2024.03.03 | Justin Roberts Program

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Justin Roberts

Sunday, Mar. 3 | 3 PM

Soka Performing Arts Center

Black Box Theatre

at Soka University of America

Five-time GRAMMY®

Nominee Justin Roberts is one of the founders of the modern family music scene. For 25 years, Roberts has been creating the soundtrack to families’ lives, helping kids navigate the joys and sorrows of growing up, while inspiring parents to remember their own childhoods. His songs are the kind of get-stuck-inyour-head pop nuggets that draw comparisons to Elvis Costello, Fountains of Wayne, and Paul Simon rather than simple nursery rhymes, prompting USA Today to call him “hands-down the best songwriter in the genre.” Along with his band, The Not Ready for Naptime Players, Justin has travelled the globe, from Hong Kong to New York, and Miami to Seattle

His latest album, Space Cadet, is a return to his power pop all-ages sound. Heavily inspired by his life as a new dad, the feel-good album offers themes of inclusion and acceptance that wind through emotionally intelligent songs. Roberts creates a welcoming space for children to celebrate their uniqueness and dance it all

out. Alongside his epic fivepiece rock band, The Not Ready for Naptime Players, Justin is joined by jazz horns, 80s synthesizers, soaring strings, harp, and plenty of hand clapping.

The birth of Roberts’ son Eli in 2018 inspired Wild Life, his GRAMMY® nominated album of lullabies. With Space Cadet, Justin returns to the huge rock energy of his GRAMMY® nominated albums, Jungle Gym and Recess. While still using his imagination and childhood memories, Roberts now weaves in firsthand parenting experience. Kitchen dance parties, fascinating fire trucks, and playground life have inspired these joyous and passionatenew songs.

Roberts began his musical career in the 1990s, performing in the Minneapolis-based indierock band Pimentos for Gus. He decided to “moonlight” as a Montessori preschool teacher, and it wasn’t long before Justin started 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 with college pal Liam Davis.

In 1997, Justin released his first album for families, 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 to do 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 five GRAMMY® nominations, for Jungle Gym in 2010, Recess in 2013, Lemonade in 2017, Wild Life in 2020, and Space Cadet in 2023.

New Victory Theater, DC’s National Geographic Live, LA’s Getty Museum, Seattle’s Moore Theater, Lollapalooza, Austin City Limits, and Chicago’s Ravinia.

Appearances include performances at NYC’s

In addition to his recordings, Roberts is also the author of two acclaimed picture books: The Smallest Girl in the Smallest Grade (illustrated by Christian Robinson) and The Great Henry Hopen- dower (illustrated by Deborah Hocking), both published by Penguin Random House. Two more picture books are on the way, including I’ll Be Your Polar Bear (illustrated by Chuck Groenink) due in October 2022.

ABOUT THE ARTIST

Liam (electric guitar, vocals, producer), whose name was almost Thor, is ticklish just above the knees. He likes baseball and old-fashioned stuff like ice cream parlors and manners. One time in 5th grade, he split his plaid trousers in gym class and had to walk home at lunch to put on different pants. But then a few weeks later he hit a softball over the right-field fence and won a cheeseburger. Liam started

Gerald (drums/vocals) was born and raised in the Boston area, moved to Chicago in the latter part of the 20th century, and has lived there ever since. He’s been a cardcarrying NRFN Player since 2006. In addition to traveling the world with Justin and the gang, he has also played and toured extensively with Robbie Fulks, Frisbie, Nora O’Connor and many others over the years. Through it all, his wife and kids have remained surprisingly patient. Gerald’s other interests include movies, travel, and in why that person is driving in the passing lane

playing guitar at age 11 and his fingertips hurt real bad, but he loves playing music for you.

Liam Davis is one of the founding members of the chicago power pop band Frisbie. He is also a worldclass record producer, recent credits include albums by Sonic 45, Anne Heaton, and Mysteries of Life. In addition, Liam writes music for tv, film, corporate, gaming and more.

without actually passing anyone. And though it may seem at odds with his chosen profession, Gerald particularly enjoys sitting for long periods of time without making any noise. At all.

Gerald Dowd has been described as “the hardest working drummer in Chicago” (Richard Milne, WXRT), playing on over 100 albums, and averaging 150 live dates a year around the world. More recently, he’s also been making solo albums of original material including his most recent release, Father’s Day.

