If there is a performance venue in your area that puts on bluegrass, or Celtic, or "singer-songwriter" music, you could maybe arm twist somebody into hiring a Cajun band for a concert. Many of the folks who tour have also been teachers at Balfa or Augusta and are happy to give a lesson while in town.

S'b'B

You were wondering who was farther north--Halifax area, the capital of Nova Scotia, is around 44 degrees north latitude, so parts of Montana are farther north than we are, the Canada/US border being the 49th parallel. Montreal, Quebec is a little farther north than us. We're not freezing up here right now though--70-80F. temperatures.