Light Of Day Concert And Event Series Gets Under Way Next Week

ASBURY PARK, NJ - It needs to get bigger to exceed last year's record-shattering $550,000 for Parkinson's research - at least that is the goal when Light Of Day Winterfest 2018 rolls into town next week.

Now in its 18th year, it will bring more than 150 music acts to 30 venues over 10 days in Asbury Park and Montclair, New York City and Philadelphia, following a European tour conducted over the recent holidays.

Tickets already are on sale for the Asbury Park portion of Light of Day from Jan. 5 through Jan. 15 at the Paramount Theater, the Stone Pony, the Saint, the Wonder Bar, House of Independents and the Asbury hotel, among others. For tickets, including those in other locations, go to Ticketmaster at www.ticketmaster.com; Ticketmaster charge-by-phone at 1-800-745-3000 and at ticketmaster outlets. Combination tickets and shows to single shows are available.

Albert Lee and Band, Greg Kihn, Joe Grushecky and The Houserockers, Willie Nile and Band, Garland Jeffreys, James Maddock and Band, Joe D’Urso and Stone Caravan, Billy Hector Band, Kashmir: The Live Led Zeppelin Show, Bobby Bandiera and his popular Tom Petty tribute, Jeffrey Gaines, Christine Martucci, Bruce Tunkel, the Slyders, Sandy Mack Allstars, Kyle Ward, Billy Hector Band, Colossal Street Jam, Taylor Tote and the Billy Walton Band have already committed. More acts are expected to be added.

The mission of The Light of Day Foundation Inc. is to fund research into possible cures, improved treatments and support for patients who suffer from Parkinson's-related illnesses, their families and their caregivers. Since its inception in 2000, Light of Day has raised more than $3 million in the fight to find a cure for Parkinson’s disease. What began as a single concert in Asbury Park has grown into some 70 shows in 13 countries on three continents including North America, Europe and Australia.

The concerts and the organization began as a birthday party in November 1998 at the Downtown Cafe in Red Bank to celebrate the 40th birthday of artist manager and music industry veteran Bob Benjamin. Benjamin had recently been diagnosed with Parkinson’s, a degenerative disorder of the central nervous system, and in lieu of gifts, asked that donations be made to the Parkinson’s Disease Foundation. More than $2,000 was raised that night.

Spurred by the generosity and support, Benjamin reached out to friends, including concert promoter Tony Pallagrosi and musician Joe D’Urso, and formed the Light of Day charity, taking its name from a Bruce Springsteen song.

Over the years, Light of Day has grown from a one-day event into a festival spanning 10 days 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 take place around the world on three continents, including six shows in Canada, an 18 day November- into- December trek through Europe, with stops in England, Wales, Ireland, Sweden, Belgium, Norway, Denmark, Italy, Switzerland, Germany, Spain and a new Light of Day event in Australia.

Portions of the proceeds from each show are donated to a local Parkinson's organization, according to the foundation website.

Bruce Springsteen and Willie Nile perform at 2015 Light of Day. Photograph by Star Shooter/Media Punch/IPX.