PHOTO CREDIT: Debra L Rothenberg/DebraRothenberg.com
With a goal of raising a record half million dollars in its ongoing battle against Parkinson’s disease, LIGHT OF DAY WINTERFEST 2015, presented by the Asbury Park Press, the 15th anniversary edition of the anchor event for the world-renowned Light of Day Foundation, will bring over 150 music acts to 30 venues over 10 days in three New Jersey cities and New York City in January, following holiday season tours of Europe and Canada.
Tickets go on sale Saturday, Nov. 1 at NOON EST for the Asbury Park portion of LIGHT OF DAY WINTERFEST 2015, where the bulk of the action will occur, being held Jan. 11-19, 2015 at such fabled rock venues as the Paramount Theater, the Stone Pony, and the Wonder Bar, among others. Tickets are available through Ticketmaster (www.ticketmaster.com), Ticketmaster charge-by-phone at 1-800-745-3000, and all Ticketmaster outlets (including select Walmart stores). A wide variety of combination ticket packages – as well as single tickets to each show – will be available.
Willie Nile, Gary US Bonds, Guy Davis, John Easdale, Joe Grushecky and the Houserockers, Steve Conte & the Crazy Truth (led by the New York Dolls guitarist), James Maddock, John Eddie, Joe D’Urso & Stone Caravan, Billy Hector, Bruce Tunkel, Slim Chance & the Gamblers, and the Billy Walton Band, comprise the first wave of acts to be announced for LIGHT OF DAY 15. More acts will be announced as the festival approaches.
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, which raised a record $425,000 to combat Parkinson’s disease, 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.
“That would be magical,” says Tony Pallagrosi, the Light of Day Foundation’s co-founder and Board Director, and president of UMT PRESENTS. “We’re going to produce a festival that’s worthy of the 15th anniversary. We’re going to pull out the stops, with lots of surprises. The support we’ve gotten for the past 15 years has been humbling and immensely gratifying. Our hope, as it has been since the beginning, is to defeat Parkinson’s disease and related illnesses such as PSP and ALS in our lifetime. Using the power of music to raise awareness and funds is a gift that we’re proud to share around the world. Our mission has remained unchanged. We hope someday that we don’t have to do this anymore.”
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. The Light of Day Foundation is proud to announce that Billboard Magazine will present the Humanitarian Award to Bob Benjamin and the Light of Day Foundation at the Billboard Talent & Touring Conference & Awards in New York City on Nov. 20 “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. And 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 WINTERFEST 2015 also will include shows in New York City (Jan. 14 @ The Cutting Room), South Jersey (Jan. 9 in Burlington), and North Jersey (Jan. 10 in Montclair), are the culmination of a worldwide series of shows, that began as a one-day event in Asbury Park into a 10-day festival in the New Jersey/New York 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 now take place around the world on three continents, this year including six shows in Canada, a 17-day, 15-show holiday run in 11 European countries (Nov. 28-Dec. 14), and 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.
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, including the main event, Bob’s Birthday Bash, at the Paramount Theater, scheduled forJan. 17. Tickets for the Main Event range from $43 to $205. Concertgoers can purchase 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.
Ticket packages include (all seat descriptions are approximate):
Platinum combo package: $315 – “very best” orchestra seats, including pit seats and first 10 rows at the Paramount. The ticket package also includes a commemorative Light of Day New Jersey 2015 VIP laminate; a Light of Day New Jersey 2015 T-shirt, and a L’Oreal gift bag worth more than $200, plus admission to all other Light of Day Asbury Park 2015 events.
Gold combo package: $240 – includes great front and mid-orchestra in rows 11 to 17 and the loge, and closer seats on the left and right sides at the Paramount. The ticket package also includes a commemorative Light of Day 2015 laminate, plus admission to all Light of Day Asbury Park 2015 events.
Silver combo package: $190- includes great mid- and rear orchestra and lower side orchestra seats at the Paramount. The ticket package also includes admission to all Light of Day Asbury Park 2015 events.
Bronze combo package: $149.50 – includes rear orchestra and balcony seats at the Paramount, plus admission to all other Light of Day Asbury Park 2015 events. The best seats for the dollar!
Please note: All combo tickets guarantee your seat at the Main Event. However, admission to all other Light of Day Asbury Park events is subject to capacity restrictions at their respective venues.
