'Mardi Gras in Manitou' Creative Couples Retreat: An Authentic Carnivale Experience
Schedule
Thu, 27 Feb, 2025 at 01:00 pm to Sun, 02 Mar, 2025 at 11:00 am
UTC-07:00Location
336 El Paso Blvd, Manitou Springs, CO 80829-2319, United States | Manitou Springs, CO
'Mardi Gras in Manitou' Creative Couples Retreat:An Authentic Carnivale Experience
with Jamar Duvol Pierre
https://www.smokebrush.org/mardigrasretreat/
When:
Thursday, February 27th - Sunday, March 2nd, 2025
Two-guest tickets — shared double occupancy suites
3 nights / 7 meals (lunch not provided on Saturday)
Where:
Onaledge House at Smokebrush Farm
336 El Paso Blvd, Manitou Springs, CO 80829
www.smokebrush.org
Cost:
Early Bird (by January 1st, 2025): $1800 for double occupancy suite, and retreat amenities
https://square.link/u/Apfk8Qa7
After January 1st, 2025: $2000 for double occupancy suite and retreat amenities
https://square.link/u/itpVksBO
Full retreat payment deadline: February 15th, 2025
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Included with Ticket Purchase
Three-Night Stay for Two
Share a cozy double-occupancy suite with your partner at the charming and historic Onaledge House. Relax together in vintage elegance while soaking in breathtaking views of Smokebrush Farm.
Seven Delicious Meals
Savor the rich flavors of Louisiana with meals crafted by Jamar Duvol Pierre prepared with fresh, locally-sourced ingredients straight from Smokebrush Farm: Every meal is a communal experience to connect with your companion and other retreat participants:
Thursday: Welcome jambalaya dinner
Friday: Continental breakfast, lunch, seafood supper
Saturday: Continental breakfast, gumbo dinner
Sunday: Farewell brunch
Note: Saturday lunch is not included.
Creative Workshops
Collaborate with your partner to design and paint Mardi Gras masks in our guided workshop.
Creative immersion sessions blending art, storytelling, and cultural traditions, led by Jamar Duvol Pierre, a New Orleans artist and chef.
Manitou Springs Mardi Gras Carnivale Parade
Join your companion and fellow retreat participants as we journey into downtown Manitou Springs for the annual Mardi Gras Carnivale Parade! Wear your newly-crafted masks and get ready to party, nawlins style!
Rest and Relaxation
Start your mornings with optional yoga sessions, perfect for couples to center their minds and bodies before the day’s activities.
Enjoy tranquil moments with your partner in the serene surroundings of surrounding Smokebrush Farm.
Evening Celebrations
Relax in style at the historic Onaledge House, where live music, captivating storytelling, and Louisiana-inspired dinners come together to create an unforgettable evening. Experience the Creole culinary artistry of Jamar Duvol Pierre and savor a perfect setting for relaxation and reflection.
Farm Tour
Explore Smokebrush Farm's sustainable agricultural practices on a guided tour.
Optional Add-Ons
Tarot Readings: $30/session
Massage Therapy: $100 for 60 minutes | $140 for 90 minutes
This experience offers the perfect blend of creativity, culture, and relaxation—an unforgettable retreat designed to inspire and rejuvenate.
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Retreat Overview
Title: 'Mardi Gras in Manitou' Creative Couples Retreat:
An Authentic Carnivale Experience
Location: Onaledge House, Smokebrush Farm | Manitou Springs, CO
Celebrate the vibrant spirit of New Orleans with a multi-day couples retreat brimming with creativity, flavor, and festivity. Hosted by acclaimed visual artist and chef Jamar Duvol Pierre in partnership with the Smokebrush Foundation for the Arts, this immersive retreat experience invites you to enjoy hands-on creative workshops and savor expertly prepared Louisiana-style cuisine, all culminating in the excitement of the Manitou Springs Mardi Gras Parade! Set against the breathtaking backdrop of Smokebrush Farm, your stay at the historic Onaledge House offers vintage charm, timeless beauty, and an atmosphere of historical elegance—perfect for inspiration, connection, and relaxation.
