Kidzapalooza tabbed an intimate event

CHICAGO, Aug. 8 (UPI) -- The co-founder of Kidzapalooza says the event at Chicago's Lollapalooza Musical Festival offers a more intimate approach to concerts.

Tor Hyams, who helped found Kidzapalooza with singer Perry Farrell, told the Chicago Sun-Times the music festival for children and their parents that began Friday allows music lovers to get closer to performers than more adult-oriented concerts.

"Ben Harper, Patti Smith, Slash -- we've had all these major A-list rock stars play the Kidzapalooza stage," Hyams said. "There's only 10 feet between you and the rock star, so the experience is intimate."

Hyams said performers at Kidzapalooza, which runs until Sunday in Grant Park, don't offer altered songs to appeal to kids.

"They aren't playing their version of kids songs, their playing their own music," he told the Sun-Times.

The event, now in its fifth year, also offers visitors access to a sketch comedy stage, a skateboarding exhibit, a School of Rock Jam Tent and even rock and roll makeovers for kids.

No age restrictions were reported for the event, but all attending children must be accompanied by a guardian or parent.