The concert is presented by Mayor David Roberts and The City of Hoboken.
Fundraiser
The fundraiser is to support Habitat for Humanity, one of the major relief organizations that provides housing for the needy. The price for a ticket is $10 and all of the proceeds will go to Habitat for Humanity. All of the musicians are donating their time.
In addition, there will be a box to collect coats for the homeless shelter in Hoboken. Any coats donated should be clean and in good condition.
"It's a great excuse to have a holiday party," said Geri Fallo, director of Cultural Affairs. "It brings people together and it's for a good cause."
The musicians
According to Fallo, there will be over a dozen seasoned performers, who all will perform Christmas songs. The songs are a chance for the musicians to have fun with the material, rather than the pressure of performing their regular sets.
Chris Butler from the band The Waitresses will perform "Christmas Wrapping" in addition to a few others. Also participating will be John Sonntag, a local musician who has performed at all of the top venues in Hoboken including: Maxwell's, The Goldhawk, The Art & Music Festival, Live Tonight, Shannon Lounge, and more. Sonntag will sing "Cool Yule" by Louis Armstrong, and "Frickin' Christmas" which he wrote himself.
Members of Skanatra will be performing individually as The Nissen Brothers and Tipsey McStagger. Other musicians performing include: The Cucumbers, Dave Calamoneri, Jim Testa, The Gordys, The Damn Lovelys, Contraband, Sputnik, John Keim, and Gene D. Plumber.
The MC
Tom Vincent is back for a repeat performance of host. Vincent has been MC at the uptown stage during the Art and Music festival since 1994. According to Geri Fallo, Vincent is a natural as the host. She said that he is incredibly charming and funny.
The community event is a chance for locals to meet some of the musicians in an informal and fun setting.
Vincent is also a local musician who recently revived his old band Romance Commandos, and plans on singing at least one song when things wind down. The song will be his own version of a classic Christmas song.
"The thing that makes [the party] special is that people put aside their acts and get up and sing some songs," said Vincent.
According to Vincent, the show never gets loud, particularly with some of the musicians doing acoustic versions. "It's really more of a party atmosphere," said Vincent.
The fundraiser initially started as a holiday party years ago and eventually grew into what you see today. It's an opportunity to see a dozen local musicians all in one sitting and in one night. "It's like the Musical Taste of Hoboken," said Vincent. "It's the annual gathering of the biggest local talent."
The Holiday Banding Christmas Fundraising Concert is on Thursday, Dec. 8 at Willie McBrides. Doors open at 8 p.m. and admission is $10. For more information please call, (201) 420-2207 or visit, www.hobokennj.org.
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