LaBAMBA'S BIG BAND, featuring fellow Shore legends SOUTHSIDE JOHNNY and GARY U.S. BONDS and a 13-piece horn section including the horn players from Conan's Basic Cable Band, will be the headline attraction at "The Main Event: Bob's Birthday Bash," Saturday, Jan. 17 at the Paramount Theater, 1300 Ocean Ave. Light of Day Winterfest has gained international notoriety for surprise performances by Bruce Springsteen in 10 of the previous 14 years, including last year's event, and always at the Paramount since "The Main Event" was added to the festivities. LaBamba, an original member of Southside Johnny's Asbury Jukes, has assembled a 20-piece unit that will include nine other current and former members of the Jukes for a night he promises "is going to be legendary." The show sold out within 37 minutes of going on sale in early November.
Two tickets to the Paramount show are on the auction block at Charitybuzz.com, as are 35 limited edition classic Rock & Roll photographs from the ‘70s and ‘80s donated and signed by the musicians and photographer Mark Weiss (who shot Bon Jovi's "Slippery When Wet" album art). With photo sales moving briskly at http://www.charitybuzz.com/lightofday, proceeds will benefit The Light of Day Foundation.
With a goal of raising a record half million dollars for its 15th anniversary edition, LIGHT OF DAY WINTERFEST 2015, presented by the Asbury Park Press, has set the lineups for several of its multi-act themed events. Light of Day Winterfest, raised a record $425,000 to combat Parkinson's disease last year, by far the most of any previous year. In honor of the 15th anniversary the push is on to exceed a half million dollars, which would bring the 15-year total above $3 million.
Tickets are ON SALE NOW for the rest of the Asbury Park portion of LIGHT OF DAY WINTERFEST 2015, where the bulk of the action will occur, from Jan. 11-19, 2015 at such fabled rock venues as the Stone Pony and the Wonder Bar, among others, through Ticketmaster (www.ticketmaster.com), Ticketmaster charge-by-phone at 1-800-745-3000, and all Ticketmaster outlets.
The Asbury Angels Show, to be held Friday, Jan. 16, at the legendary Stone Pony, 913 Ocean Ave., will honor and memorialize the lives and history of members of the Asbury Park musical community, "including but not limited to, musicians, tech support persons, DJs, journalists, club owners, record company personnel, managers and promoters. Hosted by Sirius XM's Jim Rotolo (Tent Live Broadcast), the show will feature Main Stage acts topped by the Willie Nile Band, Bocciagalupe and the Bad Boys and The Weeklings featuring Glen Burtnick. Others on the bill include Pat Toner, Steve Conte's NYC (led by the New York Dolls guitarist), Laura Crisci. Milly, Frank Get, Bobby Mahoney's Seventh Son, John Strada, Ten Ton Mojo, Cesare Carugi & Daniele Tenca, and the Fireplaces. Doors open 6:30 p.m.Tickets $25 advance/$30 day of show at www.stoneponyonline.com, Ticketmaster, and at (732) 502-0600.
First Note kicks off with An Evening with Aaron Freeman (of Ween), presented by Light of Day and The Saint, Thursday, Jan. 15 at the Saint, 601 Main St., at 8 p.m. (Doors 7 p.m.). Tickets are $22 at www.thesaintnj.com. A late show will be announced soon.
Also on Thursday, Jan. 15, Sandy Mack's Wonder Jam Deluxe takes over the Wonder Bar, 1231 Ocean Ave., with alternating Main Stage and acoustic Side Stage acts. The Hive-Mind, Turtle Soup, Karmic Juggernaut, Mack & Friends of (featuring Ronnie Penque and Mark Diomede of the Juggling Suns Project), and Dead Bank helm the Main Stage. The acoustic stage will host Joe Miller & Sam Sims, Joshua Mark, Strumberry Pie, and Papa John. Doors open 7 p.m. Tickets are $10 at www.wonderbarasburypark.com, Ticketmaster, and at (732) 502-8886.
LOD's Classic Country brings Carter Calvert's Tribute to Patsy Cline and Michael Patrick's Ring of Fire Band – A Tribute to Johnny Cash on Jan. 16 to McLoone's Supper Club, 1200 Ocean Ave., at 8:15 p.m. Tickets and info at (732) 774-1155 and www.timmcloonessupperclub.com.
Also on Jan. 16, Langosta Live brings Slim Chance and The Gamblers, with special guest vocalist Lisa Sherman, to Langosta Lounge, 1000 Ocean Ave., in a FREE event at 9:30 p.m. More info at (732) 455-3275.
Musicians On A Mission, Sunday Jan.18 at the Saint, uses the power of music to create connection and inspire giving, raise awareness and funds for local charitable organizations through planned musical events showcasing New Jersey performers, and support the local music community by creating opportunities for musicians to connect, share and make a difference through music. The event stars Caroline Reese and the Drifting Fifth, Thomas Wesley Stern, Glimmer Grass Band, Cranston Dean, and Matt Scuteri and Jive Stewards. Doors at Noon. Tickets $10 at TicketMaster.com, Ticketmaster and Phone Charge at 800-754-3000, as well as the Saint box office. More info at(musiciansonamission.org and www.thesaintnj.com.
