this weekend when two of the best entertainers in the business fly in to perform four shows for the Island's young crowd.

Eric Nagler and John Pattison, both famous in entertainment circles, are joining forces for what is sure to be one of the most popular shows staged by Kidfest since Mrs. Paula Maguire established her festival last year.

"One of the reasons kids love their show so much, is that they become part of it,'' she says.

She should know, as she first met this talent pair when she, a former dancer, was a permanent member of Nickleodeon's `The Elephant Show'. "Eric was on the show every week with me and then we had John on as a guest,'' she recalls, adding that their zany humour is infectious to everyone -- whatever their ages.

Eric Nagler, who specialises in family music (with the help of some decidedly original, not to say weird-looking musical instruments) has just been given his own TV series, `Eric's World', co-created by fellow performer John Pattison.

By the time he was 14, Eric Nagler was already a familiar sight on Washington Square in New York's Greenwich Village where he played his banjo during the folk music-mad '60s.

Although he went on to become a teacher, Mr. Nagler's first love always remained music. When he emigrated to Canada, he founded the Toronto Folklore Centre -- the first of its kind in Canada.

Performing live, and concentrating on family music, he became a well-known figure on the entertainment scene throughout North America. He was soon to become a TV personality through guest appearances on such shows as `Sesame Street', `Mr. Dress Up' and the aforementioned `The Elephant Show' -- and now, of course, his own show.

Winning four major awards for his children's records, Eric Nagler has also gathered some loyal and enthusiastic fans in the adult world. One of his recent projects was his first book, a combination of stories and instructions of how to make some of the musical instruments he loves to play. As he puts it, he likes to "share the joy of music-making with kids of all ages!'' With the emphasis on the `making' of music, he certainly creates some strange instruments from the unlikeliest of objects: a fiddle from a corn-stalk, a banjo from a bleach bottle and the famous `Sewerphone' made from ten feet of plastic piping, the agitator of a washing machine and a mouthpiece from a hose nozzle. On the side, this self-taught musician is also pretty proficient with real banjos, mandolins and guitars.

John Pattison describes himself as "a young man who talks to himself brilliantly''. This, the comedian, ventriloquist and puppeteer does with the help of some "weird and wonderful friends'' who have made their way to such shows as the Emmy award-winning TV show `Fraggle Rock', and `The Muppets'. In addition, he has also written and performed on `Eric's World'.

Mrs. Maguire reveals that Pattison has visited Bermuda before: he was a guest comic at The Comedy Club.

A review in the Toronto Weekender says, "There's a sophistication about his show which endears it to family audiences of mixed ages. Adults are entertained on their own level, kids aren't being patronised. He sends up everything in sight -- himself, the audience, show biz, even his puppets.'' During their visit to Bermuda, Eric and John will be giving a special show at Agape House.

`Eric and John' will be on show this Saturday and Sunday, January 21 and 22 in the Gombey Room of the Palm Reef Hotel on Harbour Road.

There will be two shows each day, at 1 p.m. and 3 p.m. Tickets at $12 for children ($16 for adults who must accompany all children under 16) are available daily from Pirate's Port or from the toy department of the Phoenix Centre on Friday, from 12 noon to 6 p.m., or telephone 236-1085 for reservations.

FOR KIDS' SAKE -- Top children's entertainers Eric Nagler (above) and John Pattison and Garloo (below) will both be appearing in this year's Kidfest.