“The Light of Day - Songwriters Up Close & Personal” comes to Montclair’s First Congregational Church at 40 South Fullerton Ave. on Friday, Jan. 5, courtesy of Outpost in the Burbs.
This event raises funds and awareness for illnesses such as Parkinson’s ALS and PSP. The evening lineup will include Willie Nile, Joe D’Urso, Jeffrey Gaines, James Maddock, Emily Grove, Jon Caspi, Isabella Rose and Adam Falcon.
There will be two songwriting circles, each about a half-hour, followed by intermission, and then approximately 90 minutes for the main circle.
Co-founder of the program, Tony Pallagrosi, spoke with The Montclair Times about the $4.5 million raised; about the organization’s recent program, “Boxing for Bob,” a therapy-based program for Parkinson’s patients, and about the ways in which he has seen the direct effects of this fundraising.
It all started when Bob Benjamin, an artist manager and music industry veteran, was diagnosed with Parkinson’s 20 years ago. It began as a birthday party for him. The foundation has since engaged the musical community to raise funds in an effort to defeat these diseases.
Through the years, Pallagrosi said, some of the progress was subtle.
“The idea that exercise really can combat the effects and stem the tide to a certain extent…of certainly Parkinson’s… the idea that socialization is a key combatant against the kind of depression that folks with these type of illnesses can suffer from wasn’t as readily accepted or known…”
Other aspects are more direct, such as an operation called deep brain stimulation that Pallagrosi said helps many Parkinson’s patients tremendously.
He credited funds raised for research with the advancement of new medications that have surfaced in the time since he became involved. Additionally, Pallagrosi said the awareness for ALS has been heightened through the ice-bucket challenge.
The lives of patients have been enriched, stressed Pallagrosi, through the power of facilitating socialization.
“When they realize there is life outside their rooms and their homes…when those folks thank me for funding the program [Boxing for Bob], what they tell me over and over again is thank you for getting me out of the house.”
For tickets, log onto: https://outpost.ticketleap.com/light-of-day-2018/dates/Jan-05-2018_at_0800PM. For more information, log onto: http://www.lightofday.org/
http://www.northjersey.com/story/entertainment/2017/12/27/light-day-battle-against-parkinsons-returns-outpost/984194001/
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