Concert to Benefit Sandy Ground Project Sept. 8

562

HIGHLANDS – One of the most Super Storm Sandy-devastated towns along the Jersey Shore will be rocking and rolling on Sunday afternoon, Sept. 8, as the iconic Southside Johnny, Bon Jovi guitarist Bobby Bandiera, and a bevy of special musical guests perform a concert benefiting The Sandy Ground Project – Where Angels Play.
Created by the New Jersey Firefighters Mutual Benevo­lent Association, The Sandy Ground Project is a registered nonprofit organization building 26 playgrounds in 26 Sandy-ravaged communities in New Jersey, New York and Connecticut, with each one named to honor the memory of one of the 26 children and teachers massacred at the Sandy Hook Ele­mentary School in Newtown, Conn., last December.
Seven playgrounds have already been completed through local fundraising efforts, but with each one costing more than $100,000, much more money needs to be raised to ensure that all are completed in time for the one-year anniversary of the Newtown tragedy.
One of the playgrounds will be built in Highlands to honor the memory of 6-year-old Daniel Barden.
Daniel’s father Mark will be among the guest performers at the Sandy Ground Play­ground Concert, which begins at 3 p.m. at the Seastreak Ferry Terminal. The concert is being produced and directed by the award-winning keyboardist, producer and composer Michael Mancini, who has worked with such luminaries as Bruce Springsteen, Eric Clapton, Stevie Wonder, B.B. King and Sheryl Crow, and marketing executive and producer Rick Korn. Mancini and Korn have collaborated on numerous fundraising concerts, documentaries and docu-concerts over the past two decades, including the acclaimed “Voices of Inspiration” series.
Tickets for the concert are $25 for Highlands’ residents and $35 for all others. A package of four tickets can be purchased for $120.
For tickets and more information, call MaryKate Lavin at 732-499-9250 or visit www.thesandygroundproject org  or www.highlandsnj.com.