Light of Day raises awareness and money each year for Parkinson’s, ALS, and PSP via a handful of shows up and down New Jersey from the state’s biggest legends. Take a look at who is performing at this year’s shows, where to buy tickets, and what to expect.
January 4: Rockland, New York – The Turning Point – “Young Songwriters Showcase”
Light of Day will begin this year in New York with an event hosted by Joe D’Urso. Up-and-coming artists Evan Rotella, Jake Thistle, Allie Kenny, and Lula Pilar will perform. The matinee will begin at 4:00 p.m.; tickets can be bought here for $25.
January 14: New York, New York – City Winery – “Songwriters on the River”
The New York portion of the festival comes to an end in the city at the City Winery Loft. The 7:00 p.m. show will feature the legendary Willie Nile, plus John Easdale from Dramarama among others. Tickets can be found here for $36.
January 16: Asbury Park, New Jersey – The Stone Pony – “Celebrating Five Decades of Willie Nile”
50 years of music from Willie Nile! The festival really picks up here with a show at The Stone Pony headlined by Willie Nile and Joe Grushecky & the Houserockers. Danny Clinch’s Tangiers Blues Band, Williams Honor, and Milly the Band are among others on the stacked bill.
Tickets can be purchased here for $47.35. The show begins at 6:45 p.m.
January 16: Asbury Park, New Jersey – The Asbury Hotel – “Soundbooth”
Pop in for a free show at 7:00 p.m. featuring Lindsay Jordan, Somewhat Relative, and Taylor James Davis at The Asbury Hotel.
January 16: Asbury Park, New Jersey – Wonder Bar – “Friday Night Live”
Dramarama headlines a show at the Wonder Bar with support from The New Rick Barrys at 7:00 p.m. Tickets are here for $47.35.
January 16: Asbury Park, New Jersey – Tim McCloone’s Supper Club – “McCloone’s”
Head on down to Tim McCloone’s to see Tim McCloone and his band, The Shirleys, at 7:30 p.m. Tables, booths, and bar seating cost $25 here.
January 16: Asbury Park, New Jersey – Berkeley Oceanfront Hotel – “Mahoney’s Midnight Mass”
After catching one of the shows above, head down to the Berekeley at 11:30 p.m. to catch an acoustic jam from Bobby Mahoney.
January 17: Asbury Park, New Jersey – Palmetto – “Sounds of 1976”
The music continues on Saturday, starting with a matinee on the boardwalk with Dead Aire and Friends with Hope Well Band. The show starts at 12:00 p.m. with tickets available at the door for $20.
January 17: Asbury Park, New Jersey – R Bar – “Women of Song”
Head to the R Bar for another matinee with Strumberry Pie, Bethany, Pam McCoy, and more. Tickets are $10 at the door for the 12:00 p.m. show.
January 17: Asbury Park, New Jersey – Wonder Bar – “Asbury Blues”
Asbury is represented big time on Saturday with a stacked lineup featuring Billy Walton Band, Joe Bonanno and the Godsons of Soul, Stormin’ Norman, and many more. The show starts at 12:30 p.m. and should go for a good while. Tickets can be purchased here for $27.80.
January 17: Red Bank, New Jersey – Count Basie Theater – “Bob’s Birthday Bash”
The main and best event! This year, Johnny Rzeznik of the Goo Goo Dolls returns to headline, plus catch performances from Willie Nile, Joe Grushecky with Gary US Bonds, Fantastic Cat, Dramarama, and many more. Bruce Springsteen showed up last year!
Tickets can be purchased here and are starting at $108.
January 17: Asbury Park, New Jersey – The Asbury Hotel – “Soundbooth 2”
This free event is a reprise of a similar one the night before. This time, it features Poppa John, Phil Robinson, and Josh Zuckerman. The show starts at 7:00 p.m.
January 18: Asbury Park, New Jersey – The Stone Pony – “Next Generation”
Give the next wave of musicians a shot at The Pony for a showcase featuring Octopus School, Lakehouse Music, and others. Tickets can be purchased here for $24.70. The show begins at 12:15 p.m.
January 18: Asbury Park, New Jersey – Wonder Bar – “Cover Me”
Light of Day’s annual cover band show features Jake Thistle’s tribute to Jackson Browne, Gab Cinque, John Kasun’s tribute to Jim Croce, and Full Steen Ahead. Tickets for the 12:30 p.m. show can be purchased here for $35.50.
January 18: Asbury Park, New Jersey – Robinson’s Ale House – “Songwriters by the Sea III”
Consider this Sunday’s stacked show. Willie Nile, Guy Davis, James Maddock, and Joe Grushecky will headline along with Jake Thistle, Williams Honor, Adam Ezra, and many more. The show begins at 6:15 p.m.; tickets are sold out.
January 23: New Hope, New Jersey – John and Peter’s – “New Hope Rocks”
As Light of Day wraps up, catch The Billy Hector Band and Billy Walton of The Asbury Jukes in New Hope. Tickets are $20 here; the show begins at 8:00 p.m.
January 24: Montclair, New Jersey – Outpost in the Burbs – “Songwriters in the Round”
The last show of this year’s festival is in North Jersey with sets from Guy Davis, Glenn Burtnick, Willie Nile, James Maddock, and many more. Tickets start at $38 and can be purchased here. The show will begin at 7:30 p.m.
Header image: Jesse Malin and Bruce Springsteen performing at Light of Day main event in 2020 // Photo by John Cavanaugh via Light of Day Foundation
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