It takes a village to feed the hungry — and some former Village People members, too.
The Kings of Disco, featuring ex-members of the Village People, will play the third annual Shore to Rock Hunger event, a benefit for Fulfill, known as the Food Bank of Monmouth and Ocean counties, at 5:30 p.m. Thursday, May 8, at Baseline Social in Oceanport.
Shore to Rock Hunger will feature a performance by the Kings of Disco, a silent auction, and a live appeal for support. The night’s honorees are Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield of New Jersey; Community Affairs & Resource Center; New Jersey Resources; and the National Council of Negro Women, North Shore Area Section.
Shown in 2016 in France are the Village People: Eric Anzalone (left to right), Ray Simpson, Jim Newman, Felipe Rose, Bill Whitefield and Alex Briley. All except Rose are members of the Kings of Disco.
The Kings of Disco feature original Village People member Alex Briley, with former group members Ray Simpson, Eric Anzalone, Jim Newman, Bill Whitefield and Andrew Pacho.
The guys will play disco hits of Bee Gees, Donna Summer, Thelma Houston, Sylvester, Kool & the Gang, Trammps, Earth, Wind & Fire, Commodores, the Brothers Johnson, Diana Ross and the Village People.
The group with the Village People’s name is led by original lead singer Victor Willis, who won a court battle in 2017 for control of the brand.
Felipe Rose, a resident of Neptune, is neither a member of the Kings of Disco nor the current incarnation of the Willis-led Village People.
“What happened to me was catastrophic,” said Rose to the Asbury Park Press in 2018. “It was disco’s 9-11 when the gay earth stood still, when the original Village People singer, Victor Willis, reached an out-of-court settlement with the ex-producers for control of the trademark name.”
The Village People performs “YMCA” during the 79th MLB All-Star Game in 2008 at the old Yankee Stadium in the Bronx.
Willis’ Village People performed several events related to the second inauguration of President Donald Trump, including a rally performance of “YMCA,” where Trump danced with the group on stage.
Fulfill works with a network of nearly 300 partners, including soup kitchens, food pantries and shelters to provide 1.3 million meals per month to area residents, families, children, seniors and veterans.
“More than 100,000 residents of Monmouth and Ocean counties are counting on Fulfill for their next meal — a powerful reminder of the growing need in our community. Thankfully, the support and commitment of our honorees plays a critical role in ensuring we can continue to provide food, hope and a path toward a more food-secure future for all,” said Triada Stampas, president and CEO of Fulfill, in a statement.
“We’re excited to come together for a night of purpose and celebration, all dedicated to building a more food-secure Jersey Shore.”
Tickets start at $300. Visit fulfillnj.org for more information.
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Chris Jordan, a Jersey Shore native, covers entertainment and features for the USA Today Network New Jersey. Contact him at cjordan@app.com
This article originally appeared on Asbury Park Press: Village People: Former members play Fulfill benefit, Jersey Shore
