Rick Shapiro, Artie Lange & More Set for LIGHT OF DAY WINTERFEST 2015 Fundraiser

New York City's role in the Light of Day Foundation's global battle against Parkinson's Disease is expanding significantly for the 15th anniversary LIGHT OF DAY WINTERFEST 2015 with the addition of the NYC COMEDY CLUB CRAWL FUNDRAISER, led by the first comedian to publicly state he is fighting and beating Parkinson's disease, RICK SHAPIRO, and very special guest ARTIE LANGE, Tuesday, Jan. 13 at three of Manhattan's top comedy venues.

The NYC COMEDY CLUB CRAWL FUNDRAISER - starting uptown at Stand Up NY (7 p.m.), moving to Midtown at New York Comedy Club (9 p.m.) and wrapping downtown at the Comedy Cellar at The Village Underground (11pm). - is the second Manhattan event to be announced for the New Jersey-based LIGHT OF DAY WINTERFEST 2015. Manhattan also is home to LIGHT OF DAY NEW YORK CITY, Wednesday, Jan. 14 at the Cutting Room, starring Suzanne Vega, Joe D'Urso & Stone Caravan, John Eddie, Dramarama's John Easdale, and Greg Trooper.

The NYC COMEDY CLUB CRAWL FUNDRAISER is bringing together an all-volunteer, all-star lineup of some of New York's funniest comics for the six-hour cross-town standup comedy event. Joining Shapiro and Lange will be Jim Gaffigan, Rich Vos, Robert Kelly, Todd Barry, Big Jay Oakerson, Greer Barnes, Mike Bocchetti, Kurt Metzger, Bonnie McFarlane, Godfrey, Mike Vecchione, Shang Forbes, and host Joey Gay. More comedians continue to sign on and will be announced soon.

Tickets are all reserved seating and on sale NOW for LIGHTOF DAY WINTERFEST 2015: NEW YORK CITY COMEDY CRAWL FUNDRAISER, at $30 per venue. Tickets for Stand Up NY, 236 W. 78th St. (betw. Broadway & Amsterdam), are available at www.standupny.com, or call 212.595.0850. Showtime is 7 p.m. (with mandatory 6:30 arrival). Tickets for New York Comedy Club, 241 E. 24th St. (between 2nd & 3rd), are available at www.newyorkcomedyclub.com, or call 212.696.5233.Tickets for the Comedy Cellar at The Village Underground. 130 W. 3rd St. (betw. 6th & Macdougal) are available at www.comedycellar.com/the-village-underground, or call 212.254.3480.

Shapiro, one of comedy's most innovative and surreal artists, has maintained a multi-faceted career since his 2013 Parkinson's disease diagnosis and refuses to slow down. He's an extraordinary example of determination, strength and perseverance, and an inspiration to all in overcoming stereotypes and assumptions about Parkinson's.

"It's a new life force, a new way of choice," says Shapiro. "The physical hand I've been dealt forces me not only to play my hand, but to realize I HAVE hands. It's unbelievable. Parkinson's can be laughed at, and I've found it to be a damn joke. It's a riot."

The evening is being organized by Shapiro and his wife and manager, Tracy DeMarzo. Shapiro is a 30-year comedy stage veteran and master of long-form comedy and improv who, aside from stand-up, can be seen currently on the hit show MARON on IFC. An actor, comedian, author, poet, and painter, Shapiro is known for playing Louis C.K.'s brother-in-law, Jerry, on HBO's Lucky Louie and appeared in Louis CK's movie Pootie Tang, plus the film Project X, and both TV series' 2 BROKE GIRLS and The League.

The benefit fundraiser has been set up to make it easy for fans and supporters to attend as many of the shows as they want. Shapiro, Lange and the evening's host, Joey Gay, will be performing AT ALL THREE VENUES.

All proceeds benefit the Light of Day Foundation, which uses the power of music - and now comedy - to raise money and awareness in its continuing battle to defeat Parkinson's disease and related illnesses.

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