Sharon and Bram host tribute to fellow children’s entertainer Lois Lilienstein

TORONTO – A weekend tribute to children’s entertainer Lois Lilienstein of Sharon, Lois & Bram will feature songs, dance, videos and stories.

Sharon Hampson says Saturday’s memorial “is intended to be a happy reflection” on the bubbly blond performer, who died earlier this year at age 78 following a battle with cancer.

Hampson says she and Bram Morrison will host the evening event, set to feature favourites from the trio’s beloved songbook and include appearances by longtime personal friends and colleagues.

Lilienstein is credited with providing the special spark that helped make Sharon, Lois & Bram one of the biggest kids’ acts of the 1980s.

The sold-out gathering is slated for a downtown Toronto theatre that holds just under 500 seats.

Proceeds will benefit Mariposa in the Schools, a group that provides Ontario schoolchildren with world music, dance, storytelling, spoken word and puppetry.

Hampson said it’s the most challenging show she’s ever mounted, noting that she and Morrison have spent hours poring over photos and videos in preparation.

Along the way, there has been “a lot of weeping,” she admitted.

“Hopefully we got that out of the way,” she said. “We want to do the best to honour Lois that we possibly can do. It’s important.”

She says special guests will be those closest to Lilienstein: past collaborators from “Sharon, Lois & Bram’s Elephant Show” and “Skinnamarink TV,” former child cast members and Lois’ granddaughter, who will sing “‘A’ You’re Adorable” with Sharon and Bram.

Hampson said offers of help have come from surprising places.

“We were investigating the sound equipment and the company that we called, the man said: ‘There will be no charge for this, this is the least I can do. I grew up on Sharon, Lois & Bram and my child will, too.’ It makes me cry,” said Hampson.

“It’s very touching. Unexpected…. It’s very gratifying. I mean, how lucky to work at something you love and something that gives you huge pleasure and discover that it has huge value to the people you’re doing it for.”