Moderated by Susan Larson, Johnette joins a “Writing Louisiana for Everyone” panel of writers to discuss the craft of writing for children. A book signing will follow the panel discussion.

Los Sueños de los Isleños - The Dreams of the Canary Islanders

Cultural Talk about Spanish Colonial Louisiana

This cultural lecture follows the journey of Louisiana's Isleños, who emigrated from the Canary Islands, Spain in 1778 to colonize four settlements, and to serve in the American Revolution. In full traditional Canary Islands costume from her ancestral island, Johnette Downing tells the unique story of these Spanish colonial settlers, and of her voyage to the Canary Islands to learn about her ancestors. Among the highlights of the lecture is a demonstration of the timple, the traditional 5-stringed Canarian instrument.