November 1, 2005 — Clifford the Big Red Dog, Scholastic’s popular character from the Public Broadcasting System (PBS) and the original children’s books by Norman Bridwell, will perform live at Kingsbury Hall this weekend in a fun performance that helps promote literacy among young people. In addition to the ticketed event, a free matinee performance is scheduled Friday morning, Nov. 4, at 10:30 a.m. for children of low income Title I schools from across the Salt Lake Valley. The media is invited to participate in interviews and photo opportunities with Clifford and his many stage friends at 10:00 a.m., 30 minutes prior to the matinee performance, backstage at Kingsbury Hall, located at 1395 E. Presidents Circle. Invited elementary schools include: Bennion, Escalante, and Franklin, among others.

In cooperation with the Utah Commission on Literacy and Utah First Lady Mary Kay Huntsman, several private outreach sessions with another popular Clifford character are scheduled leading up to the Kingsbury Hall performances. Emily Elizabeth, Clifford’s favorite friend, and Mrs. Huntsman will read Clifford books at the Christmas Box House, located at 3660 S. West Temple, on Thursday Nov. 3, at 1:00 p.m. Free Clifford books will be provided to resident children. The books are donated through a partnership with the Utah Commission on Literacy and First Book, a Washington D.C. non-profit organization that helps low-income children receive books so they can begin their own libraries at home. Emily will also visit Shriners Hospital on Wednesday, Nov. 2, at 1:30 p.m., located at the corner of Fairfax Road at Virginia Street and the YWCA located at 344 E. 300 S., on Thursday, Nov. 3 at 10:30 a.m.

Mrs. Huntsman has been a strong supporter of encouraging young children to develop a love of reading. She chairs the Utah Commission on Literacy. “Reading is a great means of exploring the world around us and developing an imagination,” said First Lady Huntsman. “Through words on a page we can learn about foreign countries, human relations or make-believe lands while sitting in our kitchens or our classrooms.”

For over four decades, Scholastic’s Clifford the Big Red Dog has been teaching children values such as fairness, respect for others, and teamwork, in books as well as on PBS Stations like the University’s KUED. In the all-new performance Clifford the Big Red Dog LIVE!, Clifford and his pals make the leap from the page and small screen to the stage.

Tickets for the public performance of Clifford the Big Red Dog LIVE! Friday, Nov. 4, 2005, at 7:30 p.m., and Saturday, Nov. 5 at 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m., are available by calling 801-581-7100 or by visiting www.kingsburyhall.org.