6 nights in New Orleans

Date: 16 Sep 2023

6 nights in New Orleans for fifteen blues and jazz loving musicians of all levels

Dates: 16th – 22nd September 2023

“I’m pretty sure that was amazing, but sadly I can’t remember much of it. Can we go back again next year?” Daniel – New Orleans 2022

Yes Daniel, your wish is our command

We’re returning to the home of the blues for our second outing to perhaps the most musically rich city in the world. 

New Orleans is like no other place we’ve been. There’s music everywhere. It’s on the streets, it’s in the bars, it’s in our accommodation, it’s in the very fabric of the City. New Orleans was literally built on Blues and Jazz and because of this, there is no better place for a music fan to go and get lost in its dizzying melodies and all-consuming lifestyle.  This is less a holiday and more an immersive experience that will stick with you forever and change your perception of what The Blues is and what live music can be like.

New Orleans is a city of adventure where anything and everything can happen. On our last trip everything did happen. Just ask those that attended. 

“I need some new jeans” Mario. New Orleans 2022

Before heading to New Orleans we’ll have spent 6 nights in Nashville, diving into it’s eclectic entertainment offerings before jumping on the fun bus to New Orleans for a further six days of music and mayhem. You can choose to come just to Nashville, or Just to New Orleans, or both. Check this page out for how to book onto both.

The accommodation 

We’re staying in a gorgeous and rather massive house  in the hipster Garden District.  There’s a bar nearby called the Half Moon that has the best jukebox in the world where for better or worse, the locals will take you under their wing as one of their own. There’s a guy in a red hat and a dirty vest. I’m personally looking forward to catching up with in 2023., 

Imagine high bar stools, neon, 1970’s rock and roll and sticky floors. Down the road America’s ‘best sandwich shop’ the Turkey and Wolf will help you soak up the beer you consumed in The Half Moon. The flying Burrito does wonders too. 

The rooms are twin bed. You’ll be sharing with someone, but we take good care to make sure you’re matched well. There are loads of bathrooms and a laundry service. 

“Such a lovely place. Looks small from the outside but an absolute Tardis on the inside. How did you find it?” New Orleans 2022

The workshops 

These are packed in around breakfast time with a two-hour blues session covering fundamentals, advanced ideas and new songs daily. Details on workshop content evolve as the bookings come in-but for more specifics, please just get in touch. 

If you’re new to the guitar worry not, we’ll run some beginner content too and before you know it you’ll be rocking away.  

Itenary 

Your host (in this case-me, Thomas, writing this myself) will be hard at work to secure us tickets for the evening’s best live show. 

A typical day runs something like this … 

Workshops at 9

Down to town at 2 pm for drinks, shopping, food, and excursions. 

Lunch. 

Live music. 

Dinner. 

Live Music. 

Maybe some more dinner. 

Live Music. 

Back to The Garden District. 

Half Moon pub. 

Back to the accommodation. 

Sleep. 

Repeat. 

We’ll also be heading down the river to see some Crocodiles. Naturally. 

“My liver came back in worse shape than Mario’s jeans. 10/10 would go again” David. New Orleans 2022

Flights

If you are not taking part in the Nashville Trip, your suggested flight is British Airways leaving London Heathrow on the 16th at 15:40 to New Orleans Louis Armstrong

Our suggested return flight is British Airways from New Orleans Louis Armstrong to London Heathrow on the 22nd at 16:45pm

A return flight is currently £751 at the time of listing

Flight costs are up to you but transfer from the airport, so long as you get on the suggested flight, is included in the cost.

Flying with a Guitar 

Taking part in the daily workshops is not an essential part of this holiday, however, flying with a guitar is no big deal (especially if its a flying V-Dad joke without apology). Just get a decent case and ignore any horror tales you hear online about baggage handlers. In seven years of doing overseas trips we haven’t had one damaged guitar. 

Payment – Email fiona@theguitarsocial.com to pay

Pay in Full. £800

Pay in instalments of 3. £801 total with £267 to pay each time. All settled by 1st June 2023

“Genuinely a life changing experience.” Matt; New Orleans 2022

What’s included in the cost:

-Your accommodation
-Transfer to and from the airport (if you’re on our suggested flight)
-Breakfast
-2 hours of guitar workshops per day
-Daily activities

To book, email thomas@theguitarsocial.com

Terms and conditions can be read here. 

