Johnette Downing is an author and a multi-award winning singer, songwriter and musician performing original music with Louisiana spice for children internationally. She will perform for the Evangeline Parish Library and its branches on Monday June 9, 10, and 11th.

Having performed concerts and given keynotes and educator workshops in Egypt, Morocco, Kuwait, Bahrain, United Arab Emirates, Costa Rica, Guatemala, Nicaragua, Panama, Puerto Rico and throughout the United States, Johnette is dedicated to sharing her Louisiana musical and literary heritage from the roots up with children. Through her musical performances, children have an opportunity to express themselves creatively, use their imaginations, learn about music and music concepts, embrace cultural diversity, interact socially with other children through dance, movement and singing, and celebrate the joy of childhood through the laughter, play, wonder, unity and community music offers.

Downing’s has garnered multiple awards including five Parents’ Choice Awards, two Parent’s Guide To Children’s Media Awards, four National Parenting Publications Awards, three “Parenting Media Awards, a Family Choice Award, a Family Review Center Award and an Imagination Award. Her work has received rave reviews on Grammy.com and in Nick Jr. Magazine, Family Fun Magazine, Parenting Magazine, Parent’s Magazine, Publisher’s Weekly, American Library Association’s Booklist, School Library Journal, Washington Post, Early Childhood News, Cookie Magazine, The Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Daily News, New Orleans Magazine and Big Apple Parent to name a few. Further, she was selected as one of “Thirty People to Watch in 2000” by New Orleans Magazine and “Forty Under Forty” by Gambit Weekly Magazine.

In addition to her work as a performer, Downing is an author and poet. Based on one of her songs, Johnette’s book Today Is Monday In Louisiana takes young readers through a culinary calendar describing a delicious Louisiana meal for each day of the week. Her counting book and song Down in Louisiana teaches young readers about Louisiana animals and their habitats. Cofounder of the New Orleans Haiku Society, Johnette’s haiku have appeared in numerous haiku journals, anthologies and books.

Downing is listed on the SouthernArtistry Registry, Louisiana Artist Roster and the Louisiana Touring Directory. Call 337-363-1369 for more information.