Family Festival Will Aid Homeless Teens

Kids, canines, clowns and crafts will take center stage Saturday at “Kids ‘n Critters,” a family concert and festival to benefit a Hollywood resource center for homeless teens.

Organizers expect some 1,000 children and their families to take in a concert by entertainers Craig ‘n Co., a kids’ rock ‘n’ roll band, and children’s music singer Jessica Harper at the event that runs from 1 to 3 p.m. on a back lot at CBS Studio Center, 4024 Radford Ave.

The festival will include appearances by canine character actors Pongo and Purdita of the Walt Disney film “101 Dalmatians,” puppet characters from the PBS-TV series “The Puzzle Place,” Canine Disc Masters stunt dogs, juggling clowns and stilt walkers.

Representatives from the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, the Los Angeles Zoo and veterinarians and obedience trainers will also be on hand to encourage kids to better appreciate and care for their pets.

Children can also paint animal masks, make animal-ear headbands and decorate hats at various craft booths.

All proceeds from ticket sales will go to My Friend’s Place, a Hollywood-based resource center for homeless and runaway youth, organizers said.

The shelter offers services in individual case management, substance-abuse counseling, on-site medical treatment, HIV testing, dental and eye-care referrals, shelter referrals, legal aid, meals, hygiene supplies and clothing distribution.

Homeless teens can also receive computer training, high school diploma equivalency assistance, job referrals, ID cards and mail and telephone services.

Tickets for “Kids ‘n Critters” are $10 and may be purchased by calling (310) 454-1653. Children 1 and younger are free.