 9 in Nevers, central France. He continued his musical education in Poitou and obtained a diploma as a music teacher. He honed his skills particularly under Gilles Chabenat and Patrick Bouffard. He enjoys accompanying songs, videos, circus acts, and stories. Therefore, in addition to a solo project, Benoit explores the hurdy-gurdy in various bands (Arbadétorne, La furie, Betadynn, a storytelling show by Maupassant). Primarily focusing on French traditional melodies and offering tips on rhythm and style. To get the most out of this workshop, you should be able to learn a simple folk dance melody by ear and play it at the correct tempo with others. This workshop is divided into two sessions on Saturday and one on Sunday. The price and ticket are valid for all three workshops!

Sessions: 2:30 PM - 3:30 PM + 4:00 PM - 5:30 PM + Sunday session 29/10: 10:30 AM - 12:30 PM

Pre-sale (VVK) 18 euros - At the Door (ADD) 24 euros

SINGING - All ages / All levels - JO FREYA:

In addition to her role in Blowzabella, Jo is particularly renowned as a vocalist in the harmony group Voices at The Door (Coope, Boyes en Simpson, Fraser, Freya, Boyes). Jo's workshop focuses on contemporary and traditional folk songs in 3- and 4-part arrangements and will include at least one song by Coope Boyes en Simpson, performed as they do. It's all about the joy of singing, and you'll quickly find yourself singing in harmony. This workshop is divided into two sessions on Saturday and one on Sunday. The price and ticket are valid for all three workshops!

Sessions: 2:00 PM - 3:30 PM + 4:00 PM - 5:30 PM + Sunday session 29/10: 11:30 AM - 12:30 PM

Pre-sale (VVK) 18 euros - At the Door (ADD) 24 euros

 

SUNDAY, OCTOBER 29, 2023

• 10:30 AM - 1:00 PM: Instrument Workshops: Tickets for instrument workshops are also valid for Sunday sessions. See above timing for each workshop!
• 10:30 AM - 11:30 AM: Lecture on the history of the Muchosa by Pol Ranson - Pre-sale (VVK) 10 euros - At the Door (ADD) 12 euros (free for combo ticket holders and workshop participants)
• 2:00 PM - 5:00 PM: Final concert/bal/jam Pre-sale (VVK) 12 euros - At the Door (ADD) 14 euros (Free for combo ticket holders and workshop participants)

COMBO TICKETS (only available in advance and online):

• WEEKEND (concert + bal + workshops): 48 euros (Under 18: 30 euros/Discount card: 2 euros off)
• BAL + CONCERT: 28 euros (Under 18: 16 euros/Discount card: 2 euros off)

Lunch? Dinner? Tickets for meals at the Café will also be available. These will be made available as soon as possible and can be ordered via the ticket page!

Need a place to sleep while in Heuvelland? Look for the right accomodation on this site.  

If you're not participating in the workshops and only attending the concert and/or bal, you can simply reserve a table through this link