Peters on a hat-trick

Warrnambool Standard 26th Aug. 1999 - ©Copyright Warrnambool Standard 1999.

CHILDREN’S entertainer Barry Peters, one half of the Warrnambool duo Canya Dantz, has been signed to perform at schools around Victoria in 2000. Peters said he was approached by production com-pany Hat Trick last month to join its stable of children’s performers, which includes Jan Wositzky (formerly of The Bushwhackers) and John and Rick Brewster (formerly of The Angels). He was offered a contract doing solo shows Australia-wide and in New Zealand, but chose to stick to Victoria to be close to home and his family. Canya Dantz is part of a resurgence in children’s entertainment in recent years, led by ABC stars such as The Wiggles. Peters said his long-term goal was a contract with the ABC, which is recognised as leading the Australian market in children’s entertainment, and the Hat Trick contract was a rung on the ladder. "It is the next step (but) it’s still bread and butter work." The contract will involve two trips per school term next year to visit primary schools in Melbourne and country Victoria. He will also pursue festival gigs with musical partner Don Stewart as Canya Dantz and continue to perform for Warrnambool pupils. Canya Dantz will be on stage today at Emmanuel College at 11.30am and 1pm. Tickets for the per-formance, which is part of National Folk Week, are $3 for children, and free for adults.