Blowzabella have a unique, exhilarating sound, rich in drones, played with a fantastic sense of melody, rhythmic expertise and pure feeling. They write their own music, inspired by English and European traditional dance music. Every member of the band composes; many of their tunes have now become “standards” in the modern English and European folk repertoire, played by musicians all over the world. Folk bands across Europe who experiment with tradition often cite Blowzabella as a major source of inspiration.

It didn’t take long before the band decided to share their expertise – and above all their approach – with the public. With great success: every year Blowzabella organise several Blowzabella Weekends in the UK and across Europe. These festivals are a creative melting pot of masterclasses, dance workshops, bals and concerts. The goal is simple: everyone can take part – from beginners to advanced musicians, from people who’ve never danced before to seasoned dancers – all in a relaxed and welcoming atmosphere.

All the members of Blowzabella are experienced teachers, and they always invite a guest group they admire. For this very last Blowzabella Workshop Festival anywhere in the world, they have invited their old friends La Chavannée, who more than anyone else have championed the popular traditions of the Bourbonnais region in central France.

 This really is the final Blowzabella Workshop Festival, so early booking is strongly recommended.

Of course, there will also be concerts, bals and plenty of opportunities for jamming. You can buy separate tickets for individual workshops, or combi passes for the full weekend, the bal and the concerts.

TICKETS + TIMING

FRIDAY 16 OCTOBER 2026

20:30 – Opening Concert: Blowzabella (+ after jam)
This will probably be one of the last concerts the band will ever play in Belgium – another reason not to miss it!

Pre-sale: €20 – On the door: €25

SATURDAY 17 OCTOBER 2026

DANCE WORKSHOP – All ages & levels welcome
Blowzabella / Jo Freya & Dave Shepherd will teach some of the wonderful English and European traditional dances that Blowzabella have popularised over the past 30 years. The aim is to help people get the most out of a Blowzabella bal. The whole band plays acoustically – an unplugged Blowzabella bal. Free with an “all-in” combi pass.
10:00 – 12:00
Pre-sale: €15 – On the door: €20

MAKE A SOUNDTRACK – Beginners to intermediate / all ages / all instruments
Paul James. Together we’ll compose and arrange music for a short animated film made especially for this festival. All instruments and levels welcome. The result will be performed live with the film at the bal. Three linked sessions (two on Saturday, one on Sunday).
Sessions: Sat 14:30–15:30 & 16:00–17:00 + Sun 10:30–11:30
Pre-sale: €30 – On the door: €40

BAGPIPES – Intermediate / advanced
Jon Swayne. Explore English bagpipe repertoire, both traditional and newly composed. Mainly taught by ear, with written music provided afterwards. Work on technique, ornamentation, and – if time and instruments allow – polyphony with two or more lines, an area where Jon has wide experience. Suitable for conical chanter mouth- or bellows-blown bagpipes in G (e.g. border, Flemish, French). Bring low D or C bagpipes if you have them. Three linked sessions.
Sessions: Sat 14:30–15:30 & 16:00–17:00 + Sun 10:30–11:30
Pre-sale: €30 – On the door: €40

DIATONIC ACCORDION (G/D) – Intermediate / advanced
Andy Cutting. You should be able to pick up a simple dance tune by ear and keep time with others. Three linked sessions.
Sessions: Sat 14:30–15:30 & 16:00–17:00 + Sun 10:30–11:30
Pre-sale: €30 – On the door: €40

FIDDLE – Intermediate / advanced
Dave Shepherd. Mainly English traditional tunes, with tips on rhythm and style. Three linked sessions.
Sessions: Sat 14:30–15:30 & 16:00–17:00 + Sun 10:30–11:30
Pre-sale: €30 – On the door: €40

HURDY-GURDY – Intermediate / advanced
Benoît Michaud, Patrick Bouffard & Maxou Heintzen. Three masters of the instrument each give a session on Saturday, followed by a joint masterclass on Sunday. To get the most out of this workshop, you should be able to pick up a simple dance tune by ear and play it in time with others.

Sat 14:30–15:30 – Benoît Michaud: Technique and refinement – right-hand rhythmic variations, hand independence, ornamentation and instrument set-up.

Sat 16:00–17:00 – Patrick Bouffard & Maxou Heintzen: Tunes and techniques from La Chavannée and the Bourbonnais repertoire.

Sun 10:30–11:30 – Masterclass with all three tutors.
Pre-sale: €30 – On the door: €40

SINGING – All ages / all levels
Jo Freya. Known for her work with harmony group Voices at The Door (Coope, Boyes & Simpson, Fraser, Freya, Boyes). Contemporary and traditional songs in 3- and 4-part harmony, including at least one Coope Boyes & Simpson piece. It’s all about the joy of singing – you’ll be harmonising in no time. Three linked sessions.
Sessions: Sat 14:30–15:30 & 16:00–17:00 + Sun 10:30–11:30
Pre-sale: €30 – On the door: €40

20:00 – Bal with Blowzabella & La Chavannée
In the evening the party bursts into life: bals where participants and artists come together and the music really takes off. Alongside Blowzabella, La Chavannée and the Soundtrack Workshop group will also perform.
Pre-sale: €20 – On the door: €25

SUNDAY 18 OCTOBER 2026

10:30–11:30 – Instrument workshops (included in workshop ticket price)
11:45–12:30 – Meet La Chavannée: the musicians talk about their work with Bourbonnais traditions and how they keep them alive. (For combi pass holders and workshop participants only)
14:00–16:30 – Final Workshop / Closing Jam led by Blowzabella & La Chavannée - Pre-sale: €15 – On the door: €20 (Free for combi pass holders and workshop participants)

COMBI PASSES (only available in advance, online)

Combi All-In (concert + bal + workshops): €60 / Under 18: €30
(Please indicate which instrument workshop you wish to join in the comments field when booking)

Combi Concert (concert + bal + closing jam): €36 / Under 18: €18

TICKETS: click here