Media Contact: Cynthia Fung
949.497.0517
cfung@sawdustartfestival.org
July 20, 2009
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
SAWDUST ART FESTIVAL ARTIST MARTIN ROBERTS
SHARES MUSICAL TALENT
(Entertainment at the 2009 Sawdust Art Festival is scheduled daily, now through
August 30 on three outdoor stages)
Laguna Beach, CA – Martin Roberts, a talented, 18-year veteran of the Sawdust Art Festival, has launched a second career as a “larger-than-life vocalist/guitarist,” leading his five-member group, “The Plain Hard Truth Band,” on a mix of old blues classics and original songs, “and what we have here folks is one of the finest collections of American roots music since Ernie Payne’s ‘Coercion Street’ and one can easily envision Plain Hard Truth knocking audiences off their feet the world over,” claims Andy Gibb, publisher of “Real Blues Magazine.”
Roberts, a successful black and white photographer who hand-paints his works, is a former Sawdust Art Festival Board President, and began gathering local musicians several years ago and led the group through the “tough and lean years,” before settling on their new unique sound, which, according to Gibb’s review in his popular blues magazine of the band’s new release: “Bad Case of Déjà vu,” is “one of the top blues albums of the year.”
Roberts, and “The Plain Hard Truth Band,” are performing at the Sawdust Art Festival on Monday, August 24, from noon to 4:30 pm on The Main Entertainment Deck, and visitors to the show that day will also be able to roam the nearly three-acre eucalyptus grove that is the summer home for the 43rd Annual Sawdust Art Festival, and its 200 artisans.
This year’s show, aptly themed “Where Art Happens,” features daily entertainment at three outdoor stages. Art classes for young and old are offered daily at three spacious venues taught by qualified teachers and our own artists. In addition, the festival offers three returning outdoor cafes, with the introduction this year of an organic pizza kitchen.
The 43rd Annual Sawdust Art Festival runs now through August 30; daily from 10 am – 10 pm. Admission is $7.50 for adults; $6 for seniors 65 +; $3 for children 6 – 12; children under 5 are FREE. A Season Pass allowing unlimited entries is $15, with the Annual Pass, unlimited entries to summer and winter shows, is $20. For additional information, please call 949.494-3030 or visit www.sawdustartfestival.org.
The Sawdust Art Festival is a non-profit organization dedicated to educating the public and promoting the art created in Laguna Beach.
The Sawdust Art Festival thanks its 2009 sponsors Hoegaarden and Kendall-Jackson.
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