Folkies go topless

WINNIPEG - The Winnipeg Folk Festival has traditionally been a place to let it all hang out.

Three women dancing at a show by U.S. worldbeat performers Pele Juju took it literally Friday when they danced topless throughout the set.

"It's freeing, it's liberating, it's beautiful," explained Trayce Poole, 25, of Lasqueti Island, B.C.

"It's cool and it feels good," said Amy Hall, 20, who frequents nude beaches in her home town of Vancouver. "It's totally hot out."

Poole and her partners said the weather was more on their minds than a recent Ontario court decision allowing women to bare their breasts. But the ruling may have played a small role.

"Maybe it has a little to do with my confidence," Poole said.

Festival executive director Pierre Guerin said he had noticed topless women earlier, but added no festival-goers had complained.

"But if we don't get something in the audience comment book, I'll eat my hat," Guerin said.