Happy Mondays, a weekly staple of the Wonder Bar, supports Light of Day in a special event Monday, Jan. 12, with Thomas Wesley Stern, the Villanelles, and the Mockingbirds. Doors 8 p.m.; music 9 p.m. Suggested donation $5 at the door.
Langosta Lounge Late Night Live stars the Stringbeans Roots Reggae Jam on Saturday, Jan. 17 at Langosta Lounge, 1000 Ocean Ave., starting at 10 p.m. More info at 732-455-3275
For the Kids, Kids and Family takes over McLoone's Supper Club, 1200 Ocean Ave., on Saturday, Jan. 17 from Noon-3 p.m. with Mr. Ray with special guests Layonne Holmes and the Little Sunshine Kids, Yosi, and Miss Sherri and the Little Animal Band, plus face painting and yoga by Leslie Miller throughout the show. Info and Tickets: $10 at www.timmcloonessupperclub.com or call 732-774-1155. Kids Under 1 & Over 100 FREE!
Now that the holiday season tours of Europe and Canada are completed, the 15th anniversary edition of the world-renowned Light of Day Foundation, will bring over 150 music acts to 30 venues over 12 days in three New Jersey cities and New York City next month. The Canadian leg completed its 8th annual edition over the weekend, with three sold-out shows over three days in Toronto, Niagara Falls, and Kingston, ON. Light of Day Europe 2015, just finished a wildly successful 17-day, 15-show holiday run in 11 European countries.
As previously announced, Guy Davis, Dramarama's John Easdale, Joe Grushecky and the Houserockers, James Maddock, John Eddie, Joe D'Urso & Stone Caravan, Billy Hector, Bruce Tunkel, and the Billy Walton Band, also will be coming to Asbury Park for LIGHT OF DAY 15 in Asbury Park. More acts will be announced as the festival approaches.
Aside from Springsteen, previous LIGHT OF DAY WINTERFEST performers have included Michael J. Fox, John Rzeznik (Goo Goo Dolls), Darlene Love, Ed Kowalczyk (Live), Jakob Dylan, Max Weinberg, Lucinda Williams, Mike Peters (The Alarm, Big Country), David Bromberg, Alejandro Escovedo, Pete Yorn, Jesse Malin, and Peter Himmelman. Michael J. Fox starred with Joan Jett in the 1987 film titled after the Springsteen song (and live concert favorite) of the same name, which Fox and Jett sang in the movie.
These are heady times indeed for the Light of Day Foundation. Billboard Magazine presented the Humanitarian Award to Bob Benjamin and the Light of Day Foundation at the Billboard Talent & Touring Conference & Awards in New York City in November "for their 15 years of bringing awareness and support for Parkinson's disease through live music events." Benjamin, an artist manager and music industry veteran, has been living with Parkinson's since 1996, two years before he co-founded Light of Day with Pallagrosi and musician Joe D'Urso. Earlier this fall, the non-profit foundation was honored by CurePSP, the foremost organization working toward curing and preventing Parkinson's related diseases such as CBD and PSP. Pallagrosi's mother, Dolores, died in 2002 from the effects of PSP.
Light of Day has expanded into an internationally recognized tour through a true grassroots effort of musicians, music fans and benefactors. Light of Day shows now take place around the world on three continents, this year also including a brand new Light of Day event held earlier this year in Australia. The Australian event took place in Ocean Grove, Victoria, a sister city to Asbury Park neighbor Ocean Grove, NJ. Portions of proceeds from all shows are donated to local Parkinson's organizations. The worldwide series of shows – which also includes a spring event in Australia – is a quite a long way from the festival's origins as a one-day event in Asbury Park.
Light of Day also fields a team in the annual Parkinson's Unity Walk in New York's Central Park. Over the years the Light of Day team has raised over $200,000, which helped the Walk earn over $3 million for Parkinson's research.
Concertgoers can purchase tickets for individual shows and a Light of Day combo ticket package to gain admission to all Asbury Park events at five different levels, starting at $149.50. The packages guarantee a seat for the main event at the Paramount Theatre, along with admission to all shows, on a space available, first-come, first-served basis. Single tickets will also be available for individual shows.
ABOUT THE LIGHT OF DAY FOUNDATION
The Light of Day Foundation, Inc., utilizes the power of music to raise money and awareness in its continuing battle to defeat Parkinson's disease and related illnesses such as PSP and ALS within our lifetime. The Foundation's mission is to fund research into possible cures, improved treatments and support for patients who suffer from those illnesses, their families and their caregivers to help improve their quality of life. Gifts to the Light of Day Foundation, Inc. are tax-deductible to the full extent of the Internal Revenue Code. The Light of Day Foundation, Inc. is designated by the IRS as a not-for-profit 501(c) (3) organization. The Light of Day Foundation, Inc.'s Federal ID # is 20-1560386. Light of Day - the concerts and the organization - grew from a birthday party and fund-raiser held in 1998 at the Downtown Cafe in Red Bank to celebrate the 40th birthday of artist manager and music industry veteran Bob Benjamin, who was diagnosed with Parkinson's disease in 1996.
