Monday, May 25, 2009

Digital Store

Guess what Fans? I now have a digital Store on my website whereby you can download MP3 files of CDs, individual songs and the songs that go with my books! Download my songs into your iPod or MP3 player and take me wherever you go! How cool is that? Check out my MP3 Download Store at:

http://www.johnettedowning.com/digital.html

Tour Dates - June 2009

June 1 at 10:30 & 2:00, Ascension Parish Library, Donaldsonville and Galvez, LA
June 2 at 1:30, Ripples Camp, Tulane University, New Orleans, LA
June 3 at 10:00 & 2:00, Iberville Parish Library, Plaquemines and Grosse Tete/Rosedale, LA
June 4 at 10:30 & 2:00, Iberville Parish Library, East Iberville School Band Room and White Castle, LA
June 5 at 10:00, Iberville Parish Library, Bayou Sorrell, LA
June 7 at 9:30, Mary Peyton Miracle Run, Abita Springs Trail Head, Abita Springs, LA
June 8 at 2:00, Terrebonne Parish Library, Houma, LA
June 9 at 2:00, Catahoula Parish Library, Sicily Island, LA
June 10 at 10:00 & 2:00, Catahoula Parish Library, Harrisonburg & Jonesville, LA
June 11 at 10:00 & 2:00, Webster Parish Library, Minden and Springhill, LA
June 17 at 10:00 & 2:00 Natchitoches Parish Library, Natchitoches, LA
June 18 at 2:00, Natchitoches Parish Library, Natchitoches, LA
June 19 at 10:00, St. Bernard Parish Library, Chalmette, LA
June 22 at 9:30, Castle Tree Camp, New Orleans, LA
June 22 at 1:30, Jimmy Club for Girls, St. Rose, LA
June 23 at 10:00 & 2:00, St. James Parish Library, Lutcher and Vacherie, LA
June 24 at 10:00 & 2:00, Winn Parish Library, Winnfield, LA
June 25 at 10:00 & 1:00, Bienville Parish Library, Arcadia & Ringgold, LA
June 26 at 10:00 & 1:00, Bienville Parish Library, Saline & Castor, LA
June 29, Vermillion Parish Library, Delcambre & Kaplan, LA
June 30, Cameron Parish Library, Cameron, LA

Dixieland Jazz For Children CD Reviewed on Punny Bop

Here is a great review that appeared recently on Punny Bop:

We started out with Dixieland Jazz for Children by Johnette Downing and Jimmy LaRocca's Original Dixieland Jazz Band. You can buy it on CD or for just $9 in MP3 format - Amazon's MP3 page for the album has samples of every song. Z's favorite song on this CD by far is the first one, "Dixieland Jazz' - "Dixieland Jazz, Dixieland Jazz the best jazz in the land..." - the song then goes on to introduce all the different instruments in the standard Dixieland Jazz band. Other favorite songs from the album include "Throw Me Something Mister" - all about getting some beads and doubloons from a float in a Mardi Gras parade (I can't wait to take Z to a proper Mardi Gras parade), "I've Got Happy Feet" - which for some reason reminds me of that famous New Orleans con where the con bets the mark that he can tell you where you got your shoes. (The answer plays on the New Orleans' substitution of "you've" with "you," and it's whatever street you're standing on - if you're on Decatur, for example, it's "you got your shoes on Decatur right now.") But the song is really about dancing your way through New Orleans.


http://www.punnybop.com/

Thursday, May 7, 2009

Mailbox - Letters from Friends and Fans


Hi Johnette,

My name is Angie C. I am a 3rd grade teacher at Zachary Elementary School. We enjoyed your visit so much. I purchased some of your books (two that I didn't have already) and couldn't wait to try them out with my 3rd graders. Yes, I said 3rd graders. Even 9 year olds LOVE them. During iLEAP testing (standardized state testing) week, we try to create a relaxed and non stressful environment. This is where your books came in. We first read My Aunt Came Back. I gave the kids Louisiana cut outs, and I printed pictures of the different gifts that "my aunt" brought back. When I got to each city, students had to paste the gift in the location of that city on the LA cutout. They loved it! We extended it to include what their aunt would bring back if she visited Zachary.

We also read Chef Creole and created him. What's so amazing about this is that I let the students have free range to create him. We did not use templates. So, although each one looks almost the same, there are no two chefs alike in my room. The students worked hard, and loved creating him.

I have enclosed pictures of our work that I've put on display on a bulletin board in my classroom. Just like the title of the board says, you truly did inspire us!

Thank you,
Angie C
3rd grade teacher
Zachary Elementary School

Friday, May 1, 2009

Tour Dates - May 2009

May 2 at 11:00, Book Signing, Book Tent, New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival, Fairgrounds, New Orleans, LA
May 2 at 12:45, Concert, Kids Tent, New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival, Fairgrounds, New Orleans, LA
May 3, at 2:45 & 4:45, Children's Tent, Fest For All, Downtown Baton Rouge, LA
May 9 at 10:00, Concert, APPLE Parent Conference, Metairie, LA
May 11-15, Banners Series School Tour, Lake Charles, LA
May 16 at 10:00, Concert, Central Library, Lake Charles, LA
May 23 from 9:30-11:30, Book Signing, Sams Club, Harvey, LA
May 23 from 1:30-3:30, Book Signing, Sams Club, Metairie, LA
May 26 at 1:30, Covington Branch Library, Covington, LA
May 27 at 10:00, Causeway Branch Library, Covington, LA
May 28 at 1:30, Slidell Branch Library, Slidell, LA