The Lisa Smith Wengler Center for the Arts Presents Justin Roberts and The Not Ready for Naptime Players

Called the "Judy Blume of kiddie rock" (The New York Times), Grammy-nominated Justin Roberts and The Not Ready for Naptime Players dish out intelligent and whimsically-rocking music for kids and their parents at Pepperdine University's Smothers Theatre at 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. on Saturday, January 21.

Tickets, starting at $15 for adults and $10 for youth 17 and under and full-time Pepperdine students, are available now by calling (310) 506-4522or visiting arts.pepperdine.edu. More information about Justin Roberts: http://justinrobertsmusic.com/

There will be a free, open to the public Family Art Day from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. before the performances, featuring hands-on art projects, backstage tours, and Weisman Museum tours.

Two-time Grammy-nominated Justin Roberts is truly one of the "all-stars" of the indie family music scene, and "hands-down the best songwriter in the genre" (USA Today). For nearly 20 years, Roberts has been creating the soundtrack to families' lives, helping kids navigate the joys and sorrows of growing up and parents remember their own childhoods. Along with his band, The Not Ready for Naptime Players, they have travelled the globe, from Hong Kong to New York, and Miami to Seattle.

On October 14, Roberts released his new album, Lemonade-his 13th album for families with 12 new original songs. It's the musical equivalent of an impromptu lemonade stand popping up in the summer heat. Featuring dynamic performances by Chicago superstars Robbie Fulks on lead acoustic guitar and banjo, Gerald Dowd on cardboard boxes, paint cans, salt shakers, and other homemade percussion, and John Abbey on upright bass, Lemonade is like no other Justin Roberts recording. The sparse sounds are dotted with ukulele, piano, cello, fiddle, marimba, harpsichord, and lovely harmonies by Nora O'Connor (Neko Case, Decemberists), Anna Jacobson, Robbie Fulks, Liam Davis, and Gerald Dowd.

Roberts' performance at the Lisa Smith Wengler Center for the Arts will feature some of his best-loved songs as well as new music from Lemonade.

Roberts began his music career in the 90s, performing in the Minneapolis-based indie-rock band Pimentos for Gus. He decided to "moonlight" as a Montessori preschool teacher. It wasn't long before Justin began writing and singing songs for a new generation of fans: his students. The kids immediately responded and inspired Justin to record some of his new songs and send them out to a few friends for Christmas. One of the gift recipients was Liam Davis, a college pal and music producer, who suggested that they record the songs professionally.

In 1997, Justin released his first CD, Great Big Sun, and the critics took note. Justin's music was soon being compared to everyone from Elvis Costello and Fountains of Wayne to Paul Simon, ELO, and Nick Lowe. So Justin hit the road full time doing what he loves most: playing music for appreciative crowds. Kiddie mosh pits broke out, word spread and shows started selling out.

Justin has performed in front of millions of people on The Today Show, he's been featured on Nick Jr. TV, and his song "Get Me Some Glasses" was on a World Series broadcast. He's received two Grammy nominations, for Jungle Gym in 2011 and Recess in 2013.

Recent appearances include performances at NYC's New Victory Theater, DC's National Geographic Live, LA's Getty Museum, Seattle's Moore Theater, Lollapalooza, Austin City Limits, and Chicago's Ravinia.

In 2014, Roberts wrote his first musical based on Hansel & Gretel, produced a cast recording, and published his first picture book, The Smallest Girl in the Smallest Grade (illustrated by Christian Robinson) with Putnam. In 2015, Roberts created a concert/theatrical experience entitled The Mysterious Hat which debuted Off-Broadway at the New Victory Theater in New York City.

The Lisa Smith Wengler Center for the Arts at Pepperdine University provides high-quality activities for over 50,000 people from 808 zip codes annually through performances, rehearsals, museum exhibitions, and master classes. Located on Pepperdine's breathtaking Malibu campus overlooking the Pacific, the center serves as a hub for the arts, uniquely linking professional guest artists with Pepperdine students as well as patrons from surrounding Southern California communities. Facilities include the 450-seat Smothers Theatre, the 118-seat Raitt Recital Hall, the "black box" Helen E. Lindhurst Theatre, and the Frederick R. Weisman Museum of Art.

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