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Mardi Gras Comes Alive in this Unforgettable Couples Retreat Full of Creativity, Connection, and Celebration!
Join the festivities at the 'Mardi Gras in Manitou' Creative Couples Retreat, a celebration of Louisiana-inspired art, cuisine, and community! Hosted by acclaimed visual artist and chef Jamar Duvol Pierre, this one-of-a-kind experience invites you to explore the vibrant soul of Mardi Gras through hands-on creative workshops, gourmet Creole cuisine, immersive excursions, and serene mountain surroundings.
During your four-day couples retreat, immerse yourself and your partner in the vibrant traditions of Mardi Gras! Together, create your own masterpieces in guided workshops for mask-making, beadwork, and painting. Savor the bold, authentic flavors of Creole cuisine with expertly prepared meals crafted by JP.
Celebrate in style as we join the lively Manitou Springs Carnivale Parade, then gather for jambalaya and gumbo dinners accompanied by live music and JP’s captivating storytelling, bringing the true spirit of Mardi Gras to life. Between festivities, enjoy yoga sessions and peaceful, guided nature walks through the tranquil beauty of Smokebrush Farm.
Relax in double occupancy suite accommodations at the historic Onaledge House, offering a serene and relaxing retreat after each exciting day. Conclude your unforgettable couples weekend with a farm-fresh brunch, leaving with cherished memories and a touch of Mardi Gras magic to carry in your hearts.
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Retreat Itinerary
📅 Day 1: Thursday — Arrival & Jambalaya Welcome Dinner
• Check-In
Settle into your accommodations and soak in the historic charm of Onaledge House.
• Welcome Dinner & Storytelling Session
Honoring the flavors of Louisiana, enjoy a hearty jambalaya dinner prepared by Jamar, as he shares stories that explore the history, meaning, and cultural magic of Mardi Gras traditions.
📅 Day 2: Friday — Art, Relaxation, and Seafood Feast
• Morning Yoga
Start your day with an optional yoga session to center your mind and body.
• Continental Breakfast
Enjoy light New Orleans fare, menu by Louisiana's-own JP
• Mask Painting Workshop
Guided by Jamar, design and paint your own Mardi Gras mask masterpiece—a creative expression to wear for this weekend's festivities.
• Lunch
Catered lunch served amidst the natural beauty of Smokebrush Farm.
• Smokebrush Farm Tour
Explore the beauty of sustainable farming as you tour the expansive fields, greenhouses, and orchards. Bring your boots and discover what makes this terraced agricultural landscape truly unique.
• Seafood Supper
Savor a delicious seafood feast crafted with traditional Gulf Coast flavors, brought to life by Jamar’s culinary artistry. Creativity continues as we resume our painting & craft making projects as we prepare for Saturday's parade and celebrations.
📅 Day 3: Saturday — Mardi Gras Celebration Day!
• Morning Yoga
Start your day with an optional yoga session to center your mind and body.
• Continental Breakfast
It's officially Mardi Gras Day! Join us for a farm-fresh continental breakfast.
• Free Time Options
Relax at the Onaledge House, schedule a tarot reading, or explore downtown Manitou Springs as we prepare for the day's festivities.
• Daytime Parade
Journey into downtown Manitou Springs and join the annual Manitou Carnivale Parade, where it’s tradition to march down the avenue to celebrate Mardi Gras in true fun and funky color that Manitou is known for! Wear your newly-crafted masks and dress in costume to truly get in the spirit of the holiday!
• Gumbo Dinner & Musical Performance
Indulge in a soulful gumbo supper crafted by host Jamar and the Smokebrush Kitchen crew. Enjoy and evening of live music, dancing, and the joy of Mardi Gras spirit in the cozy, historic setting of Onaledge.
📅 Day 4: Sunday — Farewell
• Morning Yoga
Start your day with an optional yoga session to center your mind and body.
• Farewell Brunch
Share a final meal with your retreat group as you reflect on the art, stories, and connections made.
• Check-Out
Depart with new memories, creative works, and the spirit of Mardi Gras in your heart.
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Retreat Highlights
• Creative Forces: A unique conceptual collaboration between the Smokebrush Foundation for the Arts and Jamar Duvol Pierre. Experience a relaxing retreat rooted in art, culture, and community.
