PHOTO CREDIT – DEBRA L. ROTHENBERG/rothenbergphoto.com – Bruce Springsteen performs during a Light of Day Foundation concert at the Paramount Theater, Asbury Park, in 2014. After a year lost to COVID-19, the 2022 Light of Day Foundation Winterfest will be held at venues in New Jersey and New York from Jan. 7-17.
The Light of Day Foundation has announced WinterFest 2022, the annual music festival taking place Jan. 7-17 in Asbury Park, Red Bank, Montclair, New York City and Rockland County, N.Y.
“Bob’s Birthday Bash” will take place on Jan. 14 at the Count Basie Center’s Hackensack Meridian Health Theatre in Red Bank, according to a press release.
Tickets for “Bob’s Birthday Bash” and all-access combo packages are on sale now and will be available via theBasie.org, the Basie Center box office at 99 Monmouth St., Red Bank, and through Ticketmaster.com
Ticket prices for “Bob’s Birthday Bash” range from $55 to $405 with several all-access combo packages being offered: “On-Stage All-Access,” “Platinum All-Access,” “Gold All-Access,” “Silver All-Access,” “Bronze All-Access” and “Super Savers ‘Bob’s Birthday Bash’ Only,” according to the press release.
All-access tickets will guarantee a reserved seat for “Bob’s Birthday Bash” plus admittance to all other WinterFest Asbury Park 2022 events on a first-come, first-served basis, capacity permitted at each respective venue.
Events in Montclair, New York City and Rockland County are not included in any all-access package. Tickets can be purchased for all shows individually, including “Bob’s Birthday Bash.” For more details on lineups, performances and ticket packages, visit LightofDay.org
Other venues hosting Light of Day WinterFest 2022 shows include Asbury Park’s Stone Pony, Wonder Bar, House of Independents, the Saint, McLoone’s Supper Club, Langosta Lounge, Watermark and AP Yacht Club; The Vogel at the Count Basie Center; Montclair’s Outpost In The Burbs; Manhattan’s City Winery and Stony Point’s Penguin Rep Theatre in Rockland County, according to the press release.
All performances and events will raise money and awareness for a continuing battle to defeat Parkinson’s disease and its related illnesses ALS (Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis) and PSP (Progressive Supranuclear Palsy), according to the press release.
“I am looking forward to Light of Day’s return to a vibrant Jersey scene,” said Bob Benjamin, founder of the Light of Day Foundation. “The shows will heat up the cold winter nights in Asbury Park, Red Bank, Montclair, Rockland County and New York City with hot live music. The January shows will be our 22nd year of fighting Parkinson’s with music and will also mark 22 years of celebrating my birthday with a concert.”
Over 22 years, Light of Day has raised approximately $6 million to combat Parkinson’s disease, ALS and PSP, according to the press release.
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, according to the press release.
Light of Day 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 three continents, with shows in Canada, England, Wales, Ireland, Sweden, Belgium, Norway, Denmark, Italy, Switzerland, Germany, Spain and Australia. Portions of the proceeds from each show are donated to a local Parkinson’s organization, according to the press release.
“The Light of Day Foundation is a small group of caring, thoughtful civilians and passionate, talented musicians who committed themselves to making a difference, galvanized into action by the courage, resilience and determination of our founder Bob Benjamin,” said Tony Pallagrosi, executive director of the Light of Day Foundation.
“We are overjoyed that after the trials and tribulations of the last two years, we are able to once again use the awesome power of live music to raise money and awareness in our 22-year battle to defeat Parkinson’s, ALS and PSP in our lifetime.
“We are so very grateful for the support that the Light Of Day Foundation has received throughout the years and we hope to see you all, old and new, and yes, live and in person, at WinterFest,” Pallagrosi said.
Light of Day WinterFest performers have included Bruce Springsteen, Southside Johnny Lyon, Michael J. Fox, Joe Grushecky and the Houserockers, Joe D’Urso, Willie Nile, James Maddock, Jesse Malin, Darlene Love, Gary U.S. Bonds, Max Weinberg, LaBamba’s Big Band, Jakob Dylan, Ed Kowalczyk (Live), Suzanne Vega, Jake Clemons, David Bryan (Bon Jovi), David Bromberg, John Rzeznik (Goo Goo Dolls), Alejandro Escovedo, Peter Asher, Joey Molland (Badfinger), Garland Jeffreys, Lucinda Williams, Lisa Lowell, Linda Chorney, Nicole Atkins, The Smithereens, Mike Peters and Pete Yorn.
“The return of Light of Day WinterFest is a tangible step in the right direction of getting life closer to normal and getting the Light of Day Foundation back to our yearly endeavors of raising funds and awareness in our fights against Parkinson’s, PSP and ALS,” said Joe D’Urso, board president of the Light of Day Foundation.
“The determination Bob Benjamin and others have is a daily reminder to keep up the fight as one day we will get to where we want to be. Being able to be a small part in this battle, with music, is an honor as a musician and a long-time Light of Day member,” D’Urso said.
Gifts to the Light of Day Foundation Inc. are tax-deductible to the full extent of the Internal Revenue Service Code.
Light of Day – the concerts and the organization – grew from a birthday party and fundraiser that was 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, according to the press release.