Light of Day Winterfest Celebrates SWEET LITTLE 16 in Global Battle Against Parkinson's Today

With a goal of topping last year's record-breaking half million dollars raised in its ongoing battle against Parkinson's disease, LIGHT OF DAY 'SWEET LITTLE 16' CELEBRATION, presented by the Asbury Park Press, the 16th anniversary edition of the anchor event for the world-renowned Light of Day Foundation, will bring over 150 music acts to 30 venues over 10 days in three New Jersey cities, New York City, and Philadelphia, in January, following holiday season tours of Europe and Canada.

The Asbury Park portion of LIGHT OF DAY WINTERFEST 2016, where the bulk of the action will occur, is being held today, Jan. 8, through Jan. 18, 2016 at such fabled rock venues as the Paramount Theater, the Stone Pony, and the Wonder Bar, among others. Tickets are available through Ticketmaster (www.ticketmaster.com), Ticketmaster charge-by-phone at 1-800-745-3000, and all Ticketmaster outlets. A wide variety of combination ticket packages -- as well as single tickets to each show -- will be available.

Steve Forbert, Joe Grushecky and The Houserockers, Willie Nile and Band; James Maddock and Band, Jesse Malin and Band, Jill Hennessey, Neil Berg's 100 Years Of Broadway, Milly, Marc Ribler & Friends, Joe D'Urso and Stone Caravan, Dramarama, Billy Hector Band, Bruce Tunkel and The Red House, Garland Jeffreys, Slim Chance and The Gamblers, Sandy Mack Allstars, Sonny Kenn, and the Billy Walton Band are among the first wave of acts to be announced for LIGHT OF DAY 'SWEET LITTLE 16.' More acts will be announced as the festival approaches.

Concert goers can purchase tickets for individual shows, on an a la carte basis, including the MAIN EVENT, BOB'S BIRTHDAY BASH, at the Paramount Theater, scheduled for Jan. 16, 2016. Tickets for the Main Event range from $43 to $209.50, and tickets for the other club shows range from Free to $45. Concert goers can purchase a LIGHT OF DAY COMBO TICKET PACKAGE to gain admission to all Asbury Park events (Approximately 50 EVENTS) at five different levels, starting at $159.50. The packages GUARANTEE a reserved seat for BOB'S BIRTHDAY BASH at the Paramount Theatre, along with admission to all shows, capacity permitting, first-come, first-served basis. Ticket prices DO NOT include any fees and/or service/convenience charges.

Light of Day WinterFest has gained international notoriety for surprise performances by Bruce Springsteen in 11 of the previous 15 years, including last year's event, which raised over $500,000 -- a record amount -- to combat Parkinson's disease, topping the previous year record of $425,000 and bringing the 15-year total above $3 million.

Aside from Springsteen, previous LIGHT OF DAY WINTERFEST performers have included Michael J. Fox, John Rzeznik (Goo Goo Dolls), Darlene Love, Ed Kowalczyk (Live), Jakob Dylan, Suzanne Vega, Max Weinberg, Lucinda Williams, Mike Peters (The Alarm, Big Country), David Bromberg, Alejandro Escovedo, Pete Yorn, Pat Dinizio (The Smithereens), Peter Himmelman, Gary U.S. Bonds, Southside Johnny, LaBamba's Big Band, and John Eddie. Michael J. Fox starred with Joan Jett in the 1987 film titled after the Springsteen song (and live concert favorite) of the same name, which Fox and Jett sang in the movie.

These are heady times indeed for the Light of Day Foundation. Last year, Billboard Magazine presented the Humanitarian Award to Bob Benjamin and the Light of Day Foundation at the Billboard Talent & Touring Conference & Awards in New York City "for their 15 years of bringing awareness and support for Parkinson's disease through live music events." Benjamin, an artist manager and music industry veteran, has been living with Parkinson's since 1996, two years before he co-founded Light of Day with Executive Director Tony Pallagrosi. Also last year, the non-profit foundation was honored by CurePSP, the foremost organization working toward curing and preventing Parkinson's related diseases such as CBD and PSP. Pallagrosi's mother, Dolores, died in 2002 from the effects of PSP.