Individual event ticket prices:
Friday, JAN 9
LOD “SOUTH JERSEY,” Hebe Music Lounge @ Big Shots Bar & Grill, Burlington, NJ, Fri,. Jan. 9, 21+, 7pm, $10adv/$15dos
Saturday, JAN 10
LOD “NORTH JERSEY” Outpost in the Burbs, Montclair, NJ, Sat, Jan. 10, 7pm, $TBA
Sunday, JAN 11
LOD “COVER ME: BEST OF THE JERSEY BAR BANDS“, Stone Pony, Sun, Jan. 11, All Ages, 1pm, $20adv/$25dos
Monday, JAN 12
LOD “HAPPY MONDAYS”, Wonder Bar, Mon., Jan. 12, 21+, $TBA
Wednesday, JAN 14
LOD “NYC”, The Cutting Room, Weds., Jan 14, 18+, 7pm, $75 VIP Reserved Seating, $45 GA Reserved Seating, $25 GA Standing
Thursday, JAN 15
LOD “FIRST NOTE”, The Saint, Thurs., Jan 15, 18+, 6:30pm, $8adv/$12dos
LOD “SANDY MACK’s WONDER JAM“, Wonder Bar, Thurs., Jan 15, 21+, 7pm, $10
LOD “ROCKIN’ BOWL-A-THON”, Asbury Lanes, Thurs., Jan 15, 18+, 7pm, $20adv/$25dos
LOD “BLUE HAWK RECORDS LIVE”, Langosta Lounge, Thurs., Jan. 16, All-Ages, 7pm, FREE ADM
Friday, JAN 16
LOD “ASBURY ANGELS INDUCTION“, Stone Pony, Fri., Jan 16, All Ages, 6:30pm, $25adv/$30dos
LOD “ANYTHING, ANYTHING hosted by RICH RUSSO“, Asbury Lanes, Fri., Jan 16, 18+, 7pm, $20adv/$25dos
LOD “ROCK HEAVY“, The Saint, Fri., Jan 16, 18+, 8pm, $8adv/$12dos
LOD “OPEN MIC”, Wonder Bar, Fri., Jan 16, 21+, 6pm, $12
LOD “TBA”, McLoone’s Supper Club, Fri., Jan 17, All Ages, Doors/Dinner 6pm/ Show 8pm, $TBA
LOD “LATE NIGHT FRIDAY” Langosta Lounge, l, Friday, Jan 16, 21+, 9pm, FREE ADMISSION
LOD “TBA” Paramount Theater, Fri., Jan 16, All Ages, 8pm, $TBA
Saturday, JAN 17
LOD “THE MAIN EVENT: BOB’S BIRTHDAY BASH”, Paramount Theater, Sat, All Ages, 6pm, $43-$205
LOD “ROCK“, The Saint, Sat., 18+, 7:30pm, $8adv/ $12dos
LOD “KIDS and FAMILY“, McLoone’s Supper Club, Sat., All Ages, Noon, $15
LOD “TBA,” McLoone’s Supper Club, Sat. 1/17, 18+, 7pm, $TBA
LOD “LATE NIGHT SATURDAY”, Langosta Lounge, Sat., Jan. 17, 21+, 10pm, FREE ADMISSION
LOD “TBA”, Asbury Lanes, Sat., 18+, 8pm, $TBA
LOD “ASBURY BLUES”, Wonder Bar, Sat., All Ages, Noon, $12/$15
LOD “FULL TILT BOOGIE BASH“, Wonder Bar, Sat., 21+, 7pm, $12/$15
LOD “DOWNTOWN” curated by Pat Schiavino and Asbury Underground. FREE ADM
Sunday, JAN 18
LOD “SONGWRITERS BY THE SEA BOARDWALK CRAWL“, Watermark, Sun., All Ages, Noon, $15
LOD “SONGWRITERS BY THE SEA BOARDWALK CRAWL“, Langosta Lounge, Sun., All Ages, 3pm, $15
LOD “SONGWRITERS BY THE SEA BOARDWALK CRAWL“, McLoone’s Supper Club, Sun., All Ages, 6pm, $20
LOD “KID’S ROCK“, Stone Pony, Sun., Jan 19, All Ages, Noon, $15
LOD “MUSICIANS ON A MISSION“, The Saint, Sun., 18+, Noon, $10
LOD “LAST NOTE”, The Saint, Sun., 18+, 7:30pm, $8adv/$12dos
Monday, JAN 19
LOD “GOODBYE BRUNCH“, Toast, Mon., All Ages, 10:30a-1:30p, FREE ADM with brunch
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.
