Power of music helps fight Parkinson’s

BANDS, artists and enthusiastic crowds converged in Ocean Grove at the weekend, using the power of music to help defeat Parkinson’s Disease.

The fifth annual Light of Day Australia Winter Gigs rolled into town on Friday and Saturday, raising more than $20,000 for those loving with the disease.

Twenty musicians and solo performers graced stages across four venues, playing simultaneously at the Piping Hot Chicken and Burger Grill, Driftwood Café, Maggies Bar and the Olive Pit Delicatessen.

International stars and Celtic rockers Claymore performed alongside Joe Creighton, Jimi Hocking, Kite Machine, 10 High Fly, Dreamboogie, Gallie and Sweet Felicia. Also appearing this year was the Wayne Jury Four, the Big Bash Band, Liam Gerner, SoulEstate, Princess Planet, Zeffa, Jarrod Shaw, We the Radio, Saoirse and Hey Mammoth.

Ocean Grove’s Richard Grimmett and cofounder of Light of Day Australia (LODFA) said a wave of awareness came over the town every winter now and brought a greater understanding about the disease, which is the second highest neurological disease affecting Australians after dementia.

Money raised from the event will go to the Shake it Up Foundation and the Light of Day Foundation (LODF), who work together globally to find a cure for Parkinson’s.