The 2nd Annual HOPE Rises Concert is coming to The Grunin Center on June 1

TOMS RIVER, N.J. - May 15, 2019 - PRLog -- HOPE Sheds Light, Inc. (HSL), a family focused Toms River-based non-profit organization offering education, resources, support and HOPE to everyone and anyone affected by addiction and the opioid epidemic, has announced that tickets are now on sale for the 2^nd Annual Hope Rises Concert featuring Chris Pinnella. The event will be held on Saturday, June 1 at 8:00pm at The Grunin Center at Ocean County College. The evening will also benefit The HOPE Center, a non-profit organization in Toms River, NJ that serves neighbors in crisis with dignity and compassion, providing for their basic needs, striving to empower each person to achieve their greatest level of self-sufficiency.

"HOPE Sheds Light is so excited to join forces with The HOPE Center for the second year in a row to help meet the critical needs of our most vulnerable neighbors," said Pamela Capaci, CEO of HOPE Sheds Light. "We invite the entire community to join us in experiencing some of the most powerful, melodic and inspiring songs ever written."

Nationally acclaimed vocalist Chris Pinnella of the Trans-Siberian Orchestra will provide the entertainment for the evening as he premiers "Illuminate." The evening will feature a 15-piece orchestra and showcase stunning new arrangements by Pinnella and Broadway Musical Director/Composer Justin Hornback. Special guests include the incredibly talented Mara Justine (17-year-old from Galloway, NJ who has appeared on American Idol and America's Got Talent, AND industry veteran Layonne Holmes (backup vocalist for major names in the business such as Bon Jovi and Bruce Springsteen), alongside the Hope Rises Choir comprised of 30 young singers from across the state.

Songs in the set will vary, featuring the orchestra cranking on all cylinders, with the high energy, jazz/funk inspired, 'Machine' to Led Zeppelin's 'Kashmir' and the Rolling Stones classic, 'No Expectations'. While others, like Pinnella's stripped down version of Springsteen's 'If I Should Fall Behind' begins a-cappella in four-part harmony and features each of his three supremely talented back-up singers in all their vocal glory. His arrangement of Billy Joel's 'And So It Goes', just utilizing string quartet and voice, is hauntingly sublime and the singer's interpretation of the Leonard Cohen classic 'Hallelujah' brings the audience to their feet. Expect to hear songs by The Beatles, Elton John, Coldplay and more in a way you've never heard before.

Ticketmaster writes, "Pinnella has been compared to vocal superstars Josh Groban and Michael Buble, but there is no doubt about the fact that Pinnella has a style that is completely his own. His strikingly rich baritone and stage charisma is unmatched."

INFO

The 2^nd Annual HOPE Rises Concert featuring Chris Pinnella will be held at The Grunin Center on Saturday, June 1 at 8 pm. General admission tickets are $50 for this Gala Event. VIP Meet and Greet tickets are available for $100. For more information or to purchase tickets, call the Box Office at 732-255-0500 or visit https://sforce.co/2HrDYls. (https://l.facebook.com/l.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fsforce.co%2F...)

ABOUT HOPE SHEDS LIGHT

HOPE Sheds Light is a non-profit organization in Toms River, NJ, whose mission is to raise awareness and educate individuals, families and the community about the impact of addiction by having the courage to share personal experiences and offer strength, wisdom, hope and resources that lead to positive community change and long-term recovery. To learn more, visit http://www.HOPEShedsLight.org.

ABOUT THE HOPE CENTER

The HOPE Center-House of Hope of Ocean County, Inc. is located at 253 Chestnut Street in Toms River. Within a place of hope and faith, The HOPE Center's mission is to serve individuals and families in crisis with dignity and compassion, providing for their basic human needs, and striving to empower each person to achieve his or her greatest level of self-sufficiency.  To learn more, visit http://www.HouseOfHopeOcean.org.

ABOUT CHRIS PINNELLA

Chris Pinnella is a veteran of the stage and has been in numerous Broadway National Tours, as well as Off-Broadway and regional productions, and is most recently touring and recording with the multi-platinum selling arena rock band Trans-Siberian Orchestra as one of the group's lead singers. Additionally, Chris has worked alongside icon Julie Andrews, and headlined at theatres throughout North America and prestigious New York City venues: Feinstein's/54 Below, Jazz! At Lincoln Center, Birdland, The Rainbow Room, The Grand Ballroom at the Plaza Hotel and more. Tri-City News calls Pinnella, "genre breaking" and says, "he has the pipes to deliver the sincerity of each lyric in all its glory." To learn more, visit https://www.chrispinnella.com.