2026 Literary Arts & Humanities Award - New Orleans Tourism and Cultural Foundation

Celebrate with Johnette Downing at the Fourth Annual NOTCF Honors Gala! We are pleased to recognize Johnette as the 2026 Literary Arts & Humanities Honoree.

Johnette Downing is a New Orleans author, illustrator, musician, and poet known as the “Bard of the Bayou” and the “Cajun Raffi,” who has performed on five continents and earned dozens of awards for her thirty-two books and thirteen recordings. Her literary work earned her the 2017 Louisiana Writer Award. Johnette’s 2026 releases include My Little Snap Bean, Zydeco for Children, and Just Irma: The Biography of Irma Thomas. She continuously shares Louisiana’s culture with children around the world.  

Join us on Friday, January 9, 2026 to honor Johnette’s impact. Purchase your tickets to the Honors Gala today! #linkinbio

#cultureisouropendoor #notcfhonorsgala

No Trick, Just a Treat at my Boo Carre Festival Concert!

Come dressed in costume and howl along with me at my Boo Carre concert on Saturday, October 25 at 12:30 at 916 N Peters Street in Dutch Alley in the French Market. There will be crafts and trick or treating at participating shops, so come out for a silly, slightly spooky, fun time!

Children's Concert Series Continues on October 2!

Join me for my monthly concerts for children indoors at the Jazz Park on Oct 2, Nov 6 and Dec 4 at 11:00. Free and open to the public! Parade on down!

Big Orange Monster Art Exhibition at Kolaj

My collage titled “Big Orange Monster Consumes the World” is part of a fun exhibition at the Kolaj Institute in New Orleans through October 18, 2025. I couldn’t resist the call to artist to create a monster out of cut-paper collage and hand-painted paper.

For more information about the show, please visit - https://kolajmagazine.com/content/content/collage-exhibitions/big-orange-monster/

Collage in the show. Photograph by Thom Bennett.

Petit Pierre and the Floating Marsh Book Video Now on YouTube!

Illustrator Heather Stanley and I are happy to announce that our book Petit Pierre and the Floating Marsh is now on YouTube as a book reading video! Watch, read and sing along with this popular book about how friends and family make a home.

New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival Concert!

We are thrilled to announce that we are performing in the Kids Tent at the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival on Sunday, May 4, 2025 from 2:45-3:35 PM. This Louisiana roots music concert for children and their families introduces children to the rich musician heritage of New Orleans and across the Bayou State. It’s a romp in the swamp you won’t want to miss. Tickets available at jazzfest.com. New Orleans Fairgounds.