Upcoming Tea Ceremonies
I am offering a small number of tea ceremonies for groups between 5-7 people, hosted at a private tearoom in Lafayette.
Please note: Two friendly hypoallergenic cats live in the home and often enjoy being part of the tea space. They are calm and accustomed to guests.
Tea Ceremony
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Camellia’s Gongfu Tea Ceremony is an interactive exploration of tea through attentive brewing and shared conversation. Using traditional gongfu teaware, we prepare exquisite teas while exploring the techniques, principles and culture behind this practice.
This workshop is relaxed and participatory. Participants are encouraged to ask questions, taste carefully and engage in conversation as the tea unfolds. Together we discover how small changes in brewing reveal the depth, character and story within each tea.
Date: April 12th
Time: 10:30-12:00 PM
Location: Private Home in Lafayette (address sent upon registration)
Leaves in a Bowl tea ceremony at Camellia is a simple and accessible way to experience tea. Whole leaves are placed directly in a bowl and infused with hot water, allowing the tea to open slowly while we sip and observe its evolving flavors.
This gathering is calm and unhurried, inviting quiet conversation and attentive drinking. Because the tea is brewed gently and the leaves remain in the bowl, this ceremony is especially well suited for people who are more sensitive to caffeine.
Date: April 12th
Time: 8:00-9:30 AM
Location: Private Home in Lafayette (address sent upon registration)
Join Camellia’s sidehandle tea ceremony, where you are invited to slow down and meet tea in its quietest form. With simple movements and attentive brewing, the teapot becomes a bridge between leaf, water and presence. Together we share bowls of tea and a moment of collective stillness.
Date: April 5th
Time: 8:00-9:30 AM
Location: Private Home in Lafayette (address sent upon registration)
Your Questions, Answered
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Not at all. These ceremonies are open to everyone, from complete beginners to experienced tea drinkers. Curiosity and openness are the only requirements.
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Each gathering is a guided tea experience where we explore tea through attentive brewing and shared presence. Depending on the ceremony style, there may be quiet moments, conversation, and opportunities to ask questions. If you prefer a quieter and more introspective experience, select any bowl tea ceremony (Sidehandle or Leaves in a Bowl). If you want a more interactive experience, select GongFu Tea.
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It depends. Some ceremonies, like GongFu Tea Ceremony, are interactive and conversational. Others, like Sidehandle and Leaves in a Bowl Ceremonies are quieter and more contemplative. If you want to learn and ask questions, come to a GongFu Ceremony.
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Yes. Some ceremonies (especially the Leaves in a Bowl Ceremony) use tea quantities tailored to each individual guest. These ceremonies are more suitable for those who are caffeine sensitive.
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Tickets are non-refundable. However, if you cannot attend, you are welcome to gift your seat to a friend. Please notify us in advance so we can update the guest list.
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We will be seated on meditation cushions on tatami mats on the floor. Comfortable clothing is recommended. You will remain seated for the duration of the ceremony, so wear something that allows you to relax.
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Tea ceremonies are spaces of presence and respect. As someone sharing a cultural practice with you, I ask guests to approach the experience with kindness, openness, and respect for the space and the people around them.
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To preserve the atmosphere of the ceremony, late arrivals may not be admitted once the session has begun. Please plan to arrive no more than 10 minutes early.
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Photography is welcome before or after the ceremony, but we ask that phones remain silent and out of use during the session so everyone can stay present with the tea.
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Most ceremonies last 60–75 minutes, depending on the style and the pace of the tea. We will complete (including questions and closing reflections) within 90-minutes.