Blackpot Camp

The organizers behind the Black Pot Festival return with their "How to be Cajun" school at Lakeview Park & Beach this fall. Organized by a sort of whose-who in Acadiana cultural circles, the camp features music classes in Cajun fiddle, accordion, guitar, old-time banjo, guitar, fiddle, swing jazz, and songwriting. Instruction during the day, and performances every night (don't worry, there are dance classes, too). Attendees will also get in the kitchen, learning all the basics of Cajun cookin' from some of the region's most esteemed chefs.  

And the whole week slides right into Blackpot Festival, held at Vermilionville just down the road in Lafayette. One of the many beauties of this event is that you can come and go as your schedule allows; register for the whole she-bang and overnight it (via tent or RV), or sign up for a single day. There are also opportunities for work trade to help curb the cost. Full tuition (Sunday dinner–Friday breakfast) is $550; three-day tuition (Tuesday–Friday) is $425; two-day (Wednesday–Friday) is $300; does not include overnight accommodations (which start at $50/week for tent camping). 

Dinners and dancers are open to the public for a day-rate, but only registered campers are allowed onsite from 10 am–6 pm. blackpotcamp.com.