The annual, enormous charity festival is again set to deliver its massive lineup of rock, pop, soul and more to New Jersey's most arts-friendly social hub
ASBURY PARK -- While Asbury Park's revitalized beachfront and downtown regularly host live music year-round, it still doesn't get much sweeter than Light Of Day.
The annual charity festival, which has raised millions for Parkinson's Disease research since its 2000 inception, is again set to deliver its massive lineup of rock, pop, soul and more to New Jersey's most arts-friendly social hub, kicking off with small dates in Montclair and Philadelphia before the full "Winterfest" lineup in Asbury gets underway Sunday at The Stone Pony.
Throughout the upcoming week, dozens of performances will engulf venues around the city, all of which punctuated with the anticipated "main event" marathon concert at the Paramount Theatre Jan. 16, where rock icon Bruce Springsteen typically pops in for a set.
Such will not be the case this year, however, as The Boss begins his "The River"-centric tour in Pittsburgh that same night.
But there is still plenty of tremendous talent on the docket, between local musicians, regional vets and performers flying in from overseas. The full schedule, as well as more information on the Light of Day Foundation is available at lightofday.org, but here's a breakdown of five events that stand apart this year.
LIGHT OF DAY MUST-SEES
"Bob's Birthday Bash" main event concert -- In Springsteen's absence, it would be easy to consider this a down year for the festival's main event concert, but a nevertheless-loaded rock lineup should still satisfy those who purchased tickets in hopes The Boss would perform. Headlining instead will be stalwart Jersey rockers the Smithereens, who will play their 1986 breakthrough album "Especially For You," complete with live strings and horns to match the original recordings. Also set to perform at the six-hour concert are New York rock vet and Light of Day flag-flyer Willie Nile, Pittsburgh's Joe Grushecky and the Houserockers, Bon Jovi guitarist Matt O'Ree and much more. Paramount Theatre, 1300 Ocean Ave., Asbury Park; Jan. 16 at 6 p.m.; Sold out, but tickets from $58 available on StubHub.
Willie NIle performs at 2015's Light of Day Concert to fight Parkinson's Disease, at Paramount Theatre in Asbury Park. (Russ Desantis | For NJ Advance Media) Peter Asher and Albert Lee: Up Close and Personal -- For those who couldn't score tickets to the main event, across the street from the Paramount and also Saturday night will be a more intimate show, with Peter Asher, a music journeyman and longtime producer to James Taylor and Linda Ronstadt, and Albert Lee, a guitar virtuoso who's worked alongside legendary shredders Eric Clapton and Ricky Skaggs. The duo's show will reflect their six decades in music, and showcase their own hits as well as tunes from Glen Campbell, The Everly Brothers, Buddy Holly and more. McLoone's Supper Club, 1200 Ocean Ave., Asbury Park; Jan. 16 at 8 p.m.; Tickets are $25 to $45, available here.
Amy Winehouse "Back to Black" tribute -- Ten years after revered British songstress Amy Winehouse released "Back to Black," soulful local musician Remember Jones will tackle the Grammy-winning album in full, backed by a 25-piece orchestra at the city's newest music venue House of Independents. The performance will feature 17 songs including the hit singles "Rehab", "Tears Dry On Their Own", "You Know I'm No Good," backed by horns, strings, vocalists and more from funk and soul bands in New York, Philadelphia, and Asbury Park's music scenes. House of Independents, 572 Cookman Ave., Asbury Park; Jan. 15 at 7 p.m.; Tickets are $20, available here.
Ten years after revered British songstress Amy Winehouse released "Back to Black," soulful local musician Remember Jones will tackle the Grammy-winning album in full. (AFP PHOTO/BEN STANSALL) Neil Berg's 100 Years of Broadway -- While time-tested rock n' roll is certainly Light Of Day's M.O., there are a few outliers on the schedule, too, namely a show-tune medley set to wow a crowd at McLoone's Supper Club. Neil Berg's show is billed as the No. 1 Broadway touring program in the U.S., playing 120 cities over the last decade. The show recreates famous performances from "Phantom of the Opera," "Les Miserables," "Cats" and much more, courtesy of stage pros from Broadway and traveling companies. McLoone's Supper Club, 1200 Ocean Ave., Asbury Park; Jan. 15 at 8 p.m.; Tickets are $25 to $45, available here.
Acoustic Carousel at Langosta Lounge -- Dinner and drinks at the oceanfront Langosta Lounge has never sounded better, as more than 25 acoustic acts take the stage for 10 minutes each, delivering a slew of sensational original tunes. Area mainstays Jerzy Jung, Chris Brown and Anthony D'Amato lead the bill, which will fill Langosta with music for four hours. Langosta Lounge, 1000 Ocean Ave., Asbury Park. Jan. 15, 9 p.m. to 1 a.m.; Free entry.
Bobby Olivier may be reached at bolivier@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @BobbyOlivier. Find NJ.com on Facebook.