Dance on over to the French Quarter Festival on Sunday, April 14, 2024 from 1:30-2:30, and join me for a Crescent City concert for children at the New Orleans Jazz National Historical Park at the 419 Decatur St location in the beautiful courtyard with plenty of dancing room for the whole family. Free!
Children's Music Series Dates Announced!
Family Music Series Continues into 2024!
I am delighted to announce that my Free Family Music Series at the New Orleans Jazz National Historical Park will continue in 2024! Families, school groups and I have long enjoyed getting together once per month at the Visitor’s Center for a cultural immersion into the Louisiana music that is both entertaining and educational.
Join me on the first Thursday of each month (unless noted) from 11:00-11:45 AM at 916 N. Peters Street, in Dutch Alley in the French Market/French Quarter. There are paid parking lots near the venue, but the closest one is the River Lot behind Cafe du Monte.
Here are the dates:
January 4, February 1, March 14 (second Thursday), April 4, May 2, June 6, July 11 (second Thursday due to holiday), no show in August, September 5, October 3, November 7 and December 5, 2024.
Spring Festivals Bloom!
Spring Festivals Bloom!
Spring is nearly here and it’s time to shake a tail feather at upcoming festivals!
Spring Public Concert Dates
• March 2 at 11:00, Concert, New Orleans Jazz National Historical Park, Dutch Alley, French Market
• March 11 at TBA - Concert and Book Signing, New Orleans Book Festival, Tulane University
• April 6 at 11:00, Concert, New Orleans Jazz National Historical Park, Dutch Alley, French Market
• April 16 at 12:15, Concert, French Quarter Festival, National Park Service Stage, French Quarter, New Orleans
• April 30 at TBA, Concert, New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival, Kids Stage, New Orleans Fairgrounds
May
• May 4 at 11:00, Concert, New Orleans Jazz National Historical Park, Dutch Alley, French Market
New Book This Fall!
I am howling with happiness to announce that I have a new picture book coming out this fall titled My Parrain is the Loup Garou! The book is illustrated by Heather Stanley (we have three books together now), and published by Pelican Publishing.
This familial love story between a child and his godfather is my first original Cajun tall tale, and it is peppered with exaggerated colloquial vernacular to create humor and warmth especially when read aloud. Like children on the playground, the child boasts to the reader about his Parrain’s superhuman strength and wolf-like qualities as proof that the godfather is in fact the legendary mythical creature, the Loup Garou. As playmates, the child and the Parrain set out on magical adventures, perhaps too good to be true.
The vivid colors and bold brush strokes in Heather Stanley’s illustrations set a swampy tone and blur the lines between fact and fantasy. This lighthearted twist—to the often dark oral traditions of the Cajun werewolf—is sure to make children laugh and hopefully wildly dream.
Book cover reveal to follow!
Photo: Illustrator Heather Stanley and I sitting on an oil rig exhibit at the Audubon Zoo for some silly reason I am sure.
New Paperback!
My Down in Louisiana book, illustrated by Deborah Ousley Kadair Thomas, is now available in a paperback edition! This “singable” counting book highlights Louisiana animals and their habitats. The song is also available to download in my website digital music Store!
Music News
My Jumpin’ Jitters, It’s Halloween album was released digitally on streaming platforms in October, 2022, and, after several holiday delays, it is now at the manufacturer to be released as a physical CD this spring. The pre-orders will be shipped as soon as they arrive. The album contains fourteen original and traditional slightly spooky, mostly silly holiday songs.
For some reason, I have always been good at finding four leaf clovers. I have dozens of them tucked away in my haiku notebooks because I typically carry a haiku notebook wherever I go. The trick is to look for the odd pattern in the patch, which in this case is the even number four! Four is the odd one out of the many threes. This spring, I hope you take time to enjoy the flowers, sink your toes into the grass, and be grateful that you are here to witness this one beautiful life. - Johnette
“A flower blooms for its own joy.” - Oscar Wilde
Family Music Series at the New Orleans Jazz Park begins Thursday, Oct 6!
New Orleans Jazz National Historical Park Family Music Series Returns!
I am ecstatic to say that my monthly Family Music Series at the New Orleans Jazz National Historical Park in the French Market is returning beginning October 6, 2022 from 11:00-11:45 AM indoors at 916 North Peters St in Dutch Alley! This monthly concert series provides culturally immersive programs for children, school groups, play groups and families about the rich musical heritage of the region from jazz to zydeco with interactive songs like “Who Got the Baby in the King Cake?,” “Today is Monday in Louisiana,” and “Give Me That Zydeco.” This toe-tapping, hip-shaking program is free and takes place the first Thursday of each month at 11:00 AM.
Come join me in a fun fete for families in the French Market!