LIGHT OF DAY WINTERFEST 2016 also will include shows in New York City (Jan. 13 @ The Cutting Room), North Jersey (Jan. 9 in Montclair), and, for the first time, Philadelphia (Jan. 8 @ World Café Live). They are the culmination of a worldwide series of shows that began as a one-day event in Asbury Park and grew to 10-day festival in the New Jersey/New York/Philadelphia metropolitan area.

For comedy lovers, LIGHT OF DAY WINTERFEST 2016 will include, for the first time, "Laughstock," happening Jan. 12 at the Stress Factory in New Brunswick, NJ.

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 now take place around the world on three continents, this year including four shows in Canada (Nov. 6, 7 and 14), and a 10th anniversary European tour - an 18-day, 16-show holiday run in 10 countries (Nov. 27-Dec. 14), including five shows throughout Italy. And for the second consecutive year, a Light of Day event was held over the summer in Australia. The two-day festival always takes place in the Australian city of Ocean Grove, Victoria, a sister city to Asbury Park neighbor Ocean Grove, NJ. Portions of proceeds from all shows are donated to local Parkinson's organizations

Also new this year is Light of Day Westchester -- an evening of rock 'n' roll that includes many popular regional performers from Westchester and Rockland counties and hosted by Board Vice President Joe D'Urso and his band, Stone Caravan, and Larchmont favorites Sway -- will be held Nov. 15 at the Emelin Theatre in Mamaroneck, NY.

Light of Day also fields a team in the annual Parkinson's Unity Walk in New York's Central Park. Over the years the Light of Day team has raised over $200,000, which has helped the Walk earn over $3 million for Parkinson's research.

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Ticket packages include (all seat descriptions are approximate):

(Only ASBURY PARK EVENTS are included in the COMBO TICKET PACKAGES)

Platinum combo package: $325 - "very best" orchestra seats, including pit seats and first 10 rows at the Paramount. The ticket package also includes a commemorative Light of Day New Jersey 2015 VIP laminate; a Light of Day New Jersey 2015 T-shirt, and a L'Oreal gift bag worth more than $200, plus admission to all other Light of Day Asbury Park 2015 events.

Gold combo package: $249.50 - includes great front and mid-orchestra in rows 11 to 16 and the loge, and closer seats on the left and right sides at the Paramount. The ticket package also includes a commemorative Light of Day 2015 laminate, plus admission to all Light of Day Asbury Park 2015 events.

Silver combo package: $199.50- includes great mid- and rear orchestra and lower side orchestra seats at the Paramount. The ticket package also includes admission to all Light of Day Asbury Park 2015 events.

Bronze combo package: $159.50 - includes rear orchestra and balcony seats at the Paramount, plus admission to all other Light of Day Asbury Park 2015 events. The best seats for the dollar!

Please note: All combo tickets guarantee your seat at the Main Event. However, admission to all other Light of Day Asbury Park events is subject to capacity restrictions at their respective venues.

Individual event ticket prices:

Friday, JAN 8

LOD "Philadelphia," The World Cafe, Upstairs, Philadelphia, Pa., Fri,. Jan. 8, 7pm, $TBA

Saturday, JAN 9

LOD "NORTH JERSEY" Outpost in the Burbs, Montclair, NJ, Sat, Jan. 10, 7pm, $TBA

Sunday, JAN 10

LOD "COVER ME: BEST OF THE JERSEY BAR BANDS", Stone Pony, Sun, Jan. 11, All Ages, 1pm, $20adv/$25dos

Monday, JAN 11

LOD "HAPPY MONDAYS", Wonder Bar, Mon., 21+, $TBA

Tuesday, Jan 12

LOD's "LAUGHSTOCK", The Stress Factory, New Brunswick, NJ; NY Comedy Club, NY, NY, Tues., $TBA

Wednesday, JAN 13

LOD "NYC", The Cutting Room, Weds., Jan 14, 18+, 7pm, $75 VIP Reserved Seating, $45 GA Reserved Seating, $25 GA Standing

Thursday, JAN 14

LOD "FIRST NOTE", The Saint, Thurs.,18+, 6:30pm, $8adv/$12dos

LOD "SANDY MACK's WONDER JAM", Wonder Bar, Thurs.,21+, 7pm, $10

LOD "SWEET LITTLE' SIXTEEN KICK OFF", House Of Independents, Thurs.,18+, 7pm, $20adv/$25dos (All performers have to do a Chuck Berry tune!)