Twinkle Time

Twinkle, is the Multi Award-winning Bilingual Children’s music phenomenon, presenting her bilingual pop/rock/hip-hop family concert Twinkle Time to audiences nationwide!

SUNDAY, APR. 7, 2024, 3 PM

BLACK BOX THEATRE

SOKA PERFORMING ARTS CENTER

UPCOMING TICKETS & INFORMATION HERE
tickets@soka.edu 949-480-4278
soka.edu/pac

Our mission is to Engage, Educate, and Elevate the Human Spirit

Soka Performing Arts Center strives to elevate humanity through transcendent experiences. Come experience our exquisite acoustics. Come to expand your understanding and appreciation of music. Come to forge community and emotional connections through the shared experience of live music.

Soka Performing Arts Center Mission Statement
Listen. Feel. Transform.

Soka Performing Arts Center is located on the beautiful hilltop campus of Soka University of America in Aliso Viejo. Our facility includes the 1,032seat Concert Hall featuring world-class acoustics designed by master acoustician Yasuhisa Toyota, designer of the Walt Disney Concert Hall in Los Angeles and Suntory Hall in Tokyo, among many others. We also have an intimate 350-seat Black Box Theatre that allows for multiple seating configurations including club seating with bistro tables.

More than 750 performances have taken place since the center’s dedication on May 27, 2011. The 2023-24 season marks our twelfth season presenting first-class programming in our world-class concert hall. We are continuing to expand our programming and outreach with the addition of a Children’s Concert Series, Blues Festival, and the only Great Pianists Series on the West Coast. From classical and jazz to world and contemporary music, the Soka Performing Arts Center has become a prized space for artists and audiences alike.

We are proud to be the home of the Pacific Symphony Chamber Orchestra. Our Sundays @ Soka Series with Pacific Symphony continues to be one of our most popular series year after year. Our presentations with other Orange County arts organizations have enabled us to reach further into our community to offer arts education and programming. Our partnership with the Philharmonic Society of Orange County includes our PSOC Series, which brings superlative artists to our stage. We also partner with PSOC for our Outreach Program, bringing over 7,000 school children to Soka Performing Arts Center to experience live performances with outstanding musicians.

With its world-class acoustics and first-class performances, Soka Performing Arts Center is quickly becoming one of the cultural jewels of Orange County.

ABOUT SOKA PERFORMING ARTS CENTER

SOKA PERFORMING ARTS CENTER DONORS

OUR SUPPORTERS

DIRECTOR’S CIRCLE ($75,000+)

Dr. Kenneth & Sandra Tokita

Sam & Lyndie Ersan

CONCERTMASTER ($10,000+)

Ms. Emi Maeda

STAGE CHAMPION ($5000+)

Anonymous

STAGE BENEFACTOR ($1000+)

John and Sue Prange

Terumi Saito

Jochen Schumacher

Scott A Shuping

GOLD CLEF ($500+)

Jeffrey Hendrix

Jane A. Lynch

Alex & Sandy Scott

SILVER CLEF ($200+)

Lorraine Leiser

Anson and Marilyn Wong

BRONZE CLEF ($25+)

Raquel Bruno

Sammy Chang

Judy Kaufman

Jeannette Pease

Thomas Prigorac

Jonia Suri

Naomi Uchiyama

Joseph Whitaker

Joyce M Wrice

Taro Yamanashi

List current as of 02/14/2024

The Soka Performing Arts Center deeply appreciates the support of its sponsors and donors, and makes every effort to ensure accurate and appropriate recognition. Contact Renee Bodie, General Manager at (949) 480-4821 to make us aware of any error or omission in the foregoing list.

CREATE YOUR OWN SUBSCRIPTION PACKAGE

This season, we have made exciting updates to our subscription and renewal program, providing you with even more flexibility in our season packages*. With our enhanced program, you now have the power to curate your very own unique experience.

