The 10-day music festival raises hundreds of thousands of dollars for Parkinson's Disease research
ASBURY PARK -- When music artist manager Bob Benjamin was diagnosed with Parkinson's 20 years ago, he tapped into his industry connections to raise money to help find a cure for his neurological disease.
What started as a modest concert at the Downtown Cafe in Red Bank in 1998 raising $2,000 exploded into a 10-day festival in six towns projected to rake in more than half a million dollars for Parkinson's research as the Light of Day Winterfest 2017: The Beat Goes On kicks off Friday night.
This annual charity event, which has grown exponentially in the number of venues and attendees, continues to draw thousands as local artists and music veterans of rock, pop and soul light up stages in Asbury Park and other towns.
"We have turned this into a unique festival that involves a global musical community that stretches from Asbury Park to Australia, North America and Europe. No matter where we head around the world, we're supported by vibrant and engaged fans," said Light of Day Foundation Executive Director Tony Pallagrosi.
Springsteen plays deep into night as rock vets converge for Light of Day concert
The main attraction
"Bob's Birthday Bash," the main event that sold out in 25 minutes, brings back the regulars - including Willie Nile, Joe Grushecky and the Houserockers and Joe D'Urso - while other reliables - Garland Jeffreys, Southside Johnny and John Eddie - are also expected to take the stage at the Paramount Theatre in Asbury Park on Jan. 14 starting at 6 p.m.
Kashmir, a Led Zeppelin tribute show, rocks the House of Independents in Asbury Park as part of the 2017 Light of Day music festival And although he's never officially in the lineup, Bruce Springsteen has made the birthday bash a must-do, stopping in to perform at 11 of the past 16 years.
Pallagrosi said Springsteen addressed the topic the unity of the music community for this cause when he last performed with the tour two years ago.
"He told the audience that one of the things he most admires about the Light of Day Festival is how it brings all of these musical communities together and creates, in essence, an extended family that comes together for the purpose of defeating Parkinson's Disease," Pallagrosi said.
The festival showcases 150 artists in 30 shows over 10 days in Philadelphia, New York City, Montclair, Staten Island and Garwood, with the bulk of the shows in Asbury Park.
Kashmir, the premier Led Zeppelin tribute show, rocks the House of Independents on Cookman Avenue on Jan. 13 at 7 p.m. Tickets are $20 advance; $25 day of show at www.houseofindependents.com.
New this year
Jake Clemons, nephew of late great saxophonist Clarence Clemons of Springsteen's E Street Band, toured with Light of Day in Europe a few years ago, but Winterfest marks the first time he's playing the North American tour. As part of the festival - which coincides with the release of Clemons' solo album this year, he'll be part of Bob's Birthday Bash at the Paramount Theater in Asbury Park at 6 p.m. on Jan. 14.
Clemons, in a tribute to his late uncle, will also be performing at the Cutting Room in New York City on Jan. 11 at 6 p.m.
Also new for this tour is Jersey Mercy: Poetry of Place, Race, Sex, and Music. Featuring National Book Award winner Cornelius Eady, the Jan. 12 event at Toast in Asbury Park was inspired by poet Laura McCullough's book Jersey Mercy, published in 2016 by Black Lawrence Press. Dedicated to the Light of Day Foundation and people with Parkinson's, the book is a collection of poems based in Asbury Park and along the Jersey Shore.
The $10 admission price to the 7 p.m. event includes a copy of McCullough's book.
Also added to the festival lineup this year is the Light of Day Family Concert at 4 p.m. on Saturday at the Crossroads Theater in Garwood.
The concert, anchored by The Campfire Flies, also features original New Jersey groups The Cucumbers, Speed the Plough and The Thousand Pities. Tickets are $15 and children under 1 are free.
MaryAnn Spoto may be reached at mspoto@njadvancemedia.com. Follow her on Twitter @MaryAnnSpoto. Find NJ.com on Facebook.