LOD "MONMOUTH UNIVERSITY'S BLUE HAWK RECORDS PRESENTS", Langosta Lounge, Thurs., All-Ages, 7pm, FREE ADMISSION

Friday, JAN 15

LOD "ASBURY ANGELS INDUCTION", Stone Pony, Fri., All Ages, 6:30pm, $25adv/$30dos

LOD "REMEMBER JONES: THE BACK TO BLACK/AMY WINEHOUSE", House Of Independents, Fri.,18+, 7pm, $20adv/$25dos

LOD "ROCK HEAVY", The Saint, Fri.,18+, 8pm, $8adv/$12dos

LOD "OPEN MIC", Wonder Bar, Fri., 21+, 6pm, $12

LOD "NEIL BERG'S 100 YEARS OF BROADWAY", McLoone's Supper Club, Fri., All Ages, Doors/Dinner 6pm/ Show 8pm, $TBA

LOD "LATE NIGHT FRIDAY" Langosta Lounge, l, Friday, 21+, 9pm, FREE ADMISSION

LOD "TBA" Paramount Theater, Fri., All Ages, 8pm, $TBA

Saturday, JAN 16

LOD "THE MAIN EVENT: BOB'S BIRTHDAY BASH", Paramount Theater, Sat, All Ages, 6pm, $43-$205

LOD "ROCK",The Saint, Sat., 18+, 7:30pm, $8adv/ $12dos

LOD "ED MANION", McLoone's Supper Club, Sat., All Ages, Noon, $15

LOD "TBA",McLoone's Supper Club, Sat. 1/17, 18+, 7pm, $TBA

LOD "LATE NIGHT SATURDAY", Langosta Lounge, Sat., Jan. 17, 21+, 10pm, FREE ADMISSION

LOD "TBA", House Of Independents, Sat., 18+, 8pm, $TBA

LOD "ASBURY BLUES", Wonder Bar, Sat., All Ages, Noon, $12/$15

LOD "FULL TILT BOOGIE BASH", Wonder Bar, Sat., 21+, 7pm, $12/$15

LOD "DOWNTOWN - ASBURY UNDERGROUND," curated by Pat Schiavino and Asbury Underground. Noon - 7PM Over 20 venues! FREE ADMISSION

Sunday, JAN 17

LOD "SONGWRITERS BY THE SEA BOARDWALK CRAWL", Watermark, Sun., All Ages, Noon, $15

LOD "SONGWRITERS BY THE SEA BOARDWALK CRAWL", Langosta Lounge, Sun., All Ages, 3pm, $15

LOD "SONGWRITERS BY THE SEA BOARDWALK CRAWL", McLoone's Supper Club, Sun., All Ages, 6pm, $20

LOD "KID'S ROCK", Stone Pony, Sun., All Ages, Noon, $15

LOD "MUSICIANS ON A MISSION", The Saint, Sun., 18+, Noon, $10

LOD "LAST NOTE", The Saint, Sun., 18+, 7:30pm, $8adv/$12dos

Monday, JAN 18

LOD "GOODBYE BRUNCH", Toast, Mon., All Ages, 10:30a-1:30p.

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The Light of Day Foundation, Inc., utilizes the awesome power of music to raise money and awareness in its continuing battle to defeat Parkinson's disease and related neuro-degenerative diseases, specifically Progressive Supranuclear Palsy (PSP) and Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS), within our lifetime. The Foundation's mission is to fund research into possible cures, improved treatments and support for patients who suffer from those diseases, their families and their caregivers to help improve their quality of life. Gifts to the Light of Day Foundation, Inc. are tax-deductible to the full extent of the Internal Revenue Code. The Light of Day Foundation, Inc. is designated by the IRS as a not-for-profit 501(c) (3) organization. The Light of Day Foundation, Inc.'s Federal ID # is 20-1560386. Light of Day - the concerts and the organization - grew from a birthday party and fund-raiser 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.

Photo Credit: Jeff Ross