Light of Day Benefit Concert in Asbury Park, 1/17/15

Willie NIle perform will perform at several Light of Day concerts over the weekend. (Russ Desantis | For NJ Advance Media)

LIGHT OF DAY WEEKEND & ASBURY UNDERGROUND: The annual Light of Day WinterFest, which helps raise money for Parkinson's research, takes over Asbury Park this weekend. The event kicks off on Thursday night at House of Independents with Willie Nile, Dramarama and others. National and regional touring acts like Joe Grushecky and the House Rockers, Albert Lee, and The Tangiers Blues Band (featuring famed rock photographer Danny Clinch) will perform alongside a legion of local acts at venues such as: The Paramount Theatre, McLoone's, The Stone Pony, Wonder Bar, Saint, and House of Independents. Click here for a list of events, and ticket prices. Tickets vary by event. Thursday-Monday. Asbury Park Boardwalk, Cookman Avenue, and Main Street.

Asbury Underground will bring local musicians to art galleries, shops, bars, and restaurants beginning at noon on Saturday. AP locals such as Chris Brown, Doug Zambon, Dentist, and Quincy Mumford will be among the sea of performers playing sets around the city. The day concludes with closing parties at House of Independents featuring American Trappist, Francis Lombardi, and many others, and the Steve Riley Band at Asbury Festhalle and Biergarten. Free (except after party, $5). Saturday, 12 p.m. to 1 a.m. Lake Avenue to Springwood Avenue, Asbury Park.

ALL-STARS OF HIP HOP IN AC: The biggest hip hop stars of the '90s and early '00s gather for a nostalgic throw down at Boardwalk Hall. On Sunday January 15, Ludacris, Busta Rhymes, DMX, Trina, and Freeway headline this gathering of hip-hop royalty. Hip hop history buffs take note, this will be the first time Ludacris and Busta Rhymes will share a stage (in this area) ever. Expect all the anthems that made these artists famous, along with some impromptu guest spots, making this a pretty memorable night for hip hop heads of all ages. $50-$110. Sunday, 7 p.m. 2301 Boardwalk, Atlantic City. 1-800-736-1420.

MELISSA ETHERIDGE DOES JERSEY: One of the most definitive female singers of the past three decades, Melissa Etheridge, will spend her weekend performing in New Jersey. On Friday night, the singer known for such hits as "Come to My Window," and "I'm the Only One" will grace the stage of New Brunswick's State Theatre. Prior to the show (6:30 p.m.), there will be a "Pride Night Party" that is free to anyone who has a ticket to the show. The party will take place on the second floor, and guests can enjoy passed hors d'oeuvres. The following night, Etheridge, who recently dropped her new album "Memphis Heart and Soul" in October, takes the stage at the Tropicana Showroom in Atlantic City. $45-$95. Friday, 8 p.m. 15 Livingston Avenue, New Brunswick. 732-246-7469. | $45-$85. Saturday, 8 p.m. 2831 Boardwalk, Atlantic City. 609-340-4000.

WILDWOOD POLAR BEAR PLUNGE: If running at full speed into the Atlantic Ocean in January is the best way to raise money for the Special Olympics, then let's do it. The annual Special Olympics New Jersey Polar Bear Plunge in Wildwood will take place Saturday outside the Wildwoods Convention Center. Registration begins inside the center at 10 a.m. and will run to about 12:45 p.m. Then at 1 p.m. the main event begins. People of all shapes, sizes, and ages will hurl themselves into the Atlantic all in the name of charity. If you're taking part in the plunge, feel free to dress up in costume because this is, at the end of the day, an extremely fun, and lighthearted event. There will be a lunch free for children under 12 and all plungers. If you're a spectator or are cheering someone on food is $10. $125 (on-site registration if you have not already registered). Saturday, 10 a.m. - 1 p.m. Wildwoods Convention Center, 4501 Boardwalk, Wildwood, 609-729-9000.

STEPHEN LYNCH AT STARLAND BALLROOM: Singer/comedian Stephen Lynch closes out the holiday weekend at The Starland Ballroom in Sayreville on Monday. Lynch shot into stardom with his hilarious 2000 debut record, "A Little Special" which received major airplay on in the Tri-State area on the "Opie and Anthony" show. Since that album's release he went on to tour successfully as a headliner, and opening act for Jay Mohr, Lewis Black, and Jeff Foxworthy. Lynch earned a Tony nomination for his role as Robbie Hart in the Broadway adaptation of the Adam Sandler film, "The Wedding Singer." He is currently on his "The My Old Heart Tour" which is presented by the popular comedy website and podcast, The Laugh Button. $25-$35. Monday, 7:30 p.m. 570 Jernee Mill Road, Sayreville. 732-238-5500.

PORTRAITS OF THE JERSEY SHORE AT OCEAN COUNTY LIBRARY: Portraits of the Jersey Shore is a social media movement produced by photographer, editor, writer, and Jersey Shore resident Gregory Andrus. Much like the popular "Humans of New York" Andrus' work looks at the personal stories of Shore dwellers, and how they wildly differ from one another. On Saturday, Andrus will put 22 of his pieces on display at the Ocean County Library in Toms River. Along with the exhibit, a short documentary which chronicles the site's creative process (meeting, and interviewing people) will be screened. A question and answer session will follow immediately after. There will be live music and food as well. Free. Saturday, 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. 101 Washington Street, Toms River. 732-349-6200.

DISNEY ON ICE IN NEWARK: If there's a little someone in your life who loves Disney, you should be an awesome parent/grandparent/aunt/uncle/sibling and take them to see the latest Disney on Ice show, "Dare to Dream." The show runs until Monday at the Prudential Center in Newark. The show invites you to "get tangled up in Disney's 50th animated feature with Rapunzel and Flynn and enter the worlds of your other favorite Disney princesses - Tiana, Cinderella, and of course, the one who started it all, Snow White." $15-$163. Friday January 13 (7 p.m.), Saturday January 14 (11 a.m., 3 p.m., 7 p.m.), Sunday January 15 (1 p.m., 5 p.m.), Monday January 16 (1 p.m) 25 Lafayette Street, Newark. 973-757-6000.

Bill Bodkin can be reached at bodkinwrites@gmail.com. Find NJ.com/Entertainment on Facebook.