Jump For Joy With Justin Roberts At The Morton Arboretum

Fun-Filled Family Entertainment By Acclaimed Children’s Music Performer

LISLE, IL (July 16, 2007) – Send the kids back to school this fall with a spring in their steps, a smile on their faces and great music on their minds.

Justin Roberts and the Not Ready For Naptime Players – one of the country’s most popular family acts – hits The Morton Arboretum stage on August 26 at 3 p.m. Justin’s award-winning music has been compared to James Taylor, Nick Lowe, Paul Simon, Elvis Costello, XTC, and even Green Day.  You’ll see kids and adults singing and dancing together at his concert.

“I try to write songs for kids that I would want to listen to as an adult,” Roberts said. “Something with a great hook and some meaningful, if sometimes slightly absurd, lyrics. A good song is a good song!”

His 2006 CD “Meltdown” earned Justin his fourth Parents’ Choice Gold Award, with People Magazine stating “The best kids’ music manages to be on-your-feet fun and laugh-out-loud funny...with groovy rhythms and clever, spot-on lyrics.” The CD features great songs like “My Brother Did It,” “Koala Bear Diner” and “Our Imaginary Rhino.”

Roberts started his musical career in the Twin Cities during the late 90s as the leader of the indie-rock band, Pimentos for Gus. In 1998, “Great Big Sun” garnered immediate acclaim, including “Best Music Gift of the Year” by Sesame Street Parents Magazine. His next two CDs, “Yellow Bus” and “Not Naptime,” each received Parents’ Choice Gold Awards.

Recently, Justin completed four ground-breaking, new music videos and Noggin, the kids’ educational television network, is featuring both.

Justin has performed in renowned venues ranging from New York City’s Symphony Space to Los Angeles’ Getty Museum, and at prestigious festivals such as Seattle’s Bumbershoot. He will play before an expected crown of 35,000 at the LEGOLAND® New Year’s Eve celebration on December 31 in Carlsbad, CA.

Tickets for Justin Roberts are $14 on the day of the concert, $12 with advance purchase ($8 advance purchase for Arboretum members). Children under the age of 2 are free with a paying adult. For tickets, call 630-725-2066 (9 a.m. – 5 p.m. Monday through Friday), visit www.mortonarb.org or stop by the Visitor Center Information Desk (8 a.m. – 6 p.m. daily). General admission lawn seating opens at 10 a.m.; bring blankets or lawn chairs.

The Presenting Sponsor of the summer concert series is Subaru, with support from Hilton Lisle/Naperville and Naperville Magazine. The Arboretum also gratefully acknowledges its youth and family program sponsors. ComEd, JPMorgan Chase and Pace Bus are Contributing Sponsors. Supporting sponsors are Borders, Comcast, and Edy’s Ice Cream.

The Morton Arboretum is an internationally recognized 1,700-acre outdoor museum with collections of 4,057 kinds of trees, shrubs, and other plants from around the world. The Arboretum's beautiful natural landscapes, gardens, research and education programs, and year-round family activities support its mission - the planting and conservation of trees and other plants for a greener, healthier, and more beautiful world. Conveniently located at I-88 and Rte. 53 in Lisle, Illinois, the Arboretum is open 7 days a week, 365 days a year, from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. or sunset, whichever is earlier, Central Time. The Children's Garden is open from 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. (CDT) and 9:30 to 4 p.m. (CST). Visit www.mortonarb.org or call 630/968-0074 to learn more.

Media Contacts: Gina Tedesco, 630-725-2103 This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it