From the Guitar Social Community

The class is run by a group who really understand the principles of learning and the reasons for doing it! Also we are given sensible and realistic targets and outcomes coupled with very helpful practice schedules.
Lindsay, London
The Guitar Social is unique, vibrant, edgy, always fun and uplifting. Where else could I get top quality guitar teaching alongside a jam in the park, fun Zoom guitar based games or an inspiring and sociable camping trip.
Helen, Devon
Thanks to The Guitar Social , I am living my dream after years of longing to play the guitar but feeling too scared to go for it. I am loving it. The classes are so enjoyable.
Beverley, Birmingham
The lessons are great fun, the resources are excellent and I’m learning more than ever before. On top of that, there are loads of opportunities to get together and play with other students. Best guitar lessons I’ve ever had.
Stevie, London
Nicola Cortese
Nicola Cortese
03/02/2022
I started a course in Jan as a beginner with Thomas and I can already play 5 songs!.. with simple chords :) both Thomas and Fiona are really lovely and they really know how to teach whilst having fun! I'd highly recommend dropping at one of their Thursday's open mic! Tons of fun and talent for free!!!
Jonny Pollard
Jonny Pollard
02/02/2022
Very friendly learning environment, was a bit nervous to play with a group having not played socially for many years, but it was super relaxed, and I learnt a lot in the first session. Looking forward to the next session!
Adam J
Adam J
01/02/2022
Had a great time tonight! I joined on to the beginners course a couple weeks late, but Fiona was great at running me up to speed before the class. Tom was a great instructor, and managed to get us to cover lots of ground in a short space of time. The group was super freindly and relaxed, and im looking forward to going back next week!
Jakub Špaček
Jakub Špaček
01/02/2022
Having played guitar in my past within academic environment I have to say The Guitar Social club opened my eyes with their amazing and vibrant atmosphere with company of great people. Lessons are really fun and easy to follow. Feel really motivate just after few classes and my connection to the instrument greatly improved!
Paula Smith
Paula Smith
31/01/2022
Unbelievably great, not kidding.
Marcella Puppini
Marcella Puppini
31/01/2022
This exactly what I was hoping it would be. A fun and engaging way of learning a new instrument at a lovely venue, with great people and great teaching. Thoroughly recommended.
hashtagobi
hashtagobi
31/01/2022
Only been going 2 weeks but it's a great environment with good pacing throughout the lessons. The community is quite helpful + open to learn so it's really a great space for anyone wanting to hone their guitar chops!
Kevin S.
Kevin S.
27/01/2022
Is it a guitar school? A social events group? A music workshop for all ages and abilities? An open, non-judgemental route to performing? A holiday club that includes jamming on guitars around the campfire? Well–it's all these and more. The Guitar Social is built around founder & lead tutor Thomas (plus TGS Business Director, Fiona, originally one of its earliest students). Patient and passionate, Thomas and his relaxed, friendly temperament get the best from beginners to improvers and beyond. Personally for me, one core strength of The Guitar Social is that Thomas realises what most tutors and courses never do – we can all learn fast and well when we play whole songs together and discover as a group how to make them work. Thomas and TGS guest tutors will always tend to teach music theory for guitar, and focus too on scales, chord voicings, correct rhythm, licks, riffs, parts, soloing etc, but with a tendency to make it about the fun and learning gains when students jam together on great songs instead of staring at a white board and not playing much music. Jamming songs in similar or mixed ability groups helps TGS students become functioning musicians who have built useful real world skills and experience across many sessions similar to how working musicians rehearse and workshop songs. And you will have the opportunity to build live experience too if you wish – solo or with your term group or with others of your choice, in a safe, positive environment, with friendly fellow students as your audience. Never any pressure and just one example of where TGS delivers extra value. They are really worth trying. I haven't even done full justice here to all the different activities they do.
stu smith
stu smith
25/01/2022
The coolest club in London!
Colin Taylor
Colin Taylor
25/01/2022
I'm back for my second series of the Joy of the Jam. After not playing with others for over 30 years, these sessions are reminding me just how inspiring and enjoyable jamming can be. Thomas leads the sessions with huge enthusiasm and a great deal of humour. The support of his impressive musical knowledge is ever present - but this never gets in the way of our desire just have fun and be playing.
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