PBS KIDS Series Between the Lions Announces 2010 Roadshow

Lions and stories and music, oh my! For nearly ten years, the Emmy® Award-winning PBS KIDS series Between the Lions has given children the tools they need to master key literacy skills. This spring, Between the Lions sets out on its fourth annual Roadshow, continuing its tradition of making learning fun, and traveling to four cities to educate and entertain fans with live, interactive puppet shows.

In celebration of two Emmy wins in 2009 (including an award for “Outstanding Pre-School Children’s Series”) and the series’ upcoming tenth anniversary, the Lions are especially excited to share their love for reading during the Roadshow. And for the first time ever, Theo and his cub Leona will roar into Macon, Georgia, to participate as a “mane” act at the Georgia State Fair, which has provided safe and wholesome family entertainment since it first began in 1846. Between the Lions will also travel to Atlanta, GA; Columbia, SC; and Charlotte, NC, performing at local family-friendly venues.

Between the Lions’ Roadshow performances are designed to bring the television series to life, encouraging children to read, sing along with the Lions, and recognize words in the world around them. Engaging and animated books such as Is Your Mama a Llama? and Click, Clack, Moo will encourage audience participation, and Aaron Nigel Smith, founder of FUNdamentals of Music and Movement, will be back to join the Roadshow, adding his original award-winning music to the mix.

“We’re looking forward to performing at new venues this year, including the iconic Georgia State Fair,” says Judy Stoia, Executive Producer of Between the Lions at WGBH Boston. “This is the first time we’ve been part of such a large statewide event, and doing so will allow us to reach more kids and families.”

“Theo and Leona can’t wait to take their show on the road and get the opportunity to meet their fans up close, in person. As always, the Lions will offer a roaring good time for kids and parents alike with entertaining sing-alongs, stories, and more,” adds Chris Cerf, Executive Producer for Sirius Thinking, a co-producer of the series.

Tour Dates and Venues
Catch Theo and Leona’s live performances in Atlanta, GA on Friday, April 30 (venue TBA). Next, they spend five days at the Georgia State Fair in Macon, GA from May 1-5. Finally, the lions travel to Columbia, SC on May 6 and Charlotte, NC from May 7-8 (venues TBA).

Tune in to Between the Lions
Between the Lions airs nationally on PBS KIDS (check your local listings). If you live in one of the areas located on the fourth annual Roadshow tour, you can catch the series on:

– Georgia Public Broadcasting (GPB) weekdays at 1:00 p.m.
– South Carolina ETV (SCETV) weekdays at 1:30 p.m.
– UNC-TV (North Carolina) Monday, Wednesday, Friday at 12:00 noon

For more information on the series and to view updates to the schedule of tour dates and venues, please visit: http://www.pbskids.org/lions.