the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society

 Clifton based rock band Blisserine will host a benefit concert on March 25^th  at 8 p.m.   at LUA Restaurant in Hoboken, NJ.

Benefiting the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, the concert will allow Blisserine to bring a greater awareness to the fight against cancer with the performance their hit song Spirit of the Fight, their first single and original recording. 

 “We’re honored to be able to participate in the fight against cancer,” says Blisserine lead singer Sebastian Barbagallo.  “We wrote the song for our fan who was going through cancer treatment, but now it’s really become an anthem for everyone fighting the battle.  We hope the song makes a difference in people’s lives and shows them that they aren’t alone.”

 As an exclusive for guests, the band will also debut the music video for Spirit of the Fight, which was written for fan and surviving cancer patient Michelle Dolcemascolo of Toms River, NJ.  The video, shot by Victoria Korty, an aspiring filmmaker from Clifton High School, documents Dolcemascolo’s experiences, through real footage and reenactments, of receiving treatment for Hodgkin’s Lymphoma.

“Creating the video was emotional and a little scary but it’s something that I wanted to do, not only for myself, but for other people that are battling the disease as well,” says Dolcemascolo.  “It shows my strengths and my weaknesses and documents how the experience changes your life and the life of your loved ones.  Needless to say, I’m excited to be able to see the finished product.”

Fifty percent of the $10 cover charge for the concert will directly benefit the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society.  The inspirational song Spirit of the Fight is now available on iTunes and 30 % of proceeds of the songs downloads will be donated to the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society New Jersey Chapter.

 LUA Restaurant is located at 1300 Sinatra Dr. North, Hoboken, NJ 07030.

 About Blisserine

Based in Clifton, NJ, Blisserine is a champion mix of hard rock and alt-pop melodies. The New Jersey based quartet originally formed in 2006 with an aggressive, heavy sound, playing shows up and down the Jersey shore. Fronted by Sebastian Barbagallo, the group established a reputation as a hard working band.  In 2008 the band started a new page in its history. Barbagallo, the lead singer/songwriter recruited his cousin Salvatore Rametta and the modern day Blisserine was back in fighting form. Adding drummer Sean Scillieri, childhood friend of Rametta, along with original bassist Nutile to the roster, Blisserine is fresh and ready to take the industry by storm.  Blisserine’s first single, Spirit of the Fight, has been a huge seller on iTunes and prompted a collaboration with DMC from legendary band Run DMC on their follow up single, Stone Crazy.

About the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society

The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS) is the world’s largest voluntary health organization dedicated to funding blood cancer research, education and patient services. LLS’s mission: Cure leukemia, lymphoma, Hodgkin’s disease and myeloma, and improve the quality of life of patients and their families. Since the first funding in 1954, LLS has awarded more than $680 million in research funding.  The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society’s Home Office is based in White Plains, NY.

The post Local NJ Band Rocks to Fight Cancer first appeared on River View Observer.

Jackie “The Joke Man” Martling appeard at Bayonneâ€s Art Factory on Friday, August 28th and brought a barrage of laughter. Well-known for his work as head writer and cast member for the top-rated morning-drive radio program, The Howard Stern Show, Martling is moving fast and making his own headlines all over the country.

A radio personality, stand-up comedian, comedy writer, singer-songwriter, author and actor this “cunning comedic personality” is rocking his blend of comedy in comedy clubs everywhere. Equipped with quick lighting humor and jokes that leave no stone unturned “sexual or otherwise”, Jackie “The Joke Man” Martling is virtually unstoppable!

Jokes have always come easy to Martling, who began telling them as early as the third grade, and now years later there isnâ€t a joke he doesnâ€t know. In his many comedic performances Jackie “The Joke Man” Martling challenges the audience to stump him with jokes, the result a room full of uncontrollable laughter as Martling surprises the audience with the jokes ending.

This fast thinking comicâ€s talents go way beyond his swift jokes, he is also a very talented songwriter, singer and guitar player. Many of his songs are visible on his numerous CDâ€s, some are solely music while others are full of laugh till you drop jokes. At present Martling has a catalog of about 30 CDâ€s to his credit, various joke videoâ€s and joke by-products. All of his CDs are distributed by Oglio Records of Hermosa Beach, California and are available on his website at www.Jokeland.com.

Gifted and talented, Martling has also taken New York by storm; appearing on Broadway in “Jokeland on Broadway” at the Iridium Jazz Club, with his good friend Frank Vignola and the Frank Vignola Trio. Together the two showcased shows on Wednesday nights which are inclusive of fun filled nights, full of jokes, songs, stories and of course the one and only “Stump The Joke Man”.

Recently Martlingâ€s long-running joke line, “Use Your Finger! (516) 922-WINE!,” celebrated its 30th year, an accomplishment in itself. When asked what is the secret to his success he explained, “I love to make people laugh. I love doing it and Iâ€m glad people enjoy a good laugh.”

At present you can listen to Jackie “The Joke Man” Martling on Tuesday nights from 7:00-8:00 pm, as he currently hosts Jackie’s Joke Hunt on Howard 101 on Sirius Satellite Radio. The radio show is a weekly hour of fun and is co-hosted by Jackie’s pal, Ian “McKean” Karr, together with producer Jim “Jirish” McClure and engineered by Mike “Snark” Farese, it makes for a very entertaining radio show. Just ask Martling, his response to his great crew was, “I have a great co-host and the best producer and engineer around, together we are a great team!”

As the summer of 2009 rolls out, Jackie “The Joke Man” Martling has created a brand new DVD entitled, “A Safe Distance From Genius” which features 140 minutes of great joke fun and is available on www.Jokeland.com and most currently he is hard at work on a new CD entitled, “Snart” that is due out in October. The “Jackie Button” which is also featured on the Jokeland website has recently been updated and has become available on iTunes. It features 13 new Jackie Noises under the category “Pot Luck” this feature has received rave reviews within the Apple App Store.

A radio show, a very popular website, a long-running joke line, DVDâ€s, CDâ€s, Jackie “The Joke Man” products, Broadway, iTunes and a published joke book, one would think there is nothing else for this talented comedian to do next, will guess what thereâ€s more. Look for Martlingâ€s  acting performance in the late fall on the TNT popular drama “Leverage”. The popular drama stars Academy Award winning actor Timothy Hutton and is directed by well-known “Godzilla: The Series” director Dean Devlin. Martling will play an evidence officer in the segment entitled the “Maltese Falcon Job”.

Talented and funny it seems that Jackie “The Joke Man” Martling just keeps them laughing. If thereâ€s a joke or a song to be told “dirty or otherwise” you can always count on “The Joke Man” to know them all. If you really want to experience a night youâ€ll never forget, joined him at the Arts Factory on August 28th at 8:00 pm , for tickets log on to www.arts-factory.com or call (201) 436-6700.  Interested in getting a few good laughs, log on to www.jokeland.com, but enter with caution this site is sure to make you laugh till you drop.

The post Jackie “The Joke Man” Martling-The Jokeman Cometh to the Bayonne Arts Factory first appeared on River View Observer.