Local children's entertainers Bobs and LoLo go au naturel for the 36th annual 麻豆传媒映画International Children's Festival on Granville Island, May 27 to June 2.
The Juno-nominated duo's new show Nature Rocks! is billed as "a high-energy, musical experience_ [that gets] kids on their feet while teaching them to care about active living, each other and the planet."
Childhood friends Robyn Hardy (Bobs) and Lorraine Pond (LoLo) joined musical forces in 2003 and have become a hit with young audiences and parents alike with their interactive live shows and original lyrics promoting teamwork, the environment and healthy living and eating.
"[Nature Rocks!] is geared towards connecting children and families towards the outdoors," Pond said. "It's all interactive. We focus on music, movement and storytelling_ It's all basically storytelling through dance."
Pond says growing up on 麻豆传媒映画Island influenced the duo's attraction to the natural world. "We met at a Girl Guide camp_ we've been friends for over 25 years," Pond said.
Before forming Bobs and LoLo, the two went their separate ways during university. Hardy has a background in teaching and linguistics, and Pond is an environmental educator and kinesiology major. After completing their studies, they discussed the idea of becoming educators and entertainers and the value of using music as a teaching tool for kids.
Since then, the kids fest veterans have made four CDs, a DVD and regularly appear on TreeHouse TV. "Any touring artist that attends or shares in the Children's Festival... will tell you that you really need to be passionate about why you are doing it," said Pond.
Other highlights at this year's festival include Nova Scotia ukulele master James Hill, Acadian ensemble Grand Drangement, Charlotte Diamond and the Hug Bug Band, African circus troupe Cirque Zuma Zuma and Ferry Tale Theatre's Pirate Petunia on the Sea.
More details at childrensfestival.ca.