• Led by Jamar Duvol Pierre: Learn from a New Orleans native whose passion for Creole art, storytelling, and cuisine transforms every moment into a creative celebration.
• Art Workshops: From mask painting to hands-on crafting, unleash your creativity and take home tangible pieces of your Mardi Gras journey.
• Authentic Cuisine: Enjoy authentic Creole dishes such as jambalaya, gumbo, seafood feasts, and more—all thoughtfully prepared to honor Louisiana traditions. Savor the rich flavors enhanced by farm-fresh ingredients and produce sourced directly from Smokebrush Farm.
• Yoga Practice: Start each day with a grounding yoga class led by a rotating roster of Smokebrush yogis. Each session is thoughtfully designed to center your mind and body, helping you ease into the retreat and set a positive tone for a day filled with creativity, relaxation, and connection.
• Experience the Historic Onaledge House: Spend your retreat in an enchanting Manitou Springs estate full of historical vintage charm, artistic details, and cozy gathering spaces.
• Smokebrush Farm Connection:
Explore the land with a guided tour, where you'll learn about sustainable farming practices and the vital role they play in preserving the environment. Embrace the deep connection between nature and food as you stroll through terraced fields, greenhouses, and orchards, discovering the unique properties of this agricultural wonder.
During this retreat, indulge in Louisiana-style meals crafted with fresh, locally grown Colorado ingredients, merging the best of both regions' culinary traditions. Each dish celebrates the bounty of the earth, highlighting the flavors of seasonally grown produce and thoughtfully prepared dishes that reflect a shared commitment to sustainability and the art of cooking with local ingredients.
• Cultural Immersion: Celebrate an authentic Mardi Gras holiday right here in Colorado with your host, JP. Hailing from New Orleans, JP will bring the spirit of Mardi Gras to life through captivating storytelling, live music, exciting games, and his expert guide to the vibrant energy of the Manitou Springs Carnivale Parade. He’ll set the perfect tone for your weekend’s festivities, creating a truly unforgettable and unique retreat experience.
• Trusted Traditions: Your weekend's innovative arts experience is hosted by the Smokebrush Foundation for the Arts, a pioneer in producing and presenting creative experiences that inspire curiosity and collaboration since 1992. This weekend will be filled with opportunities to create, explore, and ignite your creativity because Smokebrush is dedicated to fostering artistic expression and community engagement in a vibrant, supportive environment.
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About Jamar Duvol Pierre
For Jamar Duvol Pierre, Mardi Gras is more than a celebration—it’s a cultural and ancestral connection that runs deep in his veins. Born and raised in New Orleans, Jamar is a Creole visual artist and chef whose heritage blends African, Native American, and French roots. Each Mardi Gras season resonates with the traditions of his ancestors, inspiring him to explore themes of community, resilience, and identity in his art.
Jamar’s visual art and culinary creations pay tribute to his mixed heritage, celebrating the resilience of his French, African, and Native American ancestors and the vibrant multiculturalism that defines New Orleans. Through his art, he embodies the spirit of Mardi Gras and honors the legacies that have shaped the city. His work reflects the vibrant tapestry of New Orleans’ culture, from the masked mysteries of the Mardi Gras parades to the intricate beadwork and feathered costumes of the Mardi Gras Indians.
www.artbyjpierre.com | www.tchoupitoulasartcorridor.org
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Additional Options & Add-Ons (Add-ons listed in follow-up email)
Tarot Readings: Personal tarot insights throughout the retreat ($30/session)
Onsite Massage: Massage with Becca ($100 for 60 minutes ; $140 for 90 minutes)
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Don’t Miss Out—Sign Up Today!
Spaces are filling up quickly for this one-of-a-kind Mardi Gras retreat celebration. Experience an unforgettable blend of art, culture, history, and creativity in an intimate, inspiring mountain setting. Reserve your spot today and get ready for a Carnivale weekend to remember!
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Contact: Rani & Adriana / [email protected]
Laissez les bon temps rouler—Let the good times roll!
Where is it happening?
336 El Paso Blvd, Manitou Springs, CO 80829-2319, United States
