Kids across Manitoba will be salivating over this year’s Kidsfest lineup, perhaps the biggest yet in the event’s 28 year history. Executive Producer Neal Rempel today confirmed Treehouse TV’s incredibly popular singing duo, Bobs & Lolo, will perform – along with dozens of other international performers at Kidfest 2010, June 10-13 at The Forks.

And the headliners are…

• Bobs & Lolo – Treehouse TV stars of their own singalong show. Bobs & Lolo is a Vancouver-based children’s music duo consisting of Robyn Hardy (Bobs), and Lorraine Pond (Lolo). Winners of numerous Parents’ Choice Awards, and a Western Canadian Music Award.
• Ache Brasil – Brazilian martial arts heroes who specialize in an acrobatic form of dance called Capoiera. The Ache Brasil Music & Dance Touring Group is based in British Columbia, and will kick, dance and flip their way to Winnipeg for the festival.
• Le Groupe Swing - a bilingual duo blending pop music and franco-ontarien folklore. “Swing” is what happens when a dancing, violin-wielding musician meets an R’n B singer who loves French. Featuring Michel Bénac and Jean-Philippe Goulet.
• Hilby – “The Skinny German Juggle Boy” from New York specializes in circus/vaudeville antics.
• The Chairmen – this Alberta duo promises to create a “chair raising experience” with its scary collection of white plastic stacking patio chairs. Experience the Chair Juggle, 29 Chair Chin Balance, CHAIRiot Races, and Men’s Synchronized Chair Routine.
• Fred Penner & The Cat’s Meow Band; and Al Simmons – one man empires in their own right! Both are Juno award winning Manitobans and perennial Kidsfest favourites. Fred will bring his special brand of singalong music, while Al will showcase his inventive musical comedy.
• Fubuki Daiko – takes “taiko” (Japanese drumming) to a whole other level! Blizzard drums with a hint of jazz and funk.
• Jake Chenier - one of Manitoba’s finest French-Canadian children’s performers

And that’s not all! Lulu and the Tomcat, Ron Pearson, Flyin’ Bob, High Strung Aerial Dance, and more will join the mix. See for yourself at www.kidsfest.ca/performers

“We’ve got so many great acts coming this year – it’s really a great mix of music, education, entertainment, and comedy for kids – I think it’s the best one we’ve ever offered!” exclaims Kidsfest Executive Producer Neal Rempel.  

Back by popular demand is the interactive venue, “Artists & Audiences – Bridging the Gap,” where headline artists conduct hands-on workshops. “We offer kids the chance to experience flying through the air on a swinging trapeze. They can learn some cool magic tricks, try some dancing moves and make music on all kinds of silly things. It’s a guaranteed ton of fun!” says Rempel.

Organized by the Winnipeg International Children’s Festival, the annual extravaganza of fun and imagination will virtually take over the banks of the Red and Assiniboine Rivers. Numerous venues, including “big top” tents, will showcase world class entertainment, from theatre, to music, to storytelling, to dance.

Advanced general public tickets are $12 each or $40 for a family pack of four. Gate prices are $14 each or $48 for a family pack of four. You can save on the gate prices by getting your advance tickets at all Winnipeg Safeway and Assiniboine Credit Union locations.

Children under two are free, and kids under 12 only need to pay once for the entire four day festival, provided they keep their wristbands on. Kids’ wristbands can be exchanged daily at the box office.

For more information, visit www.kidsfest.ca, or contact the Winnipeg International Children’s Festival office at kidsfest@kidsfest.ca or (204) 958-4730. The toll free number is 1-800-526-1515.