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The annual deluge of Jersey Shore charity concerts is just around the corner as the Light of Day festival returns to Asbury Park for its 15th year this weekend. Bruce Springsteen and Joe Grushecky perform with Willie Nile at a past Light of Day in this file photo. (Saed Hindash/The Star-Ledger)

ASBURY PARK — The annual deluge of rocking Jersey Shore charity concerts is just around the corner as the Light of Day festival returns to Asbury Park for its 15th year this weekend.

Although the fest is best-known for hosting a Bruce Springsteen set, which is never listed but almost always takes place at the "main event" at the Paramount Theatre, there's plenty more to see and hear at the week-long Parkinson's fundraiser.

More than 150 rock veterans and local newbies — all unpaid — will combine for two-dozen shows at The Stone Pony, Wonder Bar, Asbury Lanes and more, celebrating the city's rich, rock tradition and raising hundreds of thousands to fight the debilitating disease.

All told the shows raised $425,000 last year alone, and donations have eclipsed $2.5 million since 2000.

Here are a few sure-to-be highlights from this year's Light of Day "winterfest."

THE MAIN EVENT

"Bob's Birthday Bash," in celebration of event founder Bob Benjamin, is the Light of Day crown-jewel show, and features a long list of seasoned rock journeymen on Jan. 17. Top acts include La Bamba's Big Band with Southside Johnny and Gary U.S. Bonds, New York singer-songwriter Willie Nile, Smithereens' Pat DiNizio and British rocker James Maddock Band. But the hope is that Bruce Springsteen will make an appearance and play, as he often does (10 out of 14 Main Events), at the show.

The Boss played 14 songs at Light of Day in 2014. If you don't already have tickets to this sold-out show, there are a few left on Stubhub, but they are going for a pretty penny — $250 and up.

BOWLING WITH 'THE SOPRANOS'

The Asbury Lanes' famed combo of bowling and rock n' roll will take center stage Thursday when the "Sopranos Bowl-a-thon" overtakes the venue. Actors Vinnie Pastore, Dan Grimaldi, Lou Martini Jr., Anthony Ribustello and more, all from the iconic HBO drama "The Sopranos" will be knocking down pins this night. Pastore's band, Big Pussy's Gangster Squad, will perform.

Former Springsteen drummer Vinnie Lopez and Tinker West, who managed Springsteen's early band Steel Mill.

James Maddock Band will headline. Come in, bowl a game and take in some music. Event starts 8 p.m. Tickets are $20, available here.

CATS ON A SMOOTH SURFACE REUNITE

Cool bands playing cool songs written by other cool bands. It's "Cover Me: The Best of NJ's Bar Bands" at The Stone Pony this Sunday, featuring some of the state's most prolific cover groups. Every bar-goer knows Brian Kirk and the Jerks and the un-aging Nerds, who will both be performing, but the night will also feature the reunion of Glen Burtnick's Cats on a Smooth Surface, the Pony's house band in the late '70s and '80s. Alexis Krauss, of the New York noise pop group Sleigh Bells will join them. The all-day show starts at 1 p.m., runs past 10 p.m. Tickets are $20, available here.

WONDER JAM DELUXE

For those who love a funk or groove band, stop in The Wonder Bar Thursday for Sandy Mack's Wonder Jam Deluxe, where nine rock outfits will ease through some tunes. Check out Mack and friends, featuring and Point Pleasant virtuoso Mark Diomede and New Riders of Purple Sage bassist and industry veteran Ronnie Penque. Show starts at 7 p.m. Tickets are $17, available here.

ASBURY ANGELS

Asbury Angels, an in-town organization formed to commemorate fallen members of the local music scene, will sponsor five hours of mini-sets at The Stone Pony next Friday. Tickets are $25, available here. Performers include Nile, Maddock, former New York Dolls guitarist Steve Conte, The Weeklings with Glen Burtnick and much more. At 10:40 p.m. there will be an "Angels Roll Call" where names of passed-on Asbury musicians are read.

FULL TILT BOOGIE

If you couldn't get tickets to the sold-out Paramount show next Saturday but still crave a night of rock, head across the street to The Wonder Bar for a potent lineup of performers. Highlights among the nine artists scheduled to perform include raspy Asbury Park rocker chick Christine Martucci, journeyman Billy Hector and soulful jazz singer Eryn Shewell. Show starts at 7 p.m., tickets are $15 at the door.

Bobby Olivier may be reached at bolivier@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @BobbyOlivier. Find NJ.com on Facebook.