Children's television quintet to perform at MCI Center Sunday By BECKY PIEDEL

By BECKY PIEDEL

Date published: 1/6/2005

One, two, three, four--Hi-5!

Karla, Kimee, Curtis, Shaun and Jenn, stars of the children's hit television show "Hi-5," have embarked on a winter tour that will stop in 12 cities from Green Bay to Boston.

On Sunday, the quintet will strut onto the stage at the MCI Center in Washington for an electrifying afternoon of song, dance, storytelling and interactive learning.

"It's a really high-energy, colorful, bright show where kids can learn how to do things and express themselves in creative and fun ways," said Sheila Francis, assistant director of event and venue public relations for the MCI Center.

The gang will perform some of its most popular skits, songs and dances featured on the weekday morning television show. They also will explore their favorite dances, places, foods, colors and animals.

Kids will be able to limbo to a Latin-American beat, take a surfing safari, pretend to be farm animals and relish in the sounds of Puerto Rican singing frogs.

"They'll use music and song and dance, and they'll have the kids participate with them," Francis said of the group, which appeared in the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade in New York City.

Segments will focus on logical thinking, coordination and motor skills, musicality, linguistic and aural skills, and visual and spatial awareness.

Hi-5 also will bring along two of its puppet pals, Chatterbox and Jup Jup, to join in the fun.

The show lasts about 75 minutes and is most appropriate for children ages 4 to 8.

The Hi-5 television program originated in Australia and now airs in 81 other countries. The American version ap-pears on the Discovery Kids network weekday mornings at 7 and 10 and on The Learning Channel weekdays at 7:30 a.m.

To reach BECKY PIEDEL 540/374-5000, ext. 5558

Date published: 1/6/2005