(ASBURY PARK, NJ) -- "What a Wonderful Year" (WAWY) music festival organizer, Telegraph Hill Records, has announced the return of the "What a Wonderful Cheer" pre-event on December 29, 2023, at Transparent Clinch Gallery from 4:30pm to 6:00pm. This reception is free and open to the public and serves to spotlight the nonprofits that benefit from WAWY ticket sales: The Project Matters (TPM) and "Asbury Park’s Got Talent" producer, Interfaith Neighbors (IFN).

WAWY kicks off at 6:30pm on December 29 at the Wonder Bar, but they invite ticket holders and the general public to arrive early and come to the Transparent Clinch Gallery to support and learn more about these amazing organizations—regardless of their intentions to attend WAWY or not.

The Project Matters helps aspiring young artists launch their careers by providing financial, business, legal, educational, and emotional support, as well as providing instruments for in-school music education. Asbury Park's Got Talent is a community platform that showcases local talent by inviting kids and adults aged 9 or older to audition and compete for the APGT crown. Both organizations will present short performances from alumni as well  as informational testimonials and Q & A’s.

Immediately after, the focus shifts a short walk away to a stacked lineup of over 20 established and emerging indie acts at the 2023 7th Annual What A Wonderful Year music festival at the Wonder Bar. Launched in 2017, WAWY celebrates Asbury Park’s diverse, collaborative, and supportive live music community that keeps the city’s music legacy thriving. Advance tickets are recommended and can be purchased at the Stone Pony Box Office or Ticketmaster, but a limited number will be available at the door as well.

“We refer to the WAWY event as ‘Asbury Park’s Annual After-Party’,” says Joe Pomarico, event organizer and Telegraph Hill Records executive. “The Cheer event allows us to give our nonprofit beneficiaries a platform to share their vision and accomplishments with our community. We believe that the power of sharing their impactful messaging is just as valuable, if not more so, as the financial support we provide through WAWY ticket sales."

WAWY’s performances will be a blend of rock, soul, hip-hop, and pop on two stages, with music running non-stop from 6:30pm to 12:30am on both December 29 & 30. Night 1 of the festival includes performances by Des & the Swagmatics, Cranston Dean, Jarod Clemons & the Late Nights, Via Ripa Surfing for Daisy, Kuf Knotz & Christine Elise, Bryan Hansen Band, Kiersten Blue, Lake Champagne and Songbird.

On Night 2, December 30, the lineup is: Alexander Simone & WHODAT? Live Crew, The Foes of Fern, Natalie Farrell, Big Boss Noff, Beauty, Heather Hills, Emerson Woolf & the Wishbones, Bobby Mahoney, We're Ghosts Now and Space.

Advance tickets are $22 per night or $39 for a 2-night pass, available at the Stone Pony box office, Ticketmaster, or directly from any of the performers.

The event and the donations to the nonprofits are made possible by the generous support of sponsors, including Asbury Park Distillery, Asbury Park Brewery, Last Wave Brewery, Vydia, Patron Tequila, MOGO Korean Fusion Tacos, Verse Apparel, and Telegraph Hill Records. Additional support is provided by 90.5 The Night Brookdale Public Radio, Asbury Park Vibes,  Transparent Clinch Gallery, and the Wonder Bar.

Additional information, tickets, sponsors, the charities and the show’s performers, with links to their music and a show playlist, is available at www.whatawonderfulyear.com. Show announcements and additional details are posted regularly on their Instagram account.