The 2011 edition of Lollapalooza kicks off today in Chicago and with it, of course, the Kidzapalooza stage. More details here if you need to know the finer points of the activities going on, but I'm going to focus on the music. Now, I speak as a) an atypical attendee of C3-produced music festivals, and b) someone who's not been to Lollapalooza, but it's my sense that Kidzapalooza isn't quite as kid-friendly an experience as the Austin Kiddie Limits stage at the Austin City Limits Festival is. Not that it's an unfriendly experience, mind you, just that if I were looking to mostly hang out in the kids' area for 3 afternoons, I get the impression that there would be a lot more families doing the same thing in Austin than in Chicago. Producer Tor Hyams also brings in a slightly different mix of artists for the Chicago festival than for the Austin festival. One prominent way this is the case is in the number of kids' artists -- not adult performers making music for kids, but tweens and teens making music. There are three such artists doing multiple sets this weekend, and while it's not kindie as it's typically thought of, there are far worse things for your kids than seeing kids just a few years older than they are making loud music sound good. (And you may even enjoy yourself.) Beyond those artists, Hyams has put together another solid set of folks who've recorded specifically for the pre-tween set and their families. Most of them (like the teen artists) are playing multiple sets this weekend, which gives you the opportunity to dash off with your kids and see some sets you want to see. (Though trying to decide whether you see The Joy Formidable or Titus Andronicus early Sunday afternoon? Tough call.) But if you're there with your kids this weekend and thinking about heading down to the Kidzapalooza stage to check out the area and an act or two, here's the schedule and some comments about the acts.