It takes a special talent to hold the attention of a roomful of loud, excitable children. But then Splash’N Boots have traveled the world building a global fan base in the past 20 years.
The duo has a hit television show on Treehouse TV and were part of Disney Jr. Canada appearing in more than 8.5 million homes daily.
More commonly known to parents as Nick Adams (Splash) and Taes Leavitt (Boots), their evolution as an iconic Canadian children’s music duo has made them a household name. By recording music and developing concert experiences, they bring joy and laughter to children of all ages.
One of their greatest achievements is writing and recording 16 albums with catchy songs that light up a child’s imagination. But it’s the spunky acting that grabs a child’s attention during live shows.
The nationally celebrated duo returns to the International Children’s Festival of the Arts running May 29 to June 1 to perform a series of 45-minute shows. The Gazette took this opportunity to ask Leavitt what she attributes to the duo’s success.
“We really love what we do and we love kids. When we create a show, we always put them first. We always ask, ‘how do we create a show they can participate in and create an experience for them?” Leavitt said.
But after 20 years of mixing and mingling with children and parents, and engaging with audiences in a caring manner, it's the young fans who provide positive feedback.
“We want to have an impact on children. We want to help kids express themselves and help parents express the love they have for their children. It’s important they enjoy music and stories together. It’s about connection. It’s important for kids to be seen and heard,” said Leavitt.
The duo’s latest release, Pencil Lines, released in 2024 is a collection of songs that explore aspects of art, creativity and imagination. It looks at the imagination’s power through drawings, colour and the freedom of a using a simple pencil.
At the festival, Splash’N Boots will perform a few songs and dances from Pencil Lines. They are also bringing back some of their lyrically funny favourites such as Antelopes Love Cantaloupes, The Animal Song, I Love You the Most and Last Saskatchewan Pirate.
Leavitt and Adams first mashed their quirky sense of humour and launched their duo act as students at Queens’ University studying theatre for children.
“We were given a project and wondered about extending it. We played on a street corner and two people showed up and we decided to make it a full-time job,” Leavitt said.
But since those initial busking days, the world has undergone a huge transformation.
“More than anything, children need to know their feelings are heard and they have a say. There is lots of hopelessness in the world and we need to provide the next generation with seeds of hope.”
Tickets for Splash’N Boots heartwarming shows are $18.25. Price includes GST, handling charges and fees. Call 780-459-1542 or go online to tickets.stalbert.ca.
