originally published: 11/22/2025
(ASBURY PARK, NJ) -- The Light of Day Foundation has announced the initial lineups for WinterFest 2026, the annual music festival taking place throughout January in Asbury Park, Red Bank, Montclair, New York City, Piermont, NY and New Hope, PA. The main event - "Bob's Birthday Bash" will take place on Saturday, January 17 at the Count Basie Center for the Arts.
All performances and events will raise money and awareness for the continuing quest to end Parkinson’s disease and its related illnesses ALS (Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis) and PSP (Progressive Supranuclear Palsy) within our lifetime.
Schedule of shows at The Stone Pony and The Wonder Bar:
Friday, January 16 - “Friday Night at The Wonder Bar” @ The Wonder Bar. Lineup: Dramarama, The Weeklings
Friday, January 16 - “Celebrating Five Decades of Willie Nile” @ The Stone Pony. Lineup: Willie Nile, Joe Grushecky & The Houserockers, Tangiers Blues Band & Friends featuring Danny Clinch, Bobby Mahoney, Milly and more
Saturday, January 17 - “Asbury Blues” @ The Wonder Bar. Lineup: Billy Walton Band, Joe Bonanno & The GOS, Boccigalupe & The Bad Boys, Debra Devi, Sharon Lasher/Joe Grillo, Norman Seldin, Summer Fling, HP and His Hot Take-Out Band, James Dalton and more
Sunday, January 18 - “Next Generation” @ The Wonder Bar. Lineup: Rockit, Maddie Freeman, Krazyer, Dakota Diehl, Rock’n Music Academy, Lakehouse Music and Octopus School
Sunday, January 18 - “The Best New Jersey Tribute/Cover Bands” @ The Wonder Bar. Lineup: Late For The Sky, John Kasur’s Jim Croce Tribute, The One-Doers, Full Steen Ahead, The Gab Cinque Band and more
Show-specific tickets for The Stone Pony and Wonder Bar are on sale now through Ticketmaster.com or The Stone Pony Box Office
For updated details on lineups, performances and ticket packages, as they become available, visit LightofDay.org.
Over the course of 26 years, Light of Day has raised approximately $7 million in our continuing quest to end Parkinson’s disease, ALS and PSP. The first official Light of Day concert was held at Asbury Park’s Stone Pony in November 2000 and primarily featured local, unsigned artists. The critically acclaimed Pittsburgh-based band Joe Grushecky and the Houserockers (managed by Bob Benjamin) headlined the show, which featured a surprise appearance by Bruce Springsteen, who joined the Houserockers for a raucous, hour-long set.
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. It has grown from a one-day event into a multi-day festival in the metropolitan area. More significantly, 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 have taken place around the world on two continents, with shows in England, Wales, Ireland, Sweden, Belgium, Norway, Denmark, Italy, Switzerland, Germany and Spain. Portions of the proceeds from each show are donated to a local Parkinson’s organization.
Light of Day WinterFest performers have included Bruce Springsteen, Southside Johnny Lyon, Max Weinberg, Darlene Love, Michael J. Fox, Joe Grushecky & The Houserockers, Willie Nile, Gary U.S. Bonds, LaBamba’s Big Band, Jesse Malin, John Rzeznik, Jakob Dylan, Ed Kowalczyk, Lucinda Williams, Suzanne Vega, Jake Clemons, David Bryan, John Waite, David Bromberg, James Maddock, Nicole Atkins, The Smithereens, Alejandro Escovedo, Peter Asher, Joey Molland, Garland Jeffries, Joe D’Urso Lisa Lowell, Mike Peters , Dave Hause and Pete Yorn.
The Light of Day Foundation, Inc., utilizes the awesome power of music to raise money and awareness in our continuing quest to end Parkinson’s disease and related neuro-degenerative diseases, specifically Progressive Supranuclear Palsy (PSP) and Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (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 diseases, 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.
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EVENT PREVIEWS
Tony Award Nominee Eva Noblezada to close Kean Stage's 2025-2026 season
(HILLSIDE, NJ) -- An Evening with Eva Noblezada will close Kean Stage's 2025-2026 season on Sunday, April 26 at Enlow Recital Hall in Hillside. The two-time Tony Award nominee brings a set list full of class, quirkiness and heartbreak as she takes you on her personal journey of discovering a deep love for music and theatre. Enjoy songs from classic musicals that take you back in time, and pop hits reimagined as if they were set in a sexy smoky speakeasy. Showtime is 7:00pm.
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Today's Brightest Young Jazz Musicians will Unite to Celebrate International Jazz Day at NJPAC on April 26
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South Jersey Jazz Society to Honor Bob Ferguson
(LINWOOD, NJ) -- The South Jersey Jazz Society will honor Bob Ferguson with the 2026 "George Mesterhazy" Jazz Master award at a gala event to be held on Thursday, April 30, 2026 at Linwood Country Club starting at 6:30pm.
South Jersey Jazz Association To Honor Bob Ferguson At Awards Ceremony on April 30th
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Lizzie Rose Music Room presents Alastair Green on April 30th
(TUCKERTON, NJ) -- The Lizzie Rose Music Room presents Alastair Greene on Thursday, April 30, 2026 at 7:30pm. A native of Santa Barbara,California and now residing in Austin, Greene has ridden his Blues-soaked rock into the 21st century, traversing a constantly changing global (and musical) landscape.
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