The Northeast Louisiana Arts Council presents BLEND, from 5-7:30pm Sunday, May 3, 2026, at Bayou Pointe on the ULM Campus.
This is the first time for BLEND to be at Bayou Pointe, but it returns it to a bayou setting with Bayou Desiard as the backdrop. BLEND features local cooks in addition to selected restaurants all serving tastings of their best culinary creations, a silent art auction featuring some of the area’s finest visual artists, along with exciting music round out the evening.
Ticket proceeds and a portion of silent auction bids benefit the Northeast Louisiana Arts Council’s programs and services.
The event centers around a wide array of delicious food and beverages prepared and served by area professionals and business owners who generously volunteer their time and talents in support of the Arts Council. Included are select local restaurants and cooks.
Blend of the Bayou debuted in 1997 and is the granddaddy of arts fundraising events of its type in northeast Louisiana. Merging with the Arts Council’s North Delta Food & Wine Festival after COVID in 2022 to create BLEND, many of the cooks have been involved through the years, helping continue the legacy of Blend of the Bayou. Over the years a number of younger cooks have joined the ranks and are helping carry on the tradition.
Attendees have an opportunity to view and bid on original artwork by some of our leading Region 8 visual artists. The Bayou Gallery silent auction is hugely popular with attendees and affords them the chance to bid and win unique original artwork to take home that evening.
Music is an integral part of BLEND. This year the Arts Council is featuring Legacy Strings. An exciting and fun group of local string musicians…think candlelight concerts.
Local and area distributors will be providing select beverages to quench your thirst as you enjoy the beautiful setting of Bayou Desiard. Water is provided by King Springs Water.
Good food, good pours, good times, good friends and great art…what more could you ask for? All for one ticket price at BLEND.
For the latest information and updates, go to the Arts Council’s Facebook page and website at www.nelaarts.org/nela-arts-events/