the news desk wants you to go to Asbury Park this weekend…
Over the next five days, the city of Asbury Park, N.J. — one of America’s rock ‘n’ roll meccas — will a host a sprawling music festival for a good cause. There will be concerts featuring big names and open mic shows for the lesser-known at venues all over the Jersey Shore town. There will be video presentation about the city’s music history.
The event is called Light Of Day, named after a 1987 Bruce Springsteen track, and proceeds help fight Parkinson’s disease and similar illnesses — funding research and support for patients. Last year’s festival raised nearly $300,000.
Now in its 13th year, Light Of Day has grown significantly since its conception. The idea was sparked by a birthday party and fundrasier in 1998 for noted artist manager and music industry vet Bob Benjamin, who was diagnosed with Parkinson’s. Two years later, Light Of Day held its first event: a single show at The Stone Pony, the most famous of Asbury’s rock clubs, and one of the most noted venues in the country.
There have also been Light Of Day-sponsored concerts across the world this past year — in Canada, Scotland, Wales, the U.K., Norway, Sweden, Denmark, Germany, the Netherlands, Switzerland, and Italy.
The events in Asbury will run through Monday. Other performers include former Wings member Denny Laine, ’80s New Jersey rockers Dramarama, pop and soul legend Darlene Love, ’90s hitmakers The Gin Blossoms, as well as showcases featuring bands and singer-songwriters from New Jersey and around the region.
We’re also excited for our friends — The Obvious, Last Perfect Thing, Tara Elliott & The Red Velvets, Gay Guy/Straight Guy, Only Living Boy, Dub Proof and Chris Brown will be a part of this event!
Pop-Break will be covering tonight’s show at McLoone’s with Denny Laine of Wings as well as The Gin Blossoms at The Stone Pony and Dramarama at the Asbury Lanes on Saturday.
For more details and a full schedule of events, visit LightOfDay.org.