• 15% Discount for a 3 performance package

• 18% Discount for a 4 performance package

• 20% Discount for a 5+ performance package

*full details online at soka.edu/pac

OUR PARTNERS

• Blueport Jazz

• Philharmonic Society of Orange County

• Pacific Symphony

• San Diego Symphony

• Parnassus Society

SOKA PAC MANAGEMENT TEAM

Renée Bodie

General Manager & Artistic Director

John Morgan

Box Office Manager

Jarmil Maupin

Technical Services Manager

Jenski Nguyen

Stage Manager

Madeline Webb

Lighting Technician

Hiroyuki Connor Miki

Internal Events Manager

Jaime Spataro

Marketing & Communications Manager

Joe Nicholls

Marketing & Communications Assistant

Steve Baker

Interim Production/House Manager

SokaPAC

@SokaPAC

SokaPerformingArtsCenter

@SokaPAC

Website soka.edu/pac

SOKA UNIVERSITY OF AMERICA BOARD OF TRUSTEES

Soka Performing Arts Center resides on the beautiful campus of Soka University of America. We thank the SUA Board of Trustees and the SUA Leadership Council for all of their support.

SUA BOARD OF TRUSTEES

Steve Dunham, JD

Chair Vice President and General Counsel Emeritus, Pennsylvania State University | Baltimore, Maryland

Tariq Hasan, PhD

Vice Chair Chief Executive Officer, SGIUSA | New York, New York

Andrea Bartoli, PhD

President, Sant’Egidio Foundation for Peace and Dialogue | New York, New York

Matilda Buck

Benefactor | Los Angeles, California

Lawrence E. Carter, Sr, PhD, DD, DH, DRS

Dean, Professor of Religion, College Archivist and Curator, Morehouse College | Atlanta, Georgia

Andy Firoved

CEO, HOTB Software | Irvine, California

Jason Goulah, PhD

Professor of Bilingual-Bicultural Education and Director, Institute for Daisaku Ikeda Studies in Education, Director of Programs in Bilingual-Bicultural Education, World Language Education, and Value-Creating Education for Global Citizenship, College of Education, DePaul University | Chicago, Illinois

Clothilde V. Hewlett, JD

Commissioner of Department of Financial Protection and Innovation, State of California | San Francisco, California

Lawrence A. Hickman, PhD

Director Emeritus, The Center for Dewey Studies and Professor Emeritus, Department of Philosophy, Southern Illinois University Carbondale | Carbondale, Illinois

Kris Knudsen, JD Attorney | Wilsonville, Oregon

Karen Lewis, PhD

Sondheimer Professor of International Finance and Co-Director, Weiss Center for International Financial Research, Wharton School, University of Pennsylvania | Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Luis Nieves

Founder, Chairman Emeritus AUL Corp, Benefactor | Napa, California

Gene Marie O’Connell, RN, MS Health Care Consultant, Associate

Clinical Professor, University of California, San Francisco School of Nursing | Corte Madera, California

Adin Strauss

General Director, Soka Gakkai International-USA | Santa Monica, California

Yoshiki Tanigawa

Benefactor, Soka Gakkai | Tokyo, Japan

Edward M. Feasel, PhD

President, Soka University of America (ex-officio member) | Aliso Viejo, California

SUA LEADERSHIP COUNCIL

SUA LEADERSHIP COUNCIL

Edward M. Feasel, PhD

President

Chief Academic Officer

Professor of Economics

Archibald E. Asawa

Executive Vice President for Finance and Administration

Chief Financial Officer Chief Investment Officer

Katherine M. King, PHR

Executive Vice President of University Community

Chief Human Resources Officer

Title IX and Section 504 Coordinator for Faculty, Staff and Others

Michael Weiner, PhD

Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs

Professor of East Asian History & International Studies

Kevin Moncrief, PhD

Vice President for Mission Integration

Bryan E. Penprase, PhD

Vice President for Sponsored Research and External Academic Relations

Professor of Physics and Astronomy

Tomoko Takahashi, PhD, EdD, LHD

Vice President for Institutional Research and Assessment

Dean of the Graduate School

Professor of Linguistics and Education

David Welch, JD Vice President University Counsel

M. Robert Hamersley, PhD Dean of Faculty Professor of Environmental Biogeochemistry

Hyon J. Moon, EdD Dean of Students

Title IX and Section 504 Deputy Coordinator for Students

Michelle Hobby-Mears, MBA

Associate Dean of Students Director of Student Activities

Andrew Woolsey, EdD Dean of Enrollment Services

Martin Beck, MA

Executive Director of Strategic Marketing and Communications

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